ServSafe

We did a short 'In the News' before rolling into an extended lesson from the ServSafe text -- we're taking the national test on Monday. It seems because the French are so concerned about alcoholism and drunk driving, not only has their consumption dropped from the #1 spot in the world (that now goes to the booze-loving Brits), but their rate of heart disease has skyrocketed. I thought the French were supposed to hate Americans, so why are they acting like us?

According to a blurb in Restaurant News, our culinary school's main competitor is cutting tuition on select programs by thousands of dollars. Richard noted that in tough economic times, c-schools usually do extraordinarily well, but because of the credit crisis, people are having an extraordinary time getting the loans and money required to attend.

Starbucks is in crisis mode -- the niche of "good quality but expensive" was a great place to be in the go-go 90s, but today they have eliminated decaff and now have started selling packets of instant coffee to take home. Sanka, anyone?

To close out was a trio of McDonalds stories. Anyone with an internet connection already knows all about the Crazy Nugget Lady, who called 911 three times when the McDonalds she was at ran out of the McNuggets she ordered. When the cops arrived, they McArrested her dim-bulb butt.

Then theres this shmuck who ordered employees to eat 2 day old McDonalds burgers after scolding them for not appreciating how lucky they were to have a job.

Finally, a poor shlub working at the Golden Arches sees a dude delivering a smack down on a lady, escorts dude outside, and gets shot 3 times for his trouble. After months in the hospital and 300 large in bills, McDonalds rejects his workman's comp claim. Classy!

The first story was handled well, with the company apologizing for the crazy lady, giving her a full refund and free meal. The second was neutral, with them releasing a statement about how McD's should always be eaten immediately. The third, however, was a huge opportunity to celebrate a low-rung worker, get much more than $300,000 in free advertising and turn a tragedy into a feel-good branding opportunity. Instead, they just look like an evil corporate empire. Which they are. F@ckers.

The rest of the class was dedicated to rote lecturing about cleanliness and safe habits in a commercial kitchen. Monday will be dedicated to this, so I'll resume blogging on Wednesday. Until them, mi amigos, stay classy!