When Festive Feasts Go Awry – How a Holiday Dinner for 2,600 Went Off the Rails

Planning a holiday party for the office can feel like a monumental task—but imagine organizing a Christmas feast for 2,600 employees. That’s exactly what Airbus Atlantic, the French aerospace company, attempted last December. The result? A lavish meal featuring foie gras, scallops, and hazelnut mousse—and an unexpected holiday gift that no one wanted: a wave of gastroenteritis that affected a reported 100 (or up to 700, depending on the source) of their employees.

While the specifics of what caused the illness remain a mystery, this 2023 holiday mishap reminds us of the sheer complexity involved in hosting large-scale events. From coordinating menus to ensuring food safety, hiring the right staff, and triple-checking everyone’s credentials (because you never know), the challenges are real.

Catering for the Masses: It’s Not All Christmas Cheer

Organizing an event for thousands of people involves a well-oiled machine. Consider this, The Airbus Atlantic canteen team served up a menu featuring upscale items like tournedos (a tender cut of beef often seen in fine dining) and scallops, bringing a touch of elegance to the holiday feast. All of this came to employees for a mere $15. Impressive? Absolutely. But when so many meals are prepared and served in one sitting, even the tiniest oversight can lead to, well… less-than-festive consequences.

A representative of the Airbus works committee defended the organizers, noting that “as we do every year, we organized a Christmas dinner for 2,600 people with a lot of local suppliers.” Despite these best intentions, the incident left some employees feeling far from merry.

One attendee described the aftermath as having “Colic and headaches like never before,” adding, “It was worse than giving birth.”

Fun Fact: The World’s Most Expensive Taco

In the realm of modern extravagance, the Grand Velas Los Cabos Resort in Mexico offers a taco priced at $25,000. This culinary masterpiece features a gold-infused corn tortilla filled with Kobe beef, Almas Beluga caviar, and black truffle brie cheese, making it the most expensive meal of its kind.

How to Keep the Holidays Safe and Festive!

Whether you’re hosting a potluck for ten or a feast for 2,600, these tips can help ensure your holiday celebrations are remembered for the right reasons ~

• Choose Trusted Vendors: Work with caterers who have experience with large-scale events and prioritize food safety.
• Plan for Allergies and Sensitivities: Make sure dietary restrictions are communicated and accommodated.
• Monitor Food Handling: From preparation to serving, keep an eye on temperature controls and hygiene practices.
• Don’t Rush the Cleanup: Leftovers might seem tempting, but improperly stored food can become a breeding ground for bacteria faster than you can say “Merry Christmas.”
• Have a Contingency Plan: Keep a first-aid kit handy, and have local emergency numbers on standby—just in case.

While the Airbus Atlantic feast didn’t go as planned, the symptoms, though unpleasant, quickly passed for most attendees. It’s a sobering (yet slightly humorous) reminder that even the best-laid plans can go awry when catering on such a massive scale. So, as you plan your next office holiday party, remember:

A holiday banquet can be as fancy as you like—just make sure the food is safe and the guests stay happy. And if you’re going all out with tournedos and scallops, maybe call in the pros to handle it!

As the holiday season rolls around, may your celebrations be filled with joy, laughter, and delicious and safe! feasts. Wishing you and yours a very merry holiday season and a happy, healthy new year!