Hot Dog Progress: Day 1
I'm back. For now, at least. Many months ago I stopped updating this blog because I no longer found it rewarding or fun--plus I didn't have any interesting things to say. I had the brilliant idea to write an essay about why I stopped writing my blog, reasons like how I was not in a position to make any money, or gain wide literary renown, from it, etc. Well, the very next day, lo and behold: someone on Slate.com beat me to the punch. See, people everywhere are joining in the blog-dropping fun!
The reason I'm firing up Sneezy & Tacky again is to chart the progress of the hot dog cart enterprise that has kindly offered me employment. Mr. Bir Toujour and I moved to New York City to offer me better access to the publishing industry, and I get a part-time job at a hot dog cart. Let the fun begin.
I found out about the job through Craigslist. The posting--which was under either "Etc." or "Retail, Food & Hospitality" was a call for gourmet sausage engineers. I clicked on it because I wondered what the heck a gourmet sausage engineer was. They were having drop-in interviews at the Bleecker Playground the next day, and I needed to get out of the house, so I went.
Two very articulate and organized but easy-going girls were there. No one else was. We talked, and I learned that they were launching a gourmet hot dog cart concept. Sounded good to me, and I was charmed with this romantic idea of being the friendliest, most cheerful hot dog cart person in the city. Regulars would come by and we'd chat; the New York Times would do an article in the Wednesday food section. I'd eat great-tasting hot dogs on a very, very regular basis.
They offered me a position for quite a reasonable wage, considering it's an outdoor food-vending job. I accepted, to my simultaneous delight and dismay. I love hot dogs, and it's been a while since I've dipped my toes in the churning waters of the foodservice industry. But I also want a full-time job in a nice, air-conditioned office...a job with benefits and a salary that's a visible improvement from what I've had in the past. Still, the hot dog cart...it's impossible to resist!
This blog affords you kind readers a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a hot dog cart tick. To operate a hot dog cart in Manhattan, first you need a mobile food vendor license. To get that, you need to go downtown to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with a check or money order to enroll in a food handling class.
The only available class isn't until a few weeks from now, so the only thing I'll be able to do at the cart is handle non-food transactions (i.e. cash). Sort of disappointing, but that's the way it is. New York is strict about those laws.
The hot dog cart is not up and running yet, mind you. A tasting is set for next Friday. Until then, I'll just bide my time and wait for the grand opening...details as they emerge.
The reason I'm firing up Sneezy & Tacky again is to chart the progress of the hot dog cart enterprise that has kindly offered me employment. Mr. Bir Toujour and I moved to New York City to offer me better access to the publishing industry, and I get a part-time job at a hot dog cart. Let the fun begin.
I found out about the job through Craigslist. The posting--which was under either "Etc." or "Retail, Food & Hospitality" was a call for gourmet sausage engineers. I clicked on it because I wondered what the heck a gourmet sausage engineer was. They were having drop-in interviews at the Bleecker Playground the next day, and I needed to get out of the house, so I went.
Two very articulate and organized but easy-going girls were there. No one else was. We talked, and I learned that they were launching a gourmet hot dog cart concept. Sounded good to me, and I was charmed with this romantic idea of being the friendliest, most cheerful hot dog cart person in the city. Regulars would come by and we'd chat; the New York Times would do an article in the Wednesday food section. I'd eat great-tasting hot dogs on a very, very regular basis.
They offered me a position for quite a reasonable wage, considering it's an outdoor food-vending job. I accepted, to my simultaneous delight and dismay. I love hot dogs, and it's been a while since I've dipped my toes in the churning waters of the foodservice industry. But I also want a full-time job in a nice, air-conditioned office...a job with benefits and a salary that's a visible improvement from what I've had in the past. Still, the hot dog cart...it's impossible to resist!
This blog affords you kind readers a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a hot dog cart tick. To operate a hot dog cart in Manhattan, first you need a mobile food vendor license. To get that, you need to go downtown to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with a check or money order to enroll in a food handling class.
The only available class isn't until a few weeks from now, so the only thing I'll be able to do at the cart is handle non-food transactions (i.e. cash). Sort of disappointing, but that's the way it is. New York is strict about those laws.
The hot dog cart is not up and running yet, mind you. A tasting is set for next Friday. Until then, I'll just bide my time and wait for the grand opening...details as they emerge.
posted by Lefty at 8:17 PM
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