400 LIFE MAY 2019
Time to get outdoors!
Local parks offer unique amenities A summer bucket list for the whole family What it takes to run a food truck
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from the editor When summer rolls around, I get extra jealous of my wife. She’s a teacher, and so these next few months are the choose-your-own adventure time of year for her and our two sons. I come home from work, and chances are they’ve visited a new park or gone to the Atlanta Zoo or found a Touch-a-Truck or made popsicles just because. My wife makes enjoying summer look easy, but the reality is that it can get challenging, especially for parents with young kids. Sometimes the well of ideas runs dry. If you want to, go ahead and blame the heat. Maybe this issue of 400 Life magazine can be your guide in those times of uncertainty, a resource of the best of what Forsyth County has to offer during the summer months. From camping to hiking to u-pick’em farms to kayak spots to skate parks, we covered all corners of the county to find fun things to do. We also cooked up the perfect summer recipe to try. So no excuses this summer, Forsyth County. Get out there and enjoy it! — Brian Paglia
inside
contributors Something for everyone
Publisher STEPHANIE WOODY Editor BRIAN PAGLIA Production Manager TRACIE PIKE Staff Writers ALEXANDER POPP KELLY WHITMIRE Advertising director NATHAN SCHUTTER Advertising DEBORAH DARNELL STEPHANIE MCCABE Photographer BEN HENDREN Special contributor JENNIFER COLOSIMO
Forsyth County parks offer unique amenities. PAGE 16 Cover photo at Central Park by Ben Hendren
This magazine is a product of the
GET OUTSIDE A summer bucket list sure to keep family busy. PAGE 4 400 FACES Local man sells shoes for all types of fitness.
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MOBILE CUISINE What it takes to run a food truck.
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All photos are file unless otherwise noted.
www.ForsythNews.com
Advertising rates available upon request. Call (770) 887-3126 or email marketing@forsythnews.com
May 2019 | 400 LIFE | 3
Cross it off your list!
This summer bucket list will keep the family busy Story by Alexander Popp | Photos by Ben Hendren
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hen you think back at this sumW mer, when fall and winter comes back around next year, what would you want it to look like? Two months of sitting inside watching daytime TV and waiting for your grass to grow? Or would you want it to be a summer season full of excitement, adventure and fun, that anyone of any age can participate in? For this summer season, we at the Forsyth County News have devised a summer bucket list of essential Forsyth County activities to get you out of the house and into the community while the weather is warm and nice.
Sawnee Mountain I cannot express in words how nice it is to have Sawnee Mountain conveniently located right in our county’s backyard. On any given day of the week, a resident of Forsyth County can be at a beautiful network of trails in minutes, thanks to the Sawnee Mountain Preserve. I make this item top of the list, because no matter if you’ve never been to see Sawnee Mountain, or if you’ve been there countless times, visiting the mountain
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Call (770) 395-1130 for an appointment 960 Johnson Ferry Road Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30342
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The park includes a climbing tower, zip line, amphitheater, library and a visitors’ center.
for a hike or a picnic this summer should be one of your top priorities. From the peak of Sawnee Mountain, you’ll be rewarded with a view over the Forsyth County countryside and beyond to the Blue Ridge Mountains, well worth the short but brisk hike up. The Sawnee Mountain Preserve offers 11 miles of trails, perfect for a hike, run or even just a leisurely stroll past views, abandoned gold mines and signs covering the areas natural and cultural history. You can also sit on the Indian Seats, a natural rock formation at the top of the trail system. Note that dogs are not permitted at the preserve, but the park is open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., March through October, and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. November through February. The park also includes a climbing tower, zip line, amphitheater, library and a visitors’ center, with classrooms and exhibits on the natural and cultural histories of Sawnee Mountain. More information on the preserve, its trails and other amenities can be found at parks.forsythco.com/ Sawnee-Mountain-Preserve.
