Eddie Z's Festival Meal Plan Strategy, Part 7

Grillmaster Eddie Z is a festival veteran and knows his way around cooking for large groups. Here is Part 7 of his meal plan strategy.

Use your meals in order of robustness 

Cook the salmon before the London broil. The peanut butter and jelly can last for months, but the black bean and corn salsa will last 3 days.

Eddie Z's Festival Meal Plan Strategy, Part 6

Grillmaster Eddie Z is a festival veteran and knows his way around cooking for large groups. Here is Part 6 of his meal plan strategy.

Get stuff cold before icing  

A case of warm beer will hammer your ice. Make your ice do less work. Pre-chill everything.

Eddie Z's Festival Meal Plan Strategy, Part 5

Grillmaster Eddie Z is a festival veteran and knows his way around cooking for large groups. Here is Part 5 of his meal plan strategy.

Do as much work as you can at home where you have a sink and hot running water.

You know, slice the melons, chop some of the veggies, trim the meats and get 'em marinating. I'm not saying to process everything, since a whole pepper might last longer than a cut one. But you can take steps to make onsite cooking easier and safer, especially for the first couple of days. Ziplock bags are your friend, but they're not infallible. Foodsaver vacuum sealer bags are better.

Eddie Z's Festival Meal Plan Strategy, Part 4

Grillmaster Eddie Z is a festival veteran and knows his way around cooking for large groups. Here is Part 4 of his meal plan strategy.

Plan your menu realistically 

I can't tell you how many times I packed in so much food that went unused. By the time I get it home, it's questionably safe to consume. In these big camps, consider coordinating with the foodies. One idea is to pick a meal that you're completely responsible for, and let others do the same. Consider that some of your meals appear out of the blue. Pack less.

Eddie Z's Festival Meal Plan Strategy, Part 3

Grillmaster Eddie Z is a festival veteran and knows his way around cooking for large groups. Here is Part 3 of his meal plan strategy.

Plan on at least one or two major meals from a vendor

Kind of nice to grab the burrito or the pizza, pay $8, and it's over without the walk or the fuss.

Editor's note: We are partial to Peace Love Tacos for late night snacking. They'll be back at Vibes this year, along with Gouda Boys and many other festival favorites. 

Eddie Z's Festival Meal Plan Strategy, Part 2

Grillmaster Eddie Z is a festival veteran and knows his way around cooking for large groups. Here is Part 2 of his meal plan strategy.

 Split meals between "Stay and Play" and "Rapid Deploy" 

"Stay and Play" when you're not in a real big rush to get to the stages, and you don't mind an hour long grilling session. Rapid Deploy meals are for when you're in a rush. Examples are: Sandwiches/Salads/Lunch meats/Snacks/Bars/baked goods...slam it together in minutes and be done with it. The Rapid Deploy meals come in handy during unplanned inclement weather, or after dark meals too. Or if your so buzzed that purple unicorns with tin foil helmets are playing with your fuzzy antlers. ;-)

Pro Tip: For Stay and Play grilling sessions, choose thinner cuts of meat to reduce grilling time.

Eddie Z's Festival Meal Plan Strategy, Part 1

Grillmaster Eddie Z is a festival veteran and knows his way around cooking for large groups. Here is Part 1 of his meal plan strategy.

Lunch for Dinner; Dinner for Lunch 

Do the big meal in the afternoon, when the bands of lesser importance are on, which also uses available daylight to your advantage. Do the quickie meal for dinner when you're rushing to get back to the stage for the headliners. Consider making your dinner sandwich at lunch time, while everything's already out... and leave it handy on the top of the cooler for "grab and go."