Eggfest: To Cook or Not To Cook?

@chadpsualum go and watch first. It's not the cooking you need to worry about, it's all of the stuff that goes along with making a successful cook that you need to take notes on. Things like tents, chairs, hydration and cooking supplies. Worth attending at least one event to prepare and then jump into the fray

chadpsualum said:

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HoustonEgger said:

@chadpsualum go and watch first. It's not the cooking you need to worry about, it's all of the stuff that goes along with making a successful cook that you need to take notes on. Things like tents, chairs, hydration and cooking supplies. Worth attending at least one event to prepare and then jump into the fray

Appreciate the advice.  I should have added that I've been to this event three times so I'm not completely green with how this goes down.  With that said, I haven't gone with the intent of taking notes regarding cooking the following year.  

Ahhh...Time to saddle up and cook if you have already played visitor 3 times in the past.

Go for it. Cooked for the first time last weekend and had a blast. Keep it simple, cook what you are most comfortable with. Prep as much as possible at home.

its time to git 'er done, dude!

Just go and cook. You will enjoy it immensely. I was a spectator at my first fest, and spent the most part of the day envious because it looked like the cooks were having a blast. Jumped in at Salado the next year, and loved it. 

I've been lucky to have great cook buddies - @Little Steven the first time, then @20stone since. Even though LS made me cook most of his stuff, and still argues with me about Rogan Josh vs. Rogan Josht. The camaraderie among eggheads is awesome, and felt even more so when you're cooking with a bunch of them. @Hotch has been kind enough to let me mooch his gear, because he seems to have everything I need, but didn't know it yet. Hotch even washed HIS pans that I borrowed (because I hadn't really thought things through that day) at Salado this year! Who does that?!!?

As far as advice goes - get table risers if you like your back! The ones from BBB are good, but you can even just cut 12"-18" lengths of PVC pipe to raise the table up. And prep as much as you can at home. I've tried to cook something different each time, none of which have been my usual cooks, but they have turned out well IMO. Practicing your cook first at home is not a bad idea at all. Servings can be small tastes, no need to make a whole meal. And you don't have to make enough for every soul at the fest. Depending on what you're comfortable with, plan on 50, 100, 200,  or however many servings you can muster. 

Think about what you will need to  serve your item (e.g. small plates, 2 oz cups, napkins, spoons). In the afternoon, folks welcome a sweet bite, so dessert items are usually a hit too. 

Take extension cords if you need power. Some venues have power available, some don't. 

Put all your stuff in a rubbermaid storage bin/tote or two. Include some trash bags, ziploc bags, food prep gloves, paper towels, and aluminium pans in your kit. 

As far as hydration, take plenty of beer, bourbon, water, or whatever you need to get in the right frame of mind.

Folks who have cooked at many fests have a ton of experience and there is much to learn from them. And in my experience they have always been extremely gracious about tips, lending gear, helping out in any way they can. 

Never cooked at a Fest.  Will be cooking at the Butt Blast next weekend and to be honest, I'm a little nervous.  

I've been searching for tips, etc, like what @caliking indicated (and I screen captured it, thank Cali).  So we shall see how it goes.  

I attended 2 my first year. Cooked after that. I'll be cooking again this year.
It feels good to get compliments on my cooking from other than friends and family.
Just go with what you are comfortable with. Have a good time don't get too obsessed with it.

Plan out the cooks you are going to do and then cut it in half. Give yourself time to breathe, walk around and meet other Eggheads and try their food. If you plan too many cooks, you'll end up stressed and work yourself to death. Better to have a few, good quality cooks and enjoy your time.

I went to Atlanta maybe ten year sago. Scared out of my wits. Little Canuck dude with some off the wall asian food. Had a blast and have been to many others over the years. I did a biryani in Atlanta the following year and some redneck dude asked me if I put raisins in my jambalaya.

Little Steven said:

Oh yeah I forgot. If there is any way you can get Cali as a cooking partner do it. He does everything and you just stand back and take the credit. He buys really good Scotch and is very generous with it. Henapple has a huge cooler with all kinds of really $hitty beer but you don't have to buy any

Heard a rumor in Athens that @Cali is responsible for the shortage of single malt in Houston. 

bhedges1987 said:

cook!

Of course.

I have cooked at 3 Eggfests in Birmingham. The first one was all by myself, 2nd year my wife joined me, and 3rd year a good buddy of mine joined us. I would definitely recommend cooking. Here are some of my personal tips:

Find something that cooks fairly quickly: I've seen a few guys do ribs/butts, only to have them done right when the Eggfest was shutting down.

Find something fairly easy and do as much prep as you can do at home.

Display your recipes somehow because people are going to be asking you all day long. One year I printed them out and laminated the sheets and laid them on the table. Another year I created a blog and posted the recipes and just listed the link to the blog on my table

Have fun.

Littlesteven is a genius. He brings the food and other people cook it

frankly, i have had his suitcase pork. It is best to let others do the cooking

(Though his indian food is no joke.)