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Picnic at Lake Lanier Sitting on the shores of Lake Lanier with some lunch, a cold drink and maybe a book or a rod and reel, you’ll be amazed how quickly the stress of the day slips away. So this summer, set aside some quality time to visit Lake Lanier to take in the view and maybe go in for a dip if the water is nice. B e t w e e n t h e Fo r s y t h County Parks and Recreation Department and the Army Corps of Engineers there are parks along the shore of Lake Lanier, with enough camping spots, boat launches, picnic areas and greenspaces, to handle any group or need. Many of these parks have little or no cost to enter, but each has specific rules and hours of operation that can be found online.
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Photo by Brian Paglia
A dog spends a lazy afternoon with its owner at Shady Grove Campground.
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Kayaking the Chattahoochee and Etowah River On a hot spring or summer day when lake beaches and pools are packed and nothing else is going on, what could be better than floating down a cool river in a canoe or kayak, enjoying nature and getting a little peace of mind? In my book, not much beats that — so before the summer is through, head on down to the water and do some paddling! Here in Forsyth County, so close to Buford Dam and Lake Lanier, we’ve got quite a few options of where to go and float your boat, but two of the easiest places to put in are at Chattahoochee Pointe Park in south Forsyth and Eagle’s Beak Park in north Forsyth. As the name implies, at Chattahoochee Pointe Park you’ll paddle up or down the Chattahoochee River which flows swiftly out of Buford Dam that sits just a few miles upstream. At Eagle’s Beak Park you can travel up or down the Etowah River that flows south out of Dawson Forest and beyond. Keep in mind that both rivers have hazards and both water level and speed can vary depending on rainfall and other factors, like the schedule of water releases from Buford Dam, so be sure to check river conditions before getting onto the water. And always wear a life jacket; not only is it required by law, it saves lives. For more information about these parks, visit the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department online at parks.forsythco.com. For the Buford Dam water release schedule call (770) 945-1466.
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Don’t travel for authentic Thai food
Take a swim at the Cumming Aquatic Center Looking for a fun place to cool off? Well, luckily for the people of Forsyth County, the Cumming Aquatic Center can help you get your swimming fix even if the weather isn’t great or you don’t have a pool of your own to go to. The 50,000-square-foot pool facility has indoor and outdoor pools and hosts programing from swim lessons to Silver Sneakers programs, with different availabilities for private bookings of cabanas and activity rooms. The Aquatic Center has different hours, based on the month, season and federal holidays, but for the majority of the summer it is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Daily admission is $6 for adults and $5 for youth under 17 and seniors, but passes for individuals and families can be bought for between $28 and $277. More information can be found at cummingaquaticcenter.com.
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Photos Stephanie Woody
Asher Woody, right, feeds the animals at Warbington Farms. The family also picked strawberries at the farm.
Warbington Farms You know how you can tell good, fresh produce — by picking it out of the ground or off a tree with your own two hands. So when you find yourself craving fresh, locally-grown strawberries this summer, look no further than Warbington Farms off Crow Road in north Forsyth. According to the website, each year Warbington plants three acres of “U-Pick” strawberries for people from the local community and beyond to enjoy. While you’re at the farm, be sure to check out the petting zoo barn, hayride, slides, swings and countless other family-fun opportunities. More information can be found at warbingtonfarms.com.
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May 2019 | 400 LIFE | 13
400 faces
Alex Rodriguez North GA Running Co.
