What say you to Self-Catering being the rule, not the option

[Victorius]

Last time I dared venture an opinion on something, some Waikato-ian abused me (then I promptly got told off by an administrator for daring to respond to it…not that the abuser got told off either I might add – ooh, I’m in trouble now)…So here I go, head on the block again:

I have noticed that the excellent hosts who do NAAMA and Easter Camp seem to spend an awful lot of time in the kitchen most days. Could self-catering be the rule for breakfasts and lunches at such events, as is the case at Taupo and other assorted events?

It would save the poor hosts an awful lot of work. Maybe even extend it to dinner on Saturday, and just leave everything to the feast on Sunday night?

I know self-catering is already an option, but that doesn’t save the poor hosts an awful lot of work. If meals are provided, there’ll always be those who’ll partake, so the hosts still end up working fingers to the bone.

Self-catering isn’t too hard either, a bit of porridge over a friendly club’s cooking fire, a loaf of bread for lunch…and a koha to the dinner fire perhaps? Shouldn’t be too hard surely?

What think you all? Family-friendly comments only please. Sarcasm only from the whole-witted if you please…

[Robbo]

You're doomed bro lol...brought this one on yourself.

I'll take a wholly self catered affair pls. Then again, Leah's gluten free and a tad allergic to pumpkin, I'm allergic to shellfish and fussy besides. (There, I finally admitted I'm a fussy eater...the lot of you can shove off now )

I/we do enjoy the feasts, who doesn't, but from my experiences (in/out of kitchens and variable events), I'd rather either feed just me and mine, or do a collective thing with those nearest and dearest...then we can all be fussy together, no one can bitch about my lack of tea bags, and if anyone wants their chicken/lamb cooked longer they can throw it on a plate/spit/pot themselves and go nuts!

[Lissa]

I am a fan of the catered events to be honest. I know I am a new re-enactor compared to, well, everyone else, but I do like the catered events. I also know this will mean my turn will come in the kitchen (labour weekend) and I will sweat and bleed over the food as you all have before me. I am happy with that.

I think its probably good to have some catered and some self-catered events. I see the benefit of both - self catered means that the fussy buggers/allergic to things people, dont have to explain allergies/dislikes and pester anyone about what is in everything, but catered events give everyone a turn to relax about the meal knowing someone is doing it, and everyone gets a turn at the sweating and bleeding over the fire.

[Gaius Drustanus]

What that nice, Lovely Tauranga Girl said! I bet she would be great in the kitchen when Labour weekend comes. Go NAAMA!

Carl! Carl! What Happened to Super Duck? Not the thought of Orange Sauce? Peking poultry? I Didn't mean it, honest Buddy. Gee, from a Quack like me, that would be some sort of cannibalism.

[Anyad]

Hello everyone,

It comes down to practicalities. If you want people be able to do self cater – you have to provide facilities for them to do this. This could be fire permits, or separate kitchen facilities.

It is one more thing that the club who is organising the event that year has to take into consideration. Sometimes permits can’t be gained, or the camping grounds that are available at the time we need don’t have the facilities for self catering.

Bear in mind that each club is a voluntary organisation. We have families and jobs and real life to deal to, as well as our hobby. Having done my time in the kitchen, and behind the scenes in organising a NAAMA, I have great sympathy for those that have responsibility each year. No one is paid to do the organising, and it is a mammoth project to run.

In short: I think that self-catering should be offered whenever possible. Less for the kitchen crew to organise, less fees for the campers to pay, and satisfaction for dietary requirements. When there is not the option for self-catering, as much warning as possible should be given to the lot of us.

Regards,
Dayna

[Golden Girl]

OK, I am going to have an opinion on this one, being a total newbie maybe I shouldn't and I have never been to a Naama, but here goes.

I think part of the reason we like catered events is the social interaction when we are having dinner etc.
I am not sure if you do this already or not but setting up a meal time and communal place where everyone meets to eat, drink and be merry would be wonderful, I know I enjoy all of your company and learn so much from chatting to each of you. I look forward to getting to my first Naama this year.

I also think that having one catered night at an event also has its merits.

Breakfast I think should always be self catered, and lunches to be honest I am unsure of, I guess it depends on the schedule of events and the time between to make yourself lunch, I'd hate to see people dropping in the afternoon because they didn't eat lunch, so maybe a filled roll and piece of fruit available for people.

I also think a roster sharing the kitchen, rubbish, etc duties wouldn't hurt. If a schedule was made up and people can then just enter there names in the space that suits them prior to the event, it would also be a great help.

Ok, so if I am wrong on all of this please guy's and girls be gentle with me...lol

[Carl]

My post was deleted as per request by another member

[Wellybex]

I like self catering personally, but it is nice to have options. Having the option of paying for catering has it's benefits, especially if the event you are travelling to is in a remote location at the other end of the Island (or another island/country!). Years ago I went to Canty Faire and was really appreciative of the fact that I didn't need to bring all my own food down on the plane, or get the person who I had just met to take me to the supermarket. I just handed over my money and was well fed for the event!

I think that self catering options for events such as NAAMA are a great idea and will hopefully stop the complaints about the food not being authentic, or not on time, or not enough.....

[Robbo]

[Victorius]

These are all good answers, keep them coming...

Amazingly, I've got no die-hard preference. I have no problems with the food variety, or its quality (I actually like coleslaw rolls). To line up is a bit of a nuisance admittedly, but then again, preparing one's own meal can take longer, and you don't often get the opportunity to talk to as many interesting people.

The main reason I started this poll, and my earlier comments, were admittedly generated more by the amount of times I've seen tired and harrassed kitchen staff slaving away, spending large chunks of what should be relaxation time.

I know some would say "Well, join in and help out then." I have, but that doesn't reduce the overall load of work significantly, it just means more tired people.

It's a question of whether it's really necessary to provide paid and volunteered catering at all. Some have indicated that there are sometimes valid reasons for this...though does it stop people attending events like Taupo here, or Armidale in Australia? Those events provide food vendors who get paid for what they do (or at least Taupo does).

[Wellybex]

[griff]

My first overseas trip 97 oz conference at sokil they had breakfast lunch and dinner. Breakfast was trays and trays of bacon and breakfast sausages and some muck that was bowls of cereal.
Lots of bacon is what is needed.
Each option has it drawbacks and benefits for both organiser and participants
I would prefer self cater myself with one main feast put on for the Saturday or Sunday night.
Registrations could have tick the box options, this would give organisers a heads up on how much food to buy for those that want to be catered to. Only small prob with this is policing who is a catered and who is not.

Quote victorious
“events like Taupo here, or Armidale in Australia? Those events provide food vendors who get paid for what they do (or at least Taupo does).”
No vendors in the forest , although we make a set of clay ovens and the nemasinga make pie type things on site and flog them off for $2 a pop, bloody nice venison pies or fruit. The odd stew.
All self cater except Sunday night feast
Just under 5 weeks to go

[Robbo]

If you're going I hate you

[Ben_sutton]

I think the self catering thing adds to the living history side of camps quite well. Having folks sitting around the camp fire to eat and chat really adds to the atmosphere at an event and, given the diverse nature of the community, it allows for groups to get a more appropriate meal experience going. Those who are doing the campaign thing can sit around and tuck into their rations, whilst the travelling gentry can sit down at the dinner table. It all depends on what the individuals involved want to get out of the experience. In any case I like the self catering option as it does take a bit of the weight off the organisers.

[merrynsmoor]