Advice Needed

[big griz]

The son of one of my closest friends is in the local Marine Reserves unit and a couple of us come up with the idea of serving them lunch the last day of their training weekend either in August or September as a way of thanking them for their service..  There are approximately 300 men and women who will be there so there will be a lot of hungry mouths.  Since this will be the first time any of us has done anything like this, we thought we would keep it simple by grilling burgers and dogs and serving them with chips, a cookie, and something to drink.  Obviously we are going to try and recruit more help and get some donations, but I was wondering if any of you has ever done anything like this and if so, I was hoping you would have some suggestions.  By the way, anyone in the Broken Arrow, OK area is more than welcome to join us should we be able to make this happen (still in the planning stages).  Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[snorkelinggirl]

I can't offer you any advice, as I've never cooked for a number like that. But I think it is a great idea, and kudos to you for thanking your local servicemen and women.  They deserve all our gratitude and respect!!

Clarissa

 

[backwoods bbq]

hamburgers and hotdogs are easy... if you have a big grill! I would do 75 burgers 75 hotdogs upfront use foil pans and heavy duty tin foil to cover then you can start cooking as they get low to what you think you need. If you have a smaller grill start early, then foil pan them as you go get a good amount stocked up before people get ready to eat. sounds fun! 

 

[so ms smoker]

  Glad to hear you are willing to help out our service members! Kudos to them and you! I think the easiest thing to do would be pulled pork. For 300 people 16-20 8lb butts should suffice. Look for local donations to supply the meat and fixins needed. My compliments to you for helping out our boys!

  edit: And girls!

  Mike

 

[desertlites]

yup I thinks pulled pork also-but than again not everyone cares for it. do them ahead of time by a day and get all prepared-the day of heat it all up with the juices and serve. better have some burgers and dogs to boot.

 

[big griz]

We had thought about doing pulled pork, but being new to this, I'm not sure we have enough smokers which is why we were thingking about grilling. Since we are still early in the planning stages though, we are looking for someone with a larger enough smoker to help us out and then offer burgers and dogsw for those that might not like pulled pork (perish the thought!). Again, if anyone in the Broken Arrow/Tulsa OK area wants to help, please let me know. We would love to meet you and join our cause!

 

[jirodriguez]

Pulled pork is nice because you can cook it a week ahead of time, vacuum seal it, and toss it in the fridge, then just reheat it the day of the feed. Makes it really easy to feed a large crowd.

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Hello, and glad you are saluting our Service Personnel . To hold your finished Burgers and Dogs , use a Dry, ice chest (igloo or whatever) . Wrap your food in Foil and large towels (after you get permission

 ) and put it the cooler. This will hold the heat for 4-6hrs. if needed.

Hope you have a great turnout and have loads of fun...

Enjoy yourself and as always . . .

 

[turnandburn]

if yall were closer to the city, id help yall out. i have a propane XL smoker. i could easily do (8) 12-14lb butts in mine..thats undershooting that also.. i dont know if that would really help any tho all the way over here. i didnt even know they had a reserve unit up that way.

 

[smokinhusker]

Checking on a few things for you and I'll post it here or PM when I find out the answers. 

 

[gary morris]

Hi, the first and most important thing I would do would be to plan a menu. 

Decide on the number and ratios of main, side dishes, drinks and condiments.  (Whats most popular - this will be the highest ratio)

See who can help with equipment, menu items, plates tables. and $

This will help dictate the following.

How much can be prepared before hand and how much on the day.  How much you will need.  How much it will cost.  How many cooking units.  How many holding units. (hot and cold)

Delegate / assign jobs out that need doing.  Do a timetable of tasks.

How long will service take?  One line = 300 covers.  Two lines 150 covers each. etc.  Think about the lay out hot main, hot sides - cold sides, condiments & drinks (poss self serve for these?  Poss away from mains to increase flow rate?)  Service start time?  This will give you an idea of when to start setting up.

Knives and forks or finger food?  Crockery or disposable?  Pot Wash and waste - collection / disposable area for both.

Any site regulations / bye laws etc?  Any facilities available - toilets, shelters,waste bins etc.  Contingency for bad weather?  Contingency for people dropping out?  Contingency for increase / decrease in covers?

The list isn't a must do / must follow, but suggestions of what may or may not be required, I'm from the UK so this is how I've done it in the past, apologies if I'm way off,

but after all is said and done, have fun and enjoy the rush.

 

[snowdog71]

Thats good advice from Gary.  Good luck on your endeavor and thanks to the men and women who serve

 

[kc5tpy]

GOOD FOR YOU!  Glad you are recognizing our brave men    and women?  That's where I think you missed a trick.  Women prefer chicken.  STOP IT!!  Political correctness be damned! 

