There is much talk today in Portcullis House that the entire kitchen staff at the Debate Cafeteria have come down with bird flu, botulism or indeed they have won the lottery as a syndicate and buggered of en masse to Antigua.
The only other possible explanation for the closure without advanced warning of this popular staff eaterie is the the Sergeant @ Arms doesn’t give a toss about people who don’t sod off to their “constituencies” during parliamentary recesses.
recessmonkey@gmail.com
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Of course during recess it is usually Bellamy’s cafe that is shut - the one cafeteria where part-time staff and non pass holders can eat fairly unrestricted.
As you probably know, grey pass holders (full time staff) are allowed 2 guests in Terrace cafe - and part time workers (yellow passes) are not allowed in unaccompanied between 12pm-2pm. And in the Debate strictly speaking it is no part-time staff or non pass holders at all - even accompanied (unless it’s with an MP, obviously). Although it’s rarely rigorously enforced.
This means during recess, when Bellamy’s is shut it inconveniences a whole load of people who are either interns or part-time staff - so I for one prefer to see the Debate shut, if any, for that reason.
Although I don’t see why they couldn’t keep all 3 open for the week - which I guess is the point you are trying to make.
Kerron said this on February 21st, 2006 at 6:21 am
And it does for a week prevent them charging 45p for two thirds of a potato.
Recess Monkey
Recess Monkey said this on February 21st, 2006 at 6:25 am
I could moan for hours about how rubbish the Debate is for general poncey-ness, portions, varieties and comparative cost.
Bellamy’s is proper working class greasy spoon nosh. Far better. And you get a choice of vegetables - and not so many annoying posy MPs and Tory researchers than the Debate.
I like the way that the Debate chefs describe the food as haute cuisine - which means high cost and small portions (and no choice over side orders). :-/
But don’t get me started.
Kerron said this on February 21st, 2006 at 6:46 am
The Debate may be crap, but it’s close and it’s central. Whilst it’s not the end of the world for me to have to walk from Portcullis House over to Bellamy’s or the Terrace, I pity the poor sods in Norman Shaw who have to trek across the estate for their lunch.
Red Tamarin said this on February 21st, 2006 at 8:20 am
back in the days before flash caffs for staff, those of us sweating in Norman Shaw North would have to make it upstairs to the bridge to Norman Shaw South where they had a machine which dispensed crisps, bruised apples and warm sandwiches in plastic boxes. And they banned us from using Bellamy’s Bar after complaints about the late night singing by the bloody young fabians…researchers today, you don’t know what its like to suffer hardship, etc etc…
they made me do it said this on February 21st, 2006 at 11:28 am
Incredibly I can remember those days!
I actually spent 6 years in Norman Shaw North going back and forth over that bridge to the sandwich machine in Norman Shaw South.
And then they shut Norman Shaw South for a year for a refurb.
I had to get up 3 hours before I went to bed and work a 28 hour day and live in a Smarties tube on the M25.
And you tell the youth of today, and they don’t believe you.
Kerron said this on February 21st, 2006 at 1:46 pm
As someone who’s worked at Parliament for MPs’ for 9 years I hanker after the good old days at 7 Millbank - with lovely ladies serving great big proper breakfasts with porridge, handmade rolls and sarnies and for a treat the posh nosh on the 6th floor restaurant.
But as I’m old and grey and not young and blue blooded Tory I’ve yet to be impressed by the Debate’s overpriced plastic boxed salads and huge long queues at lunchtime. Large portions and proper chips in the Terrace cafeteria get my vote!
Old Hand Phil said this on February 22nd, 2006 at 12:55 am
One girl sneezes and suddenly we’ve got “Bird Flu”…
Typical tabloid rubbish.
PBS2 said this on February 22nd, 2006 at 2:43 am
No. No. No. This is a step too far.
Those of us who have been exiled from the Lords Staff Caff for months now due to the building work find that there’s no room for our weary souls in the Terrace either!
Back to the Portakabin outside Black Rod’s garden, then
Rob Fenwick said this on February 22nd, 2006 at 3:48 am