[chiffonade]

Oh you poor thing. I've fed contractors working on my house better food.

[Koukouvagia]

Originally Posted by ED BUCHANAN

In New York the musicians union local 802 makes no mention of feeding the band. Some clients get mad that they are told they have to have x amount in the band because of size of room. Then on top of the price which is from 200.00 per 4 hour gig per man and up playing 20 minutes on and 10 off that means they are barely playing 3 hours the host pays 10%union adminastrative and wellfare fee then sales tax. Enough already let them bring their own food.

Hmmm, no that's not right. By 802 contract you're entitled to 10 minutes break for every hour you play. So if you got a 3 hour gig, you're actually playing for 2.5hours. What you're really saying is that musicians get paid too much, play too little, and therefore should bring turkey sandwiches from home if they get hungry on a job. I'm glad I've never done a gig with you dude, most caterers I've met on jobs have been courteous and pleasant. Caterers and musicians have nothing to do with eachother as far as providing for one another, that's all up to the host. I don't expect you to feed me out of your own pocket just like I don't expect you to fill in on clarinet on stage.

[shroomgirl]

Just the way it's handled......at a wedding you may have the photographer, the priest, the band, the wedding planner.....etc.....
the event is priced out by person for food....so, how many extra should I accomodate off the bottom line?
Last time I bought blue fin tuna it was $18 # wholesale.....every event is not a low end bbq.

[Koukouvagia]

Originally Posted by shroomgirl

Just the way it's handled......at a wedding you may have the photographer, the priest, the band, the wedding planner.....etc.....
the event is priced out by person for food....so, how many extra should I accomodate off the bottom line?
Last time I bought blue fin tuna it was $18 # wholesale.....every event is not a low end bbq.

The priest, photographers, etc are not "extra" people at the wedding... they are part of the wedding... the parts that make it happen.

[ED BUCHANAN]

All of the bands that I have dealt with in my 40 years in the NYC multible room catering operations has been 20 minutes playing 10 minute break. That includes Terrace on the Park, Huntington Town House, Leonards of Great Neck and all the rest. And unlimited music meant, one member of band (piano,accordian playing all the time).
Why not have host or hostess include the band in their guest count. Its not us that dont want to feed them, Its the patron that does not want to pay us even at a reduced rate to feed them. The band is not our employee nor our responsability they are that of the host of function.

[chiffonade]

Personally, I just think it would suck to have a bunch of people watching everyone else eat. Not in my DNA to watch that happen.

[chrose]

Originally Posted by bughut

In the same situation, i'd have a contigency plan. ie. some cheese ham and tomato rolls in a cool bag that could be made into toasties the next day if not needed

This is why I have started to bring a candy bar, lately I have not been getting a piece of wedding cake!

[shroomgirl]

I thought we were discussing who pays for people (band, etc) to eat at an event. Caterers provide food for $, that is a business. Customers pay for food.....

Since this is an open forum, there are numerous people that are not caterers answering....it'd be nice to know what business they own, so we can make a comparison amoungst gimmees....if you are a caterer that is feeding the band or additions for free, what are you feeding them? Sashimi grade tuna? or Prime Rib or .....?

ie... I consult, any extra advice given is either negotiated at an additional price or we discuss $ etc. It is my choice to give more.

Teaching, classes are negiotiated up front....x# of dishes/recipes/time for x$....if the class goes over that's my choice. If you add 5 more students you owe me X more $.

Plumbing....if you are a plumber and are fixing my tub, would you charge me more to fix my sink? I'd think that would be up to you, not me to decide.

[chiffonade]

Does the word of someone who paid for a wedding count? I paid for my band and photographer to eat. It was the right thing to do.

[Dillbert]

this is an amazing discussion.

over the years in the corporate rat race, not sure I can accurately count the number of events where it was "okay, Dilbert, you handle the caterer." probably something on the order of 60-70 events; small stuff (10) to large stuff (3,000) now, true, it was the company's dime, but there was always a budget - and I was held accountable for budgets, just not with my own checking account. hmmm, perhaps indirectly . . .

from my perspective, the waitstaff and the musicians are working. they are not there to be feted, fed and entertained. otoh, the officiate at a wedding is part of the wedding party - anyone need to count brides and grooms? anyone line item billing the bridesmaid count?

background: I reiterate the statement previously provided: "Never run out of food."
booze I suppose could be more of a disaster.

so there's a five person band at a one hundred guest gathering.
see: food and the running out thereof. double check: percentages

the next issue is: is this a two hour thing, or a wedding reception from 2 PM until the last guest drops under the bar?

short affairs I would expect all the staff to come and go without the need for an interim food stuffing.
the left overs are up for grabs to anyone with a hankering.

for long(er) affairs I always expected the band, the juggler, the clown, the waitstaff, the bartender, etc., should be provided for. exception: no booze provided to non-guests.

I never ever recall seeing a specific charge to feed/water "non-guest" personnel. I suppose the caterer worked it into the overall cost. heh, works for me. if the chef is putting stuff on a platter whilst a tray passer is taking stuff off the platter in the kitchen, hmmm, that's what them big knives are for.

I had only one rule, laid down in stone after my second experience and put on my catering checklist: I never want to see the waitstaff hanging around eating with the guests, or in sight of same. they are working - what happens in the kitchen / out of guest sight is fine with me - enjoy.

it may be hard for you pros to believe, but I once intercepted a tray passer munching off the tray as it was coming out of the kitchen. no, I was not a happy camper and yes I corrected that situation on-the-spot and yes I expressed my displeasure to the caterer, also on-the-spot.

I had the same issue with an employee who showed up at work (almost) everyday with breakfast at the desk. the first 30 minutes of the employee's day was devoted to breakfast. it did not last.

[chiffonade]

I know it's not just me. None of my friends ever hesitated - they paid for their bands and photographers to eat at their weddings. It never even occurred to me to leave these people out. I guess things have changed - but if I were paying for a wedding today, I wouldn't change my M.O. It's simply the right thing to do.

[MaryB]

Some of the BBQ's I have catered were far from low end. Weddings at a country club is one example. That menu had ribs, prime rib, and lobster for meats. I still plan a bit extra because the guest count can change at the last minute.

[shroomgirl]

I pretty sure we're on the same wave length .....

If staff is there for an event longer than 2 hours...typically 2 hour setup, 2-3 hour event, 1+ hour breakdown. Staff there the entire time eat, but it's what I choose. Everyone that's cooking or waiting ALWAYS gets to taste, how else will you know what your serving?
Entertainment is paid for by host. They've never been excluded....but you don't go through the buffet without having paid me.

Is there extra food, sure. Is it yours or mine? Depends on our contract. If it's been on the buffet I don't want it. If there's a question of safety, it's in the trash. If it's backup and we didn't enumerate how much we were providing, it's going back with me.


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[chrose]

It's pretty simple really. If you hire them it's your responsibility to either feed them or not. Period.
If you hire me to play at your wedding, then we negotiate food, and or drink. If you choose not to feed me then it's my responsibility to feed myself no one elses.
If the caterer hires me to play at the wedding, they feed me (or not).

Not so difficult.