How it began

Tom and Bob both attended the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities and met when both were living in the lower level of a dormitory on the St. Paul Campus. They became good friends.  Whether debating religion or watching the Golden Gophers beat the Fab Five from Michigan, they found a natural kinship.

In their senior year, something special began with an innocent effort to create a decent home cooked meal in Tom's small apartment. In the process of making garlic bread with a dozen cloves of real garlic, they took turns walking out the front door and then back in, just to get the full impact of the roasted garlic aroma filling the entire apartment.  Somewhere in the all day cooking marathon, they realized they shared an appreciation for food.  It would be that appreciation for food and a genuine friendship that became the foundation for the "Big Night" tradition.