Tailgate Parties is where this all began!   It's where I "paid my dues".      When I was an undergraduate at Rutgers University , I assisted with tailgate parties for my Sig-Ep Brothers at a few Rutgers Home games (between '82-'84).     After graduation (circa 1985), I started "The Rutgers Official Tailgate Club" as a means to continue the party with my frat brothers.  I catered tailgate parties at every Rutgers Home game (both at RU stadium and Giants stadium).     The OTC ran from 1985 to about 1990 or so, before it ran it's course.     But by then, I had accumulated a Towing vehicle, a 16' Trailer, and a good array of catering equipment..and an even bigger interest in foodservice.  So I continued taking other kinds of catering jobs, pretty much would try to do whatever type of job was thrown at me..    (Click over to "me.html" to read more"). 

Nowadays, the massive equipment base can support events pretty much anywhere.     Giants Stadium, Shea Stadium, Rutgers Stadium, Yankee Stadium..     The real issue is that most stadiums aren't real friendly to "the big spreads".   Parking Restrictions make it difficult, but not impossible.     The best bet for stadium jobs is to keep it simple, quick, and minimize the footprint.       A menu featuring grilled items, lots of fresh salads, hot and cold sides!     Click over to the menu page to see some suggested menus, or other available options.   Pig Roasts & Meat-fests are possible too, but the time needed to accomplish the mission might be difficult!        Click over to the equipment page to get the idea about the equipment that supports massive tailgate parties.

I'd actually like to do more Tailgate parties....  Whether it's for sporting events, or Stadium Concerts...it's all good..  

A Recent Example of a Tailgate Party: The BGC Partners Giants Stadium Tailgate Party 9/13/09  (All Images Clickable)

This was a massive tailgate party before a Giants Season Opening Game.  This is an annual event that mutated into the "Company Picnic" for BGC Partners (Formerly Tullett-Prebon)....     Our Fifth Year back!    I was hired to roast a 110lb pig, 2 Cases of Pork Shoulders, and 6 Chickens to be ready by 2:30pm.      The "Problem" was that Giant's Stadium parking restrictions have grown ever more restrictive due the lack of parking space attributed to all the new construction.   They now don't allow lot entry until 5 hours before the (4pm) game.     But I needed 10 hours lead time to roast this pig!      THE PLAN:   Arrive to a holding lot just outside the entry toll plaza at 4am.  Get pig started.   At 11am, drive into lot (roll roaster forward 200 feet and continue job).    I brought my truck/trailer AND my cargo van, in case we had to tow the active roaster to a new location.    (A very ill advised plan, since towing the active roaster would wreck the contents with the ash).       HOW IT PLAYED OUT:  We followed the original plan with a 4am arrival.  We got pig on at 5:30am (Pic #1).    At 7am, the head honcho of lot security drove up to us and told us we had to leave!!!  We begged and pleaded with him to allow us to roll the roaster to the lot.   Thankfully he allowed it.    Pic #2 shows Fred W. being left with the roaster, along with a cooler full of other meats, and a jug of water.     We then drove to a local hotel and awaited the arrival of the BGC crew (Band, truck/trailer, Big Huge GIANTS RV, and other random support vehicles)(Pic#3) .     At about 10:45am, we all entered the lot in a big caravan, and claimed our tailgating spot.  After that, the job proceeded pretty well and we were able to present the pig on time. (Pic #4).     Pic #5 shows the panorama view of our entire scene.    In addition to us, there was another caterer handling the standard grillable bill-of-faire.      The Jim Roberti Band played a rockin' few sets (these guys are great!!).      Also featured is the big canopy with big screen TV's broadcasting games from all over the country.    (TVs are raffled off at the end).      Probably 250-300 people attended, so things get a bit crazy, but fun!       This was a "Plain Brown Wrapper" event.    Professional Caterers are not allowed in the lot, so ya gotta play games with the security folks.     To skate by, I was Mike's "Buddy".    Use of the "Eddie's Portable Pig Out" shirts, signs, business cards was avoided to make it work.  

Another Recent Example of a Tailgate Party at Giants Stadium: 10/11/09 Giants vs Raiders  (All Images Clickable)

I was hired with only a few days notice to run a 50th Birthday Tailgate party for "Jim" and his buddies (6ppl, with some leeway to accommodate a few more).    My catering services were Jim's wife's present to her Husband.   (I really must say, what an excellent present!).        Under normal circumstances, I'd shy away from such a small headcount.   But we're at the end of my normal catering season, I had the day free...and it sounded like a ton of fun.    I was paid well, and I was given total freedom to develop a "higher end" menu.    And I was able to revisit my catering roots!    So I took the job!      I'm glad I did too as it made me realize that 1.) Small headcount jobs can actually be a breath of fresh air. 2.) You can actually have a nice small spread at Giants Stadium if you get there early and park in certain spots.        I didn't really have the time to take pictures while this gig was in full swing, so these were kind of an afterthought, taken just before we broke it down (12:30 before the 1pm game).       But they give the sense of how I worked and what the slim/sleek setup could be for a small headcount.  In this case, I didn't bring the Truck/trailer...I just used the Cargo Van.    I used a pair of small tailgater grills, and I kept the spread down to a few tables.     If I was to make any improvement to the equipment base, it would be to buy a mid sized grill, perfect for crowds of up to 25ppl.   I already own massive grills to feed throngs of people, but not the right thing for smaller crowds yet.      If it doesn't conflict with my more normal larger events, I'd take more of these jobs, for sure!!!      The menu consisted of a light breakfast (muffins/melons), Shrimp/Sausage Kebobs, Ribs, Salmon, Brats in Beer, Grilled Veggies, Southern Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches, a variety of Salads, snacks, soft drinks..  They were so stuffed that they didn't even get to the Rib Eye Steaks and Teriyaki Chicken Breasts!!   I also set them up with a rapid-deploy pile of food for the post-game tailgate snack (A big fat sub, leftovers, snacks), so they had something to eat when they got done.   (I didn't stick around for the post game scene).    Happy Birthday Jim!!!  U da man!     Go Giants!!!    (They won 44-7).

Please Note:   The HOST handles all coordination with the venue at events like these.    This includes providing me with parking passes in advance.  This includes coordinating/reserving the spot.  This also includes coordination with parking officials to insure we set up ONCE, and aren't forced to move/cease.   (Otherwise additional charges are assessed).    Plan on an early start that day, and an offsite meeting before lot entry so we can caravan in together.       I'm PREPAID IN FULL for events like this, and I offer no rebates if the parking staff doesn't cooperate with your grand plan.    I'm just the caterer, ya know. 

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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