It was a reasonable facsimile of a food-like substance.

Ooh, I think I had that at a Chinese buffet recently.

Seriously, though, I should try some quiche recipes: I used to like them when I was a kid (my mother comes from the first quiche/fondue generation), but I haven't had one in years, it seems.

Sorry about the work stuff. The outside consultant thing is frustrating, but it's actually a known phenomenon: outsiders have more credibility than insiders, especially on organizational issues (where they're seen as less likely to be biased, assuming that all biases are self-interest....), but even when they are actually less qualified or produce the same results as insiders.