SC - Re: can we help this gentle?

[Diana Haven]

>...Seriously, though, is there any efficient method for 
organizing
>inexperienced servers (at the moment I have two lined up, which is 
two more then I
>expected to have in advance), that preserves both the ceremony and 
the integrity of
>the feast?

Educate every server that you do know about in advance. Just before 
the feast is not the time to try to explain everything to all the 
servers.  Explain to those you do expect, then a quickie explanation 
and the instruction do what so and so does will at least be available 
to the last minute volunteers. 

Write out your plans for service and for schtick if schtick is 
expected. If you aren't the cook, be sure you and the cook are on the 
same wavelength before making plans with anyone else! Keep the 
description to a few points, not long drawn out instructions lest you 
overwhelm and frighten the servers away. E-mail or give a copy to the 
servers you know of.  Ask for and expect feedback and adjust your plan 
accordingly. 

My "plan" as was given to my head server and my daughter in advance, 
was nothing more than a list of priorities.

1. No one should want for water to drink.  Ice water available before 
feast and kept available during feast. 
2. Courses served as groups of dishes as a result of learning how much 
having dishes trickle out one by one annoys the Baron. 
3. dirty dishes brought back before more food sent out.
4. leftovers dealt with as we go. 
5. someone will be washing up during feast.
6. serving is more than carrying food out and empty trays back. 
servers will be helping prep the food beforehand and deal with food 
brought back to the kitchen. 

I had some hoped for schtick and had discussed it with the head 
server. It involved serving a dragon subtlety and the baron demanding 
someone taste this new and dangerous food.  His page is quite a little 
actor and would have stolen the show risking his life for his Knight 
by tasting.  But the page didn't show and the dish that would prompt 
it turned into a simple roast chicken because of modern complications, 
so, it didn't happen.  

You know, I've never posted a feast report from my event two weeks 
ago.  Got caught up in all the existing discussion.  I'll post one 
tonight. 

Bonne






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