So it's late at night a few days before Thanksgiving, and I'm preparing for my "F&B Thanksgiving." For me, and for anyone else who works in the industry, tomorrow may be the only day available to celebrate the holiday with family and friends. I've been cooking all night, and preparing my stomach for tomorrow by eating cheese and crackers and chips and dip -- because they're there. Yes, I am nibbling away at tomorrow's appetizers and thinking of a customer of mine from a few years ago.
He ordered a steak -- our 9-ounce flatiron -- and hungrily ate it while his wife, daughter, and future son-in-law chatted away. When I checked back on them to make sure they were enjoying everything, he told me things were good...and then ordered another steak. I questioned him, he affirmed his order, and off I went to enter it into the computer.
The second steak came out as I was clearing the dishes of his table-mates. I offered them coffee and dessert, and after they had ordered, he asked for another steak. His third. His wife rolled her eyes, but nobody said anything to him, or me. I desperately wanted someone to confirm that yes, THIS IS OUT OF THE ORDINARY, but I got nothing. So I just went ahead and brought him his steak at about the same time the others were getting their creme brulee. He happily ate his third entree, bringing his beef total to 27 ounces -- not including the appetizers and salad he had already consumed.
After this man cleaned his plate, he asked to speak with whoever had prepared his meals. The cook wasn't used to this sort of attention: he had to pull his jacket sleeves down over his tattoos, take off his dirty apron, and march into the dining room. The guest shook his hand, palmed him some cash, and thanked him for the best steaks he'd ever eaten.
I'm not saying that you have to eat almost two pounds of meat this Thanksgiving, but hopefully you're celebrating with abundance and in the company of those who aren't embarrassed to see you make a gluttonous fool of yourself. Have a happy holiday, and remember to thank the cook!