Poor Planning at "Pinot & Pork" at The Plaza

The title sort of says it all, but I feel it my foodie obligation to share a few observations from last night's "Pinot & Pork" event, hosted by Kobrand as a benefit for Slow Food.

Let's just start first with the room - WAY too small for the number of attendees. And, goodness knows, a crowded space is just what you're looking for when there are hot plates, heating lamps, an underactive A/C system, glasses of red wine and dishes of hot meat about.

Needless to say, I was sweating like a pig. It might have been theme-appropriate, but awfully uncomfortable.

Just to add to the frustration, it seemed like the party planners hadn't really expected foodies and wine lovers to show. The event started at 7pm and by 8pm several of the wine tables were wiped out, as was a great deal of the food.

And, even if you happened to approach a table that had a few drops of vino to spare and swine at the ready, the Plaza had run out of clean plates and glassware. That situation was remedied within 15 minutes, but still. This was a Slow Food event for goodness sake! Didn't they think that we would plow through tableware at rapid speed?

And, speaking of tableware - where the heck was a table or two to actually sit down while you grazed? None were on hand. Not even a paltry stool.

As a result, we were all forced to pull off yoga moves, standing, while trying to down meat that required fork and knife and balance a glass of wine.

Namaste, you say? I think not. If I wanted a sweaty yoga class, I would've signed up for Bikram.