A Whole Lot Of Planning Going On

Writers: Cali, Jane
Date Posted: 2nd November 2008

Characters: Barthella, Zandreu
Description: The two talk Turn's End planning.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 12, day 17 of Turn 4
Notes: Mentioned: Cinale

"How is the planning going?" Zandreu asked the Tavern's head cook. He
didn't need to specify which event he was talking about because lately
everything anybody did seemed to be for the upcoming Turns End
celebrations the Tavern was hosting for the Hall. It was a bigger event
than they usually handled and though little of what they would do would
be different, the scale of the task was sometimes daunting.

Barthella dug out several pieces of paper from her dress pocket and
showed them to the Tavern Master. "We're still trying to finalize the
menu. Want versus need, timing and availability, oven space and prep
time, etc still being discussed."

"I think the more cold food the better," he said cautiously, not wanting
to suggest he knew better than her how to organize the kitchen. Because
he _didn't_ and knew he didn't. "We certainly have enough room in the
cool room and we can organize plenty of ice. It means a lot can be done
earlier ..." His words trailed off. He had probably said too much.

The Head Cook frowned at him, unwilling to patronize him like a mother
would a child. "Cold food denotes lack of skill and organization. It's
also just plain common." She quickly folded the papers and stuffed them
back in her pocket. "We plan to focus on fresh and warm, and while I'm
sure there will be several dishes that are supposed to be served cold,
they will be in the minority."

He had been told, and he knew it. "I'll stick to organizing the drinks,
shall I?"

"That sounds like a good idea." She agreed. "We'll need at least two
reds to be served en masse, something full bodied. And I'm trying for
some fresh Western Red Stripe to be flown in if I can work something out
with the dragonriders, so keep that in mind."

"There's former vintner's among the dragonriders, so I'm hoping they
will be attending, anyway," he said, making a mental note about the
reds. "And if they're attending they should be willing to run a few
errands when they have the time."

Barthella nodded, she'd been hoping as much. "If any of them show their
head in the next sevenday or so, send them my way and I'll put them to
work."

"I will," he promised. "How are things going with the Hall's kitchen
staff? No problems? Personalities rubbed up the wrong way because
we're the hosts?"

"No, I don't think so." she shook her head as no major disagreements
came to mind. "Cinale is a wonderful cook and organizer, and I think
for the most part we understand eachother's strengths and weaknesses."

"That's good. I think we'll roster the staff, so that everybody gets
some time off during the evening. Some of the apprentices can help out
to boost the numbers. Not in your kitchens, of course, unless you want
them around."

She shook her head, "Not that evening, we'll be too busy to watch over
them, but we could use a few on the prep table that morning."

"I'll arrange that for you. And I'll get the sensible ones," he
promised, vowing to leave the less useful youngsters for cleaning and
sweeping duties around the Hall itself since no doubt that would have to
be done in preparation for the arrival of visitors from all over the
Southern Continent.

"I would also like a few the days leading up to and following Turn's
End." Barthella said, "I'll be very busy with the day to day operations
of a packed Tavern even without all this additional planning."

"You can have them," he promised, hoping that the Master of Apprentices
would see things his way.

She gave an approving nod, "Now I'd best be getting back to my kitchen.
Nallie's alone in there so I'm sure she's panicking already."

"But let me know if any problems crop up."

"Oh you'll be the first to hear of any." Barthella assured him with a
promise that was almost a threat.

The Tavern Master's smile was a little forced, but he thought it safest
to leave the conversation there, before he ended up more worried than he
already was over the whole Ball. With a nod of farewell he hurried off
toward another job, as always relieved that the Ball wasn't likely to be
a complete disaster with people like the Tavern's cook around to keep
him on track.

Last updated on the November 14th 2008

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A Whole Lot Of Planning Going On