Some 4 000 oysters will be among the tons of food on the buffet
tables in the main stand, hospitality marquee and private suites
at Kenilworth on Saturday for South Africa’s hottest horseracing
and entertainment event, the R2-million J&B Met.
The regular team of 25 on the Racecourse Caterers staff who
will be boosted by an additional 500 casual workers for the
day will be run off their feet as they attend to the needs of
4 000 people who have booked to enjoy the day from the various
Gold Circle venues at Kenilworth.
The Bassi family team, headed by Salvatore Bassi who has fed
the multitudes at every J&B Met since 1977, will ensure
that everyone is kept happy and there is plenty to eat and drink.
Daughter Micaela and son Massimo, co-owners of the business,
are capable right hands for the occasion - Micaela now experiencing
her 15th J&B Met and Massimo his 12th.
Massimo, who has handled all the ordering, revealed that between
350 and 400kg of lamb and beef will be prepared for the day
along with 250kg of white meat, 500kg of fish and mountains
of salads.
"Then there are all the deserts which are far too many
to quantify," Massimo said.
"As far as the alcohol is concerned, we have 12 bars to
supply and for the day we will bring in between R300 000 and
R400 000 worth of drinks."
All these figures do not, of course, include the vast catering
arrangements in the huge marquee village and the scores of lavishly
catered picnic sites.
Micaela said much of the pre-preparation has been done but
the heavy work will take place on Thursday, Friday and early
on Saturday.
"I love this week building up to the day but I hate the
day itself. It is hectic and getting the food to the various
venues is a nightmare. For one venue alone we have got 81 steps
to go up and down.
"The logistics are a nightmare but we have always been
able to get it done, even though it is getting bigger and bigger
every year. We have employed a number of extra chefs to get
the food prepared and on the day we will have 500 extra staff
working."
The family team is not lacking in experience or enthusiasm
with father Salvatore having been a key figure at the famous
Heerengracht Hotel in Cape Town before forming Racecourse Caterers
to service the catering facilities at Kenilworth Racecourse.