SC - NRW Feast Recap - costing issue

[Stefan li Rous]

Morgan replied to my concerns about private meals to the entourage with:
> > I had also been asked to provide two breakfasts and a lunch for the various Royalty present (HRM Ansteorra, TRH Ansteorra, HRM Calontir) and their entourages.  Total cost for those was $72.41, giving a grand total of $460.70 (there were some non-food items included in the receipts) for the weekend. <
> 
> Stefan objected:
> 
> >>> I know we've discussed this topic on this list before.
> >>> Maybe this is something that we will never get a consensus
> >>> on. But what was *your* justification for serving private
> >>> meals restricted to only an elite few out of everyone's
> >>> feast money?
> 
> I didn't, actually.  I was using the total amount given for the feast limit as a kitchen cap, but the actual money for the Royal breakfasts and lunches was coming out of the event slush fund.  Sorry that I presented the numbers sloppily.  I don't know from which particular funds the autocrat pulled the money, but since the feast went well over even the total I spent, I think it's a somewhat moot issue.  Had I shorted the rest of the feasters for the benefit of the Royalty, then your argument might be correct.

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 agree that serving lots of special things to the head table is not only a pain for the cooks, but an insult to the other diners who are supposed to be more equivalent to the head table persons.  (This assumes you are not doing high and low feasts.)  If they get a spiffy thing with the idea that it is to be shared around with the rest of the hall, that is one thing.  You'd hate for head table to get a half-picked roast kid or gingerbread castle.  But yes, special things only for them are just a pain.

Since these special items are unlikely to serve more than a fraction of
the hall,
sharing them with folks that impressed the King during the day would be
nice. Of
course this is up to the King. I also like the idea of inviting such
folks to
join the head table. Have some special foods does add to this honor and perhaps
make up for not being able to sit with friends.
 
> As it was, except for using fancy dishes and getting more generous quantities, the head table ate exactly what the other tables got, except that I put the leftover grapes from the chicken dish on their opening tray, and Marshmallow Peeps(R) (it was an inside joke) appeared on their salad trays.  The only other differences for head table was getting fancy serving dishes.  

Sounds good as far as the extras for headtable went.

So what did you serve for the Royalty and Entourage breakfasts and lunches?
 
> I do continue to disagree with you about serving lunch to the cooking crew.  Very often they have no way to get out of the kitchen midday for food.  Having something on hand for them to eat adds to the cameraderie and lessens stress.  I am not talking about sending someone out for fast food or anything expensive, I am talking about something simple and inexpensive and easy to cook.  <

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.

>It's usually not a big crowd at lunch time, and giving them something
to eat often smooths the rest of the day.  If I can, I bring extras, but
if the cook does not plan to serve lunch to her/his crew, I think s/he
should tell them ahead of time so the crew can plan what they will do as
far as food.<

Yes, as mentioned above, I think we both agree on this. Certainly it
would 
be nice for folks to know ahead of time. Providing a lunch can in fact,
be 
a good way to encourage folks to volunteer and let them know they are 
appreciated.

- -- 
THLord  Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
Mark S. Harris             Austin, Texas         stefan at texas.net
**** See Stefan's Florilegium files at:  http://www.florilegium.org ****