Ummm...yeh, it's the Republican's fault. Wow. What an idiot you are.

That comment is ridiculous... I don't like the GOP at all, but every state has plenty of control of its food vendors. It is up to the consumer to contract with vendors in compliance with local/state/federal regulations...

Chuckie get a new plate for your head!

This particular caterer hired "Joe, the Plumber".

On a side note, she's kinda hot... in a depressed economy sort of way.

DYODD. It is up to you to research who you hire to do anything. Come on people, it ain't that hard.

Oh! Oh!! We need a nanny state to take care of us! oh! ohhh!!!! HELP!

Like a guy who takes a screen name after a childs business. That is why you get childish comments. eh Chuckie?

my pa has 2 bachelors degrees and a masters in PA.

Years of training does not make a physician more "qualified" than a nurse practitioner. An experienced NP will most likely do a more thorough exam, listen more carefully to a patient's complaints, accurately diagnose him/herself or initiate an educated consultation with a colleague to do so. If you've ever been to a doctor, many are too busy to give you the time of day or answer questions beyond your allotted two minutes - it's the nurses and NP's (and PA's) who will pick up the slack. Nurses/NP/PA are not only educated in their chosen specialties, but they WANT to deliver excellent care to people/their patients. That is the goal. A caring doctor will want to do the same, but many are more interested in the disease process than the patient.

NU Wildcat Fan: How did you jump to medicine from catering?!?!?!?

It was Nixon's fault.

People get so off topic here it makes you wonder if there is alot of ADD going around, OOPS! Sorry that was medical.

I am a PA with two Bachelor's degrees and a Master's. I chose to become a PA because I was interested in Medicine and in caring for sick people, but was not interested in 80-hour work weeks or an enormous salary. My patients regularly inform me that I have explained things to them about their health better than any doctor they have ever been seen by. Am I "more qualified" than a physician? Absolutely not. But I am plenty qualified to do what I do, and I do it well. If your physician is willing to spend twenty minutes explaining to you what hemorrhoids are, or the difference between viruses and bacteria, or how your medicine works and why you should take it, then maybe you can't appreciate the valuable role of NPs and PAs in today's busy healthcare practices. A good NP or PA is not a replacement for a good physician, but it takes more than a certain number of years of school to make a good physician.

reminds me of people who are uneducated about nurse practitioners and doctors. I'm an open heart ICU nurse, I've met nurse practitioners who were better at assessing the patient and better at meeting emotional needs in stressful times. Some doctors are simply treating a disease process and not meeting the patients needs. Any dummy can treat a disease process. Two of my favorite doctors to work with used to be nurses. New doctors who get out of school know less than a lot of ICU nurses, order extra unneeded tests and exams. Experience in critical care means more than any degree. And, by the way, in a few years NP's will need the equivalent of a Doctorate to practice. Comparing an unlicensed caterer with repeat violations to NP's and PA's is a joke. I know terrible doctors, school and residency didn't help them much.

Mom in HT:

We have had different experiences with our doctors. Positive. We have committed doctors, and Specialists that do take the time.

Nurse Praticioners are excellent. They know when to turn the patient over to the doctor, and N/A are excellent, also. There has always been a "clash" between nurses and doctors, just like attorneys vs. doctors. Who knows more.

Wait til Health Care Reform comes into our lives. Then you will know that you had GREAT doctors!---no time now?. No time at all later. Wait in line to see your doc., and the N/P and N/A may no longer have jobs.

They will be so busy taking care of everyone in this country, you may wait many months with your instincts of having cancer or heart problems.

Be glad for what you have now.

NU Wildcat fan is probably getting a chuckle from all the remarks.

Yes, I'm off-topic but my initial post #3 was a response to post #2.

I actually appreciate many of the above comments. I admit I am biased because I am a family practice physician. I face continual decreases in reimbursement and a push towards "cheaper" sources of health care, and growing malpractice expenses. I struggled to make 6 figures pre-tax in litigation-friendly Cook County, IL while seeing over 4000 outpatients (perhaps 480 inpatient visits too) in one year. Sure, more training doesn't guarantee a doctor is more qualified than a PA or NP, but it sure does help. Sure, some doctors need to improve their people skills. I would love to spend unlimited time with patients explaining things, but overhead must be covered, including the extra malpractice insurance I've paid for supervising a PA in my office (hospital-owned practice, not my choice). My experience with PAs and NPs is that they are far more likely to lack history and physical exam skills, and over-order tests, over-refer to specialists, and create bigger problems from little problems. I grow weary from putting out fires started by the PA. Mid-level health care providers "don't know what they don't know." If they are allowed to practice unsupervised (not so in IL), and need to take responsibility for 100% of their malpractice and office overhead costs, and be on duty 24/7/365 (or share on-call coverage, with no financial reimbursement [primary care docs and others are not paid for on-call time]), it will be interesting to see how must time they'll be willing to spend with patients, and how relaxed and stress-free their lives would be. It must be nice to know that final responsibility for the patient rests on somebody else's shoulders (i.e. the doctor) both in terms of after-hours coverage and medical outcome and malpractice considerations.

