Posts By / 17th Street BBQ

7
Oct

Catering Master Class

CateringMasterClass_WelcomeOnCue

Our two-day Catering Master Class session takes place each November. This class is designed for people who have completed the Business of Barbecue class or who have restaurant or catering experience. Mike and I, along with our 17th Street crew, and special guest instructors, lead a variety of discussions and demos designed to elevate best practices and help your catering business soar.

CateringMasterClass_AndyHusbandsSpecial guest instructor Andy Husbands, co-author of Wicked Good Barbecue and chef/owner of Tremont 647, will give several demos and impart wisdom and lessons learned from his many years in the business. In addition to being an incredibly skilled chef, Andy is a barbecue and grilling expert as well. He’s part of the IQue Barbecue team, winners of the 2010 Jack Daniel’s World Invitational Barbecue Cooking Contest.

CateringMasterClass_BaconMasonYou will learn how to price and execute catering jobs for maximum profit and customer satisfaction, and gather dozens of ideas to strengthen your bottom line.

We delve deep into the world of catering. Topics include:

  • Creating Specialty Meats
  • Signature Sides & Desserts
  • Developing Delicious Menus Priced for PROFIT
  • Purchasing, Planning, Pricing & Logistics
  • Staffing
  • Equipment & Decor

CateringMasterClass_BaconMason2Here are a few photos from last year’s event. Our signature sundaes ~ collards, layered with creamy grits from Jimmy Hagood’s Food for the Southern Soul, and garnished with pig candy.

CateringMasterClass_CheeseSandsTomato basil soup shooters with grilled pimento cheese wedges.

CateringMasterClass_ElevatorCrewThe OnCue classes are excellent team building events. At last year’s class, we were especially delighted to have the opening team for Shakers’ Smokehouse in Oakville, Ontario, Canada join us.

CateringMasterClass_EveryoneThis group represents Alaska, Florida, Canada, Massachusetts, Missouri, Indiana, Montana, Virginia, and northern Illinois. There are multiple sets of business owners in this group, three of whom are repeat attendees who brought staff with them to soak up barbecue culture and knowledge.

CateringMasterClass_PreppingBelly

CateringMasterClass_PorkBellyPork belly two ways ~ glazed and pastrami-brined and smothered with sauerkraut.

CateringMasterClass_Table

CateringMasterClass_AppSkilletSoul rolls displayed in Lodge Cast Iron.

CateringMasterClass_Table2 CateringMasterClass_Tray

CateringMasterClass_DreamBigRemember, it only takes two or three new ideas or bits of information to add thousands of dollars to your bottom line. This is an educational investment that will reap huge dividends.

To register for the 2015 Catering Master Class, to be held November 16–17, 2015, please click here.

We’ll be having a Legendary Barbecue class the day prior to the Catering Master Class. About half the class will attend both. Please click here for information and to register.

Photos © Curt Trammel & Two Doves Photography

 Follow our adventures in real time on Instagram and Twitter.
See lots of entertaining and barbecue ideas on our Pinterest boards.
And we post fun things on Facebook, too! 

27
Jul

Going Whole Hog at Eleven Madison Park

ElevenMadisonPark_01-Hog

Hospitality is about making people happy. Plain and simple. With that in mind, we planned a fun surprise for the team at Eleven Madison Park, who have been our gracious neighbors at the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party for the past 11 years.

ElevenMadisonPark_02-Surprise

The surprise was kind of heavy, so we enlisted their help with delivery. Imagine the astonishment of these cooks as they walked across the street to assist.

ElevenMadisonPark_03-AwayWeGo

Away we go

ElevenMadisonPark_04-Squeeze

Hopefully we can squeeze through the door.

ElevenMadisonPark_05-PastryPass

What is this on the pastry pass, chef?

ElevenMadisonPark_06-BoxCutter

This is some pig. A gorgeous Chester White from Heritage Cheshire in Seven Springs, North Carolina. No fancy knife necessary. Mike Mills will use a box cutter.

ElevenMadisonPark_07-MoreCarving

Just a little more carving. Yes, Will, a box cutter.

ElevenMadisonPark_08-Hmmm

Hmmm.

ElevenMadisonPark_09-PristineKitchen

I’m pretty sure Daniel and Will are saying, “I cannot believe this happening in our pristine kitchen. Right now.”

ElevenMadisonPark_10-Ahh

Ahhh. Yes.

ElevenMadisonPark_11-ReadyToPinch

Chef Humm is ready to pinch of a piece of pork.

ElevenMadisonPark_12-ThereHeGoes

There he goes.

ElevenMadisonPark_13-MikeTells

But wait! Mike wants to tell him about building barbecue, with layers of spice and sauce.

ElevenMadisonPark_14-ALittleMore

Just a little more

ElevenMadisonPark_15-SauceToo

And some High on the Hog sauce, too.

ElevenMadisonPark_16-AzizAndMolly

Oh, hello, Aziz Ansari and Courtney McBroom. Didn’t see you in the crowd of kitchen whites. You should buy his new book, Modern Romance.

ElevenMadisonPark_17-LikedIt

I think he liked the pork.

ElevenMadisonPark_18-MagicDust

And Chef really likes that Magic Dust.

ElevenMadisonPark_21-Vegetarian

An historic moment. A committed, six-year vegetarian takes a bite. This is Will’s father, Frank Guidara, esteemed hospitality and restaurant business expert. He’s not making any lifestyle changes, but he did enjoy that taste.

ElevenMadisonPark_19-Moment

Moments as big as years.

ElevenMadisonPark_20-ThankYou

Thank you, Daniel, Will, Aaron, Kevin, and your amazing staff for all of your hospitality over the years. We love being your neighbor!

 

Photos © Ken Goodman Photography. 

Keep up with us!
Follow our adventures in real time on Instagram and Twitter.
See lots of entertaining and barbecue ideas on our Pinterest boards.
And we post fun things on Facebook, too!