SC - NRW Feast Recap - costing issue

[Morgan Cain]

The discussion with Stefan continues:

> The money still came from the event goers pockets. I wonder if they knew
> they were paying for the entourage as well as the Royalty? It's easy to
> say "But the entourage was working." So do a lot of other people at SCA
> events, but they don't get free meals.
>
> I still think the most equitable way to do such things is to ask for
> donations or pay for it yourself.

I have no idea if anybody knew they were paying for the Royals' food, or if
they cared.  I was asked to do this by the autocrat -- I didn't come up with
it out of my own head.  I get the impression, from what I have seen, that at
weekend-long events down here it is the norm to offer at least a luncheon
spread to the Royalty and it is considered an expense of the event.

(I've also seen it in other kingdoms at even a day event, but don't know
whether it is donated or part of the event expense.)

Since the event had more than enough money to cover the cost, the only
person(s) who lost anything was the group(s) that would otherwise bank the
profits from the event.

> Since these special items are unlikely to serve more than a fraction of
> the hall,.....

That depends upon the number of persons there, and the size of the items.  I
have seen some fairly impressive gingerbread structures.

> So what did you serve for the Royalty and Entourage breakfasts and
lunches?

Saturday breakfast:  Hot wheat cereal with dried fruits, orange juice,
coffee, milk, teas, and Pop Tarts(R).

Saturday lunch:  Spinach tart, cold sliced meats, sliced cheese, bread,
butter, mustard, and spice cake.  I figured most of the people would be
eating on the run, and they did. sometimes quite literally.

Sunday breakfast:  I'd planned for french toast, but there was not enough
bread left.  So I scrambled up the eggs and set out rolls and butter.
Pulled out the leftover fruit from the feast.  All the beverages were the
same.  The Pop Tarts(R) had mostly disappeared the previous day because I
didn't think to lock them away.

> Huh? I don't think I've objected to serving the cooking crew lunch. I
> think it
> is often a good idea since it can keep from disrupting the schedule.
> Again, I
> think it should come from donations and not the event money. As you
> mentioned
> this kind of thing can be quite inexpensive. If someone else is willing to
> coordinate this, both money and making it, it is one less thing that the
headcook
> has to worry about.

Well, I figure I have to eat too, and I am going to cook, and I trust that
what I cook is something I can eat.  I joke that I only cook for feast
things that I like for the same reason -- if I get stuck with leftovers, I
want them to be things I'll want to eat for the next week!

I think we'll continue to disagree on from where the money should come.
Sometimes a group will make the lunch, for Royalty or staff or whomever, as
a donation.  Sometimes you have to do it yourself.  Since I knew at least
one staff person was living on a thread, I didn't think I could ask her to
contribute anything.  But if the event can squeeze out five or six dollars
to keep the kitchen crew fed at lunchtime, I put it down as a natural
expense of keeping the event going, same as the park fees and the cleaning
supplies.

                                    ---= Morgan


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Sometimes, I have looked back at my behavior and learned
not to make the same mistake twice.  Other times, I have
merely learned to make it again with more style.
                                             ---= Marilyn vos Savant