Alex Rodriguez started running about 20 years ago. He racked up mileage on the road, and eventually started running trails and finishing races, doing all three in the best shoes on the market. They looked awesome, but trial and error made him realize he needed expert help to find the right fit for him to be able to go farther. One problem — the closest spot to snag smarter sneakers was in Atlanta. Recognizing a need for the right running gear in his neighborhood, he opened Forsyth County’s very first running store in 2008, and hosted its first race (one to benefit Autism awareness) shortly after. Today that store is North GA Running Co., a retail storefront with industry expertise that sells everything from track shoes to gym shoes, service industry footwear and more, and a race management company producing 10 races per year in Forsyth County, each drawing around 600 runners. A community partner, the store hosts numerous running and walking groups that meet on a regular basis at the store or at various locations around the city. In fact, located right off the Big Creek Greenway, it’s the perfect meeting spot to make friends, learn about running, get the right gear and stay fit in a fun way. The most successful running group is called Dream Runners. This lively group is for kids and families with disabilities, and meets weekly for walks or runs depending on their ability. “My daughter was diagnosed with Autism at age 3,” said Rodriguez. “[This group] allows me to be involved with other parents on the same journey I am, and we’re able to share challenges and offer encouragement and support to each other.” Groups like this are also a fundamental reason Rodriguez operates his store. They prove that runners don’t have to fit into a mold — there’s no required socioeconomic level, gender, height, shape, nationality, etc. to be one. You just have to want to do it. “Like any relationship running goes through different phases,” said Rodriguez, who runs around a new schedule of store ownership and dad life. “It has taught me patience, how to deal with peaks and valleys, but most importantly it has provided me with a huge collection of best friends. Running can be intimidating, but when you align yourself with like-minded individuals, then it becomes the most joyful and most rewarding activity.” What makes Forsyth County perfect for runners? One, the Big Creek Greenway is about conservation, recreation, environmental education and alternative transportation. It’s ideal for walking, running and biking … and it’s a direct path to the store. 14 | 400 LIFE
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What are your favorite places to run? Other than the greenway, the Laurel Ridge Trail offers great outdoor views of the Buford Dam and the Chattahoochee River. How many marathons have you completed? I’ve done 25 half marathons, 9 marathons and three ultra-marathons. What is an ultra-marathon? An ultra-marathon is a race greater than 31 miles. I’ve finished three: One was 56 miles, one a 50K and one was 35 miles. Have you found the perfect shoe? I have two favorite brands of shoes I like — Brooks and HOKA. It’s all about function, function, function, regardless of the color. What is the biggest misconception of running shoes? People think buying shoes online is cheaper than in the store. Cheap shoes doesn’t mean they are the right shoes. We don’t carry all the brands available to the big box stores, but we have the right one for our customers. Our goal is to find the right fit, size, width and support, and provide functionality over brand, price or color. Who do you spend your time with? I am a single dad with two beautiful daughters (Sophia Alexis, 13 and Isabella Marie, 11.) They don’t love running as much as I do, but they are proud of what I do and often spend time with me at the store. They melt my heart and are my driving force. Where do you guys indulge? We love to visit Mr. Jason and Ms. Tiffany at Chili’s; and we love bundts, so whenever possible, we treat ourselves to Nothing Bundt Cake. What’s next for NGRC? Our goal is to be the first company to bring a marathon to our city, but we’re also very close to launching the area’s first walking club. What’s your ultimate goal with NGRC? My vision is that the passion for walking and running continues to grow for all the folks in our community and offer a place where everyone feels accepted and knows that they can achieve anything they want to do. - Article by Jennifer Colosimo
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Something for everyone. Even Fido. Forsyth County parks offer unique amenities you may not know about Story by Kelly Whitmire
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Photo by Ben Hendren
T
raveling around Forsyth County parks, there is no shortage of fields, gyms and courts where both kids and adults can play and practice sports like football, tennis, basketball, soccer and more. But beyond the ball fields, Forsyth County parks offer numerous amenities for those with interests from skateboarding to camping and special amenities offered for furry friends and those with disabilities. “We strive to enhance the quality of life for all citizens and believe that offering a wide variety of recreation amenities is vital,” said Laura Pate, marketing and community relations manager with Forsyth County Parks and Recreation. “It’s important for everyone to find something they can do at their local park; to know that activities are not just limited to team sports or playgrounds. We offer activities and services for people with all abilities. Also, with such a growing population it’s important to keep expanding our offerings to include many interests and outlets for recreation opportunities.” Check out some of Forsyth County’s most unique amenities on the next few pages.
Photo by Ben Hendren
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From disc golf to skateboarding, Forsyth County parks offer an array of choices to ‘enhance the quality of life.’
Welcoming New Patients! 1080 Sanders Road, Suite 100, Cumming, GA 30041 Call for an appointment: 770-887-2323
We accept most insurance plans, offer convenient, same day appointments and welcome walk-ins.
