Rory McIlroy details menu he would curate for Masters Champions Dinner

Rory McIlroy, the 35-year-old golfer from Holywood, Northern Ireland, has outlined the menu he would select for the Masters Champions Dinner if he wins the tournament's green jacket. McIlroy has won four majors -- the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship and 2014 PGA Championship -- but lacks a Masters victory to complete the career Grand Slam achieved by five players.[1][2]

The Champions Dinner, a tradition since 1952, is hosted by the defending Masters champion on the Tuesday evening before the tournament for all living past winners at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.[3]

In comments ahead of the 2024 Masters, McIlroy described four appetizer options: rock shrimp tempura, peach and ricotta flatbread, bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese -- a recipe from his mother -- and grilled elk sliders with caramelized onion jam and roasted garlic aioli. He explained the elk sliders reflected recent shipments of elk meat he received and wanted to incorporate without making it the main course.[4][5]

The first course would be yellowfin tuna carpaccio, inspired by Le Bernardin, a New York City restaurant favored by McIlroy and his wife. "It’s called Le Bernardin, and this is a dish from that restaurant," McIlroy told the Irish Independent.[5]

For the main course, guests would choose between wagyu filet mignon and seared salmon, accompanied by Irish champ potatoes, Brussels sprouts and crispy Vidalia onion rings. McIlroy cited champ potatoes as a childhood favorite eaten "by the bowlful."[4]

Dessert would feature sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and warm toffee sauce.

McIlroy selected four wines, including a 2022 Domaine Leflaive from Augusta National's cellar and a 1990 Château Lafite Rothschild. Prices for the 2022 Domaine Leflaive average above $2,000 per bottle, while the 1990 Château Lafite exceeds $1,200 per bottle, according to listings on Wine-Searcher.[6]

The 2025 Masters Champions Dinner, curated by 2024 winner Scottie Scheffler, is scheduled for April 8 ahead of the tournament from April 10-13. The 2026 edition would follow a similar timeline on Tuesday, April 7, before first-round tee times on April 9.[3][7]