The Journal
Diary of a Retired Catering Manager.
Forty-five years of ballrooms, banquet math, and other people's biggest days — written down before I forget any of it.
Political Events and Bill and Hillary Clinton
Twenty pop-up events in seven days at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, a hotel ringed by men in face shields, a sealed service hallway for Hillary Clinton — and, ten years later, a President undone by static cling.
Read the postKosher Weddings and the Rabbi that made me Cry
Twenty-four years old, my first Orthodox kosher wedding, and a rabbi who explained — in front of eight people — exactly why he would not shake my hand. Also: kashering, glatt vs. kosher-style, and why the only thing you can add to a glatt kosher minimum is more booze.
Read the postMy History with Weddings
Fifteen hundred couples, $125,000 receptions, a surprise Ford Explorer in the valet, and $50,000 of white carpet that existed for eighteen hours. Also: the actual secret, which is boring.
Read the postMy History in the Industry
From Executive Office Receptionist at eighteen to the ballrooms of the Millennium Biltmore — by way of a nunnery in Ohio and six months of telling wealthy people where the beach was.
Read the postLetters from Valerie
A thoughtful note, occasionally.
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