We have served the Cumming community for over 50 years, serving families with the highest standard of care. Dr. Nibedita Patro provides care for patients aged ten and older, and offers a wide range of primary care services, including comprehensive physicals, acute illness care and preventive care. We take pride in the good health of our patients, and spend as much time as is needed to keep you and your family happy and healthy.
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Skate park
Caney Creek Park Preserve is one of three that offers a dog park.
For those looking for a sport more extreme than those played on fields, the skate park at Fowler Park, 4110 Carolene Way, lets bikers, skateboarders and in-line skaters show their stuff. It should be noted that the facility is not supervised and all users are required to wear a helmet and are encouraged to wear wrist guards and knee and elbow pads. “The skate park was designed by the renowned skateboarder, Wally Hollyday, and is the only skate park in Forsyth County,” Pate said. “The park features bowls, rails and ramps for skateboards, scooters and bikes.”
Photo Brian Paglia
Dog Parks Pets are an important part in many families, and the park system has three park amenities just for dogs, including one at Caney Creek Preserve, 2755 Caney Creek Road. “The dog park features two fenced areas, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. The park allows dogs to run around off leash and socialize with other dogs,” Pate said. “The area is fairly shaded and provides benches for dog owners to relax.” (Caney Creek Preserve, Fowler Park, Windermere Park)
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Disc golf
Chattahoochee Pointe Park opened a disc golf course in March.
In March, Forsyth Parks opened a new disc golf course at Chattahoochee Pointe Park, 5790 Chattahoochee Pointe Drive, to the community, joining an existing facility at Central Park at 2300 Keith Bridge Road. As the name implies, in disc golf, players toss a throwing disc toward a large tee. “The disc golf course at Chattahoochee Pointe just opened in March and is situated in a natural setting along the Chattahoochee River,” Pate said. “The course features 18 holes with blue tees for advanced players while the white tees are for beginner to intermediate players. As an added feature, the course includes two basket setting options to create different challenges for players.” (Central and Chattahoochee Pointe parks)
Photo Ben Hendren
Camping For those who want to take it a little easier than some of the other rigorous features, head to Shady Grove Campground, 7800 Allyn Lane Memorial Way, for the only county-operated campground in Forsyth. “The 109-acre campground offers over 100 campsites — including tent campsites, RV campsites and group campsites, a beach and swim area, boat ramp with a courtesy dock, children’s playground and restroom and shower facilities,” Pate said. Pate said reservations can be made online at parks.forsythco.com. The 2019 season began in March and will continue until Nov. 2.
Shady Grove Park has more than 100 campsites, a beach and boat ramp. Photo Brian Paglia
Mountain biking Along with the Big Creek Greenway, Forsyth County offers mountain biking at Charleston, Haw Creek and Matt Community parks. At Matt Community Park, riders can traverse more than 3 miles of paths. “The trail at Matt Community Park features stacked loops that total just over 3 miles allowing for walking, jogging and mountain biking,” Pate said. “The trail meanders through woods and near a pond. The trailhead is located near the back of the park.” (Charleston, Haw Creek, Matt Community Park) 20 | 400 LIFE
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Braille Trail Forsyth County seems to have a walking trail at just about all of its parks, but Fowler Park has one unlike any other in the area. The Braille Trail was created especially for those with vision issues and opened in 2018. “The Braille Trail is located near the entrance to the Big Creek Greenway in Fowler Park and is approximately 200 yards in length and is comprised of eight braille signs and two sensory gardens,” Pate said. “The trail has guide ropes located on the right side for visually impaired individuals to navigate the trail. Braille signs are placed throughout the trail with information about Forsyth County, Fowler Park, the Forsyth County Lions Club and the sensory gardens.”
Haw Creek Park has a bike skills park made especially for riders ages 3-11. Photo Brian Paglia
Bike skills park Pate said young bikers looking for something a little different than just trails can head to Haw Creek Park, 2146 Echols Road, where the county has a bike skills park made especially for riders ages 3-11, which includes a pump track, tot track and technical trail features. “It’s located at Haw Creek Park which also offers a 3.2-mile multi-use trail that allows mountain biking. The trail is a good beginner trail that’s conveniently located off Hwy. 20 in east Forsyth,” Pate said.
