If your camp has a food permit, can guests "build their own"

[Zumaria]

Hello Eplayans!

My camp is aiming to get a food permit this year so that we can do a grilled cheese event! nom nom nom! I had an interesting idea that, for more interactiveness of course, guests could go down an 'assembly line' essentially and build their own grilled cheese (types of cheese, bacon bits, etc) and then we could just fry them up. It's unclear though if, since it's their food, can they touch it? Or would that be a violation of cleanliness? I used a provided tool to cut my own french fries at a camp last year....


Last resort we could do it subway style - tell me what you want on it, but it would be fun if people could it it themselves

Thanks in advance!

[Lonesomebri]

Yeah, 'cause just making infinite grilled cheese sandwiches for infinite people just doesn't sound like work enough.
Would you have a location protected from the weather and wind that would be accessible to these people choosing what they want, allowing for a line, and bike parking?
How would you make sure people picking what they want off a plate did not touch anything other than the stuff they eat (more than individual serving sitting out is asking for trouble)?
Do you envision a line of grills on a row of tables, with another row of tables containing the choices and servers separating the "clients"?
I suppose you could set up using tongs to select choices.
How many choices in grilled cheese do you have to give the hippies before they are happy?

Construct the stand or locate it so that it is protected during bad weather.
Protect food preparation and cooking areas from the public by a shield or separation distance.
Food served on a buffet line should be protected from contamination and bare hand contact.

My mind drifts to the episode where Kramer has the great idea for a place where people can make their own pizza......

[VultureChow]

You can't have the public digging their grubby little fingers into the various dishes of toppings. You need proper utensils. Plus, once they've touched the bread, it can't go on your grill.

The people at Burning Man are some of the kindest, warmest, most giving people there are. They are also monstrously horrible vultures who will dig a shit covered hand into a bowl of shredded cheese and shove it into their mouths while stealing an entire loaf of bread.

[Zumaria]

You can't have the public digging their grubby little fingers into the various dishes of toppings. You need proper utensils. Plus, once they've touched the bread, it can't go on your grill.

The people at Burning Man are some of the kindest, warmest, most giving people there are. They are also monstrously horrible vultures who will dig a shit covered hand into a bowl of shredded cheese and shove it into their mouths while stealing an entire loaf of bread.

Ahhhh....I could do the utensils, but the bread on the grill would be a problem. Also, yeah we can't be running water for everyone to wash their hands! We'll have to do it subway style! hehehe


Brian - looks like you're the perfect person to be our greeter with all those good points! I can tell you're excited deep down in there.... ya ol' grouchy bear!!

[LowePro]

Take a look at the permit page and the info sheets, if you haven't already--
http://health.nv.gov/BFHS_EHS.htm

Sounds kind of like a salad bar. As long as you have tongs in each ingredient it might work?? I would not want to do hand-contact w/ the ingredients.

Just another idea--what about doing it subway-style, where you and your campmates (who are handwashed, gloved, and trained w/ the food permit) build the sandwich down the line, put the sandwich on the grill, and then the patrons take over--they watch their sandwich and flip it and take it away when done.
That way dirty patrons aren't reaching into communal bins of ingredients, they would just handle the spatulas to flip their sandwiches on the communal grill. You'd just need a pretty big grill and several spatulas so that people could stand around and talk and chat while they flip their sandwiches. They only touch the food when it's completely done (ie off the grill) but they still get to participate in the project. (Lots of hand sanitzser too.)

Sounds like fun, I'll check out your camp no matter what you decide.

[Zumaria]

Take a look at the permit page and the info sheets, if you haven't already--
Just another idea--what about doing it subway-style, where you and your campmates (who are handwashed, gloved, and trained w/ the food permit) build the sandwich down the line, put the sandwich on the grill, and then the patrons take over--they watch their sandwich and flip it and take it away when done.
That way dirty patrons aren't reaching into communal bins of ingredients, they would just handle the spatulas to flip their sandwiches on the communal grill. You'd just need a pretty big grill and several spatulas that people could stand around and talk and chat while they flip their sandwiches. They only touch the food when it's completely done (ie off the grill) but they still get to participate in the project.

Sounds like fun, I'll check out your camp no matter what you decide.

