Everything was in place: The tents had been put up, the grills had been on ‘pre-heat’ ready for the first burger to touch down and start sizzling, and the staff were trained. After weeks of planning and organising, we were ready to go: Thursday 5 June saw the first pop up BBQ and Shake bar on the John Watkins Plaza, set up from the Fourth Floor Restaurant team.
When we were due to start serving at 12 midday, the plaza was pretty much empty. A few students were sitting in the deckchairs that we had set out, deep in thought in their books and laptops oblivious to us setting up. What we needed now were some customers. I was beginning to wonder whether anyone would come and buy a burger or a shake or whether we will we end up just feeding our staff Gourmet Burgers and fresh fruit shakes. Had all this hard work been for nothing?
Suddenly as the first smell from our test run started to hit the air and the smoke started to rise and billow around campus students and staff started coming out of the buildings. I turned around and a queue had formed by the grills, yes we were actually going to make a sale.
My plan for the day had been for one member of staff to cook and one to make shakes while I drummed up some business. That plan went out of the window, as the queue was growing by the minute. A quick change of plan was required, and I was behind the grill with Steven and Miro. We soon had a system going, and as quick as the Burgers were cooking we were putting the next batch down. By now, the end of the queue was winding its way around the back of the plaza pod and some serious pushing was taking place. Crowd control was now needed: a few swift words and a free sample of shakes and all was back in control.
By this point we had been cooking for one hour, the smoke was pretty intense and the tears were pouring from my eyes only two more hours to go after three hours. Over two hundred and thirty burgers had been sizzled and 60 shakes had been made.
We all smelled of smoke our eyes were red and our bodies ached…. was it worth it? Yes! The sense of achievement for myself and my team was immense. Did we have burger for lunch? No!
We were back for more on Thursday 12th and 19th June.
Lesley Causley
Unit Manager
4th Floor Restaurant
Catering Department
