*QLD Astrofest Cooking Update*

[earthlight]

Hi all

This a notice to all who are planning to go up to the camp and cook.

There are issues with the new camp managers not allowing people access into the kitchen to use the facilities. The committee are currently trying to sort this out as we have always been allowed to self-cater.

When I left today, all we had access to were the two microwaves (we bring) and the BBQ in the rotunda.

Hopefully for those wishing to cook, this will give you enough notice so you can re-arrange meals.

If you wish to buy lunch and dinner the meals are $7 each.

Anne-Louise

Sky is looking great!! but Dew is very heavy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fog rolled in at midnight Friday.
And there are so many people already! We arrived Friday to hardly any space in the photographing field.
(Family house still had a few spaces for this half of the week.)
Very hot during the day too.

[Tandum]

What, they've locked the toaster !!!!

[acropolite]

Tell them that's Un Australian....
What about filling the hot water bottle?

Can we buy meals without notice, I thought the catered meals had to be pre-ordered?? :confuse3:

[mozzie]

bugger,can we use your microwave to pre-heat some meals that have been done..is there still the large fridge to put food into..and is there hot water for some noodles of a day..well have to bring some cutlery with us know..

[AstroJunk]

Yes, the two microwaves are owned by Astrofest. I hear that the meals have not been too great either...

[mozzie]

that's not good mate...
i'm not coming up know as i needed the kitchen...that bloody diet i have to be on..thank goodness we found know...

[Greg Bock]

Hi all,
Anne-Louise has asked me to add that they haven't been able to get kitchen access at all, and it will remain no access for the duration.. Sorry folks.

[mozzie]

thanks greg for the update...that is not good for those of us who needed it ...
after all these years with no problems..the new managers must have some funny ideas...

[h0ughy]

I wished they didn't have access to the kitchen themselves - the food was atrocious - thank goodness for a can food backup

[jjjnettie]

ahhh, we were wondering why you didn't turn up Mozzie. :(
I'll be self catering next year.

[acropolite]

@Mozzie, that explains why I didn't see you. I thought you would have driven up with the caravan.

[Nortilus]

I will be doing my own meals too next year. $7 for 1 burger that wasn't at all nice...considering I can feed my family of 4 for less than $15 with leftovers.

[RickS]

Might be a good business opportunity for a mobile catering van next year :lol:

[mozzie]

we were packed and ready to go when this news come through..man i was cranky no that would be a understatement... as some of you know i was quiet ill a few years back and have to stick to a fairly strict diet..and i'm a hell of a long way from a hospital if something goes wrong...sold the caravan a few years back..a boat cruise every 18 months know....thank goodness i didnt drive up there then find out..anyway hopefully it will be better next year...

[pmrid]

Although I was only there for the first 3 nights, I can certainly agree with the sentiments being expressed about the catered food. OK, for $7 you don't expect cordon bleu, but you do expect more than a hotdog on a bun or a pretty indifferent hamburger on a bun. I had driven up in my old Bedford motor home but decided to buy lunch and dinner each day. I wish I hadn't.

If the same arrangements are in place for 2014, I will certainly be self-catering for everything.

Peter

[hotspur]

I wonder if that was the same year I became quite ill after eating a burger there,never felt so crook that night-which I spent in the toilet,it was such a bad experience I've never been back.hopefully the issue can be managed,perhaps it should really be strongly noted in flyers etc,that self catering really is a must.

[thunderchildobs]

The probelm with self catering is bring enough food for 10 days, having somewhere to store it and a spot to cook it. For those who didnt attended the the camp before the catering, the kitchen was in chaos around tea time. Too many people, trying to use to few cooking spots. On top of that, lazy and inconsiderate sods were leaving unwashed pots and pans all over the place. It was common to come in for breakfeast and see pots contaning the remains of meals from the previous night.

Under the current / new rules, the kitchen is out of bounds to campers. My understanding is that it is because of health and safety and insurance issues as well as more inconsiderate sods leaving a mess on Friday night.

The BBQ in the rotunda is of limited space and certainly not designed to have large numbers cooking meals at the same time. The other problem with the BBQ, is lighting. This year people were cooking with bright lights on well after dark. Any cooking must be completed by sunset.The white / bright light policy needs to apply to the BBQ area and be enforced.

Having catered meals at the camp IS one of the best ideas that the astrofest committees have had.

Yes, this year the food was poor. Yes, the camp managers are new. From what i have heard, Yes the committee is fully aware of the problem and there will be discussions with Lions to discuss the problem.

Also, it is important to remember that the astrofest committee was not doing the cooking and they were equally suprised about what happend.

Brendan

[allan gould]

Brendan
Also note that there are quite a few people that have special dietary requirement and not all people are carnivors that a sausage in a bun with a few grey onions will sattisfy. Are they going to cater for these individuals at all?
Allan

[Astro_Bot]

Hmmmm. Sounds like time for rat packs! Bring on Luncheon Meat Type 2 and Cereal Biscuits, I say! :P

Any old Army loggies wan't to take the lead planning victuals?

[caveastola]

Don't you city people ever go camping. 10 days is not long, just freeze the meat, prawns, crayfish, milk, cans of beer (beer should always be consumed cold) etc before you leave and at this time of year it will stay cold for a week in just an esky. A portable gas cooker in KMART is $20 with 4 bottles of gas. Its not rocket science. Maybe we are just used to catering for ourselves up here in the tropics, where the power can go out for days on end during cyclone season and the local shop is 30kms away. But I need to add even up here I am surprised at the number of "professional" catering cooks who can't cook.

[thunderchildobs]

Taken from the 2013 registration booklet, page 6.

Meals
Catered Meals
... Vegetarian or Gluten free food is available but requires preparation. Please speak to Camp Managers, Lee and Rob, about your request at least 24hrs prior to the meal (info@duckadang.org.au)

AstroFeast
.. Vegetarians are welcome to sample the range of vegetables available.

[GrahamL]

I've only been a few times over the years ,as my wife managed a resturaunt for many years, it never occurred to me you would be allowed to use the kitchen.The oh&s crusades was probably sooner or later going catch up with this and take a stick to it, pity though .

I'd go with vegetarian as I found in hospital theres likely a little more effort involved and may taste better.

[batema]

I wonder if anyone found an EQ6 Pro eyepiece holder and leg spreader as I believe I have left it there. White in colour with different sized circles cut out of it to hold eyepieces as if that helps lol

Mark

[LyraMoonstarer]

Hi Mark

Unfortunately the only lost property we collected this year was a giant-sized thermometer and a single brown glove. All other items were re-united with their owners.