Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Breakfast Club

I love my job. I didn’t know that it was possible to actually like coming to work and I feel like I’m getting away with something because I do. This place employs a multitude of characters who are very lively and positive. Very different from my previous life. The only possible downside I can think of is the fact that there is always food. Everyday somebody is bringing something in or setting out the leftovers from a catered conference. I’ve gained at least 20 pounds since I started work here. Loving every damn second of it.

My department is fairly large and when I first came onboard I was told about Breakfast Club. Every Friday a different member of Breakfast Club would bring in a huge breakfast spread for the other members. Membership is not mandatory but let me tell you – if you so much as look at the buffet you had better be prepared to join. Actually, there are so many of us that at this point a body only has to bring breakfast four times a year! Anyway, standards are high. Very high. Waffle bars get set up, people bake quiches in the wee hours of the morning to bring in, people boil down pumpkins for fresh pumpkin muffins, people stay up and make salmon strada the night before! Fresh fruit is always provided as well as a wide selection pastries, yogurt other yummy goodies. It’s an event.

Last Friday, Breakfast Club was somewhat of a letdown. The member who’s turn it was brought in twelve yogurt cups, a box of Hostess Coffee Cakes and three different containers of fruit. Let me tell you – the outrage basically destroyed all productive work for the day. Emails flew about, the member had his car keys pressed into his hand and was pointed in the direction of the parking garage to go forth and bring back a REAL breakfast. He came back with some Challa Bread (?) and organic cream cheese.

More emails flew about and the member was almost expelled from Breakfast Club. There are some pretty big fellows in the Club and they need their dirty carbs and meat products! They don’t care about “organic” and “gourmet” shit! They need substance! The offending member complained that he didn’t buy much because last time there was so much left over. The response was: There would be no leftovers if you brought something GOOD!

All of this was quite good natured and only a little passive aggressive but needless to say, I know have a very clear understanding of what is expected of me when it’s my turn. Which happens to be this Friday. *Gulp* Anyone know a good catering company?

9 comments:

hokgardner said...

Oy. I think I'd be having a nervous breakdown over it. At my former job, we could get away with bringing in bagels or donuts every once in a while. But then again, we didn't have anything super organized.

Logical Libby said...

What about donuts? Everyone loves donuts!

Unknown said...

Sounds to me like there's a lot to live up to - and I am of no help whatsoever.

Elliott said...

My last office would do breakfast quarterly on a grand scale - freshly fried bacon and sausages, eggs to order, homemade grits, an assortment of pastry and fruits. It was an event.

Might I suggest a cowboy egg bake and bacon cinnamon rolls?

Bev said...

Good lord, you mean it's possible to love one's job?! That very concept blows my mind!

The fact that you would all willingly congragate to have breakfast each week is also amazing and fantastic! I want to go to there....

Good luck with breakfast this week!

Madame Queen said...

Ay yi yi. Sounds like serious business! I have a great sausage, egg, and hashbrown casserole recipe. It's really easy to make and it's delicious!

J said...

Wow. That sounds like a high maintanence breakfast club!

Hmmm... seeing that you mentioned a waffle bar, I'm fresh out of ideas. Unless of course, you just stayed up all night baking muffins and scones. You could make salmon muffins w/ spicy mayo (recipe is easy! Let me know if you'd like)

Be sure to let us know how it turned out- I'm curious.

Amber D. said...

A very large part of my job is ordering catering, and I, like you, gained 20 lbs when I started here! I learned quickly to order big and order good... the natives revolt here otherwise.

I have a great recipe for a breakfast casserole, but if you can afford it, I'd totally go with outside catering. They deal with the mess of cooking, setting up, and picking up, and all you have to do is sign the credit card slip. :) Good luck, darlin!

Word verif: disestes. Diseased testicles. Like my ex's. :)

Barbara said...

Oh lummy, good luck! Tell us about it on Saturday!