Best TAILGATING Ideas..........Please.

[onewhocares]

As some of you know I am an event planner and caterer. My daughter has joined the Crew team at her new school and the parents organization participates in many regattas in the next six weeks. I have been asked to add my "expert" advice and skills to provide food and drinks for the rowers. Only one problem.....I have never really TAILGATED for sporting events. I have a pretty decent portable kitchen...folding grills, stand up wok, turkey cookers, portable burners, hot and cold boxes, coolers and drink containers and such.

I was wondering if you all could suggest some of the things that you have had or made when you have gone to sporting events. Seeing how it is fall here in New England, I would like the food to be nourishing and hot for the rowers coming off the water.

Thanks for all your help in advance. For this weekend I am making Roasted Corn Chowder, Asian spiced ribs with sweet North Carolina slaw. Apple slices with caramel dipping sauce for dessert.

Belle

[Realist]

Damn! Belle, I'm afraid I'm not much help, but you certainly made my mouth water!

I'll tell you something I saw at a car race, one time; It was very popular and fun to watch, it was a gasoline powered mixer! No kidding, it looked like a weed-eater engine mounted on a mixer. The guy was mixing drinks, milkshakes and vegetable mixtures with it. Worked like a charm, too! He sold out quickly. I'm sure you can query Google and find a source, if you're interested.

Hey, gimmicks draw interest.

[by~his~side]

Sorry I can't help Belle, I don't cook. But I sure do like the sound of this weekends menu! Sounds heavenly!
Can I join the crew team so I can chow down and enjoy your culinary talents??
Good Luck!
~D~

[12voltman59]

Kinda sounds like you got things on the right track already Belle---I would certainly cook foods that are "New Englandy"---like your great "clam chowddahh!!"--if you have enough money in the budget they provide you to buy some---make some lobster roll sandwiches too!!

But then again--the stuff you talked about sounds damn good to me!!!

Certainly make some good batches of chilli and other hearty soups---and of course--things like Mac and Cheese, Sloppy Joes and the like are also popular-just put your skills to work and make some of those dishes in less traditional ways----there is some recent cookbook out that features many different recipes for Mac and Cheese-and man--do they sound awesome!!!

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Chili and sweet cornbread. Bread bowls with beef stew or Clam chowder.
Pulled pork fresh out of a small pressure cooker, steamed hoagie buns..all the fixins: Pickles, Oil Peppers or Peppercinis, shredded lettuce, black olive slices, ect. Spare ribs cooked in the pressure cooker Then placed on an outdoor grill. Or the great American stand by: SOS. Hamburger cravey over rice or fresh mashed potatoes is always a great crowd pleaser, as is Bow-Tie chicken and Sketty is an all time favorite. :}
Cat

[johnnyeasy]

First of all, giving a professional caterer and party planner tips on tailgating is like giving tips on how to spot bad boob jobs to Hugh Hefner!
But i digress.......
How about diffrent varities of Shish Kabob?
Beef with onions and green pepers, chicken with cherry tomatos, scallops with mushrooms , ham with pineapple.....shrimp with zuccini....or all of the above on all of the skewers!

Let me know how you make out!

Bi the way, reading this thread at dinnertime was NOT a good idea!

lol....lol....

Cat.....I want to party with you!!!!

[onewhocares]

You guys are the BEST. Loved the ideas. I am not sure they would allow the gas powered item if we have propane around....might go poof....

LOVE the bread bowl idea Cat. It would be perfect. I could order mini boules of white or pumpernickel bread.

LOVE the Sloppy Joe idea too. I can not at this time do my chowdah Volty as another parent has that. But give me time.

I am going to try and do comfort warm food for the fall season and I like the idea of the meat on a stick for the spring. I was also thinking that say for an end of the year treat I could offer to do an old fashion chicken BBQ.

Keep the ideas coming.

Belle

[Realist]

OK, I admit, the gasoline-powered blender was a little drastic...here's one that would be more practical: http://www.wholesalemarine.com/pc/R-P-MPSS-807B/230001/12+Volt+Appliances/12+Volt+Stainless+Steel+Blender.html

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

You can get those little battery powered mixers too...they may be a little spendy, but they'd be worth it in the long run.

Also a good food ideas: Tamale pie for cold weather. Its real easy and ecomomical too. Enchaladas with a mild green chili sauce. A big pot of old fashioned Chickie n Dumplins and sweet corn bread.
Hobo Stew, French Onion soup and crusty bread. Chili Nachoes (Deluxe with hamburger, refried beans, shredded cheese and chedder cheese sauce, green chili's, sour cream and salsa) Big Ol' pan of meat loaf and mashed taters.

Or do a brunch thing with fried taters, scrambled eggs with bacon bits, country gravy over Bisquick bread, sausages. great for cold weather..:}
How many of ya'll are hungry now? lmao:bigrin::cool:
Mean Cat

[llllllllll]

i got a recipe for some buffalo style burgers with a bleu cheese slaw that is to die for! email if interested grill some thick grill fries to go with it

[onewhocares]

Or do a brunch thing with fried taters, scrambled eggs with bacon bits, country gravy over Bisquick bread, sausages. great for cold weather..:}
How many of ya'll are hungry now? lmao:bigrin::cool:
Mean Cat


Cat...great minds think alike. The coach is very specific about what the rowers can eat prior to the races, but the parent who bring them are often let at the water side not being able to eat. I was thinking of doing a breakfast for them. For the first time Sunday I am doing hot coffee and tea with individual apple cakes and bacon and scrambled eggs. Might do pancakes one time also.

Belle

[BareHunter45]

Tailgating tips....hmmm...I always just drive really close, but not too close because it can be really dangerous. Keep at least one car length for every ten miles perhour you are going between you and the other car. Another tip....it can be very useful when trying to get into gated communities that you do not have an electronic key for...such as my inlaws place. Hope that helps (Sorry...couldn't resist).:bigrin:

Bill

[TaylorMade]

Crab cakes are always are a favorite. :)

*Taylor*