[Sca-cooks] To say or not to say?

[Richenda du Jardin]

The first person to speak to is the person who was the cook in charge of 
the feast. Many people who run feasts are amateurs who don't know all 
the rules about food safety and may have been thinking about the comfort 
of their volunteers first. If you gently express your concerns in terms 
of food safety and _not_ in terms of you run a bad kitchen, this person 
may actually be willing to listen and learn from you.  Only if this 
doesn't work should you escalate.

I had been running kitchens for a few years when a more experienced cook 
pointed out to me that I was neglecting a point of food hygiene in not 
cleaning my work surfaces with a sanitizing solution of bleach water on 
a regular basis. I was using soapy water but not bleach water and we 
were washing everything before first use and before tasks - but not 
sanitizing everything. I was grateful for the tip because the last thing 
I was is for anyone to possibly get sick after a feast I cook.

Richenda

On 8/26/2012 12:16 PM, Cheri or Anne wrote:
> I have a query.  Let me set it up for you a bit.
>   
> I am new to this group, but not the SCA, been in about 13 years now.
> I have autocrated and made feasts.
>   
> The event was held at a state park with a building (screened in) with a kitchen in the rear where anywhere from 4 to 8 people were in cooking thruout the day. NO air conditioning, but several ceiling fans and one of those really big round ones (shop fan)  At one point I went into the building and looked into the kitchen and saw 2 men and 1 boy without their shirts on.  Sweating profusely. Over the preparation of food.  Food people were going to be eating.  With hairy chests and arm pits. (all the women in the kitchen remained fully clothes at all times)
>   
> Now....being new to the group, the LAST thing I want to do is step on toes or make anyone mad at me, I have to play with this group!  BUT.  Please.  (no, I did not eat feast)
>   
> I am sure the autocrat is not aware of this.  Should I take him aside at the next meeting and just tell him it happened? Or should I just let it go and never eat feast in my group?
>   
>   
>
> "Go softly and gently for those you meet here will be those you know hereafter."
>   
>
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