Please read the overview and all the descriptions of the suspects before the party. Sometimes we hide clues in these descriptions.

Overview

Welcome to ‘Murder Of The Great Chef’. It’s 1948. Tonight, we have gathered together at the Culinary Institute of America to honor the Institute’s Great Chef Alan Davies, who is receiving the highest award in the culinary world — The Edmond World Class Culinary Award.

Unfortunately, we have just received news that he was murdered this afternoon. Some of the people who are gathered have been invited; the others have forced their way in.

The suspects

Mary Homebud (Alan’s long-term fiancée)

I grew up in Iowa. My parents’ own a chain of shoe stores around America. I enrolled in secretarial school in New York. My parents arranged for me to stay at my aunt’s. I met Alan. He was handsome & suave, & he’d trained in France. He’d say, “Excuse moi garcon” when we were at a restaurant. He said he liked my naiveté — whatever that meant! After we were engaged, he didn’t bother taking me to restaurants anymore. Dress suggestions: Dainty clothes with touches of lace. Nothing revealing at all. Smell of muffins (carry a few hot ones).

Paula Tortula (Alan’s second fiancée)

I grew up in New York. We didn’t have much money. My mother was always singing to herself. The whole family gathered around the piano & we all sang along. My mother entered me in a singing competition, & I won. I was so thrilled. I used the money I won to pay for my singing lessons. I learned tricks like using honey to make my voice sound smoother. One of the big-name music scouts asked me if I’d like to sing in a jazz band. He said I’d be the next Billie Holiday. Dress suggestions: A glittering outfit — sequins or glitter — dazzling & glamorous. Add high heels.

Yves Larousse (French chef)

I grew up in Paris. My father was an aromatherapist. My mother loved to cook. I made honeycomb at the age of four. By the age of 10, I was making soufflés. I invented recipes like Spatch-cock & Spinach Swirl & Camembert Cream Croissants. I wrote them all down in a special book with my name in it. I mastered the skills even before I went to culinary school. I knew I’d have to go overseas to obtain real fame & fortune. Dress suggestions: A beret, neck scarf, & chef’s check trousers. White shirt. Carry your notebook.

Cath Scarlet (bag lady)

Mom was a dancer at a nightclub. When I turned 16, mom had thrown out her back doing the can-can. So she had no choice but to send me to work as a dancer. I was always toppling over in my stilettos at first like a newborn giraffe. During the war, I got lots of tips entertaining the troops. I threw out my back doing the jitterbug & ended up as a bag lady. Dress suggestions: Bring the bag or trolley, which contains your possessions. Wear a rag torn outfit & a dirty face. Add an odor of the sewer (don’t overdo it).

Joe “Slasher” Tessarario (gangster)

I started loaning money to people. If they used it to make more money, we both got rich. Sure, I charged a lot of interest — why do you think they call us loan sharks? — but I lent to people the banks considered risky. If they couldn’t repay, you told them you’d stand them in something sticky & heavy, & I’m not talking about toffee. Generally, they wised up. Soon, I had a strong network of people who owed me favors. Dress suggestions: Clinging nylon shirt, gold chains, hat, black leather coat or double-breasted jacket.

Katie Pitman (Chef’s secretary)

I grew up in DC. I don’t smoke, but I chew too much gum. At secretarial school, I topped my class. I can type a hundred words a minute. My ancestors invented shorthand. Maybe that’s why I was so good at it. My husband William is a bit older than me & he went to WWI. He’s an engineer. His work took him to New York. I love it here. I can buy clothes that you just can’t get in DC. Dress suggestions: Business dress, nothing revealing, just smart and stylish. Low heels. Just a touch of makeup. Carry a work diary.

