Yes, this was the kiddie party. The whole thing really started when I only got booked, and got paid, a week ago, and had to scramble to get everything for them, including a tent, sno-cones, bartenders, staff, BBQs, cotton candy, sundae stations, and all the food. Not an easy task to do in a week, especially after a long weekend. Hey, it's part of my job. However, as I was doing my rounds, I discovered from one of the tent suppliers that he had thoroughly pissed off the other caterer he was considering by trying to set up back-door deals from their supply people to try to get a cheaper price. Hence, he is now persona non grata at half the supply places in Toronto. I did finally find people willing to do the job, but here are the comments I heard: "Be very careful with this guy," "Make sure the cheque clears," "The only reason we're agreeing to do this at all is because you're an easy person to deal with, and carry respect in the industry."
What a nightmare, just from the start...
We had a late delivery, so we were running late getting there. I'll grant them that. However, all the staff were there, and had set up everything. Once we arrived, although it was hectic, we got everything done, and got everyone fed on time. Here are some highlights: Despite repeated efforts to feed the hosts, they refused, then got pissed off hours later when their greedy guests had finished all the burgers and chicken. There were at least 20-30 extra guests than what was planned for. Their own staff, 2 crotchety Russian women, loaded up huge plates of food for themselves BEFORE THE GUESTS HAD BEEN SERVED!! However, it was of course the incopmetence of my staff who were to blame. My staff worked like dogs, but were still berated and accused of "standing around doing nothing." They got short-changed on the pay, and he tried to weasle out of paying in full for our friend who dressed up as cookie monster. The wife told my friend "I made a deal with you that you were going to bring books, and have a choregraphed act." He's like lady, I've never spoken to you in my life. We had talked about having him READ, if possible in the chaos, but nothing was ever mentioned about books, or an 'act'. The ice cream fiasco: He mentioned to me that his freezer wasn't very large. I told him that's okay, I'm sure we can find room for it. This translated into "Paul promised us he'd bring us a freezer," a flat-out lie. They bitched about everything, and went so far as to say they didn't think they got good value for their money. Did I mention that I dropped my price for them, only charged half-price for the kids, and incurred out-of-pocket expenses that I didn't bother to mention, because what would have been the point? Meanwhile, we heard nothing but good things from the GUESTS, who couldn't stop raving about the food, and how over-the-top the party was. It seems that the happiness of the invited folks wasn't all that important to them. I know that even if they were able to get all these other things they wanted, they still would have complained. Anyway, he pissed off all my staff, everyone felt like a tequila IV at the end of the day, so that's it. I will never work with him again, not that I think they will be calling.
Good riddance. There was more crap, but that's what I remember off the top of my head.
The horror....the horror....cheap, petty, mean-spirited bastards..
Wow, you certainly work hard!
I'm sure you'll always remember it!
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