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May 2019 | 400 LIFE | 21
400 spaces W
hen Justin Fulkerson, manager of B.L. Mullinax Landscaping & Shrubbery on Peachtree Parkway, offered to let me use a golf cart for a self-guided tour, I thought surely that wasn’t necessary. By the time I trekked past decorative grasses and shrubs and trees and three greenhouses to see their selection of Japanese maple trees, I understood better. The array of plant and landscaping material available at B.L. Mullinax is immense, and it has been ever since the company opened in 1988. From simple flowers to extravagant trees, there is something for just about everyone to create the perfect oasis at their home this summer. — Photos by Brian Paglia
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For more information, contact Leah Nelson at 770-535-6330.
400 eats
‘Take your pick’:
Three kabob recipes for any taste or diet
Story and photos by Alexander Popp
Y
ou know when you can’t decide what to have for dinner, chicken, shrimp, fish or something else entirely? Well with this comprehensive mix-and-match summer kabob guide you can skip the decision and eat all the delicious grilled goodness that you can handle. My favorite part about this recipe, and really any kabob recipe to some extent, is that no matter what your skill level or food preferences, what you’ll probably end up with is going to be really tasty 24 | 400 LIFE
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(thanks to the grill). Key points to note, you can expedite this cooking process by doing all of the vegetable and fruit prepwork and making the marinade beforehand, but also having a few extra hands to load up the kabobs doesn’t hurt either. Also, using a strip of tin foil on the front edge of your grill can help keep the skewers (and your hands) from burning during the grill process. Get cookin’!
Kabob main ingredients • Salmon — 1 pound, fileted, boned and with skin removed • Shrimp — 2 pounds, shelled and cleaned • Chicken — 3 large breasts, cut into half inch cubes with fat removed • Bell pepper — 1 green, 1 orange (or any color you’d like) • Red onion — 1 large onion • Zucchini — 1 large zucchini • Pineapple — 1 whole pineapple • Corn — 3 medium-sized corn cobs
Ginger soy lime marinade • Fresh ginger — 1 2-inch piece, peeled and chopped • Garlic — 4 cloves, peeled and smashed • Soy sauce — 3/4 cup • Fresh lime juice — 1/2 cup • Sugar — 1 tablespoons • Green onions — 1/2 cup, chopped • Oil — 1/4 cup • Ground black pepper — 1/4 teaspoon
Other tools and supplies Grill • Blender • Wooden or bamboo skewers • Aluminum foil
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Steps to make the kabobs • To prevent burning and make the cooking easier, take a large number of skewers and soak them in water for at least an hour prior to putting the kabobs on the grill. • Start the food prep by making your ginger soy lime marinade that will go on the chicken, shrimp and salmon at different times throughout the grilling process. • Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until a smooth liquid forms. Add additional soy sauce, lime juice and pepper to taste. Reserve about a third of the marinade to brush on while the meat cooks. • Put your chicken and shrimp into two separate containers and split the marinade between them. Seal the containers and refrigerate for about an hour while you prepare the rest of the food. • Chop the bell peppers, red onion and zucchini into thick (about ¼ inch) pieces and set aside. • Peel, core and slice the pineapple into pieces roughly the same size as your chicken, as with the other ingredients. Set aside for later. • For the corn, use a thick sturdy knife to cut them into ¼-inch slices and set aside. • When putting the kabobs together, alternate between vegetables and meat. If you are choosing to make all three like I did, have fun doing a little mix and match to see what goes good with what. I have always found that chicken and pineapple are a killer combination. This can take a long time, so just hang out, cook and don’t stress about getting it right. This would also be a good time to clean, oil and preheat your grill to a low-medium heat. • Pro-tip: leave a good bit of the skewer’s blunt end exposed so you can turn the kabobs easily. • When everything is ready, lay the kabobs vertically on the grill and cook each for about 5 minutes per side. Use the reserved marinade to brush the kabobs as they cook. • When the shrimp are pink, the chicken is crispy and the salmon is flaky, it’s time to pull the kabobs off the grill. • Allow the kabobs to cool, then serve and enjoy!
