Something for Everyone

by Connie Miller (CCKC “House Mistress”), a weekly peek into one of CCKC’s special events.

What a weekend!  We had something for everyone.  Friday night 74 people enjoyed an appetizer buffet in the Santa Fe kitchen and the music of Grammy Award Winning Country Music Singer/Songwriter Suzy Bogguss in the Tuscan kitchen and there might have been a few stops at the bar in the Sonoma room.  What an incredible performer she is and so gracious to her fans.

As soon as the concert was over Vicky and her efficient and hard working clean staff jumped into action and reset the Santa Fe kitchen for 20 people to work on their cake decorating skills with Diana Cooper and 22 people to do a little bayou cooking with Tim Hall in the Tuscan kitchen on Saturday morning.

Saturday afternoon, with Vicky leading the way both kitchens were then reset for the “Moondance” Dinner that night.  80 guests joined us for the music of the Dan Doran band.  If I hadn’t known it was Dan I would have sworn Van Morrison was in the house.  This evening Chef Matt worked his wonders and served a 5 course meal.  The wine was flowing and couples were dancing.  It was a “marvelous night for a Moondance.”.

Vicky was here until the end of the last set (her day started at 8:30 a.m.) and she began rallying the staff to do yet another reset.  This time we had about 20 coming for a “Full-Meal Grilling” class on Sunday morning and Louisianan Tim Hall back on Sunday night for “Down on the Bayou”, an evening of story telling, cooking demo’s and dinner.

I don’t know how Vicky does it.  She came back Sunday morning at 8:30 to help with the BBQ class.  Fortunately, she was able to go home in the afternoon and get some well deserved rest.

Her good attitude and great sense of humor make her a real joy to work with.  Not only does she head up the clean staff, she installs things, can fix anything, demonstrates tamales on Saturday mornings, makes her famous Enchilada Casserole for our freezers and decorates!  She is amazing.  Next time you’re in, make sure you meet her.  You’ll be glad you did.