Hiring "Eddie's Portable Pig-Out" for Your Event?  How does it Work?:

General Comment:  Below are several steps to insure your party gets off the ground.     My goal in putting this page together is to facilitate a better working relationship between us, which ultimately gets your job done properly, professionally, safely and competently....and to your complete satisfaction....without the games.       I ask more out of the clients than other caterers might, which can be a turn off to some.     But please remember that after hundreds upon hundreds of jobs, I know what it takes to make your event go off like clockwork.  Trust me!

Before doing anything else, hit my Pig Roast Pricing Page or Grilled Menu Pricing Page to see if you're willing to afford my crazy, ridiculous, unbelievable prices, including all the extra hidden charges for your job 2 hours away, up some un-navigable hill, on a holiday weekend, serving at 10pm, in a Hurricane, with 2 days advance notice.       When you get done clutching your chest, and the ER doctor doesn't have to defibrillate you any more, then maybe we can get down to business.   :-)

Good Communications do wonders to make your event work, especially if things change in the weeks and days preceding the event.   Keep the lines of communication open, and everything has a habit of working out.     Weather related changes, headcount changes, and logistical developments  are topics of primary interest. 

It's very helpful if you peruse my website before you call me.   I've spent countless hours building this site, to make you a more informed consumer.    Most people call me for Pig roasts, so click Here for a page linking to FAQ's, Packages/Pricing, and Images.  A wealth of info there, especially these picture pages pertaining to logistics.

Although I'm able to slam events together on short notice, it's undesirable, and it reflects greatly on "quality of service".     It forces simplistic menus, stresses run high, things don't gel so well,  and higher costs are typical.    It also has potential to make my operation look bad.     So the earlier we can progress into planning stages, the better.   (I do assess an "aggravation fee" for jobs booked within 4 days of an event , .so it's to your advantage to plan early).

PHASE ONE (As Soon as Possible):    Let's have a kick-off phone conversation, just to see if the gig is even possible.    Call me at (973)-627-2722  weeknights from 6-10pm.  (Mon & Wed I get home around 9pm).      You'll probably have to leave a message, so please be sure to mention Date(s)/Location/Headcount/Nature of event.       Once we get to talking, we can discuss additional event details.          I might need a few days to check calendars, manpower, and resources before I can commit.    But essentially, a thumbnail sketch of the event and a "thumbs-up" or a "thumbs-down" really needs to happen as early as possible.     A little bit more on what I'm interested in here: 

1.  Date Selection:    Have a potential date (or dates) in mind.    Your chances of hiring me greatly increase if you're flexible and have several alternative dates.      My schedule is planned 3-4 months in advance (or more).    If the date isn't open, no purpose in proceeding any further.    If I can't take the job, you'll need to find another cater ASAP (as with any catering service, you need to book them far in advance).     With recent investments in equipment and multiple crews, I'm turning away fewer clients though. 

2.  Estimated Headcount.   Mainly, I need to know a rough headcount.   

3.  Discuss Event Logistics, Location, and Provide Digital Images :    What Town?   Describe the Facilities.    What's the purpose of the party?    Are there any special logistics to consider?   What's your rain plan?  (I ask the client to provide commercial canopies, open garages, or covered pavilions for the food line).    Logistical issues can be an amazing hurdle and I will need to discuss this thoroughly.    A requirement for all jobs is digital images emailed to eddiezucker@optonline.net. .   (More on the digital pictures I'm looking for HERE).    In some cases, I may even have to do a site survey  (See below).       Please check some of the website's picture pages  (In particular, Logistic Pics) to get a feeling for the equipment coming in, the space requirements, and Inclement Weather discussions.    By the way, a water connectionless than 100' away from the trailer is a requirement.    An electric connection (or generator) is also a requirement for jobs that force load-outs in the dark.        By default, we offer mid level fanciness.   paper products, plastic tablecloths, etc.    If you need anything fancier, please discuss.  

4.   Develop Menu/Price/Package:    What's your desired Menu?   (Since most people want me for pig roasts, the best bet is to peruse my "Pig Roast Packages/Pricing"  page, which lists out in detail some commonly offered packages and pricing tweaks. . )     Here's some suggestions for Grilled menu packages.

5. Proposal:  I'll  provide a verbal  or email proposal for your party.    By request, I'll be happy to provide a more formal written proposal if you need to present something at a committee review.

 If we both conclude that the gig can happen and you want me, then I'll pencil the date in, and hold it open for you for 5 business days based on your verbal commitment.  But now's the time to get serious.   Up till now, it's all just a bunch of "talk".      Read on.

