SC - questions

[allilyn at juno.com]

>>  Very 
important, what is the kitchen like?  You really need to plan the meal
around 
the kitchen you're going to use, so you can deal with the numbers of
burners, 
oven space, etc.  Either that, or come up with a tentative menu and be 
prepared to be flexible if you find out that there isn't enough oven
space to 
say, roast beef, and make pies.<<

Brangwayna is so right!  Buy yourself an oven thermometer and one of
those instant thermometers to stick in food.  post me privately for a
good, reasonably priced source.  

Take the oven thermometer to the site with you, and check each oven--with
ALL the ovens turned on at the same time! 
 Make sure you know how to turn on the ovens, especially if there is a
master switch to turn on for the day.  
Where is the fuse box?  
What size fuses should you have an extra one or two?  
Try to test close to the event, too.  One of our favorite sites had its
oven calibration go wonky between 2 events--lotsa trouble.

Check to see if each burner works, and all work at the same time--this is
because of gas flow or fuse blowing.   

Take a tape measure, and do a sketched lay-out of the kitchen, size of
counters, any tables and chairs, fans, etc. space between burners, etc. 
Test the water and hot water.
 
 Plan ahead where you will stash your gear, where work on each dish, can
you tape, prop or otherwise post the recipe above that workspace?
 
Where will your serving table be for the servers to pick up the bowls and
platters, and can you have a separate one for returned dirty platters?  

Is there a commercial dishwasher?  Do you know how to operate it?  Very
few modern sites come equipt with lepers outside to devour the trenchers.
 If no dishwasher, is there a separate sink to be used only for dish/pot
washing, and has your autocrat gotten you a clean-up crew?  During the
day, too?  Is there a place for diners to wash their gear?  Can you set
up a clean-up station after feast?  NOT in the kitchen?

Are there sufficient garbage cans?  What size bags must you buy?  Where
is the dumpster?

List the appliances available, and be sure there are instructions
handy--deep well soup makers, electric slicers, huge mega-mixers, etc. 
If you see lots of pots and pans, specifically ask if you can use them;
they might be locked away when your event occurs.

Walk thru the feast prep and see if you've got things set in your mind. 
Preparation is essential, because there are so many things that can be
overlooked or go wrong on the day.  

When this is all done, it's a real confidence booster.

Regards,
Allison,     allilyn at juno.com


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