Sometimes, when they ask "how-to" questions what they really mean is... HELP! And when I have the time to pitch in to help them, I gladly do.
Recently a neighbor, who scored some tickets to six Detroit Lions home games, asked me for suggestions about tailgating. Fortunate for them, I just happen to know a little something about the subject.
When I was asked about it, I thought to myself, Don't forget to share what I know with the Cater-Hater subscribers and the other readers who stop by the site. So finally, I've gotten around to it.
Tailgating is more than Burgers and Beer
If you've discounted tailgating, think again. It's estimated by the American Tailgaters Association that 50 million tailgaters spent between $7 and $15 billion on food and equipment in 2006. That's not million folks. That's billion. And you know that's a lot!Tailgating "old school" style and the Cater-Hater
I was indoctrinated into the world of football game tailgating years before I got into catering and event planning. When I look back, I laugh at how great we thought we were at what we thought we were doing.
What a mess we were! But you couldn't tell us anything. We thought we had it going on, with our Styrofoam coolers and cheap paper plates. Lord!
We were doing some kind of make-shift version of something. But really, we didn't have a clue. But you know how it goes, you grow and you learn. We weren't going to win prize or anything for doing it. We didn't give a hoot. We weren't being judged (not like I am, by the parties I produce these days), so it really didn't matter.
Tailgating is about the camaraderie of it; the bonding experience of it. It doesn't much matter what the heck the color of your jersey is. It's about a bunch of cool people, sharing good times and good chow.
I've gone out with a few of my "old school" tailgating friends, once or twice, since our football game-going of days gone by. And boy, have they ever grown into pro tailgaters! They're first-class and sophisticated; out there with their super-duper tailgating gear. Who knew?
And par for the course, I was "all in". Because tailgating is very similar to off-premise catering a party, which is what I love to do and specialize in.
So let me tell you - when it comes to anything even remotely related to catering - I fall in love with it and like a sponge, I retain it.
Here's what you want to do to get tailgating down pat. ...
1.) Plan your menu and change it weekly. And if you want to - every week, come up with a different theme. Serve Mexican. Deep-fry a turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner.
2.) Divide your tailgating duties with the others who will join you. Break your group into sub-groups of five or six who take turns grilling, serving the food, and cleaning up. Alternate groups for every upcoming game.
3.) Get your gear together the Monday before the game.
4.) Next, on Wednesday pull your equipment and prep everything.
5.) If you don't get sidetracked and can get everything done, you should be ready to go bright and early on game day at 7:00 a.m.
Can you believe it? It's just that easy.
Tailgating basics, like party basics, never change.
An easy road recipe for tailgating...
Jay's Great Balls 'O' Fire Meatballs
(Printable Recipe)
75 frozen meatballs
14 oz. red enchilada sauce
16 oz. Welch's grape jelly
15 oz. Frank's Redhot
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a Dutch oven or Crock-Pot and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with toothpicks on a platter or let your tailgater guests dip right into the Dutch oven or Crock-Pot.
If you want to be great at tailgating, you need the essentials: good food and ice-cold beer.
But if you're a season ticket holder and you really want to be "all over it", you'll start planning for game season in the Summer. But for the most part, the hardest part is - like catering parties - planning a menu that everyone will like. Then shopping for everything, and prepping it, which next to hauling it to your tailgating location site, is the bulk of the work. So there you have it.
I'm an "equipment and decor geek" so what I found out (about the latest tailgating equipment and gear), I found completely fascinating.
Did you know you can tailgate high-tech or low-tech?
Remember I said that my friends were sophisticated tailgaters? Well, their group is about 45 to 50 people strong.
You might think it sounds like they've invested a lot into their football season pastime. But not like what they could spend. Compared to some people, they're kind of like an upgraded version of low-tech tailgaters or "gaters", as I call them.
They're good cooks that set up a full-scale feast every time. What I mean is, they have a couple of tricked-out (yes, decorated!), smaller size limo-style buses; one that has a really nice stereo system, that holds a keg and some folding buffet tables and barbecue grills. The other one
They're saving up for satellite TV reception with Internet. They also plan to buy an outfitted trailer with all of their tailgating equipment, including a generator, refrigerator, television, and a new barbecue grill. I guess they're not sure if they want to fabricate their own trailer, or buy one that's commercially made.
