[Sca-cooks] Very carefully not panicking...

[Phlip]

Generys skrev:

> OK, I've mentioned this before, but I'm cooking my first feast (as head
cook
> I mean) tomorrow and Sat, and while everything *appears* to be going well,
> in terms of logistics, etc... I'm absolutely terrified that *something* is
> going to go horribly wrong and it will be my fault.  Do you all have any
> words of reassurance for a very nervous first time cook? :-)

OK, this is going to sound like just the reverse of what you've asked for,
but here goes.

Something WILL go wrong. You can plot and plan and have all the experience
in the world, but you can bet your bottom dollar, something WILL go wrong.

Plan on it, look for it, and be ready for it, but don't worry about it- it's
going to happen.

What you can do, is know it, and be prepared to approach the problem,
whatever it is, with an air of calm. I learned this from Adamantius, at the
Crown I worked for him at, and I have applied what I learned from him, in
several other areas. It doesn't matter what happens, it's not the end of the
world, just fix it, or not, and go on.

Try, too, to put things in perspective, as you go. Yes, maybe you had
planned to have the rice dish presented with the beef and gravy dish, but if
it gets sent out with the chicken, nobody but you is going to be the wiser-
the feasters will be just fine.

You'll be fine. Instead of worrying about what may happen, you might be
well-advised to try to think of something that might give your kitchen staff
a laugh, or a bit of pleasure during the long day.

And, relax and enjoy yourself. This is something you'll have done, that
you'll look back on, with pride, for years ;-)

Phlip