[Sca-cooks] Feast stewart at the crossroads

[Christine Seelye-King]

No one will remember a feast steward who said 'no thanks' to a halved
budget. But, they will remember a fabulous feast, espcially when they learn
the hardship that was presented to the cooks, if they ever do learn of it.
One of our mottos 'it's just that simple', and it carries over into my
associate's belting ceremony.
"...Service and Leadership are nebulous concepts,  and are not easily
taught.
In the pursuit of those ideals, however, I do wish to teach you the Duty of
Fealty and commitment, The Art of Chivalric ideas and aesthetics, and the
Principals of Hospitality;  To Welcome, Feed, Shelter, and entertain; all
while enjoying yourself and making it all look so easy."  Take it in stride,
don't let on that it's a strain to your diners (the autocrat is another
matter ;) and don't moan about how much better it was *going* to have been.
	Olwen had a good point when she pointed out that presentation and spectacle
are as much of the "Feast Fit For A King" idea as the food itself.  You
still want to do delicious, beautiful food, coordinated with spectacle and
entertainment.  Concentrate on quality, and cut back on the quantity of
dishes - not the quantity of food served, you don't want them to go hungry,
but don't worry about having so many choices.  Make sure there is good,
filling food, even a pottage can be beautifully served.  Then be creative
and put your talents to work on a few outrageous things.  With the lead time
you have, there are several options from nature.  Come up with ideas that
your helpers can assist with, gathering peacock feathers for example.  (We
garnished a course 'From the Fields' with decorative grains that we
scavanged from the entrance plantings at the head cook's subdivision!)
	Take a few days to put it aside and let the old ideas go.  Then new ideas
will start popping into your head and it will be just as grand, if not
grander, than your original plans, I guarantee it.
	Don't forget you have this wonderful list to get ideas, sources, help and
support from.
	Christianna