My biggest food prep, ever
As part of my role in the family, I help with meals. Not all the time, but enough that I feel comfortable in my kitchen. I rarely serve more than a half-dozen people at a go, and the prep time can be measured in portions of an afternoon. Today, I tried something different.
I agreed to assist in the setup for a catered banquet for 150 people. I won’t be there, but I think they’ll enjoy the effort. I had a direct hand in peeling carrots and cucumbers, setting out portions of coleslaw, putting the tables in rows and dressing them with cloths and condiments. I even arranged the chowder table, as a parting effort. Interesting to watch. I’ve never seen that many cabbages go under the knife, before. I now understand that my chicken plates at a family restaurant don’t just “happen”. Even getting places ready for a banquet room require planning. Logistics.
Today was our afternoon at the agricultural fair. So many jars of jam! A seafood chowder contest! Familiar faces! That was the biggest difference, if I compare with a year ago. This time around, there were fewer strangers. Oh, sure, I can’t claim to know “many people”, but things are improving.
We also visited the opening of the new photo studio in town. Times have changed, so much. The film cameras were there for show, only. No darkroom; in place, a huge sheet paper inkjet printer. However, we knew people. The familiar faces thing, again. It’s all about the community. Where we live and play.
