Summer is finally here - the perfect time to enjoy entertaining in the great outdoors.
Backyard barbecues are easy, but hot buffets are a little different. 

If you plan on serving your food outdoors, please read this important message
before continuing to our web-site…

 

 


We do not recommend setting up your food outdoors!

But if you decide to serve your food outside, please keep two important rules in mind…
 

 1. You must provide a strong, stable surface on which to set your food.

Rockaway families are well-known for their hospitality - -
They’re always happy to throw together an impromptu party at the last minute. 

But when planning your get-together, please think about your serving equipment.
That old card table that’s been hanging around since the 10
˘ toll may not suffice for a buffet table.

Consider this: Eight chafing racks with full food trays weigh over 100 pounds.  
So, here’s a tip:  if you won’t stand on your serving table, don’t place your food on it
Please have a good, sturdy table available to set your buffet on.

 

 2. You must wrap your buffet/chafing racks with aluminum foil in order for the food to be heated properly.

Chafing racks with sternos are very fickle.  The slightest breeze can extinguish the flame, and if that happens, your food will not heat properly.  In addition to the possibility of your food not being ready on time, this also creates an unsafe condition. 
When serving food outdoors, you need to be especially careful to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot, because bacteria can grow more quickly in warm summer conditions.
So again, we do not recommend setting up your food outdoors, but if you do, you must wrap the racks with aluminum foil to endure that the food will heat to a safe temperature.

 

 

 

 

Summer Time is Party Time -- But Let's Make Sure the Food Is Safe!

  • When serving food outdoors, you need to be especially careful to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot, because bacteria can grow more quickly in warm summer conditions.
     

  • Never set up your food table in direct sunlight or below a window air conditioner.
     

  •  Leave chilled food in the fridge for as long as possible before taking it outdoors and make sure you maintain the proper temperature.
     

  •  You should also protect food from contamination by insects, birds, animals and people by keeping it covered whenever possible.
     

  • Plan ahead to make sure that you will have everything you need to prepare and serve food safely, and to make sure that there will be adequate facilities to keep food at the right temperature.

 

Please click here to continue to our "Sandwich" page...