Mission Totally Possible: Eating for Free at ACS

The 241st National ACS meeting, Anaheim, California, USA

ACS Publications ice sculpture.

Why do budding scientist from all over the nation - and world - come together twice a year to meet at the American Chemical Society's largest meetings?  To look good in front of other scientists?  To get a break from the daily research grind at the taxpayer's (through government grants) expense?  Or, is it to share the Anaheim convention center with swarms of extremely loud tween-age cheerleaders-to-be at cheer leading camp?

Last time I attended an ACS meeting I kept myself busy by taking candid photos of people unaware with my cell phone.  This time, after spending $4 this morning for a yogurt and muffin, my coworker and I decided to align my goals more with who I am as a professional and try to subsist for the 4 days of conference on entirely free food.  I pored through the ACS technical program looking for events, receptions, luncheons, and awards ceremonies that might have food and logged the details in my iPod.

So far I have been pleasantly surprised.  I found a breakfast for a board planning meeting that was getting over.  Apparently board members don't have much of an appetite, the southwest potatoes, scrambled eggs, tacos, and kielbasa was hardly touched.  This meeting must have been for some important people because the orange juice was not from concentrate.

For lunch, we attended the 50th anniversary luncheon for the ACS publication "Biochemistry." This was really nice.  We sat down at large round tables covered with a fine golden table cloth and a very large mirrored tiered turn-table with our appetizers: fresh hummus, pita chips, pasta, and a chopped salad.  The hot entrees (salmon, grilled farm-range chicken with balsamic sauce, and rice with mushrooms) were served to us by smiling service.  "Biochemistry" had ordered special custom bottles of Jone's soda with their 50th anniversary cover on the label.  Finally, we were each served a giant piece of a cake also decorated with their anniversary cover.

Dinner tonight was the best though.  This was another ACS publication reception.  There was a live jazz band, giant ice sculpture of the ACS logo, free alcohol (which my coworker appreciated much more than I), fresh grilled sliders, and... and... wait for it... AN EXOTIC CHEESE BAR.  Literally giant whole wheels of Brie, Humboldt Fog, authentic blue cheeses, and many others complete with a selection of crackers and French bread.  I was in heaven.  Science has never been cooler than a cheese bar.

ACS, thank you.