Do Racing Teams Have Catering Staff?

[deutschman]

So I am currently employed but am looking for a new opportunity. I feel that I have learned a lot at my job and have expanded my knowledge base to the point that this job can not offer me anything but an income.
I was driving along enjoying my incredible car when I thought about catering for racing teams.
This would be the perfect job for me. Cars and cooking in one place!!! How does it get better? It doesn't.
Any ways does anyone on R3V know of any opportunities in CA for a job like this? Does it even exists? Maybe there are larger companies that cater to racing teams? How can you spend three or four days at a track with out feeding your team?
This would be a dream job for me.
I have worked as a butcher, line cook, deli worker, ran a small burger bar, worked at the Bohemian Club (city and Grove locations), and am now a Sous Chef at a company in SF CA. Sadly I have had a lot of negative experiences with alcoholic/drugy bosses and co-workers (maybe part of the culinary underworld?) and am ready to move on to a clean work environment where people are dedicated and passionate about what they are doing. I am a really hard dedicated worker with a lot of skills and potential and am done with working at small, go no where, end of the road jobs.
Any ideas?

[jlevie]

I've seen a number of pro teams provide food for the team at the track and a few club racing teams do the same. So there does appear to be at least some market for this.

[SkiFree]

I know with VARA (which is by no means fancy) sometimes a few of the lunches were catered, but the organization of that was handled by the track. Which would make sense to have the tracks handle this rather than have a team lug around a cooking team.

Would be interesting to see how it's setup for something like the ALMS/INDY.

[kalib0y]

I think they outsource this so all you have to so is start finding the corporate office of the racing teams and start smoozing them about your business. They usually have an events coordinator you can speak to.

[Click]

When I worked in a restaurant I became pretty good friends with the cooks. Several did the whole professional culinary school and such and have been around in the industry for awhile. They told me that drug use by chefs at large prestigious restaurants and such is rampant due to the fact that their cooking makes the restaurant what it is and must be there almost constantly.

[woodisgood]

You should pursue this. Sounds like a great idea.

[brutus87]

Go for it!

[deutschman]

Yeah I am going to start looking around and calling some people. Maybe start my own thing up. Thanks for the insights guys.

[fast325it]

Yes

My cousin is an engineer at Briggs and he often has all inclusive passes to events at Road America (open wheel, SCCA and Nationwide) to which I've been invited. I've also been to Indy races at the Milwaukee Mile and the Indianapolis 500 and have been in the pits on practice days, qualifying days and on race day. Every team has top of he line catering every day they are there.

The team can't be distracted by trying to find something to eat so they all have the best eats all day long. One Nationwide team at Road America had a smoker going with ribs, chicken and what have you. It was driving the other teams crazy. Plus, every team has high rollers that fund the team come through the pits from time to time and what better way to show them love than with good food.

Now, I assume this is team specific and not something the track provides. Do they hire local caterers or do they have their own private service that follows the team around? I don't know the answer to that.

If I were you I'd get a pit pass to a big event practice day and walk right up to the caterer and ask them what the deal was. Practice days are great for getting free food too - the chefs are usually sitting around trying out new eats and the teams are trying to attract attention by displaying huge spreads of good food.

[deutschman]

I am going to get tickets to the Indi here in Cali. The track is maybe 20 minutes from my house. Thanks for the advice!

[der affe]

You may look into NASCAR (boring!!!!!!) & NHRA teams also. They are more about the big name/big money sponcers so you may have more luck there.

Don't limit yourself to forms of racing that you are interested in.

Remember though, if you get on with a team, that means lots of traveling and time away from home and your gf.

[evandael]

deutschman, i wish you luck.

sounds like an ideal work scenario, if i've ever heard one.

[GunMetalGrey]

I would love to see you make something of this!
(No pun intended)