Hmm that's a really good idea too!! I love it love it! I'll put extra cheese on yours for this idea!

[Jackass]

My camp did a grilled cheese party several years back, expect way more people than you are prepared for and or willing to feed...

The buffet line will more than likely waste resources and become an uncontrollable mess. Your line will only move as fast as those stoves can crank them out... and don't expect anyone to leave because it's taking too long, or you're running out of supplies. They will see it through to the bitter end, for their "promised" sandwich. Please see vulturechow's interpretation above

[mdmf007]

unless i am the first in line i would have to pass on the influenza assembly line.

[mdmf007]

also - if you looking for volume, pass on frying pans for sandwiches. one of those toasters with the conveyer belt makes grilled cheese sandwiches as fast as you can load it. Ham and cheese, turkey? it does not matter. Once the heat and speed are perfect feed it bread with cheese on it your set.

[trilobyte]

Did you actually go to the health department web site, read through the posted information, and actually think that's going to be something they're going to be cool with?

I'd advise doing exactly that, and then reaching out to them via email IN ADVANCE to explain what you're trying to do, and ask whether that would be okay. The health department people who work Burning Man are actually pretty cool, and if there's a way it can be done in a safe food handling capacity they'll try and help you out.

Remember, all you need is for one dirty/germy DIY chef to come into contact with your kitchen... and now you're the one making people sick.

[mdmf007]

What ^ he saud

[Captain Goddammit]

You might be working harder than you need to with all the options and choices; ANY grilled cheese sandwich on the playa is a good one.
Well, except a germ-dripping slab of disease one... I'd just simplify the sandwich and simplify your life!

[Ratty]

I agree with capt. Cheddar cheese. White bread. Real butter. You can't beat it or even improve it.

[FIGJAM]

"Simple is easier to get perfect!"

[mudpuppy000]

You could get even more simple and just buy those frozen PB&J sandwiches and grill those up. Mmmmm. I think they're fairly expensive for what they are though.

[pretty_monster]

build your own sounds like fun but, yeah, it sounds like a recipe for mass confusion and mess.

the easiest way to get out the highest volume is to stick with the basic bread/cheese/butter model. anyone who complains about a plain grilled cheese deserves to have their sandwich taken away.

if you must offer options, i'd advise sticking to 2 or 3 simple varieties. maybe cheddar/ham, jack/jalapenos, and mozzarella/salami. have them premade and ask people which they want. NO SUBSTITUTIONS, NO SWAPS, NO CUSTOM ORDERS! that way you offer choices without the total chaos of high/drunk/starving people trying to make complicated decisions.

[digital]

Has there been mention of a hand washing station? Because that would be absolutely necessary.

I, for one, would hate to deal with so much greywater just do people can make their own grilled cheese.

[Dr. Pyro]

anyone who complains about a plain grilled cheese deserves to have their sandwich taken away.

NO SUBSTITUTIONS, NO SWAPS, NO CUSTOM ORDERS! that way you offer choices without the total chaos of high/drunk/starving people trying to make complicated decisions.

I couldn't agree more. This ain't Burger King. You don't get it your way. You get it our way or you don't get it. Get it?

[AntiM]

We have a simple foot pump handwashing station. It might not work for a lot of people, but should work great for a kitchen.

10351181_10203353320292389_7951317024978463824_n.jpg

[Ratty]

I couldn't agree more. This ain't Burger King. You don't get it your way. You get it our way or you don't get it. Get it?

All you gluten free, low cal patrons can move along. Nothing to see here.

[Lonesomebri]

As has been mentioned here, you should expect a massive crowd/line for any offer of free food. But along with health concerns, what kind of budget are you working with? How many volunteers are available willing to work the line for an hour or two? Enough of both to expand from the already noble task of making simple grilled cheese sandwiches? Ambitions and ideas are great, but what are the physical limitations that go along with the plan?

I would love to be the greeter at this event. Alternately telling folks in line that the ONLY option is American cheese WITH vegemite, no substitution! And then telling others in line that there is a buffet spread of epic proportions, while not really giving a fuck what the real deal was back with the cheese flippers. “Dairy free gourmet cheese, gluten free whole wheat home baked bread, organic asparagus and artesian hollandaise sauce, with a small side salad? Sure, we got it. Get in line.”

