Cuisines of Italy I .. October 19, 2011 (Denise Crider)

The original service date for Cuisines of Italy I was supposed to be Monday, October 12th.
But just like in a the "real world", we had a situation that closed service for the day and
we were delayed until the following Monday.  No one was too disappointed that service
was shut down, because it allowed it to have Columbus Day off.

When the following Monday rolled around we hit the ground running.  The class was
familiar with the menu, as we had prepared it for the previous Wednesday service. 
The Cuisine of Italy Menu was:

Antipasti: Pizzette
(a roustic-style Neopolitan Pizza with roasted red peppers, eggplant and oven-dried Roma tomatoes)

Entree: Ossobuco ala Cipriani
(a braised veal shank with a mushroom and wine sauce)

Postre: Tori di Tiramisu
(espresso and rum flavored cream torte with lady fingers)

I have a Love/Hate relationship with Banquet-Style Service.  Considering that we are working
from a set menu allows for easy service of each course.  This particular day we had no special
menu requests (ie: vegetarian or allergy concerns), so getting the meals plated in the back of the
house was simple.  Load it up, get it out :)

The downside to Banquet-Style Service is that the Servers sweep the room, meaning serving or clearing all at once.  All food is served at the same time and cleared for next course at the same
time.  When this works, it works well.  However, we seem to often have a guest who fails to realize
that service for the entire dining room is dependent on his/her finishing their course.  They continue
to offer the rest of the table their expertise on whatever topic is at hand .. or even better still .. they
give their revue of the menu.  They don't seem to notice the six sets of eyes watching for the moment
he or she finally puts down their fork for more than 45 seconds.  Once that happens .. we swoop in!

Cuisines of Italy was a good day .. Service was done quickly and flawlessly.  The Servers, Expo and
Dining Room Assistant made me look good that day as the General Manager!  Thanks to All!!