Neil, nice to hear from you. Hamilton Street Grill if I am not correct. We used to be neighbors. I will definitely be going back to Araxi as my home is in Whistler. I signed a year contract but it is possible to stay longer. My wife and I felt a year was long enough especially with a year old son. Generally I cook for the Ambassador and his wife but they often have guests. We also do plenty of special functions for dignitaries, heads of state, etc. The Ambassador takes care of Italy, Malta, Albania, San Marino and is also the Prime Minister's personal emissary to Africa. I have cooked for 150 and I have cooked for 1 so it is kind of all over the place but I have plenty of warning to prep. I do most everything myself, ie breads, pastries, butchery and wash pots sometimes too. A party of 20 with canapes, 5 courses and petit fours is a lot of work when you are solo. I also have an Italian crew that I bring in when the functions get really large and also my wife, ex pastry at Sooke Harbour House helps when I need it. I even sang Happy Birthday to Kofi Annan and made him a cake. The work load is a lot less than a restaurant but it is busy in spurts. I do miss working with a team and all the fun that goes along with it. It does help my Italian working with the staff that lives at the Embassy. Ciao for now!