Champions Dinner will include Mum's dessert, 'bugs'

Adam Scott says he has finalized his Australian-themed menu for the Champions Dinner, but the reigning Masters Tournament champion wasn't ready to reveal all of it just yet.

But he did offer a couple of clues.

"My mom's dessert's on there," Scott said after practicing his putting on Tuesday at PGA National, where he's preparing to return from a six-week break to play in the Honda Classic. "Mum's Pavlova is on there. It's kind of a meringue."

A Pavlova is considered a fresh fruit pie with a meringue crust. It's named after a Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, who toured Australia and New Zealand in 1926. The dessert is considered "as light as Pavlova."

According to Linda Stradley in What's Cooking America, the origin of the dessert is yet another point of contention between Australia and New Zealand.

"While it has been suggested this dessert was created in New Zealand, it has also become recognized as a popular Australian dish," she wrote. "Both countries claim to have invented this dessert and claim it as their national dish."

So perhaps it's a tip of the cap to Scott's caddie Steve Williams, the New Zealander who gave Scott the correct read on the Masters winning putt on the second playoff hole.

Scott's mother, Pam, will not be personally making the treats that will end the Champions Dinner.

"It's her recipe, but she's not actually going to be there making it," Scott said. "I don't know if I want her up there with Arnold (Palmer) and Jack (Nicklaus). I don't know if she can handle the pressure."

As for the rest of Scott's menu, he lit up when asked specifically if Moreton Bay Bugs would be served. The "bugs" are really a specia of slipper lobster found in Moreton Bay near Brisbane, the capital city in Queensland where Scott grew up on the Gold Coast. Locals liken it to crayfish.

"Moreton Bay Bugs is one of my favorites," Scott said. "It's a good guess. It's a very good guess. I hope (the other champions) won't be put off by the bugs. They'll like it."