A hosting disaster

Photo by Elena Leya on Unsplash

About 30 years ago, I invited a group of ladies who were leaders in our little mission church to an overnight pamper party as a way of thanking them for their service. 

The next morning, they gathered around the table, anticipating what one of the guests called “Sue’s world famous strawberry crepes”.  

A couple of volunteers and myself formed an assembly line in the tiny galley kitchen where I rolled and plated the crepes then passed it to the woman ladling the strawberry sauce who then passed it to the garnisher.  I wanted the sauce to be warm, so I re-heated the large bowl in the microwave and when I took it out, it slipped from my fingers but landed upright on the floor, splattering sauce everywhere.  The ladler put the bowl back on the counter and kept on ladling the sauce on the crepes.   

One of the guests offered to clean up the mess, so I told her to grab the rag behind the toilet (which is used to wipe up all things gross.)  A few minutes later, when most of the women were chowing down on the crepes, I turned my head, horrified to see the woman wiping up the sauce on the floor, wringing it BACK into the strawberry sauce bowl from which the ladler was still ladling!  

I was tempted to say nothing, but when I remembered the last place that rag had been, my conscience got the better of me. 

I told all the ladies  “STOP EATING!” then explained what happened. 

The banter ceased. 

Forks were suspended mid-air. 

One woman turned white and said she was going to puke. 

I offered to take anyone to the hospital to get their stomach pumped.  Someone else suggested that we pray and that seemed like a good idea.  

So I cleared the plates, then doled out plastic bowls filled with stale Cheerios and thus began my hosting ministry!

By the way…

Fear of failure is the #1 reason people don’t cook for others. Find a simple recipe and try it out on your family. Fussing with a lot of different pots and pans and last minute preparation is a sure way to spike your cortisol levels! This negative energy can also affect your guests. There is a proverb that says, “Better is a plate of vegetables with love than a fatted calf with strife.” And…well, if you do fail, it makes for a good story!