Ingredients for good publicity

My worst moment happened recently, late on a Saturday night when the restaurant was heaving. We were beginning to wind the service down but there was still was a real buzz in the air.

I was busy cooking in the kitchen when my sous chef shouted: "Quick, one of the waitresses is in the staff loo. The window's open - why not take a photo through it and we'll all have a laugh."

So, being a lover of practical jokes and wanting to live up to my name - A Nutter - I looked for my camera.

Unfortunately, it was nowhere in sight but not wanting to miss the opportunity to play a prank I grabbed the nearest thing to me - a large head of celery.

Sprinting outside, I threw the celery head through the open window. A scream came from within; all the chefs thought it was hilarious.

I ran back inside, anxious to see the waitress's reaction as she came out. But the door opened - and I was shocked to see an elegant lady client stroll out, celery leaves strewn in her hair and on her clothes - her face as white as mine.

Minutes later, there were shrieks of laughter from the restaurant as word spread about what had happened. Apparently, she had mistakenly made her way to the staff loo where she thought she had dislodged a wall decoration in an uncoordinated moment.

Demand for using the staff loo that night was immense. Everybody wanted a bit of the "celery experience". People still come into the restaurant talking about it - it was the best piece of publicity we've ever had. But it cured my practical joking for a while; and I still thank God my camera was not around.