The Former Traveling Spotlight

The tales of a "30" something gay former stand-up comic living in NYC who is searching for his soul mate or soul...which ever comes first.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Welcome to Catering

Last night I catered a cocktail party on Fifth Avenue for a couple that was launching the new wine they've had made and are now marketing. 70 of their friends, all who have children attending a $34,000 a year school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The family having the party have 4 boys in this school. They pay more in tuition than I have in total school loan debt. Give or take a thousand.

That being said, this party was about showing off for their friends. The lady of the house insisted that we spare no expense. She had just had the apartment repainted and decorated, specialty lighting brought in, and she insisted that all the staff come with a freshly pressed uniform (It's polyester...if I iron the damn thing it would melt). She had fois gras prepared, a special caviar bar, and fillet mignon medallions in a Bordeaux reduction.

During the party, one of her guests dropped a glass of red wine on her white sofa (which I promptly cleaned to the best of my ability). Another guest dropped a glass on her new carpet, which our staff also cleaned. She was perfectly happy.

Until she got the bill.

She didn't agree with the catering standard that cater waiters get a minimum 5 hour pay, regardless how short the shift. She wanted to only pay us for the three hours we were working.

Lesson? Money doesn't buy class.

Patrick - 11:50 AM -

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