Tailgating Pointers
1. Plan ahead
-Before each game plan who's doing what. Do this at least a week before, for tailgating about 20% of the conversation is done planning for the next one.
-Share the load. Besides the BYOB, let everyone bring something. Obviously the individual who is grilling will be contributing a little bit more in the $$$ sense, so this can be a revolving duty. If a person brings the majority of the meat, especially expensive meat, they should be given the priviledge of cooking it. Have everyone bring sides-these can be planned for ahead of time. snacks: chips; meal sides: potato salad, noodle salad, veggie tray; desserts: cookies, cake, Sandy's Donuts!
-Night before make sure everything is ready. There is no need to rush right before a game.
2. Food
Never run out. An easy way to do this is to buy a 3 lb package of frozen brats or 5 lb package of formed burgers and an extra bag or two of buns. Someone may unexpectantly drop by and you should be ready to serve them.
3. Beer
See #2.
4. Sanitation
Have separate containers for before food and after food-Don't cross contaminate!
Have your own trash recepticles.
Consider gloves when handling food or prepare food so you don't need to touch it, ie prepare burgers on wax paper before hand.
Have a gallon of water to wash items and your hands.
5. Entertainment
Tailgating is often little more than mingling, but that can get a little old after 5 hours. Have music, games/events, planned before hand.
6. Permanent stuff.
Buy a couple of totes and use it to store your tailgating stuff:
plates
utensils
napkins
wetnaps!!!
knives
string
lighter fluid
matches
football/frisbee
decorations
garbage bags
sunblock
NDB Lessons:
-Cook once or twice. Don't keep the kitchen open the whole time you are tailgating. If you are going to be there for more than four hours cook right away and then right before the game. This is easy for midday games-cook breakfast and then cook lunch. In order for this to work and attendees to be satisfied you need to make sure there is adequate snackage.
-Share the load. For both the personal budget and the need of guests. Very important.
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