George Creuset (pot-washer)

My mother died having me. My father raised me. We were as poor as caged hamsters, but my dad could really make his mouth-organ sing. I think dad’s attitude has rubbed off on me. I love singing. I wish I could sing like Paula. I wash pots at the Institute. I didn’t go to the war because I have flat feet. I’ve got big plans. I dabble in electronics & I’ve invented a machine. I call it Creuset’s Cleaning Contraption — well, that’s the working title. It’s actually a “dishwasher” without arms or legs. Dress suggestions: Check flannel shirt. Carry a pot & a scrubbing brush. Whistle a merry tune.

Fred Cleaver (butcher)

I’d always loved all those gory war stories & the sight of blood had never worried me, so I decided to be a butcher. Meat has always been my favorite food. Vegetables are a waste of time, except for French fries. When I got back from the war, an uncle of mine died & left me some money, so I set up my own shop near the Institute & pretty soon I had them as a customer. My parsley & pork sausages are the best in town. Bessie’s a great wife & our kids are good kids. Dress suggestions: An apron with a few ketchup stains (pretend they’re blood). Carry one of your favorite large (blunt) knives.

The optional investigators & witnesses

Mrs. Jones (investigator) I have gained quite a reputation for solving mysteries and murders. As the Police appear to be corrupt (due to Joe’s influence), the Institute has asked me to do a bit of snooping for them. Dress suggestions: Dress in your good “church” clothes. Don’t forget your white gloves and your hat and shoulder pads. Maybe bring some opera glasses so you can keep a close eye on everyone. You may also like to bring your knitting.

General Sid Davies (Alan’s younger brother) Alan used to squeeze my mashed potato through his fingers. He was mother’s pet. He spent a lot of time in the kitchen. That’s where he got interested in cooking. He’d steal from dad’s coin collection & advertise cakes he made. Whenever I met a girl, he’d tell her I had incurable cold sores — a total lie. He’d buy girls flowers & malted milks from his cake business money, so they fell for him. Dress suggestions: A coat & tie, both adorned with war medals. Carry a pipe.

Helena Flan (Institute administrator) My father was a traveling salesman. He was always selling the latest fad — here, there, & everywhere. You know, things like hula hoops, yo-yos, & pogo sticks. I always liked to keep myself trim & fit (I still do), so I spent a lot of time with my dad’s exercise equipment. Mom didn’t seem to mind him being away a lot. I want to settle down, but I’m young & I haven’t met my honey bun yet. Dress suggestions: Tight-fitting dress. Add fishnet stockings, heels & make-up.

David Wurst (apprentice chef) I used to experiment with the leftover scraps at my parent’s deli. You know — the bits of meats, slices of liverwurst, & bits of cheeses. I’d cook them up into strange combinations like liverwurst & cabbage pie & frankfurt & cheese flan. But with practice, I got better. I received a Culinary Institute of America scholarship. When Mr. Davies became the Great Chef, for me, that was a real turn for the wurst. Dress suggestions: Chef’s check trousers, white puffy hat & rolling pin.

Mrs. Dulcie Gobbler (widow of the previous Great Chef) My parents were wealthy. I went to finishing school in Paris. I met Arnold there. He was studying to be a chef. We fell madly in love — oh, how I remember those nights under the Eiffel Tower. My parents were horrified. We eloped. After our first child was born, my parents met Arnold, & they could see why I’d married him. Now I’m a patron of the Institute. Dress suggestions: Hair touched up with talc to make it look gray, powdered make-up, dignified dress, & a few jewels.

Dixie Day (candy seller at a picture theatre) I was born in Alabama. I was the only child of a vaudeville couple. I was starting to get a reputation as a tap dancer, but then I had a bad fall, so that was the end of my dancing career. Then I came to New York. Alan Davies always used to flirt with me at the movies. He came to the movies alone, so I thought he was single.  Dress suggestions: Short flouncy skirt & a box tied to your front with candies & gum for sale. Add stockings & high heels.

Humphrey Hubert (owner of a cafe) We immigrated to the United States when I was two, so I am more an American than an Englishman. My parents gave me the money to set up my own cafe. I was greatly grieved when previous Great Chef passed away. Mr. Davies always complained about the cost of everything. Yet my coffee is cheap compared to some cafes. Dress suggestions: Dress well but with an apron on top & come in holding a cappuccino maker or plunger coffee maker.

