"guests" news and stories

My grandfather loved to entertain. He always kept a stocked liquor cabinet and had a stash of canapes in the freezer, in case people dropped by unexpectedly. He also always had several boxes of chocolates squirreled away that he would pull out and offer to guests after meals (even if dessert had been served). He felt that this was how to be a good host.

These guest chocolates were sacred and no one was allowed to touch them in the interim (my sister and I didn't not count as guests on our own, much to our chagrin). Sadly, this meant that in Grandpa Sid's later years, when he was no longer able to see or taste particularly well, these chocolates were often picked over and slightly aged. Family members knew that it was best to smile and say, "No, thanks," when he proffered the box in their direction. We would try to warn people before the Whitman's Sampler or box of See's was pointed at them, but it wasn't always possible.

This particular story come with a two-part question. Is there any food stuff that you keep around solely to feed guests? And, who had the elderly relative who was always trying to offer you a food stuff of questionable age and edibility?

Sure, the smell of apple pie is comforting and welcoming, but when I heard that some Sheraton Four Points Hotels were going to use the scent of cinnamon apple pie as a way to make guests feel welcome, I was a little skeptical. Luckily, it appears they're also using plenty of real pie as well. A Four Points exec has even joined the board of directors of the Pie Council of America (yes, it exists). Other hotels use food smells as well, including green and white teas, fig and bergamot, according to USA Today. Coincidentally, a recent episode of Good Eats also talked about how smell relates to memory and emotion.

[Via AdJab]