Event Planning Guide

Attention to the smaller details often means the difference between an ordinary event and one that people will remember. I have organized many different kinds of events but my favourite has always been cub camps. Like many events one of the most important items to 8 year olds is food. Go figure! Even at training events complaints often revolve around food. At a cub camp we brought in Casey van den Heuvel to do the cooking. With Casey's usual flair he always had the kitchen staff in full chef's whites complete with the hats at mealtime. I was impressed. When things were going a little slow in the activities and camp was behind schedule one of the most difficult things for the camp chief is to walk into the kitchen and say to the chef "we're running a half hour late". You might expect to be chased out by a chef wielding a cleaver. Not Casey, his answer was "for you Brian, anything" What class, holding 100 hot meals an extra half hour is no small trick.

There is several lessons to be learned here. Be prepared, be flexible, remain in control and don't let the glitches bother you. Another time I was opening a new camp with the grand howl and Casey came over to tell me that momentarily the fire trucks would be arriving but there was no cause for concern, the problem was under control, sort of . In a panic I turned the opening over to another person to go and see what was happening in the kitchen. As I walked in Casey's brother was at the grill frying 36 grilled cheese sandwiches. He said "don't worry, the fire is out and lunch will be on time". The grill had set the wall on fire but the kitchen staff put the fire out and continued cooking. Another event without a hitch.

Casey did a stint as Executive Chef at Hogan's Inn here in King City before becoming a teacher at Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough.

Luminary / Luminaria

Future or pages under construction

• Cooking for Crowds or Catering your own event.
• Recipes (Also see our Event Planning Bulletin Board)
• More Luminaries
• More tips from an event planner (Again see our Event Planning Bulletin Board)
• Themes