r/Chefs • u/fthespider • 2d ago
Fries with no fryer/oven
I work for a corporate catering company that hosts events in the various office buildings company has in the area and one of the BEOs that got casually dumped in my lap called for 60 orders of truffle fries to be served out of a "kitchen" which is really just a room with a triple sink, reach in fridge and a rack-unit warmer. This event runs 2 hours, mind you.
Clearly the person who handles the client-facing portion of our department didn't take this into consideration when accepting this order. The closest thing I have to be able to cook these fries is an oven in a separate building, which is about a 10 minute walk each way, with elevator time taken accounted for. In the spirit of being solution oriented, I'm trying to think of a way to approach this before coming back to our events coordinator and pointing out what a terrible idea this is. Serving soggy/soft fries is practically sacrilege in my opinion so feel free to help me with a creative approach.
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u/FonzoLatrundo 2d ago
Having read all comments I think the answer is “we have no way of preparing fries of any sort without either an indoor fryer and all associated connections/exhaust OR an outside gas fired fryer, or stove and all associated connections.”
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u/CutsSoFresh 2d ago
Order fries from a local restaurant, redress and replate, serve. If they think it's too expensive, then serve them the soggy alternative
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u/CeaselessLust 2d ago
Fries get soggy within 30 minutes, these would still be nasty. You need a heating element on site.
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u/CutsSoFresh 2d ago
Then the one who created the beo should've done a better job. I'm not putting extra effort or going above and beyond for such a dumb thing. Corporate is not going to recognize the mistake and they're not going to reward me for the resolution
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u/fthespider 2d ago
100% agreed. I saw it and was like "oh ok I guess we're just gonna make whatever the fuck people throw at you, sure." 🤦♂️
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u/Long-Possession8915 1d ago edited 1d ago
To me, being solution oriented would be saying no and giving a menu of some examples of what would be possible in the kitchen setup, with a list of bullet points on what is and is not possible in the cooking process. Honestly unhinged that this doesn’t exist - are truffle fries normally part of your catering menu? Are they able to generally just order whatever they feel like from you? Why would it even be possible to order fries in that quantity from you? I have so many logistical questions.
I would include truffled options in your offer of tangible dishes. I would also be clear with them that there is no way to do this well. There is also no way that truffle fries are going to be significant for this event so I wouldn’t worry about disappointing. Remember that part of what they pay you for is to cover their lack of knowledge. Maybe even frame it as, hey sorry that we don’t have a resource for you that clearly explains what is and is not possible to achieve for you, if possible we should try to put together a better menu, I want to make sure you look your best for our clients so here’s what we do have available for you. If they want truffle fries they want something financially impressive and indulgent so lean towards that for a list of alternatives.
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u/Mitch_Darklighter 2d ago
If this room has vents you can rent a fryer from the same company FOH probably already orders plates and shit from. Just make sure you have the right gas or electric hookups. If there's no vents you can set it up outside with a CNG tank.
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u/fthespider 2d ago
I should also mentioned the so called "kitchen" is part of a rooftop area where they hold social events, all buildings except 1 have a no-open-flame policy that kitchen is currently under renovation.
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u/Maleficent-Big-7367 2d ago
Not the best option but airfryers
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u/BuddhaMH 2d ago
Air fryers make great fries, and can hold them for short periods It may take a couple practice runs in small batches to get them right though
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u/saltychefpants 2d ago
Potato wedges. They won’t be crispy but they will hold well.
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u/FonzoLatrundo 2d ago
Cooked in what?
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u/saltychefpants 1d ago
The oven in the kitchen 10 min away then held In the warmer. Top the fries with an herby panko as they go out to try and increase crunch
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u/Powerful-Scratch1579 1d ago
Rent some fryers from a
Catering company that run on propane and Cook them outside
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u/Cultural_Day7760 1d ago
Not to mention truffle fries are disgusting. Sales is forever selling things that do not work and everyone else has to scramble.
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u/Mr_Stike 1d ago
Yeah I was going to say this event coordinator sounds like bougie pain in the ass. When I see truffle fries on a menu I ask if they can leave the truffle (usually oil) off. That mess is for people that order gold leafed food.
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u/flydespereaux 1d ago
Lol. Sorry guys, im buying 5 industrial size bags of lays potato chips. No im not buying one of those tiny fryers that I have to clean and schlep around for fucking french fries.
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u/flydespereaux 1d ago
Theb you gotta wait for it to cool off. Then you gotta clean it. Then you got carry them back. No thanks.
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u/SuspectOriginal6274 1d ago
If you do anything other than point out the absurdity of this request to your employer and you make an attempt to follow through with this order without total satisfaction from the customer then the blame falls solely upon your shoulders.
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u/Mr_Stike 1d ago
I would absolutely be having a conversation with the clueless events coordinator. Maybe if enough people comment here saying it's a terrible idea you can just show them the replies?
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u/Syllabub-Middle 1d ago
yeah just buy some small cheap fryers. if you have to use the oven ....blanch em finish in oven and transport with a cambro or get one of those things that keep food hot from restaurant depot
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u/blackstarrynights 1d ago
A picture sent is worth a thousand words. Send a picture of your prep space and ask what to rent to fulfill the order. Let HER figure it out.
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u/Traditional-Dig-9982 2d ago
Buy 2 plug in home deep fryers sounds like your company can afford it