SC - Open VS Closed Kitchens (Rant)

[RichSCA at aol.com]

I followed your rant with great interest and I understand how you feel.  I am 
sure that there will be people that will tell you that they have their 
kitchen crew signed up years in advance or that they always cook with 
"certain members" within the hosting group or that their household is 
"always" their only staff, etc.  I can understand these words, there is 
something to be said for a well-oiled group that meshes well together, but I 
understand "more" how you feel.

I "do" have a slight problem with the thinking "well, if you want to help out 
in the kitchen make it known ahead of time".   My "old" home group put on one 
event a year.  If I waited to cook with just them, I would be helping out 
once a year.  And what about just "looking over the Kingdom newsletter, 
picking out an event, calling the cook and seeing if she/he needs any 
help....?"  Well, I "used" to be able to repay and plan ahead, but isn't that 
way anymore and I seldom know more than a day or so ahead of time if I am 
attending an event.   

So here I am - a cook without a kitchen.  If I'm at your event I'll drop by 
your kitchen and see if you need any help.  If you do, great.... but if you 
don't, that's okay too.  Because I've had my time in the sun (er...kitchen).  
  And I also get to cook for non-SCA historic-type groups now and then.  But 
I think the person below (and others) that have spoken on this List have 
tried to express their feelings that they want to learn and help, but if you 
say no too many times (for whatever reason) they will soon stop asking.  And 
what a loss. 

Rayne   


In a message dated 4/10/00 7:11:21 PM Central Daylight Time, 
Black_Jade at bigpond.com writes:

<< 
 Here I think it's more a case of closed kitchens, until it's time to clean
 up.  I love helping in the kitchen since I don't get to be Feast Steward
 that often, however, every time I offer to help I find it's closed kitchen,
 only those who are 'invited' allowed in until it's time to clean up.  I
 personally prefer an open kitchen, when it isn't necessarily a 'select'
 group.  I like to share the joys of cooking with people who are willing,
 and not necessarily those who I prefer to cook with.  >>