Over the years I have met and developed lasting friendships with many in this profession.
Recently I had the pleasure to meet and lunch with Jacqueline Whitmore of the Protocol School of Palm Beach. Jacqueline is a leading authority in our profession and has published two books; Poised For Success and Business Class.
We met at Café Boulud in the Brazilian Court, which is one of my favorite restaurants in Palm Beach. Café Boulud is the creation of internationally acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud. Since it was a beautiful Palm Beach day we decided to dine outside on the terrace.
We both ordered the Artic Char which was sumptuous. At a restaurant of this calibre you would expect be presented with a fish knife and fish fork, but we were also given with a French sauce spoon which is rarely seen in North American restaurants. The French sauce spoon is a spoon that is usually the size and shape of a dessert spoon, but with a thinner edge with a notch on one side. It is used to eat the sauce accompanying a dish. If you have ever eaten at any of Daniel Boulud's restaurants you will know why you would not want to leave any sauce on the plate. We ended our luncheon with warm madeleines.
It was a most enjoyable afternoon spending time with Jacqueline, sharing our stories and a few laughs. I look forward to the next time.
2012-01-10
One of my favorite places to celebrate New Years Eve is Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club. The evening starts with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres outside on the loggia. Watching the guests arrive is like having a front row seat at New York's Fashion Week. After everyone has overindulged in caviar, fois gras and other delectables the party moves to the grand ballroom for dinner and dancing. This year the band was Party on the Moon, who played at President Obama's inaugural dinner. Palm Beachers love to dance and the floor was packed in between the four course meal that ended with Baked Alaska.
Best wishes for 2012,
Pat
2012-01-03