The only problem I see is when the inevitable peace and love hippie couple cut to the front, and while I try to explain to them the nature of lines and waiting and taking into account others not as hip as themselves, I will be informed by the same generous souls running the show that the line-cutters said Namaste and have cool dreads, so it’s all chill with them pushing in front of others waiting. Plus, you know people like that will then make some special request, they always do, to help contribute just in case things get slow while grilling a thousand sandwiches.

As an aside, why is it you never see scenes from one of those refugee camps, as they scoop out rice into the people’s hands, any of them asking “Is there any brown rice available? Perhaps a pasta option? Could you check in back to be sure?” Personally I have never on the playa been offered a grilled cheese, or an ice cream cone, or a pancake, or…. and asked what other options are available.

[Captain Goddammit]

Many a grilled cheese has been gifted on the playa. I've heard or read people's stories of wandering at night, cold and hungry, being unexpectedly given a grilled cheese and it was one of their fondest Burning Man memories.

Screw the crazy options. This is like the difference between winning 2 million dollars and winning 2 1/2 million dollars.

[Just_Joe]

.... “Dairy free gourmet cheese, gluten free whole wheat home baked bread, organic asparagus and artesian hollandaise sauce, with a small side salad? Sure, we got it. Get in line.”

Stay tuned for the official announcement of sub-event:
"Snark and Cheese Meet and Greet with Lonesomebri"
We're not sure of the timing yet, but due to the nature of the guest of honor, it will most certainly be dark. Possibly right after the Man burn, if it's not delayed.

[Zumaria]

You could get even more simple and just buy those frozen PB&J sandwiches and grill those up. Mmmmm. I think they're fairly expensive for what they are though.

I had thought about this as well! Especially because if the food is prepacked, it doesn't require a permit (would have to confirm that it still applies if the food is not served prepackaged... it probably doesn't) but it's not the same as a nice fresh sammich

I don't, and I'm sure my camp leader does not, want to deal with the greywater of a public hand washing station. However, if they didn't have to do handwashing to handle a spatula, we might be able to put people to work flipping a few before they could be served their own. That's how I got my hair washed on playa last year

[VultureChow]

If your goal is to make the experience more interactive, get creative but keep them away from the grill. Make them spin a wheel, or pull a card and perform some act of humiliation for their sandwich.

Build an obstacle course instead of just a queue.

[Zumaria]

Build an obstacle course instead of just a queue.

Love it! Done. You'll have to spin the wheel twice as hard for your cheesy delight!

[Eric]

You could get even more simple and just buy those frozen PB&J sandwiches and grill those up. Mmmmm. I think they're fairly expensive for what they are though.

I had thought about this as well! Especially because if the food is prepacked, it doesn't require a permit (would have to confirm that it still applies if the food is not served prepackaged... it probably doesn't) but it's not the same as a nice fresh sammich

Once you open those packages to put them on the grill you would be required to have the permit, and the hand-washing station for the cooks, etc. The only way to get around it would be to hand people straight-up prepackaged sandwiches that were store-bought, not made at home.

[Lonesomebri]

Hmmmmm...... a spin of the wheel to pick what variation of sandwich you get.... that's a thought.
But only if one of the chances include vegemite on the grilled cheese.
Might as well have the people getting the sandwiches spin the wheel as much as those making the plans are spinning the wheel.
I would suggest, in the spirit of carnival and all, that participants load their sandwiches using a variation of the ball toss.
Grab a handful of fixing and see what sandwich it lands on....

sandwich maker.jpg

As for letting the rabble near the stove...... sure.... sounds great..... can't conceive of anything going wrong with that...

I'll be the guy out front enjoying the plain grilled cheese sandwich, holding the fire extinguisher and giving the TED talk on germs.

[The Rod]

artesian hollandaise

If only...

[maryanimal]

Grilled cheese sammy = LOVE. It sounds like a great idea, but it looks like it may be too much work. There may be "food MOOP" if the sammy filling fall on the ground. It made me anxious just reading what may need to be done to get this flowing. i hope you can get this together! It's an awesome idea!