Category Archives: Gigs

My mom’s boss’s boss was looking for someone to cater a family reunion and Fourth of July party at her beach house in Hull. Fortunately, my mom had enough confidence in me to suggest my name to her higher up. And, my first paid cooking gig was planned.

Of course, the pressure was on — my mom’s job was on the line (kidding…I think…) After speaking with her uber-boss over the phone a few times, I suggested a menu, visited the house to see the kitchen (I’d be prepping and cooking all the food at her house on the 4th), and started planning the day.

After my initial planning, I realized I bit off more than I should have. I scheduled out every second of the day — and under a best case scenario, I’d be working 10 hours straight to get the food on the table in time. Luckily, Sean offered to help out (for free!) and I had to take him up on the offer.

It went really well, but both of us were busy for 10-hours straight! I don’t know how I thought I’d be able to do it all on my own.

The good:

• Sean and I worked together amazingly well — I suppose that’s part of the reason we’re married.
• Sean was able to actually cook a good amount of food for me. I think he’s learned by osmosis!
• No disasters occurred. Despite the cramped kitchen and lack of burners on the stove, we churned everything out on time.
• I got rave reviews about the food. And really, isn’t that what it’s all about?
• The client was awesome! Seriously, I couldn’t have asked for a better first gig especially because this client was very laidback and accommodating.
  
• It didn’t rain. I may have, sorta, guaranteed that the weather would be great — and it was!

 
The bad:

• Holy cow, I conceived a tremendously arduous menu for 30 people with only 5 hours of prep and cooking time before the first course was served!
• Almost all of the kitchen towels we brought were sopping wet in the first hour of cooking — we had to have a dry zone so we had a couple of dry towels to use as pot holders.
• We didn’t have time for even a 5-minute break — I think having a break would have helped toward the end when I thought I was going to die from exhaustion.
• We didn’t bring water, soda, or snacks with us. By the end I was practically drinking water straight from the tap I was so dehydrated.
• I didn’t charge for two cooks even though I really needed an extra hand — did I mention that my husband is the best?

 
But overall, I’d call it a success. I took on this job knowing it would be a good learning experience. I think with a few tweaks, my next gig should go even better!

Fourth of July Family Reunion Menu

Appetizers:
Onion Dip from Scratch with Potato Chips
Salsa and Guacamole with Tortilla Chips
Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Tortilla Chips
Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Crostini with Proscuitto
Shrimp Cocktail
Clam Chowder

 

 

 

Dinner:
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Herb Roasted Potatoes
Cole Slaw
Black-eyed Pea and Fresh Corn Salad
Italian Sausages with Onions and Peppers
BBQ Pulled Pork
Lobsters

 

 

 

Dessert:
Mixed Berries with Fresh Shortcake