Luigi Malfredi (men’s hair cutter) My father had a heart attack while he was shaving a client’s beard, but even as he was falling to the floor, he was careful enough not to cut anybody with the blade. Can you believe that? What a barber. People say I’m as good with rumors as I am with my shaving blade. The previous Chef had been going to me for years. Dress suggestions: Bring your striped barber’s pole & have your hair slicked back. Add a mustache & a barber’s apron. Carry a shaving brush & soap dish.

Detective Ronald Padget (police officer) I love solving puzzles. That’s why I became a police officer. I’m also great at cryptic crosswords. I would have loved to study history and literature, but my family couldn’t afford to send me to college. Dress suggestions: Wear a mock American police uniform. Carry a notepad and pencil.

Dr. Arthur Haliwell (medical doctor) I have been the doctor for the Davies family for many years. I believe you can never have too many tests. I am a bit of a hypochondriac I suppose. My main hobby is collecting  stuffed animals. Dress suggestions: Carry a black bag and any medical items you can obtain (e.g. thermometer).

Tom Dryden (Alan’s lawyer) I am Alan Davies’ lawyer. I am very conservative and very well respected in my profession. I have been his lawyer for many years. I think he engaged my services because he thought I was less expensive than some of my colleagues. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit and look very serious.

Vivienne Clematis (nurse) I am a nurse. I am not much of a cook myself. I came here to assist the doctor with his medical examination of the victim. Dress suggestions: Wear a uniform. Carry a medical item such as a thermometer.

Myrtle Townsend (newspaper journalist) I’ve been a journalist for a few years now. I am very ruthless and pushy. I’m also always hassling the police for tip-offs.  Dress suggestions:  Business clothes. Carry a notepad and pen.

Bonnie Branwen (radio journalist) I’m a radio journalist. I’m an extrovert and very friendly. I like to play the game fairly and I get my information through my many friends. Dress suggestions: Business clothes. Carry a notepad and pen.

Otto Davies (Alan’s nephew) I’m a good “All American” boy. I’m in my last year at high school. I’m also a keen polo player. Dress suggestions: Wear a long white shirt, a tie, knickerbockers and long white socks and black shoes.

Mrs. Susie Davies (Alan’s sister-in-law) I was in the army during the war and I still like to wear my uniform at special occasions. I did my bit for the cause. Dress suggestions: An army uniform with a coat with shoulder pads with one or two medals and a tie. Wear a tight fitting skirt.

Ted “Squasher” Bootie (gangster) I can squash any of my enemies. Nobody mucks around with this dude. Joe is my boss.  Dress suggestions: Add a few pillows to make yourself into a big man capable of squashing your victims. Maybe don a double-breasted jacket.

Martha Cleaver (butcher’s wife) I’m a good housewife. I have a very large family, which keeps me busy, but I still sing as I do my chores. Dress suggestions: The usual mother’s attire of clothes with paint stains, bits of old spaghetti stuck on, smiley faces drawn in lipstick as she has dashed here and didn’t have time to change.

Alan Davies (ghost) I am the ghost of Alan Davies. I am very angry because I didn’t want to die and I want to find out who killed me. Dress suggestions: Wear a white sheet and white face powder.

Mamma Tessarario (Joe’s mother) I am Joe’s mother. I take good care of the family and I tried to bring Joe up to be a good Catholic boy. My husband died a year ago, that’s why we are all still wearing black. Dress suggestions: Conservative black dress.

Sofia Tessarario (Joe’s sister) I am Joe’s sister. I am a good Italian girl. I don’t know anything about the family business.  Dress suggestions: Wear black clothes.

Darlene Celeste (Joe’s broad) I am a real babe, or that’s what Joe says about me. I like men with lots of money, because they treat me real swell. Dress suggestions: Wear a glittery dress and lots of beads.