We had our first BBQ last year around the same time, so it looks like this is becoming an annual event (I’m vying to make it monthly).  It’s a great opportunity to take a break and relax over a hearty meal, which is why it’s no surprise that everyone here really enjoys it.  We are a family here at Dashboard and this was our family meal.  It’s experiences like these (among many others) that make me proud to work for an agency that cares and looks out for their staff.

So on behalf of everybody that works here, I’d like to say… THANK YOU DASHBOARD!

I just sat down at my desk after an impossibly delicious lunch provided by our CVO  Barry Hillier, for surviving the Dashboard rapture which was basically all of last week. So lovingly called a rapture because of the perfect storm of projects and pitches that left many of us sleepless, stressed, and above all else….hungry, oh the hunger.

All of the Dashboard employees strolled in to the first floor on Tuesday June 21^st not knowing what to expect. What I saw shocked me. A delicious array of meats, and salads decorated the first floor. My god it was beautiful. There was 3 different types of sausage, succulent meat, and veggie burgers, but that doesn’t mean my eyes weren’t instantly drawn to the Smartfood.  So subtle, elegant and pure, Smartfood is nature’s way of saying “we don’t know what heaven looks like, but here’s what It taste’s like. ”

After a long and satisfying open relationship with the Smartfood, Cheezies, and potato salad I stumbled upon a buried treasure, the strawberry rhubarb pie. Thadeus was the first to attack the mammoth pie, taking a healthy slice. I then hurt the pie’s feelings and dished out a blow of my own. Rhubarb has a way of arousing my senses that opens me up for more snacking opportunities, yes it has that power. So I went back to Barry for a hot dog, who provided much of the nutrition for the super secret party. After a quip about my recent weight gain Barry reluctantly gave me another sausage on a bun.

I powered through the hot dog like nobody’s business before collapsing at the end of the lunch table wondering where the last hour of my life had gone. Evidently I ate myself into a near comatose state, as did almost everyone. It was that good.  Thanks Barry, Dan, Jen and all those who set up the meal downstairs.

Here’s a breakdown of the days events:

Quotes of the afternoon

“I wore a checkered shirt for the surprise picnic, what are the odds?” –Thomas Blackmore

“Porky’s was a misleading movie title, I thought it would be about bacon, I guess I was only half wrong” – Christopher Obergfell

“hmm That’s a tough question, my favourite meat… would have to be… anything that is no longer living.” –Frank Tang

Least Used Condiment

Not surprisingly the award goes to Relish. Almost always dead last in the rankings relish needs to step up it’s game if it ever wants to see it’s pretty face on the kitchen table again.

The Sleeper Hit

Lentil salad. Well done.

Funniest moment

None. There was not a single laugh to be had. Eating’s serious business.

Picture that captured it all.