Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2018 17:58:15 -0800
From: Stephen Wakefield <styln10@icloud.com>
Subject: Robbie's True Love 18

18.

Tommy had a few small things to finish at the office and Robbie was going to
finalize everything for the wedding reception and the menu for tonight. The
menu for the reception was to be, a fruit bowl, with melons, strawberries,
blackberries, raspberries, bananas, macerated in Grande` Marnier. Fresh
croissants, assortment of jams. Eggs Benedict, with smoked salmon and a
slightly spicy hollandaise. Roasted potatoes with fresh dill. Also, Mimosa's, and
champagne of course.

French Roast coffee and then a beautiful wedding cake, alternating layers of
Chocolate and yellow cake, and raspberry puree inside, with cream cheese
frosting, and decorated with fresh flowers, and beautiful piping, and 2 large gold
rings and writing in gold, that says, 'Tommy and Robbie, In love forever.'

The men returned from their offices early and started to pack for their
honeymoon, the 3-week cruise down through the Mexican Riviera, the Panama
Canal and then on to the Caribbean...They were taking 2 cases each, with 2
suits, a tux and then casual, shorts, tops and sandals, swim wear and some
other dressy things as well. Both men were excited not only for their wedding,
but the cruise and their honeymoon.

They had both worked hard in their careers and had each done very well not
only for their families, but for themselves. Each attaining wealth, freedom to be
them-selves in every aspect of their lives, then to find each other with such a
passionate relationship, always thinking of their partner and families first. Their
families admired the men so much and were very glad they found each other
and were forming a permanent family bond. This bond grew closer when they
moved in-together into Robbie fabulous penthouse.

They had decided not to pack their wedding suits at the last minute, instead
wear them when boarding the cruise ship. After all, it was their wedding day.
They had ordered corsages for their mothers, Elsa, and boutonni?res for them-
selves and their fathers and their best men. They were going to wear small pale
pink roses and the others were to be white. With packing almost done except
for a few, last minute incidentals, in the morning. They were having their suit
cases delivered to this ship in the early afternoon to their penthouse suite on
board.

They had a bit of a lay down before going to the restaurant with families for the
Cajun tasting menu. I would be good to see the families together. Robbie had
invited his Brother, his wife, Maggie and their 2 boys, Johnathon and James.
Also, Elsa, his beloved housekeeper, cook and confidant, who he loved dearly.
Tommy had invited Cal and Jeff the pilots and now dear friends. They were also
coming to the wedding on Sat.

Tommy had also invited his friends, Dave and Sandy, the couple we met at the
beach in San Gregorio, down the coast, when Tommy and Robbie first met. They
had not seen then in a while and wanted to reconnect. Their other friend Bob,
was invited as well, but had met someone shortly thereafter and had changed
jobs and together, they moved to LA. He said, he was sorry for missing the
wedding, but wished us great things. They had invited the detective Bruce and
his husband, but they couldn't come as they were other-wise busy. They would
be coming to their reception upon returning from their honeymoon.

The men, had stated, on the invitations, there were to be NO GIFTS PLEASE!!
They then suggested that instead of gifts, please make a donation to the AIDS
Foundation, or to St. Jude's Hospital. They neither needed anything or wanted
anything, so the donations were perfect in both men's eyes.

They dressed casually for the dinner party, in casual slacks and sport shirts and
left about 5:30 to get down as Robbie wanted to check in the kitchen and make
sure everything was ready. He knew he could trust the Chef's, but still wanted
to keep an eye on things, as any Executive Chef would do.

Robbie ran a tight ship but at the same time was an excellent boss and leader.
The staff, at all the restaurants respected Robbie for his hard and dedicated
work. He had never asked any employee to do anything he himself was not
willing to do!! This is one reason why Blackford's was so successful. Always, was
inventive, food was always superb, and the wait staff was exemplary. Tonight,
was to be no different.

Robbie said to Tommy... "Ready to go, so let's git!!" and off they went down to
get the car. Tommy offered to drive, and Robbie agreed. Robbie had of course
called ahead and arranged the small dining room to hold all their guests. A small
bar was set up in the room. Stefan had been asked to be head waiter for the
evening and run the dining room. He was an excellent server, and he did not
know, but he was going to be promoted to be Asst. Manager and work along
Sean Claude, the Maitre'd.