There are good NPs and good PAs. My point is the Bell curve is shifted to the left for them. The best most-experienced PAs and NPs may be better than some physicians, but the average skill and educational base will be less than that of the average physician by a factor of 5 years. That is quite a disadvantage.

There is much unknown about the effects of the new health care law. I am greatly afraid my profession will be flushed down the toilet, while the trial lawyers share a good laugh (they take cash, not govt reimbursement for their professional services at hundreds of dollars an hour - physician consultation is a bargain).

NU Wildcat Fan:

My nephew, who is an Emergency Room doc, and was a Chief Administrator for three ER Hospital units in other hospitals (Politics) has said the same thing as in your first paragraph. He is totally disappointed at what is happening slowly to the Health Care System.

Good luck when the Health Care Reform is put into action. The income for doctors will be much less, so now there are some pre med students who are not the most motivated entering Medical Schools around our Country. The US has always had the best and most superior medical doctors world wide.

What about the unqualified nurse practitioners? There are a lot of them, if you have not noticed it, you either have had good luck - or a very sheltered existence.

"There are good NPs and good PAs. My point is the Bell curve is shifted to the left for them. The best most-experienced PAs and NPs may be better than some physicians, but the average skill and educational base will be less than that of the average physician by a factor of 5 years. That is quite a disadvantage."

Where this really becomes a problem is in matters of pay. There are enough educated fools getting $$$$$$. If an NP claims they can do an M.D.'s job - but just does not measure up - then why keep paying them at that level?

NU Wildcat Fan, you may meet a PA or NP who is better than you. If they really are, they will move up over your title eventually. Anyway, all of this NP and PA stuff are ways to move in on $ without spending $ on school. Plus HMOs prefer NP/PA's because they can pay < wages. It is economics 'under the radar' having gone on for years now.

And dancoboco, the best system would require all clinicians to start out as nurses aids. Then through a progression of work experience and/or school, a progression of jobs from medical assistant or emergency medical technician; then Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses; then Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants; culminating with doctors then surgeons - could be earned. Many would not like to see an vast change in the medical system like this. The title doctor and the title nurse should be eliminated. This is the only way that absolute quality in care will ever be achieved. It is the only way that costs and wages will ever be 100% fair.

Absolutely correct! What you said. I'd add that in addition to the local BBB, of which there may be none, also check the Health Dept. of authority over your home area. Their records are public, and can be checked for most recent inspections, complaints, and closures (yes, some caterers will continue to operate despite being officially closed...surprise!). Also ALL caterers must have and be able to show you a current permit to operate, if any. Finally, should this operation be currently under legal action by said department, they must at least tell a caller this. Protect yourself. Government agencies (one of which I ran for 6 years) do try as best they can, but ultimately it's up to you!

You should read the health code standards-- the hot and cold temps dont mean a thing. Its how long you can have that product on the serving bar before you have to remove it. Some States 2 hrs, then it has to dicarded.

Ew! No real food at the reception? Was it a small wedding? Not that it matters...there should be at least some cold cuts..hahaha

Save time, save money, save your stomach — elope!

If saving pennies for the reception is that necessary, cut the food. Just still serve the champagne, and for good measure, some non-alcoholic punch.

I guess you have not been to a really fun wedding. Yeah, the service is boring, but hours of prime rib, or filet mignon at a nice country club or hotel with a super band or dj can be lots of fun. Dancing, meeting new people (over 100) MY FAMILY has great weddings. Plus the brides do not pick those generic wedding cakes.

I did not read that those tacos were made in AZ, just sayin.....

It's time for someone's medications... Comment 9.1 is just uncalled for.

Disagree all you want to, but the name calling is out of line.

FYI nurse mom, even the PA schools that do not require undergrad degrees which are quite sparse these days have a curriculum that makes nursing programs look like nursery school. It is a fact that PA school is much more challenging than nursing school can or ever will be, hands down! I had two RN's in my PA program that decided against earning an NP because they both thought that PAs are better educated and better trained. BTW, in addition to a Master's in PA science, I have a Bach. in Chemistry.

Not exactly a secret: Nursing schools teach their students not to waste time by trying to make their patients feel better.

Hey D, do you not know that ALL of the big-wigs in Washington get socialized medical care, and that means, of course, they NEVER have to pay for ANY medical services?

Naturally, all the folks arguing so strongly to keep socialized medical care from the public, are rich enough to pay for it, but they don't. The word to explain their actions is "hypocritical".

Good 'ol Dick Chenney, for example, has had five heart attacks, and recently had his heart pump installed, and despite his immense wealth, never paid a cent out of his own pocket. YOU and I paid for him each and every time. Welcome to America!

Look it up, inform yourself, and you will be amazed (and angered) at the truth.

Wishing ill will on someone is about as immature as you can get. Top it off with B.S. psuedo intellectual comments, and politician bashing really shows your inteligence level.

So childish and churlsh to wish ill on anyone. Guess they didn't have their nap.

