'Bun in the Oven'!

Close to where we live was a small bakery called 'Bun in the Oven'.  It was next to Skaapland Meat Emporium, but almost hidden and without a shop front, display window, so easily missed. In fact I had never bought bread here and only noticed it one day a couple of months ago when I was running early one morning and the aroma of baking bread wafted across the road.  At the time, I saw the name displayed outside and thought it would be good to come sometime.

So when friends of mine, who work in the area of liquidating businesses, said they were going to be working at Bun in the Oven preparing it for auction, I was surprised and interested to know more.

                                                   
Preparing for an auction involves, cleaning and packing up all the goods and equipment left in a business when they close. Often this has happened suddenly, so for those involving food items, the time between the closing and access by liquidators can result in food in fridges and freezers (switched off when the place is closed) going rotten and mice or even rats invading the premises.  My friends have told me some horror stories of what they have had to deal with at some premises and the shocking state of kitchens and food preparation areas, often away from the public view.  As a result they have become more discerning about where they purchase their food items.

I popped in to see them in one of the days they were working in Bun in the Oven. Although there was a little evidence of mice droppings and hanf-cooked pies had been abandoned in the ovens, this establishment was not too bad and most dry goods had been stored correctly. The kitchens had been kept very clean, making their job much easier. Also, this was quite a small business, spread throughout several smallish rooms, comprising, a small shop and side office, and several back rooms for ovens, fridges and other bakery machinery, and large surfaces for dough preparation.

It took a couple of days to clean and pack up the items for auction and then a week later, after advertising, the auction was held.  I again dropped by so see some of the auction, as I'd never been to one before.  I took these photos of the various areas:

 The small shop with display cabinets and the auctioneer standing on a milk crate, with customers scattered around.

                                         

Preparation room with hatch through to shop.

 Back preparation room with large dough mixers and dry goods containers etc.

   

                                            

 Lots packaged ready for auction and a customer viewing the lot list and items.

 

                                                    

 Hannes next to poster about auction.

 Hendriette in the office area handling the administration side of the auction.  Their two teenage children were the 'runners' for the auctioneer throughout, double recording the final prices of sold items and linking customers with the office for payments and then collection of their goods. They had helped with the cleaning and preparation beforehand with their parents. It was a well oiled family-run business and as an observer, I found it fascinating to watch.

All the office equipment was included in the auction, and the auctioneer moved round the various rooms as the auction proceeded, pointing out items and leading the bidding.  He spoke very fast and to me it sounded like a cattle auction, especially as he wore a microphone and a small speaker amplified his voice through the premises.  Here's part of the Catalogue:

 The whole thing, of 110 lots, was very fast-paced and over within a couple of hours, but then followed by a day and half dismanteling machinery and customers collecting larger items.  It all had to be completed before the end of February, otherwise another month's rent would be required from the auction profits by the premises owners.  Now the building is empty, stripped bare and available for rent again.

Another news item I'm including in this section, amusingly is not unrelated to the title!

 Recently at CVC Media we have had two baby showers, for staff who have left to await the birth of their babies.

 Last Friday, MariLouise, who handles all the finances, left to await the birth of her second child, due any day. She is expecting a girl and already has a boy, now aged 2yrs. Marilouise has gone on maternity leave and will return to work in a few months.

 The other baby shower took place early in February and was for Candy, whose baby is not due until July. However, Candy was also leaving CVC Media and not taking maternity leave, so it was also her leaving party. Candy worked in production, was extremely fun-loving and so the theme for the party was fun and games.

We decorated the room with lines of baby clothes and photos all the different and quirky events that Candy has been involved in.

Trying to plan a surprise party of Candy was tricky and to catch her out, it was brought forward by a day.  However, she loved all the board games, balloon fun, 'candies' and special video put together to celebrate her three and half years at CVC. Her vivacious character and creative gifting will be greatly missed.

                                             

This was a serious game of Rummikub, which was about to start and I joined the group. Only one other person had played the game before and it was very interesting seeing how the strategies improved as the game proceeded. Near the end, one player was determined to use all his pieces in a single move and so win the game (we didn't keep score) but however he moved numbers around he just couldn't work it out.  Another player and I could see what needed to be done and he realised that there was a way to do it, but finally we decided to show him and end the game - after all this was the lunch hour and people had to return to work!

It was a wonderful social event, which is great for building relationships.