Then men start to gather in the right tables while women and kids gather in the left tables. Since this is the first time "Viking buffet" introduced in this territory or maybe in this world, confusion is unavoidable. Our guest, of course, will ask why they give a tray when they line up on the table to pick the food
"Excuse me, what is this tray for?"
The maid, who standby to serve guest, replies the question with a polite smile. She already briefed about what to say if such question coming.
"Sir, it's a new dining system in Harvard castle. You can take as much food as you want and put in the tray before bringing it back to your table. You see, we serve three kinds of appetizer and also three kinds of soup. It would be troublesome if you must walk front and back to take the food right? You free to serve yourself with food that you like and not forced to eat food that you dislike"
"Ah, I see. That is good thinking. So, it's alright if I take all these three kinds of appetizer?"
"Yes, you free to taste them all. You also welcome if you want to take a second serving. But if you overate just by appetizer and soup, you'll miss our main dishes and dessert. So, may I suggest you eat in a moderate manner, sir"
"Hahaha…thanks for the suggestion. It's all-new kind of food in the table. I never see this kind of food before"
"All food served during the banquet, all are young master Henry creation, sir"
"Oh, that's surprising. Let me try all of them, this is called frikkadel? And what that red and yellow sauce there?"
We give a paper with the tag name of each dish in front of the table so our guests know the name of the dishes.
"That's salsa sauce and mayonnaise sauce, sir. It will add flavor to the frikkadel"
"I will give it a try"
"Please have yourself, sir. And use the tray again when the main dishes and dessert served"
The similar situation also happens on the women side. They even ask more detailed things like the ingredients and some even ask the recipe to the maid who serves at ladies table.
Our guests return to their seat after taking food and start digging their food. The food for my father, Earl Stamfort and our family delivered to our tables by maids. Earl Stamfor and my father seem to have talked about the food just like our guests. Voices like 'It's good!', 'what a taste' or Delicious!' is the common remarks that come from our guest after having taste for our appetizer and soup.
I, who overheard the praises from our guest also feel proud of those remarks. This banquet also one of my important point to generate our economic by using food as one of the main attraction. Some of our guests are merchant, who had a wide network with other merchants in a different territory and different region. I can use them as a promotional tool and spread the goodness of our food.
"Henry, this banquet seems successful"
My fiancé also notices it and told me that.
"Hmm…having a good meal also could be called a blessing. Seeing people happy eating food you make also a great pleasure for the one who cooks it"
"Yes…this meatball soup is so tasty. Is this also your new dish, right?"
"Yes, I also already thinking of different dish using meatball. I want to put it on the skewer, grilled and pour some sauces on it"
"That's sound delicious…when I can taste that?"
"Probably tomorrow. I already prepare something else for dinner tonight"
"Really? Henry… I'm starting to like live in here already"
"Then don't return. Just stay here until our marriage's day"
"Mmm… I would love too, but I must talk with father about that first"
"Okay"
We talk intimately while finishing our appetizer and soup. Earl Stamfort really did what he said in breakfast by having all three kinds of appetizer and soup. What a foodie he is!
Since the amount of appetizer and soup already greatly decrease, the maid starts delivering the main dishes and desserts. Our guest's eyes is like glued to the table where the main dishes and dessert being arranged. Other maids are retrieving empty dishes and bowls from our guest table. And when the main dishes already finish arranged in a table, there's a rush from our guest to get the first in the line, but our maid and servant quickly put the guest in order again. Since the main dishes already served, it's time for Carina to start singing and entertain our guest. she comes from backstage and step up on the stage and coordinating with Clara and Claire about the songs.
I give a sign to start playing the music to accompany our guest to eat their food. My maids start playing their musical instrument while Carina starts singing. The songs were common folksongs that people already know. Her clear and high voice win our guest attention, some of them tapping their foot following the song, some were eating while watching carina singing.
Eating good food accompanied by good music, it's such bliss. For our main dishes, spaghetti becomes a popular dish among women and children while steak is men favorite, but many of our guests take all three main dishes because looking other guests eat a different dish from he has taken gleefully. Well, our maids and cooks surely busy to replenish the main dishes that become our guest's favorite. The tension becomes lessen when our guest finishes taking the main dish and start taking the dessert. The atmosphere getting more relaxed and the guest takes time to enjoy the dessert whilst listening to the song that Carina sung.
When my maids are about to start singing the song that specially prepared for the banquet, I give a sign for them to hold for a moment. I stand up from my seat and speak to our guest about this song first,
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming in my engagement banquet. Previously, before the feast started, I give my fiancé a rare pearl as dowry. But I also have something else to give her as a present. This present is a song that I made for her, and I want her and you all here, to hear this song together"
After finish speaking, I give a sign to Clara, Claire, and Carina to sing that special song. My fiancé and all guest pausing their dessert eating and stare at the stage, waiting what kind of song that I made for my fiancé.