Dear Editor,
State dinner or dinner in a state? That is the question about the Gala event at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. I’ll gloss over the fact that there was some confusion over seating, and that an usher had no idea who Sir Shridath Ramphal and his wife were, and at which reserved table they should have been seated.
After nearly tripping over the scarily uneven floor covered by turf carpets, the ends of which had not been secured (it’s very basic to ensure that there are no trip hazards), I was brought some cherry juice in a glass. That was the last glass I saw. Thereafter, my wine and cream liqueur were served in plastic cups. The dinner service was a bulk/big box store plastic special, along with the plastic covered silver foil flatware. Yes you’re reading right! Please don’t tell me formal wear and fine dining and expect me to eat off of plastic. No, nada, nyet ,uh-uh and in any other language you can think of it will still be no. There are party services in Guyana. Couldn’t a proper dinner service be rented? People do this for regular parties, much more such a significant event. Even though this wasn’t a picnic, the President, the Prime Minister, members of the diplomatic corps all had the same plastic dinner service. I can only speak for myself when I say that I would rather not have the joy of sawing through meat with a plastic knife at a gala dinner.
We sat waiting patiently to be served the appetisers of cream of eddo soup, dinner roll, prawns/fish seafood (sic) salad, and chilled avocado to no avail. Although the main course was buffet style, the organiser was unaware that the appetisers ought to have been served.
Soon after the President and Mrs. Granger arrived and were seated, what appeared to be a spontaneous reception line was formed. The emcee asked everyone to be seated and introduced, the architect of the event, none other than the Junior Education Minister Nicolette Henry. After brief and uninspiring introductory remarks, everyone was invited to eat. This was to be accomplished by proceeding to the buffet when your table’s number was called. As it turned out, one was apparently expected to tote one’s salad and dinner plates to the buffet and back, as there were no plates at the food stations, as is customary at buffet style dinners. The US Ambassador was seen haplessly walking to the buffet with his plated tucked under his arm. Many guests were juggling bowls of soup and plates while walking back to their tables. At the second food station, no ladle was in sight, the soup was being dished with another soup bowl.
I’ll try not to dwell ad nauseam on the supposed fine dining menu which lacked imagination. At the very least, someone from Carnegie School of Home Economics, could have been consulted on creating a menu. To me fine dining showcasing Guyana’s rich heritage would’ve been something like bite sized cassava bread rounds with shrimp and avocado cocktail, portions of stuffed snapper or something to that effect. I do not expect the minister to think of all these things. However, this is why one has a staff, and resources that one can call upon when planning these kinds of events. In case the minister is not aware, the fine dining experience usually entails being served one’s meal, which comprises an aesthetically pleasing plate, not having food slopped on a plate after standing in line. After about four tables had been called, people from the remaining tables just got up and converged on the two food stations. Guests from the table beside ours said that it was a mob scene at the serving station closest, and that their meal was cold.
Table decor followed the current lacklustre trend. Crudely made flag-draped dolls were the centre pieces. Hibiscus Craft Plaza outside of the Guyana Post Office Corporation has beautifully made dolls attired in the flag. Again there are talented Guyanese event planners and decorators was it so hard to call on them for technical advice? Someone remarked that the set up reminded him of a “wedding house.”
A number of apparently disenchanted people walked out during the dinner including Ret. Major General Norman McLean. At about 9:45 pm after having been on time for a 7pm start, and unable to stand in line for another 20 minutes or so waiting for food, we too left and subsequently had our fine dining food from Georgie’s. I know that the President and Mrs. Granger have standards so just this once I’d have liked to possess mind-reading skills. Having attended many formal dinners when I lived in Guyana, it was very disappointing to suffer through this ‘chouse’ that was the 50th independence gala dinner. Dear Ms. “I have it all under control” Minister, it would appear that in the end that you certainly did not. Let this be a lesson in humility. Rather unfortunately it was at the expense of the administration of President Granger.
Yours faithfully,
Yolande Gittens
Stabroek News, May 31 2016
