[Sca-cooks] Handwashing in 1500's Italian feast menus

[Judith Epstein]

On Sep 3, 2009, at 6:16 PM, Raphaella DiContini wrote:

> Greetings,
>   There's something I've noticed when looking through two menus in  
> Messisbugo, that recalled to mind something I had seen in the Scappi  
> menus as well.
> [snip]
> Perhaps this is something that could only work for a perfect period  
> feast where all of the servers and diners are trained in what to  
> expect as I can imagine the chaos and complaints that might ensue if  
> I were to try this currently. Perhaps if there was a class on one of  
> the etiquette manuals, or an overview of many? Any thoughts?
>
> In joyous service,
> Raffaella

If a class like this were offered at an event I attended, I would  
definitely sign up. I'd love to learn about medieval table etiquette  
-- for any or all areas of the known world, since I'm sure practices  
varied widely.

Judith