The chocolate pie tradition continues at Paul Henry’s Art Gallery.
Each February around Valentines Day, regular visitors, as well as newbies, whip up their favorite chocolate pie recipe and enter it into competition.
“We started Chocolate Pie Night seven years ago,” said gallery owner Dave Mueller. “It started with only one pie and a bunch of hungry people. The number of entries varies each year.”
This year, six pies stood at the ready to be judged by Chris Monroe of Timbrook Kichens in Munster.
“I use the E.A.T. (execution of recipe, appearance and taste) procedure,” he said, as he gathered his clipboard and fork. “This is the third year I’ve been asked to do this. It’s always fun and I get to taste some great recipes.”
Pie Night was scheduled this year during the gallery’s regular Thursday Jam Night so there was much more going on than just the contest.
Open Mic is the Thursday night staple, with performers ranging from guitar and banjo players to those reading poetry. Various art pieces – paintings, sculpture and jewelry, among others – are exhibited throughout the old hardware store-turned art gallery, giving visitors the opportunity to browse and/or buy.
During the break in entertainment, audience members also had an opportunity to play a game of chess on an old board set up in a corner of the gallery, observe some of the antique displays (located behind huge glass doors on the wall) Mueller’s grandfather set up in 1920, and visit the food buffet table.
The latter brought out artistic skills of sorts, as many homemade desserts and entrees were laid out on three long tables. There is no set menu, it’s a pitch-in, so visitors never know what types of food they’ll find each Thursday night. If you bring an item for the buffet table, it shaves $2 off the $5 cover charge.
“I’ve been wanting to make my grandmother’s spice cake to bring, but didn’t have time this week,” said Keri Lang of Hammond. “I’m going to be coming here regularly, so I’ll bring it next time. I love this place, it’s so unique, with lots going on.”
After Monroe finished judging the chocolate pies, they also were added to the food repertoire.
“This is the best part for me,” laughed Jim Green of Hammond as he grabbed a plate and fork. “I’ve been eyeing those pies since I came in the door.”
Approaching the microphone during the evening were more than one dozen acts.
Natalie Gaza of Miller is a singer/musician who is releasing a record in a few months. The Gary resident also wanted a video recording to accompany it, so she asked her friend Wendy Whitmore of Hammond to do the honors. As Gaza took the stage, she brought along her props, including Sherry Jackim dressed like a nun.
“I first appeared before a crowd three years ago right here at the Paul Henry Gallery,” Gaza said, as she set up for her recording. “So it seemed appropriate that I would record my first video here too.”
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Paul Henry’s Art Gallery, is housed in the former P. H. Mueller & Sons Hardware Store established in 1888, on Sibley Street in downtown Hammond. In addition to Thursday Jam Nights, other programs, such the Jazz Jam Invitational and dance demonstrations are held on a regular basis. For more information, email [email protected].
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.