Fishes & Loaves

corndog · Posted: May 11 2007 Post subject: Fishes & Loaves

Well, we catered an event last night at a church that was quite exciting for a while. It was for 175, so we had that much plus a few extras....Well, as my partner and I were placing the food in the pans, and getting everything ready, the man in charge came up to my partner and wanted to know if we were ready. Now, this is about 10 min earlier than they said, but that happens. Well, my partner said that we were told that a serving team would be doing the serving and that they weren't there yet. The MIC said that he hadn't heard anything about that, and then the next thing ya' know....here come the people!!! Yes, right then and there, while my partner is plating out the desserts!!! It was pandelerium!! Two lines of people looking at free food!!! Well, needless to say, we lost all portion control...We had tongs for the leg quarters and a 3oz spoodle for the boiled potatoes and a 2oz spoodle for the green beans. I looked at several people and they were piling on the food!!! I was getting concerned by the person...I looked at the food, looked at the line, looked at the food, looked at the line...it was not going to equal out if things stayed the way they were going. Well, I called one of the coordinators to the side and told him how much we cooked and that we might end up running out!! I told him that since the serving team didn't show up, we lost portion control and we couldn't be sure that there would be enough food. He understood, which is cool. Well, a serving team did show up for one of the lines, and that helped ALOT!!! When it was all over w/ we had less than 1/2 pan of both potatoes and bean and about 15 leg quarters left over!!! So, it all worked out, everyone loved the food and all were happy...So, talk about the Lord making the food multiply to feed the masses!!! But this was about the largest crowd we have cooked for, and it was an easy prep, cook and clean up.
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Kevin "Corndog" Cameron

Dang it boy, that's some mighty fine eatin'!!!!

mutha chicken bbq · Posted: May 11 2007 Post subject:

Been there, Done that. I am always the one who hit's the panic button 5mins. before serving time. Second guessing myself.

Sounds like you did a great job. Congrats to ya!
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Ranucci's Big Butt · Posted: May 11 2007 Post subject:

Nice Kevin, did you have to check your shorts about half way through. I have had that feeling before and it's not fun. Glad it worked out for ya.
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corndog · Posted: May 11 2007 Post subject:

It's funny how the visual ratio's look...meaning that it looks like you will never have enough food to feed those long lines...but you know that you did prepare enough.... And yes, I did panic for all of about 2 min while I talked to the coordinator and he understood. After that, it was out of my hands and I couldn't fix it..
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Kevin "Corndog" Cameron

Dang it boy, that's some mighty fine eatin'!!!!

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

Hey, I STILL Get nervous when the 'crowd' shows up to eat... Laughing

I too start 'second guessing myself' and amounts.. You get a LONG line like that and you THINK it will NEVER end.. Laughing

But we have yet to run out... Wink

Maybe that is why I am SOOO tired afer an event...STRESSSS!!!!
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BBQMAN · Posted: May 11 2007 Post subject:

Glad it went well for you Kevin! Very Happy

I recently did a wedding where things did not go so smooth as well. Due to this, and other experiences, my contract has been ammended recently.

It clearly states that the client is responsible for serving tables (unless otherwise provided for) and that the food needs to be served under a covered area. The client was surprised when we asked for the tables, and then put us (and all the guests dressed up for a fancy affair) in the direct 90' sun. Not fun to say the least. He also put us in a spot I did not want to place the trailer- guess what it got stuck in the sand! Shocked

Served em' all on time regardless, and they loved the food.

The thanks we got from this demanding client- no tip! Mad

I guess they coudn't afford it due to the private tennis court maintenance, and the pool guy for the olympic size pool. Or it could have been the Hummer payment was late..................
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3pigsbbq · Posted: May 12 2007 Post subject:

yeah same here. we always try to serve at least the first serving. depending on the gig, we sometimes leave the food out for them to come back for seconds as self serve if they want. but all of us allways freak out just before serving time.
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