Lull Before the Storm

The weekend after Thanksgiving is always bittersweet. The pre-holiday events are over and we all got some much needed rest and family time. Starting next week, the holiday rush will be in full swing. With all the stressors associated with running (or,should i say, attempting to control) a busy foodservice company during the holidays, I find terribly difficult to keep the season in perspective.

Longstanding clients who want the same thing every year and those who want something new, new clients expecting to be wowed, marketing 'thank you' freebies, end of year events, bids for next year, charity functions, employees burning out vacation time, overworked crew, end of year accountings and comparisons all culminate into the next three weeks of hurried frenzy. At some point personal shopping time will need to be integrated into the schedule as will the occasional personal holiday party. No wonder food folks always enter the holidays with trepidation.

I will spend my last few hours of intermission pouring over a few long forgotten cookbooks while enjoying the occasional sounds of the house peeking around the corner. Maybe tomorrow I will do some cooking.