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I'm waiting to hear about Richard in Cincy's "Non-oven exploding" 25-guest dinner.
- Thread starter marilynfl
- Start date
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
LOL. Marilyn it came off fairly uneventful
after the drama of the exploding oven and fireworks. (For those that don't know, my new double convection wall oven went BANG, followed by sparks, and then black smoke. Visual: Dr. Frankenstein's LaBORatory in "Bride of Frankenstein"). The circuit board blew (Note: never buy electronic circuit appliances ever again, always buy old-fashioned manually turned dials--advice from the appliance repairman.)
The second circuit board blew out after running the oven and it was determined that a transistor was malfunctioning and blowing the circuit board. The transistor and second new circuit board arrived, but yes, the transistor pins had been broken off because of mishandling and bad manufacturer packaging (fragile part in a plastic bag==brilliancy). By this time, we're days to go to Thanksgiving. Finally, the replacement transistor arrived and was installed on Thanksgiving Eve at 4pm. I'll admit to being just a little panicked at this point. But my neighbor wasn't hosting dinner and offered me her single oven next door--I wasn't looking forward to running food back and forth.
Then followed the mad rush of roasting a 26 lb. turkey and a smoked ham, along with all the other oven dishes that one usually has for thanksgiving buffets.
Dinner was only 1 hour late, but the big punch bowl kept every one socially lubricated and no one seemed to mind! (With all the last minute work, I whacked the creativity off the punch bowl and just filled it with amaretto, vodka, frozen limeade, and 7Up.--Marg, I had the bananas and gave a trial of your Carribbean Banana Bowl later that weekend and it was quite tasty. Will have to remember that one.)
People started arriving several hours before dinner, and of course stood in the kitchen watching and asking to help. Before I knew it, I had 20 people in my kitchen and I couldn't move. I assigned several people herding duties and equipped them with plates of hors d'ouevre to lure people out of my way.
And a good time was had by all.
after the drama of the exploding oven and fireworks. (For those that don't know, my new double convection wall oven went BANG, followed by sparks, and then black smoke. Visual: Dr. Frankenstein's LaBORatory in "Bride of Frankenstein"). The circuit board blew (Note: never buy electronic circuit appliances ever again, always buy old-fashioned manually turned dials--advice from the appliance repairman.)
The second circuit board blew out after running the oven and it was determined that a transistor was malfunctioning and blowing the circuit board. The transistor and second new circuit board arrived, but yes, the transistor pins had been broken off because of mishandling and bad manufacturer packaging (fragile part in a plastic bag==brilliancy). By this time, we're days to go to Thanksgiving. Finally, the replacement transistor arrived and was installed on Thanksgiving Eve at 4pm. I'll admit to being just a little panicked at this point. But my neighbor wasn't hosting dinner and offered me her single oven next door--I wasn't looking forward to running food back and forth.
Then followed the mad rush of roasting a 26 lb. turkey and a smoked ham, along with all the other oven dishes that one usually has for thanksgiving buffets.
Dinner was only 1 hour late, but the big punch bowl kept every one socially lubricated and no one seemed to mind! (With all the last minute work, I whacked the creativity off the punch bowl and just filled it with amaretto, vodka, frozen limeade, and 7Up.--Marg, I had the bananas and gave a trial of your Carribbean Banana Bowl later that weekend and it was quite tasty. Will have to remember that one.)
People started arriving several hours before dinner, and of course stood in the kitchen watching and asking to help. Before I knew it, I had 20 people in my kitchen and I couldn't move. I assigned several people herding duties and equipped them with plates of hors d'ouevre to lure people out of my way.
And a good time was had by all.
Boy, can I relate to all of this....
Thankfully no exploding ovens but I did have one of my two full-size ovens down Thanksgiving Day. I pulled out the trusty electric roaster to do the turkey in and pulled out the slow cooker for a side dish so there was no problem with cooking sources.
The real relating I can do is with having 20 people in the kitchen standing in my way, asking if they can help and wanting to chat with me as I am trying to race around to get the timing right on everything. It happened every time we hosted a large or small party in our tiny old house, making it twice as difficult to finish the food. When we built this house, we designed the kitchen/dining area specifically to make it comfortable for people to watch and chat with the cook but to stay out of my way. What a difference it makes! I know Richard's menus are complex and full of finishing duties so I can only imagine how exhausted he was at the end of that day!
Thankfully no exploding ovens but I did have one of my two full-size ovens down Thanksgiving Day. I pulled out the trusty electric roaster to do the turkey in and pulled out the slow cooker for a side dish so there was no problem with cooking sources.
The real relating I can do is with having 20 people in the kitchen standing in my way, asking if they can help and wanting to chat with me as I am trying to race around to get the timing right on everything. It happened every time we hosted a large or small party in our tiny old house, making it twice as difficult to finish the food. When we built this house, we designed the kitchen/dining area specifically to make it comfortable for people to watch and chat with the cook but to stay out of my way. What a difference it makes! I know Richard's menus are complex and full of finishing duties so I can only imagine how exhausted he was at the end of that day!
Besides Cathy, you can always let your guests bowl on your breakfast bar to keep them entertained>>
Cathy has the most unique and beautiful countertop made from re-cycled bowling alley floor. Absolutely beautiful. Actually, her DH took us out for a tour of the island to get us out of her hair, and kitchen.
Cathy has the most unique and beautiful countertop made from re-cycled bowling alley floor. Absolutely beautiful. Actually, her DH took us out for a tour of the island to get us out of her hair, and kitchen.
We entertain in the yard a lot and with the kitchen at the back of the house,
everyone congregates there on their way out the back door. I'm not above putting up the doggie-door to block the entrance to the kitchen, with a big paper arrow pointing to the side doors to the yard. You'd think that would keep them out, wouldn't you? No, it only slows the flow a little.
everyone congregates there on their way out the back door. I'm not above putting up the doggie-door to block the entrance to the kitchen, with a big paper arrow pointing to the side doors to the yard. You'd think that would keep them out, wouldn't you? No, it only slows the flow a little.
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Ang, can you believe I had to fill it 4 times! LOL I guess they liked it too!