Although the Masters has concluded, the tradition of hosting a Champions Dinner lives on in the LPGA. The Chevron Championship has kicked off with a special dinner event, and reigning champion Nelly Korda had the honor of helping craft the menu. While Korda didn’t take inspiration from her male counterpart Scottie Scheffler’s Texan-themed choices, she similarly stayed close to her roots—embracing a Central European culinary approach rooted in her Czech heritage.
Instead of Southern comfort food, Korda opted for a more refined European menu. The dinner begins with a luxurious offering of caviar, followed by a cream of mushroom soup accented with fresh spring onions and garden peas. “I love mushroom soup,” Korda mentioned in an interview, emphasizing how it’s a favorite starter of hers.
For the main course, guests will enjoy an herb-roasted filet from Snake River Farms, which features premium American Wagyu beef paired with a rich ‘Goulash’ sauce—paying homage to Central European flavors. This is accompanied by a Greek deli salad, asparagus, yam gratin, and mushrooms.
The most personal element of the menu is the dessert: spring berry dumplings, topped with toasted poppy seeds and served in a Tahitian vanilla anglaise. According to Korda, these dumplings were a childhood favorite and a dish deeply rooted in her Czech culture. Such dumplings have a rich history in Central Europe, with recipes dating back to the 1600s.
Korda, whose parents hail from the Czech Republic, frequently shares glimpses of her ties to the country through her social media. For the menu design, she collaborated with renowned chef Thomas Keller, who has longstanding ties to golf, including regular appearances at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and organizing his own golf tournaments.
While Scheffler’s Masters Champions Dinner drew criticism for being too simple—with items resembling fast-food staples—Korda’s menu leans into sophistication and cultural identity. Despite the backlash Scheffler faced, he remained unapologetic, saying that Texas food is his favorite and that he didn’t see the need to change it.
Korda’s European-inspired spread appears to have struck a different chord with fans, offering a memorable and elegant experience that highlights her heritage. Currently, she’s also competing in the JM Eagle LA Championship, having opened with a solid 3-under to tie for 15th in the first round.