|
Posted on Tue, Apr. 06, 2004
$2,000 meal, but no utensils
Silverware banned to prevent clinking while president
was speaking
JIM MORRILL
Staff Writer
It was a mouthwatering menu. Not that you'd expect less for $2,000 a
plate.
Seered beef tenderloins with golden tomatoes on an herb-encrusted
baguette. Grilled garlic chicken with smoked gouda on a honey wheat
wrap. Fruits and gourmet olives and crudite. A gourmet luncheon with
only one thing missing: something to eat it with.
The explanation was at the bottom of the menus distributed at President
Bush's $1.5 million Charlotte fund-raiser Monday.
"At the request of the White House, silverware will not accompany the
table settings," it said in discreetly fine print.
No silver. No plastic.
The lack of utensils might have been why many plates went virtually
untouched.
The reason: So the tinkle of silver wouldn't disrupt the president's
speech.
"They're just doing it so people can eat their meals prior to or after
the president's speech," said spokesman Reed Dickens, who said it's
standard procedure for fund-raisers. "It's just a logistical issue.
Nothing more."
Apparently the White House doesn't worry about all diners.
Behind a rope on the side of the ballroom next to many paying guests,
reporters scarfed down their own buffet. It came with silverware.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/politics/8364427.htm?1c
|