PHASE TWO (Immediately Thereafter):    

6.  Non-Refundable Booking Fee (NRBF):   $200.00 NRBF will identify you as a "serious" client,  worthy of actually rearranging my schedule for.     I'll generally hold the date based on a verbal commitment for 5 business days, allowing you enough time to get me the NRBF.       If the NRBF isn't received, then the date will remain available for other potentially paying clients...       If we expeditiously proceed into contracting, and the party proceeds as planned, the NRBF will be placed towards the party.      A receipt for deposit may actually take the form of an email, until I can get you a more formal hardcopy, sooner or later.    The NRBF is NOT a guarantee of services.    If you remain serious about the party, everything should move forward into contracting.   If we are not under contract by 21 days before your event, then your NRBF will be surrendered and the date will become available to other more serious clients.

6a)  Please make payable to "Eddie's Portable Pigout" or "EPPO".   (Mail to:  Edward S. Zuckerman, 28 Shawger Road, Denville, NJ 07834).  

Hey, even if you gave me a verbal "OK", but have had second thoughts about it (found another caterer who's better/cheaper/less annoying/etc)....at least fill me in on your decision via a quick voicemail or email!    The 'change of heart' doesn't bother me nearly as much as somebody who lacks the common courtesy to keep me abreast of the new development.   

PHASE THREE (Shortly Thereafter...whenever I get to it.):    

7. Contract:   I'll mail you a contact packet, which will include the menu, the costs, all sorts of info, and some particulars about the event.   It'll be fairly self explanatory.  You sign and return.    I'll Sign and return you the final copy.    This packet will include a "policy" document that will describe the things such as "Changes/Postponement/Cancellation" clauses, Inclement Weather policies, Various cancellation milestones and financial ramifications, as well as other things that we should have a concrete understanding about.     Even though it's long, I need you to really read that stuff.     Let's avoid misunderstandings and surprises.     Paperwork is my least favorite thing to do.  (I believe that a spit and a handshake is how the world should operate).  But in this day and age, paperwork is important and it protects both of us.

Just a Note:   In the heart of the season when I'm at my busiest, paperwork often gets put on the back burner.   I'll usually wait till I have lots of paperwork to do and attack it all at once.   If the contract packet is late,  Please Don't Freak Out!    If I said I'll do your job, I have every intention to follow thru!    Don't read too much into late paperwork.   I'm pedaling as fast as I can.   One man show here.

PHASE FOUR  (ROUGHLY 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT):

8.  Finalize Menu & Other Changes: The menu can be a "living document" as far as I'm concerned.  Headcount changes?  Lemme know!    Menu Changes?    Logistical Issues?  Call to discuss.    Changes may come with financial adjustments of course, but as long as it's done before the ordering, and final shopping spree, or I have time to deal with the equipment/manpower ramifications, it's usually not a big deal.  

9.  Site Survey (Optional):   For jobs that have complicated logistics (and emailed digital images, maps, and discussions haven't left me with a great deal of confidence),  I may ask to meet you at the event location, so we can get a feeling for set-up/facilities and any other unusual logistical issues.     A site visit is something I'll avoid if I can, and may push off till the last minute.   (I will charge for my time/gas spent at a site survey...usually $25)

10.  Directions:  Correct directions are essential.  (If there are problems with the use of Mapquest and GPS's, please make me aware of it.).   

11.  Get your act together!  Make the party happen.   Get your invitations out ASAP.   Make your phone calls to guests, and your follow up reminder phone calls.  Track headcount carefully.    Pull together the crowd.    Talk it up.   Get any necessary park permits.  Grease the Skids.   Clean your yard.  Trim your bushes.   Buy some toilet paper.  Make the Rain Plan.   I'll repeat:  MAKE A RAIN PLAN!!!!    Update me with your latest headcount.     DO YOUR JOB AS HOST.       I can't do this for you.     It's a real bummer to ramp up for 100 people, and 25 show.     (Click Here for helpful advice on running your own party).

PHASE FIVE   (21 DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT):

12. Payment 1:  

 50% of the final agreed-upon price and signed contracts should be in my hands 21 calendar days before the party....the rest the day of the party, before setup.     ($200 NRBF (already paid)+ Payment # 1 = 50%) and Payment #2 is the remaining 50% due the day of the event (plus any adjustments).       Late Payments halt operations and very possibly might lead to me pulling the plug on the whole job (You've Breached the Contract).         By the way, I don't currently have a means to handle credit cards.

 

PHASE SIX   (1 DAY BEFORE THE EVENT):

13. Final Coordination:   I try to give clients a call the night before the party to have an "Insanity Check".     Just to go over the essentials.   Seems to put the clients at ease that the random person they hired from the Internet might actually show up!   Review this Page too.

 

PHASE SEVEN   (EVENT DAY):

14. The Gig:   Follow the  Instructions provided in your contract.   Do what you agreed too do.   Entertain your guests,    Kick back and enjoy.    Write the final check for Payment #2!!!

OK, you get the idea.    This is only meant to be an "At-A-Glance" look at how to work with me.     If you're serious about the party and acting in good faith, then I'll guide you through this (and all the rest of it) and everything will properly fall into place.   If you're not serious about the party,  it will become plainly obvious, and I'll be protected from your lethargy.   

Call me at (973) 627-2722 to discuss this further.  Thanks.   Eddie...

 

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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