Preparations pay off for Le Tour de… Frank

01 January 2000
Preparations pay off for Le Tour de… Frank

The flags were all flying in eager awareness waiting for last month's Le Tour de France to invade our streets. Mass speculation and media hype led us to believe that we would witness - and benefit from - one of the most breathtaking spectacles to grace our part of the world.

Since we had no previous diary record of an event of this nature, we found ourselves in a quandary about special menus and promotions to encourage a taste of Europe, etc, on our specials boards. It was decided to delay these decisions till the absolute moment to keep abreast of the information that was constantly being updated by the tour organisers.

Meanwhile, my ever-dependable right-hand man, who heads the team with fervour and enthusiasm, was carrying out final preparations for his wedding. Frank held his reception in our sister establishment, the Maryborough House hotel, in mid-July.

Anticipation

By the time Le Tour arrived all stops were out and all staff on! The fever-pitch atmosphere was crackling with the anticipation of a mind-boggling invasion of nationalities that would push our hospitality to the absolute limit.

Well, that was what they said would happen - but it didn't. We did have a good weekend, albeit nothing like the one we expected.

In the event, the people who came were happier to partake in the consumption of our most famous liquid export and not the sumptuous selection of French dishes that we made available on our menus.

Frank and Jillian finally made it to the Seychelles. I wondered whether Caterer was sold in these tropical islands as he wouldn't believe me when I explained that I would mention him in the diary.

Isn't it oh-so-sweet to relax and relish the service and the occasion instead of being involved in cooking it? There must have been an extra bit of pressure involved at the wedding, as the guests included fellow staff and management. All praise to chef Gerry Allen and his team for an incredible dining experience that was acclaimed by all the invited.

After all the excitement of the previous few weeks, the end of the month careered at rocket speed towards the next bank holiday. Here we are at the apex of our summer tourist season and it feels as if Christmas was only yesterday.

Already our dog-eared bookings diary is beginning to bulge with party requests for this forthcoming Christmas and, as I edit this year's menu, I am again reminded that granny never intended her pudding recipe to be altered to produce 1,000 portions instead of the original eight.

Next diary from James Grimes: 17 September

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