For those of you working in the insurance industry, and especially for those of you that think insurance companies are humourless organisations, I give you the menu of a dinner held by the Western Department (Rockford, Illinois) Security...
For those of you working in the insurance industry, and especially for those of you that think insurance companies are humourless organisations, I give you the menu of a dinner held by the Western Department (Rockford, Illinois) Security Insurance Company of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1913.In consideration of GOOD WORK Premium does insureSECURITY PRODUCERS for the term of FOUR Hours from the21st day of JANUARY 1913 at 6.30pm to the 21st dayof JANUARY 1913 at 10pm against all immediate and directloss or damage by Hunger except as hereinafter provided to an amountnot exceeding A GOOD DINNER of the following described propertywhile located and contained as described herein and not elsewhere to wit:GRAPEFRUIT COCKTAILThe only sour about the SecurityCelery Olives Salted AlmondsCLEAR GREEN TURTLEThe only place for Delinquent AgentsPotatoes ParisienneBROILED LIVE LOBSTER Tarter SauceNot a Company Product. There are no Security Lobsters.BREAST OF MALLARD DUCK en Virginia HamCaught seeking a warm place – possibly a steam heated hotelFrench Peas Potatoes au Gratin Asparagus TipsPINEAPPLE SHERBETA serious water damageENDIVE SALAD, Cream Cheese Bar le duoThis is not alfalfa, so not on prohibited listICE (HOUSE) CREAM NeapolitanProhibited – always a total lossDEMI TASSECigars CigarettesA Bad Smoke Damage If the risk be increased by any means within the knowledge of the assured, or if any change take place in the appetite or digestion of the assured; or if the assured is not able to be the sole and unconditional owner of the eatables consumed; or if once eaten this dinner be assigned; or if foreclosure proceedings be commenced without the consent of the company; then this policy shall be null and void.This company shall not be liable for any loss or damage to the dinner eaten caused by foreign invasion or by the neglect of the assured to see all practicable means to save and preserve the same from damages.This policy cannot be cancelled by the return of edibles eaten.In case of loss or damage to this dinner the assured shall give immediate notice thereof and shall at once separate the damaged and undamaged articles and shall furnish if required verified plans and specifications of all totally lost property and shall, if required, submit to examination for the purposes of ascertaining the cause of said loss and the extent of same. Any fraud or attempt at fraud or any swearing (false or otherwise) on the part of the assured shall cause a forfeiture of all claims under this policy. The company reserves the right to restore and/or replace any property upon which damage is claimed. No special Agent, Examiner, or Officer of this Company shall have the power or authority to waive any of the conditions of this policy.There are many variations on the theme of grapefruit cocktail, here are two of them:Grapefruit Cocktail.Cut three medium-sized grapefruit into halves, remove pulp and membrane and separate the pulp into flakes. Mix this lightly with quarter of a pound of Malaga grapes, which have been skinned and seeded, sprinkle liberally with sugar and chill thoroughly. Serve in the grapefruit shells with a little crushed ice.Bedford Daily Mail November 25, 1910Grapefruit Cocktail.For six persons, mix eight tablespoons of grapefruit juice with two of sugar syrup, add two tablespoons of maraschino if liked. Add a few tiny pieces of the pulp and pour the whole into small glasses filled with cracked ice. This should be drunk from the glass and not eaten with the spoon.