Upon arriving, they valet parked and walked into the restaurant. They were
greeted by staff and were shown into the small dining room and everything
looked perfect. The staff had decorated the room with a Marti-Gra, theme and
looked fabulous. While Tommy went to the bar to get glasses of wine, Robbie
walked into the kitchen to check on things. It seemed everything was moving
like clock-work and Robbie was pleased and couldn't wait for dinner to be
served and see the reactions of the families and friends tonight.

With drinks in hand, the men walked into the dining room, to see some of the
guests had arrived. Cal and Jeff were there, as was Elsa, and they all greeted the
men and said how happy they all were for tonight and also the wedding on Sat.
Just after they arrived and were greeting guests, Dave and Sandy walked in and
were greeted warmly. It was nice to see them. Soon everyone invited was there
and the evening was off to a great start!!

Both sets of parents said hello to some friends. When everyone had drinks, they
were all seated, Robbie stood up and tinged a glass to get everyone's attention.

Robbie greeted everyone and explained the evening and why the tasting was
happening. He also explained their plans for the next several days with the
wedding and all. He wished everyone well and as the first course was brought
in. he said to dig in and enjoy!

The first course was Coquille St. Jacques (scallops) followed by, a crawfish
bisque and then the main course was Tournedos Brennen with creole
mushroom rice. Everyone raved over the food and that it was exquisitely
served. The accompanying wines were fabulous as well.

Then Stefan, the server brought in a large serving cart with a large skillet and
burner, several bottles of liquor and a pile of peeled bananas. He then placed
butter in the pan followed by brown sugar. Once this was melted and bubbling,
sliced bananas were added with a healthy dose of cinnamon. This was cooked
for a minute the lights were dimmed and Brandy and rum were added, and the
pan set au flamb?` (on Fire). Everyone applauded. Another server brought in
dishes of vanilla ice cream and the Banana mixture was spooned over the ice
cream and the famous 'Bananas Foster' was served with French roast with
chicory coffee. Robbie again stood and said he hoped everyone had enjoyed the
great dinner, more applause happened and everyone raved about the fabulous
dinner and asked when and where it was going to take place. Robbie said it was
to be here at this one and the one down near Union Square. It would run for 2
weeks and then stop for a while. The whole reason for this, he explained was to
breath some new life into the menus, such as Like tonight Cajun, then Tex-Mex,
North Eastern, Southern, and so on. This would happen at all 10 restaurants if it
was met with enthusiasm. Everyone said it was a great idea and knew it would
work.

The evening, wound down and both sets of parents hugged their sons and soon
to be son's in law. Daniel was so enthused and was so proud of Robbie for his
handling of the restaurants and his adventuresome side and his creativity, with
the food. Daniel said, "this was going to do very well!!"

Robbie while holding Tommy's hand, blushed a bit let go of Tommy's hand and
really hugged his Dad and looked into his eyes and said, "I love you dad and
thanks for having faith in me! I try so hard to make you proud of me" Cynthia
was standing next to her husband and took over in the hug department and just
looked to her son's eyes touched his cheek and said, "I am so proud of you son
and kissed him on the cheek." Robbie and Tommy both hugged their parent's
and most everyone departed with words of thanks and lots of praise. Robbie
and Tommy spent a few minutes chatting with their friends, and said, they
would see everyone at the reception.

Tommy drove them home and told Robbie what a grand evening it was, and he
was so proud for doing such an elegant job and that everyone seemed over
joyed with everything. When they arrived at the penthouse and the door was
closed, they wrapped their arms about each other, kissed passionately and
strolled into the bedroom. Robbie, thought.  'Can it get any better than this.' He
certainly hoped so!'

So everyone, on to the wedding and the honeymoon. As you noticed, I include
some recipes or cooking techniques in the story. Please feel free to try them, if
you need help, just ask!!

Please again be yourselves, be true and free to be who you are, for that is all
you can be. Play safe and please donate to Nifty!

The Sexy Chef