As you may or may not know, the dayboard at Yule was my first full endeavor as an SCA cook. Prior to that, I had worked as part of kitchen staffs, and participated in our local cooks guild challenges, and tried to learn and absorb any knowledge I could. What I learned the fastest is that a head cook needs a good staff. This is a critical lesson for success! Other things are nice...but this is imperative. So, hats off to my staff! They are listed as follows: Oðindisa Bykóna, our autocrat, who honored my by asking me to cook for her event, and gave me the autonomy to plan it myself....even though she knew I was very new to this. Artemius Andreas Magnus: My husband, my sage, my best friend and support. Right from the start, he said great! when I told him I was doing an all day sideboard. He helped me organize the fridge, and the coolers, and the cold bags, and Zinoviias cold bags, and hauled ice, and picked up the baronial stuff, and taste tested everything I needed him too, and gave me really good criticism, and his cooking skills are part of why I love him. I could not imagine having a kitchen without him helping me. Desiderata Drake: you invited me to work with you when you cooked, and you offered to help me ahead of time. I had been in other kitchens, but you let me help from step one, more than once. I learned and had fun! Aleidis Lanen & Maria Adriane: who lent me prized cookbook possessions so I could glean golden recipes from them. Aleidis & Radulfr also brought me an apron and electrical power cordage on the day of the event, so we could set up the coffee/hot water table properly. Jarrah ibn Zakariya al-Hamadani: Helped with the menu planning and finalization, portioning, game meat decisions and took me to eat at Ballards in Cicero NY, where we had the very difficult decision of choosing either Elk or Wild Boar meat, to go along with the Venison and Bear meat donations. And he gave me constant emotional support throughout the prep weeks! I know you wanted to be there on Saturday, but you made the right decision and you were missed! Catalina Carpintero de Diaz, her husband, Ed Flouton, and Margarita Carpintero: The Floutons are a force of nature. Ed doesnt even attend SCA events, but he hunted and gave us a veritable BOUNTY--both venison and bear. Catalina brought it to me and gave me cooking tips. Margarita had offered to serve, but I decided against servers the day of the event. Solveig Thondardottir and Zinoviia Ivanova: these ladies came to my house ahead of time and helped make cookies, cut up veggies, peel LOTS of oranges and carrots, and work with a very uncooperative cookie recipe. Oh yeah...and wax paper may be forever banned from ALL of our kitchens. They were also in the kitchen all day during the event! Ruslan Igotavich Voronov: Monitored the all-important coffee levels in the pot at the event, also took a last minute call from me en route to the event to see if he and Zinoviia could grab some kitchen knives. Its Ruslan..he has knives...ALWAYS...and they are super sharp and good for meat. Artemius had gotten our knives after all...but everybody needs a go-to friend with good sharp knives. He also taste tested cookies and meat terrines and he gave me the all-important key for taming the gaminess of the venison. My bread bakers, Justin Lymner and Michael Gladwyne: thank you, thank you, thank you for answering the call! Aurelio di Baldasare: He was happy working in the kitchen and his station of choice was the sink. You were a Maestro of that cleaning area! Our end of event cleanup was significantly faster because of Aurelio! Finnr jafnkollr: Keeper of the Baronial Stuff! He coordinated with me and Artemius to get me what I might need. And he stopped in Saturday morning to make sure I had everything I needed. And he asked later what else we might need to add for future kitchens. Above and beyond, my friend! Their Excellencies, Fergus & Helene: For making a morning store run, and picking up two more necessary things for me. I have been in those shoes/coronets, and I know you had a bazillion things to do that morning. Ixac Ben Simone and Reinaldr bjórtappr helped us carry to/from our cars...and I know I have forgotten other people who helped as they could. So many people showed so much of the wonderful spirit of make this happen. There were people who stopped in to our kitchen to gift us with foods and candies and praise, and take our pictures. Thank you for adding to the special! Finally, so many of you who enjoyed the food, and stopped to tell me so. Your praise means the world to me. Thank you for eating! In appreciation, Baroness Clarice Roan
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:00:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015