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Make a cool drink:
The traditional-ish Michelada I get it, at first glance it sounds kind of gross — a mixture of beer, spices, lime and tomato juice, what could be more appetizing? But stick with me for a second; because it’s actually a delicious and surprisingly refreshing drink to have on a warm spring afternoon. Just think of the Michelada as a Bloody Mary’s less alcoholic, spicier cousin from south of the border. Generally when making a good Michelada, what you want is spice, heat and lime flavors to dominate the drink, with the tomato and beer almost as secondary flavors. And you can play around with different ratios of the main ingredients (beer, sauces and clamato juice), but for best results I’ve found that 60/40 beer to clamato is best. If the Idea of putting clamato into a perfectly good beer doesn’t sound quite your speed, you can always try this “cocktail” the way it’s sometimes prepared in Mexico City; beer, lime, salt, ice and healthy dashes of the sauces listed below. And in the very worst case and neither of these approaches float your boat, you’ll still have cold beer and lime juice to fall back on.
Steps to make it
Ingredients Fresh lime Coarse salt Worcestershire sauce — 1 dash Soy sauce — 1 dash Tabasco sauce — 1 dash Clamato, chilled — about 4 ounces Beer, preferably a Mexican beer like Modelo or Dos Equis
1. Salt the rim of a tall glass using a wedge of lime and a plate of coarse salt, then fill the glass with cubed ice. 2. Juice half of a lime and pour over the ice. Add dashes of Worcestershire, soy sauce, Tabasco, pepper and clamato. 3. Fill the rest of the glass with beer, stir the mixture and serve with another twist of lime, adding in more beer as you drink. 4. Enjoy and repeat responsibly.
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May 2019 | 400 LIFE | 27
Giovanna Rosenfeld owns and operates The Deep South Biscuit Co. food truck.
Food truck frenzy
What it takes to make it in the mobile cuisine industry Story by Brian Paglia
O
n a Friday night in the summer, Giovanna Rosenfeld is about as far away from Paris as she could possibly be — literally and figuratively. Rosenfeld went to culinary school in Paris in the early ‘90s which jumpstarted a career in fine dining. When Rosenfeld returned to the United States, she worked in a three-Michelin star restaurant. Eventually, she owned her own French bistro. Rosenfeld and her husband moved to Atlanta for his job, but another restaurant experience didn’t appeal to Rosenfeld. She wanted something more interactive. “As a chef in a fine dining restaurant, you’re pretty much relegated to the back of the kitchen,” Rosenfeld said. So she thought of a food truck. In 2010, she started one called Immovable Feast (a play on Ernest Hemingway’s memoir) that served French bistro food and crepes. She sold the truck in 2012 but quickly returned with something more fitting for her new surroundings: The Deep South Biscuit Co., her gourmet biscuit food truck that will be one of the vendors at the city of Cumming’s Fridays at the Fairgrounds community event this summer. “Really funny contrast when you think,” Rosenfeld said. But the work is hardly easier than her fine dining days, Rosenfeld said. A little easier, yes, but hardly. Events require days of hurried preparation. Managing all the variables of an
28 | 400 LIFE
| May 2019
event — from booking to inventory to travel to service — is a balancing act of art and science. 400 Life magazine talked with Rosenfeld and Curt Czajkoski, co-owner of Big C’s Chicago Kitchen food truck, another Fridays at the Fairgrounds regular, about what it takes to pull off feeding hundreds of customers in a day, much less make it in an increasingly crowded food truck industry.
