Dinner for two dozen

Take about 4 pounds of cooked and cubed chicken, lots of cheese, generous amounts of heavy cream and white wine, several handfuls of pine nuts, two boxes of noodles and a nice schmear of pesto.

That's enough for two big, heavy pans of lasagna al' bianca for the bunch Robert invited over for dinner Wednesday, on the eve of the big bridge tournament at Joe's. Add a big, colorful salad, and bracket with appetizers and desserts by his card partner, Carolyn, and it ought to keep their mouths busy with something other than bids.

We're also getting houseguests for a week -- there are a few days of play beyond the end of the match on Saturday.

Sometimes I feel like the Prince of Wales. No designs on Camilla, of course, just a kinship with the motto on his crest:

Ich Dien -- "I serve."