Yesterday, December 1st 2009, it was twelve and a half years ago I got my official contract*. To celebrate this anniversary the bossman and my co-workers surprised me with a very fancy dinner and presents. Let me show you how much I'm apparently appreciated on the job;)

When I walked into my office, co-workers S and G had decorated my desk:


Last week I had been warned by the bossman to 'be available after five on Tuesday'... (did I mention I don't like surprises?) Of course there was a last minute client so at ten past five the bossman told me to get in his car -and hurry, because we were late and it was a long drive-. Then he drove me to a restaurant.... at the end of the street. Funny guy.
We were to have diner at De Kiewiet. Now I designed the menus for this place, so I know how expensive it is and the kind of intricate dishes they serve. I must admit this was the kind of surprise I like: fooooooood \o/

We were welcomed and waited for the other co-workers near the fireplace:

Me and my co-workers. Headless dude at the end is the bossman.

When everyone had arrived, we were offered the first 'amuse' (appetizer):

Crispy sesame-cracker (Kletskop) with foam of tomatoes and anise. Very delicate, lovely soft flavours.

After that we were escorted to our table:

Kids are the bossman's, old(er) couple in the righthand corner are his parents; they founded the business. His dad is retired now, his mom still works parttime.

Before dinner we had been asked if there was any food we didn't like. I was so glad I had told the waitress I wasn't a fan of fish, because now my entree was a big plate of beef. Nomnomnom:

(Kalfslende met schuim van tomaten op bedje van -ehm- kool(?) - vlees was 't belangrijkste;)

Second course was soup:

Mushroom/game soup and pumpkinsoup, liked the latter, loved the first:)

Another sidedish: special bread designed by the chef and owner, baked by famous bakery in town (I always order my birthdaycake there)

Turfbrood/Peatbread; based on the logo of the restaurant and the history of the area.

I had also mentioned I didn't drink alcohol, so for our special amuse-drink, I got the kiddy-version. Much more fun, because instead of sugar on the rim of the glass, we got sizzling candy :-D

7Up with orangefoam and pinapple chunks, mmmmmm.

Then I got presents! The bossman gave me a travelcheque: I get to pick a destination for a long weekend citytrip worth of 500 euros, YAY :)


The co-workers gave me a self-designed box filled with movie-cheques. They know me so well:) Cheers, everyone!


The maincourse:

Duck with potatoe/cranberry cubes and asparagus. Delicious! (I gave my asparagus to D.;)

Oh, the kids got very adorably served fries:


Almost near the end: a dessert-amuse

A tiny trifle of raspberry sorbet, vanilla custard and chocolate foam. Yum.

At the end everybody got a small plate for dessert and then the chef sneaked up behind me and handed me a huge plate with a message in chocolate:

Twelve and a half years: congratulations! Vanilla sauce with warm french toast and a crispy cookie (Kletskop) with vanilla icecream on top. Mmmmmmmm.

The end:

:-)

At around 21.40 the bossman drove me to the busstation, where me and my flowers waited for the 10 o'clock bus home.

(Beautiful flowers were a gift of the bossman's dad)

When I got home around 22.45, I found my mom had left a surprise on my dinnertable to congratulate me with my anniversary:)


It was an awesome day. :-D


*I started working there a year earlier; I was the first person outside of the family to join the company in 1996. Wow, it has really been that long.