>Michael Odom writes:
>
>We're having a shindig at our place the last Friday of the month.
>We're expecting about 55-60 people. It's to be an open house for her
>department (academic, that is) and mine, along with several guests
>from Dallas. D just informed me that the function she's accepted
>responsibility for is traditionally a dinner.
>
>Now I like cooking. I'm pretty good at it, in fact. But a dinner for
>60 people is beyond anything I've ever attempted. So she suggested
>having the event catered.
>
>One option is a barbecue man over in Delta County name of Murray.
>Murray quote: "You get into barbecue, you get good, or you get out."
>He's well regarded hereabouts for his catering. I've had his
>barbecue, and it's quite good.
>
>Another option is Zack, a man we know who ran a small truck stop out
>by the interstate till recently. He's looking to move on and recently
>interviewed with a hotel in Puerto Rico. But he's still here so far.
>He does catering and is also well regarded by people whose taste I
>respect. I know him better than I know Murray and like him. He's the
>one who gave me advice before last spring's chili cook off where I got
>whupped. That I was whupped so badly is no reflection on him. I
>liked his cooking at the truck stop. He's Cajun, by the way, and has
>been in food service and cooking professionally all his adult life.
>
>The last option is that I cook it. I've been eyeing a new smoker pit
>at a welding shop over by the county seat. It's a big un. I have a
>brisket in the freezer and the market here in Cow Hill has them on
>sale right now. With the new pit (ca. $350) I could smoke a couple of
>briskets, a chicken or two, and some veggies (eggplant, e.g.) for them
>as don't eat meat. I could make salads -- fruit, green, marinated
>grilled veg -- and rice, bread, and taters.
>
>Now what should I do? Cook or hire a cook? I'm asking for advice,
>but in the end, I'll make my decision and I'll die by it.

For feeding that many choosing between a caterer who will likely bring some
assistants and equipment, vs just you going it alone it's a no brainer, I'd opt
for the caterer.


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