EDDIE'S PORTABLE PIG-OUT: StRaNgE EVENTS

Do you have a Strange Catering Situation?      Have a bunch of folks need to be fed somewhere odd??    Let's talk!!!

The whole point of my mobile equipment is to PARTY ANYWHERE!     "Off the beaten trail" jobs get my creative juices flowing and can be a great deal of fun.   

As an example:   Need to feed a crowd of campers or canoe-ers?  How about a private caterer for 10 guys on a multi-day ski trip?    A Group of Bikers at a 24 Hour Mt. Biking race?    Have a group going to a music festival and want everyone to BE FED IN STYLE!!!??    Bus Trip Catering?   Charter Boat Catering?   ETCETERA...   Call me and let's knock around ideas!! 

In the heart of the summer, I'm shying away from the tiny, small headcount jobs (see 'Jobs to Small Headcount' Page), and there are many logistical caveats that might need discussing.  (I've had quite enough of lifting and moving heavy equipment over ridiculous distances).    But generally, if I can swing it, and it's worth my while financially, I can cater events that other caterers wouldn't dream of taking!!

The "Strange" examples below are a little old and stale, since Pig Roasting has taken over.., but they give the flavor for what I've supported in the past. 

The 24 Hours of Allamuchy Mt. Bike Race

I regularly go riding with a handful of Mt. Bikers from work.  We ride Mondays and Wednesday evenings.     Every year, they entered a 24 Hour Mt. Bike Race called "24 Hours of Allamuchy", located at the boy scout camp, across the street from Waterloo Village.  (I Don't enter the race, because I'm too damned slow).    10-12 folks enter the race, and camp onsite for 2 nights.   I cater Hi calorie, High Carb, Hi Protein meals to the Mt. Bikers.    It's a bit of a challenge to transport all the coolers to the campsite, but we manage.

Catering for Festivalgoers

I'm a Deadhead and a Jamband Lover.   I love going to multi-act festivals.   Because I have all the right equipment, I often cater the meals to anywhere from 3-5 buddies for a weekend long festival, 5 or 6 hours away.   We're talking, Breakfast, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks, and road sandwiches!     Not to mention, some totally luxurious equipment to get us thru in style.   My truck is a fine tuned tour vehicle, which will support 2-3 others easily....more with additional vehicles in the mix.   Ultra Strange events are my absolute specialty.       The production can easily be adapted to a motor home or RV.  

A Roasted Pig Provided for a Photoshoot

In June '03, I got a call from a production team hired by Coca Cola to do perform still photography for a Billboard advertisement.   The gist of the shoot was to have college-aged kids having a Football tailgate party at a stadium, with all the fixin's.    I was hired to provide a pigroast for the shoot.   The pig was not necessarily needed for the foodservice, just for the photoshoot!    Once onsite, they also took a ton of pictures of me carving the pig, my truck, the roaster!     The goal was for a billboard, but I've never seen the final results...I assume my pictures were never used, or the project was scrubbed for one reason or another?     However, the job was interesting, fun.. and a whole lot of work.     (Lots of unplanned workarounds, and unexpected added tasks).          But that's what Production is all about:   As a temporary Production team member, you either become part of the solution, or you get the hell out of the way.

An "Equipment-only" job for Phanphest 2.0

In October '03, an up-and-coming music festival promoter named Drew "-Phan-" Wajnert  hired EPPO to bring my party support equipment to manage the festival-provided food for about 150 attendees of a small music festival held in Manchester, NJ.     Several Local NJ-based bands played throughout the weekend on a 60 acre property, while people camped onsite.   This event was strange because I went into it not knowing if there'd be 120 people or 420 people, so menu decisions were made on the fly, based on available budget.   (We served Burgers/Dogs/FF, had a big pasta dinner, and a few light breakfasts..and managed people's home-brought food items.).   We also facilitated individual cooking needs.    This was a tough job since the budget was thin, there was no running water, and several other curve-balls were thrown my way too.    But it all worked out due mostly to the tireless efforts of the onsite volunteer help.  Everyone had a blast, and everyone was fed.      The service I provided would be nearest to the "Bring-Your-Own" event I make reference to throughout the website (I provide the equipment, you provide the rest).

'04 Thanksgiving Deep Fried Turkeyfest for the work crowd..

This was for 43 people at work.    I ran five 12lb turkeys thru 2 deep fryers.  (Two other turkeys were fried for private use). .   I also made 30lbs of mashed potatoes, 20lbs of stuffing, served with gravy/rolls.   Some of the others in the office donated cakes, pies, and an array of other appetizers.     At the end of the turkey cooking, I made some kettle ripple cut potato chips, and some homemade Onion rings with a beer batter.  Some of the folks in the office pitched in to make this strange day a total success.     First time ever doing deep friend turkeys.      Was kind of fun!

Ron & Jen's Surprise 40th Birthday Party for Brother Stu..15 People, March '05

Ron/Jenn are local friends of mine.  They asked if I'd help them with the foodservice for this small home-based gathering.   This was a last minute request, but fortunately I was available.    They bought all the food beforehand (Shrimp, Steak, Lobster Tails, Antipasto Tray, and various sides).      I came in a few hours early for prep.   I cooked all the food using their oven/grill and kitchen/facilities.  I served it, attended to the serving table, bussed the dishes, washed the dishes, cleaned up, and wrapped the leftovers while they attended to their guests.       At the end of the night, they're kitchen was totally under control, save for a few snacks left out, and some clean dishes still in the drying rack.    But most importantly, they were able to socialize.   I enjoy doing this type of job because the commitment and pressure are relatively low in comparison with classic EPPO events.. 

Please Call (973) 627-2722 to Discuss Your Event.  Usually 6pm-10pm, Weeknights.  Please leave a Message otherwise.   Also be sure to mention the potential date(s), estimated headcount, location, and the nature of the event.     Thanks!

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