I recently had the marketing director of our local hospital contact me about catering an event for VIPs that jsut donated a truckload to the hospital.
They wanted four stations of hors d ouerves throughout the hospital as the people toured. She wanted to put together a super great menu and said she knew we were the only ones in town that could do something this big. We were looking at 150 -200 people. SPent 3 hours sifting through all my recipes and new ideas I have stored in my book and put otgether a menu we had never done before to wow her guests.
Been trying to call her and finally got a hold of her today and she said oh my dietary aid at the hospital got wind of what we are doing and she says she can do it instead. WHAT!!! They are going to tak emy menu and have it hospitalized by their cafeteria. I am soooooo upset. They even sent me an invitation to the event!! My DH wanted to get ugly with them but the people they are honoring are 2 of my dearest customers and I guess if the hospital feels that cafeteria food is good enought o honor them than I guess that is what they will get.
Thanks fo letting me vent it helps alittle
Did I mistake something?? Did you give them your menu?? They can't use YOUR catering ideas...
Well, if they have the hospital do it you know it won't taste good and they will regret it. Then, they'll have to call you for the next event and you will just have to up your prices! 
Sorry that they were so rude!
Stephanie
Ick yack, uck! HOSPITAL FOOD to HONOR someone????? All I can say is WHAT? Here Mr. Soandso, valued person to our hospital, have a plastic green bean! Your menu items in hospital form? I can see why you would be offended.
Elle
Sorry to hear that, you have a right to be upset.....You are being the better person by not flipping out on them, good for you! Hold your head up high and chuckle to yourself, cafeteria food, ewwwwwwww!
I'm going to play devil's advocate...and I usually don't, so please be kind. I used to work in a dietary department of a nursing home. The cooks definitely do the best they can with what they have to work with. When the big guns came however, it was no holds barred. They were allowed the nicest cuts of meat, the freshest produce, and most delicious recipes they could come up with. It was always very good and presented beautifully.
I'm sorry you did not get the job and I'm really sorry that they are using your menu, but I would go if I were you-just to show support. They are trying to keep costs down as much as possible too I'm sure and we all can understand that. I'm sure it won't be nearly as good as you could do-and you can smile on the inside because of it. BUT, as an Iowan, I know you are a REALLY good person (because all good people come from Iowa!!) and you really want to see them honor YOUR best customers.
MAYBE you can offer to make a cake or dessert table with your cards slathered all over it!!!
As far as "getting the menu back", I'm not sure how you can prevent someone from making any kind of food just because you happen to write it up in a menu format. Bacon wrapped chestnuts are bacon wrapped chestnuts and no one has a copyright or exclusive on them. It is very disappointing that they would take your ideas and use them....
By the way - I do agree that you should attend the event - just request that they come up with and use their own menu - it just isn't right that's all - it's not about revenge for not getting the job, it is your livlihood to come up with these ideas.
Take the high road here, this is a no-win situation if you make a stink about your menu 
. All they have is the menu, not your private recipes, so you know it's unlikely to resemble what you would have put together. Go to the event and have a nice time, smile and be gracious. Oh, and make sure everyone knows YOU Did NOT 
make the food!
hmmm... I wonder if they first went to their dietition, who probably had no clue as to how to setup a menu for this type of event. Then used your talent to plan and create a menu and, and oh! what a coincidence- found out they can after all and took it to get it done cheaper by themselves.... things that make you go "hmmmmm" 
I can certainly understand having mixed feelings about going... 
Thanks for all your support. I am going to go and support the couple they are honoring. I may be a little petty and bitter behind closed doors but I am going to act dignified and ladylike.
Now there are no guarantees for my husband. He may have to be gagged at least until we get home.
I am hosting an event in my store in conjection with my neighbor to celebrate our businesses birthdays. Mine is going to be 5 and hers 1. We live in a small town so pretty much all the same people will be there and I have made it my mission for it to the party that everyone talks about forever.
The food is going to be amazing!! and people will see how it is supposed to be done. I think that is the healthiest way to take care of this situation. I understand about cutting costs buti ti doesn't stop it from hurting my feelings a bit.
Thanks again for all the encouragment!!
Good on you! The best way to get back at people is to be better!
You know what they will say..Gee the food she did was AMAZING, you should have asked her to do your catering for the hospital.. Then they will have to say..well actually we DID ask her and then stuffed her around.. (Picture the first person shaking their head in disbelief!)
You knock 'em dead with your fantastic food! Good on you!!
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