How to Set Up for an Event

When do we arrive and what’s first? Begin setting up 30 minutes before game time (45-60 minutes for larger events). Wash your hands in the hand-washing sink before you begin selling! You must wear gloves when handling food – NO EXCEPTIONS! Count your concession money and note the amount of starting cash in cash box. This is the amount you will need to leave at the end of the event! Plug in and turn on all machines you are using.  

Setting Up the Nacho Machine Plug in the machine. Make sure the switch on the back is on (the line indicates on, the circle indicates off). Check the refrigerator/cooler for an open bag of cheese. Place partial bag (if dated less than 7 days old) or new full bag, with nozzle attached, in the warmer and thread the nozzle through. Cold cheese will take at least 45-60 minutes to heat up. A new bag of room temperature cheese will take at least 30 minutes to heat up. You can microwave a cold bag of cheese at 30-second intervals to get it slightly warm before putting it in the warmer. If working a larger event, place extra bag of cheese in the top of the warmer as a backup. Pushing and letting go of the YELLOW button dispenses the perfect amount of cheese to fill the cup.

Setting Up the Hotdog Machine Plug in the machine. Turn front and back roller heat to highest setting. Let machine warm up for at least 5 minutes. Place hotdogs on rollers. Let hotdogs cook until they reach 140 degrees by inserting a thermometer into the center. Hotdogs can then be placed in buns and wrapped in a piece of foil to serve. Once fully cooked, the roller temperature should be reduced to low.

Setting Up the Pretzel Warmer *Note that the baseball stadium DOES NOT HAVE a pretzel warmer.* Plug in the machine. Be sure there is distilled water in the top of the machine in the Fieldhouse or regular water in the pan in the bottom of the warming cabinet in the stadium. Turn machine heat and humidity dials to high. Place pretzels on the racks. Frozen pretzels will take approximately 30-40 minutes to warm, refrigerated pretzels will take approximately 15-20 minutes. Once pretzels are warm, turn down heat dial. To serve, take pretzel out of warmer using tongs or while wearing a glove. Mist lightly with water. Place face-down in salt so it sticks.

Setting Up the Popcorn Machine Plug in machine. Turn on motor, light, and kettle heat. Let kettle warm up for at least 10 minutes. The kettle will usually steam/smoke slightly when it’s hot enough to use. Put oil in kettle (amounts are posted in each stand). Immediately add popcorn kernels and popcorn salt to kettle (amounts are posted in each stand). Close lid and wait till corn pops.   Once the popping begins to slow down, make sure you tip the kettle so corn doesn’t burn. Make two batches at the start of each event. Turn off the kettle motor and heat until you need to make another batch.

Remaining Set Up Set condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish) out on counter, as well as napkins. Get out jalapenos for the nachos. Make sure there is salt in the pan for the pretzels. Make sure candy is prepared in display tubs to sell. Ensure fridge is stocked with cold pop and water. In the event of cold weather, prepare water for hot chocolate and/or coffee. Be sure all supplies are ready: Nacho trays Paper plates for pretzels Foil wrappers for hotdogs Popcorn bags or boxes Plastic gloves at all machines Be sure trash cans are lined.

Once you are ready to go, unlock the gates and start selling Once you are ready to go, unlock the gates and start selling! Remember to have fun – you are representing LNHS to our guests!