Cooking at Eggtoberfest?

PapaQ

I will be attending Eggtoberfest (my first) and am considering whether to cook, but I have a few, simple questions of those who have been to previous fests.[p]1. How many portions should I plan?[p]2. Should I plan to use a recipe of my own creation or should I use one I found here on the forum and have modified?[p]3. Buy meat here and bring it with me (I'll be driving), or buy meat there? Are there stores in close proximity? Ask one of the BGE staffers to buy the meat and pay for it when I get there? [p]4. What equipment to bring - tongs, gloves, thermometers, knives, wood chunks, etc.?[p]5. Will I be too busy cooking to sample everbody else's fare?[p]I'm really looking forward to this event and to meeting all of you who will be attending.[p]Paul[p][p]

tn slagamater

PapaQ, you will have a GREAT time if you cook or just hang out. If you cook, you will learn a lot from the folks cooking near you.Eggs are fun,right? Cook as much or as little as you want to. Use any recipe. If you have a favorite that you can try on the Egg, that is a plus.I would get your food in Atlanta. The hotel has a kitchen/fridge in every room, so you can prep anything before Saturday if you need to.Bring everything you cook with, temp guages, tongs,firestarters.You need paperplates,plastic forks, etc. Even non-eggers and disinterested folks have fun. HTH

Smokey

PapaQ,[p]You are in for a wonderful experience. I have been to five so far and enjoyed myself immensely. Great people, great food and we have been blessed with great weather!![p]As for your questions:[p]1. How many portions should I plan?

Plain and simple ... allot![p]2. Should I plan to use a recipe of my own creation or should I use one I found here on the forum and have modified?[p]For me, the fun is to make something no one else has done![p]3. Buy meat here and bring it with me (I'll be driving), or buy meat there? Are there stores in close proximity? Ask one of the BGE staffers to buy the meat and pay for it when I get there? [p]If you are driving,I think its easiest buy it there and do as much prep work as you can before you reach Atlanta![p]4. What equipment to bring - tongs, gloves, thermometers, knives, wood chunks, etc.?[p]YES! There are eggs to cook on, but that's about it![p]5. Will I be too busy cooking to sample everbody else's fare?[p]Last year I cooked all day long. A breakfast dish, a lunch item and another, just for kicks. I did not get to see as many people as I had hoped to. This year I will only cook one or two items.[p]Smokey[p]

Wise One

Smokey, I found your answer to "How much?" to be quite intersting. Don't know if you intended the pun or not, but Allot is defined as "To parcel out; distribute or apportion" and that is appropriate. You need to allot a lot. The idea is for people to sample not to make a whole meal off your cooking. Figure out how you apportion small samples for folks. It's not too hard with appetizers but with other items it becomes a bit more challenging. You should plan on cooking on enough for about 10-20 people which should provide samples to about 30-60. There will be probably close to 400 people in attendance so you're not expecting to feed everyone. [p]The BGE staffers will be quite busy and will NOT have time to buy food products for anyone. There are plenty of stores nearby and the International Farmers Market nearby has the most exotic of ingredients.[p]BGE provides the grill, grill grippers, lump, firstarters and a couple of EGGsetters but plan on bringing your own, foil, tongs, knives forks or whatever. BGE will also provide some plates and paper towels but having a few plates and plastic forks is always advisable. IF you don't use them, you can always take them home.[p]Plan to only cook one or two items so that others can use the cooker and so that you can enjoy the festival. Two hours cooking is plenty unless you have a team where you can take turns enjoying the festival. As for what to cook, look at what others are cookinga nd fill the gaps. If you do fish and pork and five other folks are doing similar pork dishes, do the fish. Exotic is always fun. Great tasting food (exotic or not) is always well received. It's not a contest however, it's a festival.[p]Big thing is to come, mingle, enjoy and learn.

YB

Wise One,
Very well put Bill.
Larry

PapaQ

PapaQ,[p]Thanks for the tips, guys. I'm definitely going to cook and your suggestions have helped me make some initial plans - slices of pork tenderloin done with a southwestern touch for an fun afternoon in the Old South. Can't wait.[p]Paul