There was a 10 year period of my life; somewhere between my late 20s and early 30s, when I enjoyed brunch immensely. After a hard night of partying Saturday, nothing pleased me more than waiting for hours for a table at the favorite brunch spot of the neighborhood (or of the moment), and eating mediocre but sometimes good food.
Sometime after working my first brunch shift at the now defunct Campanile on La Brea, I realized brunch was a reviling ritual. For the brunchers, in can mean long waits, mediocre food, ill tempered staff, and for those that cook and serve brunch, it means getting up at an ungodly hour to cook food half asleep for ungrateful, overly garrulous patrons after having worked Saturday service, voted mostly likely to test the mettle of any restaurant cook (or server).
In my old age, brunch should be civilized, meaning not much work for anyone. I'm not saying put no effort into it (as the overall event does reflect on you as the host). But maybe spread the work amongst your people; ie a potluck. If everyone is able, then the food and company should shine.
Here's how we do it, properly and awesomely.
