Monday, August 10 is Feast Day of St Lawrence, the Patron Saint of cooks.
What’s it all about you ask?
Well, Lawrence was a deacon of Rome who was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church and also the distribution of alms to the poor.
After the death of Pope St. Sixtus in 258 A.D., Lawrence was asked for the treasures of the Church by the Prefect of Rome, a greedy pagan, who thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. In response, Lawrence brought forward the poor, among whom he had already divided the treasure as alms.
Needless to say, Lawrence’s largesse was not appreciated and he was sentenced to death. Legend has it that they put him on a gridiron and cooked him alive. Supposedly during the cooking he cracked a joke saying, “It is well done. Turn me over!”
Thus, Saint Lawrence was made the patron saint of cooks, chefs – and comedians. In reality he was probably persecuted by the empire and beheaded, but why let that ruin a good tale, especially when there is a feast day to be had!
So eHotelier would like to raise a glass to all the chefs and cooks of the world – those of you who each day use good humour to deal with extreme heat!
We want to let you know that we recognize your contribution, your hard work, your diligence, and above all, your passion for your profession.
It is your passion – or your madness – for your profession that makes you work long hours, often in extreme conditions, in hot kitchens and under impossible time pressures.
Your camaraderie and team work is necessary to survive the kitchen’s ever present challenges and your quirky humour and stressful lifestyle is well known by your work mates.
Acknowledgement and thanks from those who enjoy your meals are rare, yet you continue with great enthusiasm to produce delicious food for the enjoyment of millions of diners.
To the thousands of cooks in hotels, restaurants, cafes and myriad other institutions where food is shared and enjoyed, to chefs famed and unknown, we salute you with respect and admiration! Happy Roasting!
