Wasn't that big a deal really. You'd be surprised how easy it is to cook for large groups. I was also in charge of BBQ'ing for our Volunteer Fire Dept, another men's group i belonged to(E Clampus Vitus), and even did a couple weddings as a favor. Being organized yet casual was the key. I my mind, i knew when to put stuff on and when it needed to come off. Still, there was never anything fancy. Fancy was just out of my league.
One year i put in place a fine system for anybody that used the f-word. The restaurant-bar had recently been taken back over by the original owner, wonderful grandma type old family friend, after the buyer ran off with her liqueur license and making no payments. Anyway, the first guy she had working there was pretty rough. He was selling more than booze over that bar and attracted a rough crowd. When i took over his hours as a favor, i swore i was going to clean up the place...and did. First law, anybody say the F-word, cost you a Quarter!
Though the kitchen was closed, the bar did a pretty good business. We had live Music every Fri & Sat nite and them Quarters kept going into this gallon jar. I finally came up with a plan and later pulled it off with great success and everyone satisfied. In Febuary, usually most of us were down in funds, I put on a free dinner by invitation only to all the regulars. New York Strip steaks, baked potato with all the fixens, shrimp salad that was mostly shrimp, and fresh bakery bread rolls. I talked a couple great professional Waitresses and a dishwasher to work. Their pay was whatever tips were left and really helped me out as the only cook in the kitchen, some left pretty good, split up. They did good.
It was kinda a free fancy party that most had dates and came all dressed up, all except the three helpers who split the tips, paid for a quarter at a time by anyone in the house saying the f-word. This was one among several other things i did, helped bring back our waterhole to a place you'd feel comfy going out to with your babe for a few drinks or some dancing. I burned up over a hundred steaks that night, all to order, think i got most of them right
and actually, it was pretty easy. I had figured it all out before i did it.
the other Joey