The booking On a recent Saturday, Czajkoski’s truck was at the YMCA in Brookhaven for a soccer tournament. They planned to serve breakfast and stay through lunch. Czajkoski had scheduled the event two months in advance. He handles that part of the business. It suits his background. Czajkoski grew up in Chicago but worked in the corporate world in Atlanta for more than 25 years before retiring. Czajkoski had long noticed that there were few options to eat authentic Chicago-style food. His son, Chris, had been working in restaurants, and so the two decided to combine forces and start a food truck that would “serve food that I grew up eating in
Continued on Page 30
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Curt Czajkoski, co-owner of Big C’s Chicago Kitchen food truck, can be seen at Friday’s at the Fairgrounds.
Chicago,” Curt said, like Chicago-style hot dogs and pizza, Italian sausage and bratwurst. They opened Big C’s in 2016, and Curt quickly learned the right questions to ask of those requesting their service for an event: How many people are expected to attend? What other food options will be there? Are you willing to guarantee a certain amount of revenue? “It’s a really important part of the food truck industry,” said Curt, who is a board member of the Food Truck Association of Georgia. “We’re a small business, and we need to be able to make money.”
The grind In the heart of Buckhead, Rosenfeld is busy smoking briskets. It’s the day before the first Fridays at the Fairgrounds event, which is a full day of work for a food truck. Rosenfeld will soak chicken overnight in buttermilk, salt and pepper for the Deep South’s chicken biscuits. The brisket is for the ‘Texas Smokehouse,’ a biscuit with chopped brisket, blue cheese coleslaw and thick-cut dill pickles. Otherwise, the day is filled with making minor preparations, like strawberry jam and her own barbecue sauce from Cherry Coke and a dash of chipotle. The next day — the day of the event — Rosenfeld is back in her commissary kitchen, which is required by the health department, on Roswell Road doing the heavy lifting: baking biscuits, cooking bacon, making lemonade and sweet tea, stocking the truck, etc. Just how much to prepare depends. After nine years in the business, Rosenfeld has a formula that works for her: the number of people expected to attend the event divided by the number of food trucks equals the number of potential customers that day. “You just learn after being some place,” Rosenfeld said.
The rush When Rosenfeld was the head chef and owner of her own restaurant, the busiest night of the year was New Year’s Eve. She’d serve six-course meals meticulously plated on China to around 250 people while managing a full staff. Rosenfeld has served as many as 1,000 people at a food truck 30 | 400 LIFE
| May 2019
event, but it’s a simpler process than her fine dining experience. “It’s very different than throwing a biscuit in a red-and-white checked boat,” Rosenfeld said. Still, it’s hectic. Events are usually slow to start, Rosenfeld said, but it quickly builds, and “then all of a sudden you look up and you have a line of 20 people, and it kind of stays that way.” Rosenfeld keeps four or five people working on the truck to manage the rush. Rosenfeld works the cash register taking orders, and she always repeats the order loud enough for Deep South’s cooks to hear. “That way, mentally, they can start working on the order before there’s a printed ticket,” Rosenfeld said. “It helps flow better.”
The end The end of a Friday night is usually the beginning of the next day’s event. Czajkoski and the Big C’s staff can usually clean up within 20 minutes after an event ends. Then they’re on the road and back to their commissary kitchen within an hour. They’ll do minor cleaning, gather dishes, unload food into a walk-in fridge and freezer, check inventory and divide tips. They might stop for propane or some supplies from Restaurant Depot. There are other pitfalls. Crowds aren’t always what they’re expected to be. Weather can be unpredictable, and so can a truck’s reliability. Big C’s truck once broke down and missed a week-and-a-half’s worth of events. He tries to be proactive about getting the truck maintained regularly, but it has more than 100,000 miles on it. “[Problems are] going to happen anyway,” Czakjoski said. The food truck industry is competitive, Czajkoski said, and so he puts a premium on customer service. “Sometimes we’re tired and we’re ready to go home,” he said, “and the customer says, ‘Hey, can you stay another hour?’ … If you say no, the chances of them inviting you back are probably slim to none.” But the payoff is big too. For Rosenfeld, she gets to meld her former world of fine dining with her new Southern roots while interacting with customers. For Czakjoski, he gets to proselytize the merits of Chicagostyle cuisine to Southerners. For their customers, they get some good food.
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