Thank you for the very timely article on the PC front page.
I have recently, for the first time in 18 years as a personal chef, had the most excruciating experience of being booked by an
Event Management company that couldn't organise a boy scout camp let alone a function for 100 people.
I was put in the most dangerous position with no facilities or work place in order to perform a cookery demonstration...with no microphone and no room for any of my equipment etc.
They gave me two wallpaper tables (folding) to set up a heavy combi oven and a set of hot plates.
There was no room for styling and mis-en-place etc.
Not only that at the last minute they asked for a finger buffet for 100 to include at least 4 items and the food from the demo to be served too. There was not enough room on the table for 100 sandwiches let alone a buffet!
The Event Management did absolutely nothing, charged the client an enormous fee and then because it did not go the way they expected, they bounced my cheque for the 2nd 50% of my fee. Even though I managed what I could with the demo. Had many 1-1's with the guests who loved the food and ate absolutely everything. They just could not hear me.
Apparently the client demanded a refund from the Event Management team because the other 'show' Clarins did not turn up to do the facials advertised. The Event Team are refusing to pay my fee and are also threatening to sue me for the whole cost of the event if I try to recover my money.
I have never advertised my services as a caterer, unfortunately in UK that is often the only catagory that we PC's fit into. My website states quite clearly what I do and providing 'events' electrical equipment and microphones etc is just not part of my set up. Be warned. many of the people working for event management companies do not have a clue, even about public health and safety issues. Please be sure to include a very extensive questionair before getting involved with some of these companies. Most important of all, insist on liaison with the actual client prior to the job if possible otherwise walk away.
Fay Olinsky
Personal Chef UK Ltd
Last edited by PersonalChefFay; 05/21/07 03:44 AM.
