One For The Road

And what a long road it was! I'm back at school now, but I'm excited to close out the summer with one last blog post about the Silver Service Dinner that you have read so much about!
I started out on the road on Saturday morning, and drove up to Mackinac through Canada. It was around an 8 hour drive...ugh. But, I made it there in one piece and was able to make the 6:00 ferry over to the island. I will be honest- I was a little disappointed when I finally got up to the hotel. My manager had let me know that morning that we had rooms and said he would put me in. After being in the car for 8 hours, the only thing I wanted to do was go and jump into a bed at the hotel! Unfortunately, the hospitality industry is ever changing and unpredictable, and they had a guest show up last minute without a reservation, leaving me to spend the night on a co-workers couch. No worries, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I woke up on Sunday morning and went downtown to the Chuckwagon (my favorite restaurant on-island) and had an amazing breakfast, and then trekked back up to the apartment through the rain to grab my stuff. After collecting my things, checking into my room (a lakeview with a king bed!) and having lunch at Carleton's, I went up to shower and get ready for my night.

Never in my life have I been to an event like this. Ten courses, and a different wine, champagne, or spirit with each appetizer...the night did become a little blurry towards the end...and the food. The food! Red deer tartar, creamy scrambled farm egg, potato espuma, cherry sorbet, baby lamb, angus beef, meringue, warm pumpkin souffle, and a cheese board and grapes. Drink wise, it ranged from whisky and water, to champagne, and 8 different varieties of wine. Wow!
It was a bittersweet night, despite the great time, amazing food, and overall experience of staying in the hotel again. The most obvious being that the owner was not there for the dinner. I don't have any details on it myself, so unfortunately none to give. But, again, it was an amazing night nonetheless.
The question I have to ask myself now, looking back on everything, is this: Was it worth it, and would I do it again?
I spent four months away from everyone and everything I have ever known. I had very little time to enjoy myself, talk with friends and family, or relax. On top of that, I spent 20 hours in the car this past weekend to go up and eat dinner! However, by doing this...by taking myself out of my comfort zone and throwing myself into the workforce at 80 hours a week, I learned more than I ever imagined possible. I've made relationships that I hope to take with me for many more years to come, and created professional acquaintances that I know will do nothing but benefit me throughout the rest of my career...be it at the Grand or elsewhere. So, in short...Yes. It was worth it.