It was just another Friday afternoon at work, when I got the call. “Bill, we are going to need you to show up to an event tonight.” Typically, when I hear this I am quite dissappointed. It usually means my weekend is shortened and I will not be able to hang out with friends on a Friday night.

However, there happen to be a few perks that come along with my job. My boss called me in her office and told me that I was headed off to the exclusive opening night event for Miss America and I could even bring a friend.

Now, I’ve been to a couple great events while working at my job, including the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium. But none compared to Friday night at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Downtown LA.

My buddy could not get the smile off his face when each of the 51 contestants strolled by our table and stopped to chat. I was personally in heaven and my camera did the talking…snap…snap…snap. All in the name of being able to send photos to friends across the country!

The moment of the night came when the overweight french chef walked out of the kitchen and the girls flocked to him to tell him how much they enjoyed everything he prepared. His eyes lit up when he saw Miss Idaho and all he could say was, “I love potato!”