REAL HOSPITALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1930, Page 7

REAL HOSPITALITY

LUNCHEON ON PARRAKOLLA

GIRLS AS STEWARDS

Only an epicure could fully appreciate the luncheon provided at Auckland last Thursday by Captain M. Carlssen master of the Swedish motor ship Parrakoola, to celebrate her first visit to New Zealand imported goods from this service df the Trans-Atlantic Steamship Company between San Francisco ana New Zealand. Twenty-five guests were regaled in the comfortable smoke-room with cocktails before adjourning to the saloon, where a unique repast was served by blue-eyed, flaxen-haired maidens.

There was fried fish, pickled fisn, soused fish, boiled fish, tinned fish, and dried fish. Then came a change. The waitress brought in a huge dish of what seemed to he thinly-sliced ox tongue, German sausage, and brawn, garnished with raw meat strips, with the appearance of mutton chops. This was followed by dishes of roe, embedded in creamed spinach, and decorated with sliced eggs. • CHAMPAGNE APPEARS. Rye bread was served. It had the appearance of oatmeal buiscuits. The butter was American, Champagne made its appearance half-way through the repast, when the Copenhagen beer was removed. There was a sigh of reli'ef when the waitresses appeared bearing in one hand a large dish of sausages, and in the other rissoles. This was followed by an omelette garnished with mushrooms. It seemed like the last course, and the guests, having eaten full and plenty, sat back with a feeling of repletion, not unmixed with relief. They liad had a good luncheon and one they would never forget. HARDLY COMMENCED. The captain rose andrinade a neat speech; then the totist Of the Kings of England and Sweden was honoured. Everybody thought that they were about to. say farewell, hut they were soon disillusioned. The luncheon had had hardly commenced. Fresh plates were, laid, knives and forks' were .set, champagne again flowed, and the meal proper made its appearance. Waitresses appeared with great potatoes, asparagus and green peas. This was a surprise indeed. Justice-was done to this course, which was followed by others. Banana pudding fallowed. After this coffee and liquers. The latter was in a black bottle,-labelled “Punsch”, and smelt like rum. It had the “kick” of a mule. A luncheon that was unique in the experience of practically all the. guests ended at 3.30 p.m. It was cut short by an hour, out of deference to spine of the guests who had other engagements.