| Like a good book, a good banquet is so much more | | | | refinement when you keep the spirit of "wabi". Wabi |
| than a meal for a crowd. The planning and execution is | | | | means "quiet or sober refinement, or subdued taste" |
| a task for the master idea-maker. Pulling it all off | | | | and is characterized by humility, restraint, simplicity, |
| requires a cast and crew rivaling the filmmakers of | | | | naturalism, profundity, and a kind of humbling slight |
| Hollywood in size and skill. Timing is everything – | | | | imperfection. |
| one person off their cue and the soup gets cold, the | | | | The Technology Company Banquet |
| centerpieces melt, and the whole show comes | | | | The computer and electronics industry continues to |
| crashing down. It is an art with a hundred variations. | | | | grow at a fierce pace. More and more you'll find |
| What scale of a production are you looking to make? | | | | yourself catering company events for a |
| If you're given creative freedom, you might be looking | | | | computer-related enterprise. In these cases, |
| for that one idea for a theme or attitude from which | | | | management is like management everywhere, but the |
| the unfolding of your entire scheme can emerge. | | | | workers are something else. The theme isn't so much |
| Herein, some ideas for inspiration: | | | | a matter here as the kind of food. |
| The Medieval Renaissance Banquet | | | | Technology workers such as engineers and |
| Renaissance Faires are becoming an annual event in | | | | programmers tend to be high-minded in their food |
| every major city, usually around the Fall. Groups like | | | | preferences. The stereotype of the computer geek |
| the Society for Creative Anachronism organize on the | | | | snacking on junk food is absolutely false. All computer |
| Internet and travel around in a circuit. The popular | | | | types are at least discriminating in their diet and many |
| restaurant and entertainment chain Medieval Times | | | | are highly health-food conscious. Many prefer spicy |
| has also helped establish the Middle Ages theme as a | | | | ethnic food, and on their own organize group |
| popular banquet genre. | | | | expeditions to the most exotic restaurant in town. The |
| For Medieval banquets, the food is usually simple and | | | | only place where the stereotype is on track is |
| heavily features roast meat. If you serve alcohol, mead | | | | caffeine; IT people still love their coffee and energy |
| is a popular Renaissance-era beverage, but finding | | | | drinks. Setting up a quality espresso bar is sure to be a |
| somebody who knows how to make it is difficult. | | | | big hit. |
| Other Renaissance alcohol might include ales, malt | | | | Theming is something you should discuss before-hand. |
| beverages, and grog or rum. Side dishes may be | | | | Find out if there is a strong company subculture you |
| simple steamed vegetable or potato dishes. Breads | | | | can cater to. A science fiction show popular to the |
| and soups go well together, and a bread soup-bowl | | | | group, perhaps. In any case, theming will be largely a |
| – that is, a large crusty loaf hollowed out and | | | | matter of decoration rather than menu. The only |
| served that way, like soup in an edible bowl – | | | | general constraint is that most technology workers are |
| actually had it's origins in the Renaissance. Other foods | | | | urban and like some sophistication in their settings. |
| include tarts and cakes, and cheeses and wines. | | | | The Western Banquet |
| While there is a myth that Medieval folks ate roasts | | | | A "no-brainer" for the American culture. Western |
| with their bare hands straight off the bone, actually | | | | themed restaurants aren't hard to come by. Ranch |
| times for the better-off of the period – the ones | | | | fare is hardy and simple to prepare and is served |
| who could actually manage banquets! – were | | | | without too much trimmings. Barbecue, chilis, ribs, |
| more civilized and utensils are encouraged. You might | | | | cornbread and corn dishes, roast beef, roast turkey, |
| think about wooden serving tools, costuming the staff | | | | and just about anything you can put gravy on will fit in. |
| in European Middle-Age garb, and referring to the | | | | Desserts such as cherry pie and apple cobbler. |
| servers as "serving wenches and rogues". Attend a | | | | Beverages may be either of coffee or sarsaparilla |
| Renaissance Faire in your area to get a feel for it; | | | | (root beer). Don't go overboard on the theming but |
| these are great fun and a cultural expedition. | | | | keep it stylish. The key is not to decorate with cliches |
| The Elegant Oriental Banquet | | | | like cattle skulls, wagon wheels and hay bales, but to |
| Here's an opportunity to put your sushi or teppanyaki | | | | keep an atmosphere of the typical classy ranch house |
| chef to good use! Steak and seafood restaurants with | | | | with a western flare. |
| an oriental theme have made their mark on the | | | | The Christian Banquet |
| culinary world, notably the popular Benihana restaurant | | | | A Biblical theme is an interesting experience. You may |
| chain. The steak and grill house style of Japanese | | | | get a call for this whenever you have a church |
| restaurant is only one way to look at it, however, and | | | | wedding, a religious social event, or a business with a |
| you may consider something a little more formal than | | | | heavy faith accent. Be sure to find out ahead of time |
| having a cook at each table flicking steak knives and | | | | whether they have dietary constraints such as a class |
| flaming pans around inches from your guest's noses. | | | | of meats they don't eat or Kosher restrictions. |
| A formal Oriental occasion is more relaxed and | | | | Fish, poultry, and lamb will be a safe choice for meats. |
| refined. Think more of geisha servers, elegant | | | | Salads are popular, as is any raw or steamed |
| centerpieces, and delicate foods. This is an occasion | | | | vegetable. Bread is also a big part of Biblical fare, |
| which calls for a tea serving. Start with a basic sado | | | | particularly whole grain breads with a lot of wheat and |
| ceremony and alter it for your needs. Perhaps replace | | | | barley. Fruits can be dates, figs, pomegranates, or |
| tea with a choice of hot beverages before the meal. | | | | grapes. Beverages should be fruit juices, which are |
| Keep a menu that is consistent with the whole event, | | | | pretty much the only safe choice with all of the |
| sticking to Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, whatever | | | | religious restrictions on alcohol and hot drinks out there. |
| you pick. | | | | Hope these ideas got your creative juices flowing! |
| The whole event can be kept to an Oriental style of | | | | |