SC - Troll booths, fees, and random opinion

[LrdRas at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/10/00 8:42:35 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
meadhbh at austin.rr.com writes:

<< And there is the other side to the coin... buy for 100 and 300 show
 up!).
  >>

This is easily taken care of by restricting onboard to a certain number. Our 
shire typically restricts onboard to 75-100 gentles. Preregistration is 
strongly encouraged and a waiting list is set up at Troll in case 
cancellations come in at the last minute. 

A seating chart is usually provided so you can pick a table and write in your 
names at the table you will be sitting at. Each table seats 8 people. Dishes 
are sent out family style with each dish providing 8 servings. Each table 
provides their own server who comes to the kitchen and gets the food 
designated for that table. This discourages feast crashers because if you 
have extra people at a table then their portions have to come out of the 8 
that have been paid for and served. 

This method provides a number of benefits. Feasters are aware that a period 
feast is being served. It makes the feast a 'special' activity at the event. 
It encourages folks to pre-register thereby assuring them that they will be 
able to participate in the activity. The Kitchen Steward knows from the 
beginning how many will be served so purchasing food, scaling recipes and 
presenting the feast is without too many last minute surprises. 

Feast fees (i.e., $5.00) are separate from site fees. Lunch fees (i.e., 
$1.25) and breakfast fees (i.e., 50 to 75 cents) are included in site fees. 
Lunch and breakfast is served as a side board and any who are on site can 
drop by and fill their bowl/plate.

Another added benefit of restricting onboard spaces is that attendees tend to 
dress in their best garb for the meal and the ambiance is wonderful.