[Sca-cooks] Re: Requirements for Laurel

[Susan Fox-Davis]

Master John  wrote:

>I probably never could have been elevated in Caid, because cooking is the
>only A&S thing I do with more than a minimal amount of competency {if they
>rewarded incompetency there are a number of art forms I can mangle}. 
>
I do not know when you left Caid, but they elevated a Cooking Laurel, 
Baron Jamal Damien Marcus, in 2000.  Not so long ago.  Cookery is 
beginning to be recognized.  From what I can observe, Jamal did a lot of 
local cookery ["Baronial BBQ" is such an inadequate phrase!], some 
teaching and some excellent custom meals for Royalty.  Oh, and he's 
being Knighted soon, we are happy for him.

> My
>Knight/Laurel received his Laurel for music, but has now changed his field
>of interest to C&I. 
>
Hmm, that Secret Laurel Handshake still won't find a really good seam in 
his cuff, will it?  <grin, duck, run>  
Adding new interests takes nothing away from his already-mastered 
skills. If you do it right, skill-sets from different arts can enhance 
each other. I'd like to see him tackle the scribal project of period 
musical notation, I bet he would have it covered from Do to Ti!

I've been a "foodie" all my adult life;  I added leatherwork about 7 
years ago.  
I say that I can work with the inside -and- the outside of the cow.  <grin>
Much of my knowlege of blades has crossed over usefully;  sharpening and 
maintenence
is equally important in both fields.

>As far as what I look for in a candidate: being able to articulate a solid
>understanding of their chosen subject; consistent high quality in production
>using period materials and techniques (or explaining variations from); a
>record of sharing their knowledge (University classes, local A&S
>meetings/newsletters, etc.), and carrying themselves like someone I would
>see as my equal in deportment (not the highest hurdle to clear).  I could
>probably write this a whole lot clearer if it wasn't after 1:00 am, so I'll
>quit at this point.
>
>John le Burguillun OL OP
>Nottinghill Coill, Atlantia
>
That deportment thing is the hardest to quantify.  How good do you have 
to be at your chosen art to overcome a bit of individual quirkiness? 
 Both Bladesmith Laurels I know are incredible craftsmen but awfully 
ornery.  For that matter, I'm still unclear as to how my own blunt self 
was considered adequate in the deportment category.  O those inscrutable 
PLQ's, Peer-Like Qualities!

Yours in Sodality,
Selene Colfox, OP, OLC [GA/arts],
Altavia, Caid