Churlish. I really like that word. So colorful. So accurate. Save this word in your vocabulary.

Synonyms include: rude, discourteous, uncouth, offensive, foul, vulgar, boorish, ill-mannered, rough, loutish, crude, common, foul-mouthed, coarse, trucluent, hostile, bad-tempered, defiant, quarrelsome, argumentative, aggressive, factious ( really like this one), bad-mannered, ill-natured, unpleasant, diagreeable, surly, confrontational, undecorus, sulky, lacking in courtesy, gruff, unmannerly, illbread.

Retired nurse here. Can't believe that my Dr. has a Nurse Practitioner. Why? He told my husband that some of the "older" women don't want a man doing a pelvic!?!?!?! I'm 63 & have been having pelvic exams since age 19 & have assisted doctors performing them. ( Good practice to avoid any threats of unwanted sexual activity law suits & always have been done that way by smart docs.)

I am shocked that a caring, competent nurse would make such a statement. I had food poisoning at age 16 & yes, it was after an Easter Sunrise Service catered by a non-profit group. It was the sausage that did it & to this day, I eat almost no sausage. Besides, don't like tacos & they DO seems a little strange for a wedding reception, but the sanitary standards in our country are going down; watch the kids/adults coming out of a restroom w/o washing their hands-both sexes.

NP's are only trained in ONE specialty/area, and if they decide to go from family practice to another field or specialty, they need to be RETRAINED. PA's dont have that problem because we are required to rotate/train throughout the hospital in at least 6 departments, ER surgery, psychiatry etc. NP's are not afforded the same opportunity. So NP's are superior why????

MPA-C G-Town Hoya 4 life!

Actually since organic food tends to be fertilized with feces, it's definitely not a lower contamination risk. Google the topic and you'll get plenty of data from reliable sources.

Here's one of many: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/dining/04cert.html

I will say that both organic and non-organic have their pros and cons. In a sense, both you two are right.

HaHaHa!!!! This reminds me of a story. Understand that my Dad had 'Gitts Goo' delivered to our city lot, where we all worked in cow and chicken manure into the garden so my Dad could feed us all.

Fast forward to my husband and I helping in a fundraising for our daughter's hippotherapy non-profit. We were there to cook meat and veggie burgers and put same on plates with the salad greens. Merrily we cooked away and chatted with the supporters as my husband surved up the requested burger and I put a lovely pile of salad greens on the plate. As I reached the bottom of the bowl, I noticed that there were non-salad-greens particles all over everything. Mortified, I called the employee of the sponser and mentioned that the salad greens should be very carefully washed and would she please take the bowl away and bring back a bowl of carefully washed greens. She looked me straight in th eye and said, "These are organic." I looked HER straight in the eye and said, "I realize that; these need to be washed; now." She left with the bowl and never returned; our shift ran down. I mentioned the situation to the non-profit person in charge. She was shocked. Can you imagine such carelessness/unawareness at an event to help handicapped people.... Let alone such an ignorant employee at a natural food store???? boggles the mind.

Common sense is a must. Our wedding, in 1975, was 'catered' by the members of my Mom's social group. None of them were 'licensed', but each had enormous pride in their specialties and would NEVER have put anyone at risk. I and my Mom were confident of this; our confidence was not misplaced.

Know with whom you are dealing; even if you hire a caterer, KNOW them.

Food poisoing can kill. If you are in the bathroom just a couple of hours it is probably just your body trying to clean itself out. If you are in the bathroom for several hours, go to an emergency room.

Regular, non-organic foods are also often fertilized by feces. Atleast organics are just fertilized by animal manure. Sometimes cities have sold human sewage to regular growers.

Cardboard boxes?? There are economical lightweight transport solutions for caterers created to avoid food temp issues, but it's up to caterers to realize that food borne illness is an issue that should be invested in. We bought Thermo boxes at www.sonridge.com. They keep awesome temps and we haven't heard of any issues with our clients.

Just goes to show that we have no idea about who is preparing our food at restaurants, or catered events.

Especially in AZ.....

Finally, some people on topic.

Anyway, I will say that caterers at institutions like colleges or corporations will be more reliable than various "neighborhood" caterers. Not bashing them, it just has to do with the institutions wanting reputable sources and many of the institutionalized caterers have their own companies send their own representatives to perform an inspection in addition to the ones from the health department.

It would be important to know the numbers here. That is, the number of people served in each venue. I suspect caterers do not serve the volume that restaurants do, so these numbers are/could be skewed.

Samuel Clemmons once said, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Make sure the comparisons are apples-to-apples.

I work in food service and we still use veggie and fruit wash and take the food temps every 2 hours. Pain in the butt for us workers but it protects the public from food-borne illnesses and pretects us from liability. All temps are written down, from the moment it goes into the deli case, during its time in there and right before it is pulled (2 hour max.) Also take the temps of the fridges and freezers every 4 hours.

Heck I remember carrying a thermometer in my pocket and having to check holding temps every hour and record it on a checklist. It was a pain in the backside.

The thermometer was supposed to go in the food. No wonder people are getting sick.