Many of you already know that my husband is a volunteer firefighter. Because the company is volunteer, we get to volunteer some time in helping with fund raising efforts. One way that the fire hall raises money is by serving meals. I actually enjoy helping out the kitchen. Last night the Fire Police had their oyster supper. I thought I would give you an inside peek at what goes on behind the scenes.
The food preparation is started quite a bit in advance. Yesterday morning the men starting breading oysters at 8:30 am. All food was ready to go, with the exception of the oysters that they were frying when I arrived at 5:30. Tables and chairs were set up along with place settings. Tickets were sold in advance to know how many to plan for. The menu consisted of fried oysters, ham, scalloped potatoes and corn. Many times if you serve they also want you to bring a cake. I got off the hook on this one this time around. They also have cups of ice cream that they serve with the cake.
The job of a server is be assigned a table. You make sure they have plenty to drink and make sure their food bowls stay full. (they usually serve the meals family style) However last night we did a buffet. We had 2 lines. I did not want to be in charge of the oysters. This is what folks are coming to eat and they can get a little possessive about the amount that you give them. Especially when the fryer in the kitchen can't keep up with the demand. My station was scalloped potatoes. It was a safe place.
The meals are always all you can eat. Now I suppose most folks who attend these functions are hefty eaters. They look like hefty eaters. They probably aren't aware of the food serving sizes that the food pyramid suggests, like more vegetables than starches or that serving a meat is the size of a deck of cards. Did I mention there were rolls on the tables too? And when they came back for seconds it was for the fried oysters.
After everyone is finished eating it is time to clean up. If the meal is served family style the guests eat on real plates. They did use paper plates and cups last night, but we still had the silverware, water pitchers, punch pitchers, coffee pitchers and all the trays from the buffet to wash up. You go through and clear the tables. Each table is set with cream, sugar, butter, pickles, rolls, salt and pepper and applesauce. You take everything back to the kitchen and put away the condiments and stack the dirty dishes. There is a very large sink for washing the dishes. I have seen some of the fasted dishwashers at the fire hall. One washer and 3 driers drying and putting away until everything is cleaned up.
Often they will send the helpers home with some food for helping. It is good food even if they do serve to many carbs and not enough veggies. I munched on some yummy rolls with butter and pickles. My boys had ham, applesauce and cake. Yes we brought the boys along. We want them to get involved in a early age with volunteering and also realizing that you have to work for some things. They tend to stay close to me or Jim while we are hustling and bustling.
Then well all the dishes are done and the food divided up you go home and crash because you are so tired from being on your feet all night.
Is this what it is like to wait tables?
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