The sandwich is a simple concept. That’s what I love most about them. It’s all in the eye of the guy beholding the ingredients that decides a sandwiches simplicity or complexity.
On the other hand, even something as simple as a hot dog can become very complicated when you’re feeding 300 people at a ball game. On that level, you’re running a concession, requiring more than a heating element and a jar of mustard. Now you’re in the realm of professional cookware and to some degree, restaurant equipment.
I learned this lesson the hard way when I took on the concession stand at our local little league park last spring. Walking into the rickety little structure for the first time was enough to make me want to cry out “McDonald's for everyone”. The space was devoid of anything resembling cooking equipment. But by then it was too late, I was committed and had to think fast about how best to pull this one off.
My first impulse for surviving this feat was to head for the Internet. Within about 30 seconds I was searching Wasserstrom Restaurant Supplies website where everything I needed popped up onto my screen, in living color, whew! This was going to be awesome.
Before ordering my supplies, I took a little extra time and shopped each item in my order to compare prices. Professional chefs may not have to be concerned with the price of plastic condiment servers, but I certainly was. To my surprise, I was able to stay within my budget for the event, and have since used the same equipment on numerous occasions.
On the other hand, even something as simple as a hot dog can become very complicated when you’re feeding 300 people at a ball game. On that level, you’re running a concession, requiring more than a heating element and a jar of mustard. Now you’re in the realm of professional cookware and to some degree, restaurant equipment.
I learned this lesson the hard way when I took on the concession stand at our local little league park last spring. Walking into the rickety little structure for the first time was enough to make me want to cry out “McDonald's for everyone”. The space was devoid of anything resembling cooking equipment. But by then it was too late, I was committed and had to think fast about how best to pull this one off.
My first impulse for surviving this feat was to head for the Internet. Within about 30 seconds I was searching Wasserstrom Restaurant Supplies website where everything I needed popped up onto my screen, in living color, whew! This was going to be awesome.Before ordering my supplies, I took a little extra time and shopped each item in my order to compare prices. Professional chefs may not have to be concerned with the price of plastic condiment servers, but I certainly was. To my surprise, I was able to stay within my budget for the event, and have since used the same equipment on numerous occasions.
The menu: Hot Dogs, Polish Sausages, PBJ Sandwiches, Sweet Potato Fries, Ice Cream Bars and cold drinks.
Okay, now you've made me hungry! And for hot dogs and sweet potato fries, which I have absolutely no access to at the moment ... groan. I'm going to fixate on this now until the craving gets met!
ReplyDeleteUm, regarding hot dogs...are we talking just normal hot dogs or the king of them all, the Chicago-style hot dog. :) I know, I know, that adds bajillion dollars to the budget, but you have to admit, they're way better than the standard.
ReplyDeleteGood luck keeping the 300 satisfied!
Feeding 300 is a daunting job, but I love your menu and I'm sure everybody enjoyed the food. You were a brave one to take on the job.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous post !
ReplyDeleteHot dogs are my favorite junk food. Some of the best ones I've ever had, however, are at the Chicago O'Hare airport. As The Mom Chef noted above, it is the KING of weiners! I go out of my way, like when flying to Hawaii, to have a stop in Chicago, just so I can get the hot dog there !
I'm still waiting for Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomvkist's sandwiches to show up here ...
wink-wink !
I seem to find myself in similar predicaments. Sometimes I think that I should keep my pen in my purse and avoid the sign up sheets all together. Of course, that's not my nature. : ) Great work! Thanks for the helpful links.
ReplyDeleteHey K ! The reference to Lisbeth and Mikael is from "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" ! I had bantered with you once before about the sandwiches in the book -- they are the characters who made/ate them ! In the 1st book- they eat a LOT of sandwiches ! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the sweet words on my blog ...
Peace,
K
Good job! You certainly rose to the occasion and handled it very well! You came up with a great menu, a good variety that surely pleased everyone! I'd go for it all, especially those sweet potato fries.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! What a wonderful concept! I adore sandwiches. You put it between two pieces of bread, or on top of a bread, of any kind, and I am so there!
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't love Hillary Swank...and eating a sandwich nonetheless! She won for Million Dollar Baby and Boys Don't Cry...Best Supporting for the first and Best Actress for the second, I think?
ReplyDeleteSteve Eats NYC