 I know it's a generalization but it holds true most of the time.  I'd drop the hot dogs and do yard bird legs and thighs.  OR turkey legs.  Actually I'd do brisket and bird but brisket can be tough to do if it ain't your thing yet.  Chicken leg quarters or turkey legs are easy to do.  Now for the first time ever on SMF I'm gonna give my SUPER SECRET marinade for yard bird or turkey legs; so long as you PROMISE not to tell anyone.  Everyone who has tried it LOVES IT.  So here we go: Italian salad dressing. ( vinegar and oil not creamy ).  Think about it: vinegar, oil, oregano, basil, thyme, garlic, onion, etc.. What more do you want in exact proportions?  Most members here already know and probably use this.  If I wasn't 5000 miles away I'd show up with my smoker.  Are ya doin sides?  Good luck.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[smokinhusker]

You might check with the local Recruiting Battalion or even a local Recruiting Station and see if they have a Family Support Group that might be willing to help out. Hey even the Recruiters might help. We did things like this when I was married to an Army Recruiter (It helped that I was the Family Support Group Rep). 

 

[big griz]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice! We are currently trying to find out if we can even get permssion to do something like this. I know it sounds crazy, but we are being told that due to the current budget sequestration, it may not be possible. I didn't understand it if we were doing everything but was told that they will check but it may not be allowed. They were telling me that the annual 4th of July fireworks display at Camp Lejeune that normally draws over 20,000 people each year was cancelled this year even though a fireworks company agreed to do it for free and a city in North Caroline was going to donate $25,000.00 to cover expenses. Insane!!

 

[eman]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice! We are currently trying to find out if we can even get permssion to do something like this. I know it sounds crazy, but we are being told that due to the current budget sequestration, it may not be possible. I didn't understand it if we were doing everything but was told that they will check but it may not be allowed. They were telling me that the annual 4th of July fireworks display at Camp Lejeune that normally draws over 20,000 people each year was cancelled this year even though a fireworks company agreed to do it for free and a city in North Caroline was going to donate $25,000.00 to cover expenses. Insane!!

welcome to the NWO. We fed over 300 soldiers a day for 2 days here after hurricane Katrina. Figured out that big pot meals were a lot easier than smoking or bbq. Did spaghetti and meat balls w/ salad and garlic bread on sat. red beans and rice w/ sausage , salad and bread an cake on Sunday.

  We did it w/ 4 folks and one serving line. We were feeding 2 shifts so fed one before they came on the the other 30 min later after shift change.

  Doing leg quarters , beans and bread for 125 troops and their families on Aug 31 2013. Before they ship out.

 

[roller]

Tell ALL of them THANKS FOR THEIR SERVICE FOR OUR COUNTRY !

 

[chef jimmyj]

Don't forget the local Party Rental joints for big Grills or Pig Roasters to do all the Burgers or Butts. Those guys would have no problem lending free equipment, on an off day or if not already rented, to get all the free local publicity their signs, the news stations and papers will be putting out over this event. Same with any Grocery Chains or Party Supply Stores. For 300 people 600 Chinet weight Plates, 16 Oz Cups, Forks, Knives and Spoons will be needed. That is not a very big donation, again for all the Press. 500-600 Rolls are not much for a local Bakery or even Restaurant Supply Distributor like Sysco or US Foods to put up. And McDonalds or other chain owners may put up the Drink Mixes and Cups. Just a few ideas to ponder...JJ

 

[jarjarchef]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice! We are currently trying to find out if we can even get permssion to do something like this. I know it sounds crazy, but we are being told that due to the current budget sequestration, it may not be possible. I didn't understand it if we were doing everything but was told that they will check but it may not be allowed. They were telling me that the annual 4th of July fireworks display at Camp Lejeune that normally draws over 20,000 people each year was cancelled this year even though a fireworks company agreed to do it for free and a city in North Caroline was going to donate $25,000.00 to cover expenses. Insane!!

Not sure why it would be an issue for them financially, but for the fireworks it was probably the support cost, just a thought. Does not mean they should not have found a way to celebrate.

Either route of PP or burgers and dogs are easy or can be easy. You have already been given some sound advice. I would say once you get permission contact some of the local VFW, Elks or American Legion lodges and see if they may have some equipment you could borrow. They may actually have some members that will help serve or set up. Check with some of the local rental companies and see if they have any grills they rent. Again if you explain what you are wanting to do, they may give you a great deal on one. But as long as you have a way to keep the food hot a couple regular grills will be all you really need. The dry cooler and towels works very well.

I don't live near you or I would offer any of the equipment I have. My smokehouse would do in 1 shot all the pork you would need and then could use it as a warming cabinet. I do catering for large numbers every day, so if you have any questions I will be happy to help with answers.

Jeramy