How to maintain your tailgating budget
Have fundraisers! Host a bowling outing. Have a golf outing. Have a 50/50 raffle. You get the idea.
The ultimate tailgater wish list
These high-tech tailgating items will help you cut down on prep time and will give you more time to socialize and support your favorite team.
- The TaleGator (www.the talegator.com) - Brand new and affordable for most tailgating budgets, the TaleGator gives you molded plastic seats with cup holders. It fits onto the back of a pickup truck and can be personalized with the name of your favorite team. Made in Detroit, this item costs about $100.00.
- The All-American Tailgater (www.allamericantailgater.com) - a line of custom-made tailgating trailers that include the grill, full bar, microwave, refrigerator, sink, DVD/CD player and TV, and surround-sound stereo. Also Michigan made, they start at about $13,500.00.
- The VuQube 1000, 2000, and 3000 made by King Controls (www.kingcontrols.com) - a portable cube-shaped satellite TV antenna that tracks and finds a satellite system. Prices start at $699.99. Don't leave home without it.
- The new scooler (www.scoolers.com) by ATC Group, Inc. - a mini refrigerator that has its own freezer and ice maker. When you see them, you'll realize you're familiar with their product line. Click on the "My Account" tab for pricing and purchase.
- The Bubba Keg Grill (www.bubbakeg.com) - a grill/smoker/convection oven rolled into one that looks like a beer keg. The Bubba Keg Grill helps you to make better food with less coal, and cook longer and control your cooking temperatures. Contact the manufacturer for prices.
- The Freedom Grill FG-900 (www.freedomgrill.com) - the Official grill of Tailgating, it's a relatively new stainless steel gas grill that attaches to the rear trailer hitch of an SUV or pickup truck and swings out for safe grilling. This first-class grill sells for $9899.00.
- The Grill-n-Chill by Go Products USA (www.goproductsusa.com) - a hitch-attached stainless grill that sports a built-in icebox and CD/MP3 stereo with a radio. It sells for $3000.00.
- The Brinkmann's Roadmaster Series (www.brinkmann.net) - smoker grills that start at $4500.00, that are trailer-mounted. One model that is about eight times the size of an average backyard grill.
- The Evolution Mobile Bar (www.kegworks.com) - a portable bar that sets up and disassembles in fewer than five minutes. It sells for $1499.
- The Blenderblaster (www.blenderblaster.com) - a high-octane ultimate party machine. High quality and portable, this gas powered drink blender sells from $440.00 to $525.00.
Cater-Hater Tip: Are you a tailgater? Want to know the latest about tailgating? Get a subscription to one of the best tailgating/sports information blogs available from top tailgating guru, Greg Allushuski, and his sportswriter son, at The Inside Grove (www.insidethegrove.com).
Even if you hate football, tailgating is a pretty fun thing to do. Tailgaters or "Gater's", are something else! They get out there, in those big parking lots and grassy fields, and just go for it.
It's an upbeat kind of a thing. Everybody's cool. Everybody talks to each other. Everybody has fun.
But maybe you're like me. Maybe you're more of an "event goer/event lover" type person, and not the biggest football fan. My friends always tease and laugh at me. After the game, I always have to ask who won.
But, they can't talk too much smack about me. Because I always know what everybody drinks and I make sure everyone has a full glass.
Everyone knows that the Detroit Lions haven't been known as "the most happening team" in the NFL. Even though, no matter how bad their season is - Detroit Lions fans are die-hards.
And, the Detroit Lions are a pretty classy group of players and have a pretty great organization behind them, too.
Happy tailgating! I hope your team wins.
Detroit Lions, American football, NFL, Sports, Football, Television, American, Fan Pages, Detroit, MichiganSummer retreats Planning barbecue party Backyard barbecue party Easy small barbecue party Barbecue Memorial Day Shopping Home Cooking Home and Garden Holidays Barbecue sauce food and drink texas culture party starts to make american cuisine australian culture graduation party puzzle piece barbecue party summer styles summer parties decor style memorial day ideas meals barbecue sizzle summer decor cooking style tailgating party games tailgating party food tailgating party decorations tailgating drinking games tailgate party recipes : Technorati Tags
Written by Carlo of Carlo At Your Service Productions
