Today was our first outing with the trailer and all our equipment: we had a tasting over at the Marin Farmer's Market headquarters. It was also one of the biggest storms of the year, and a test of our determination to cook up a mean lunch for all the Bay Area to enjoy.
Jenya and I met in Oakland dark and early to load the trailer and head over the Richmond bridge. We were both excited and nervous about our first assignment, a feeling that was compounded by the thunder, lighting and inches of rain being dumped on our heads as we struggled to liberate all five locks on the trailer. The locks seemed to think that rainy days were vacation days, and requiered a bit of prodding, pulling and pleading to release. By the time we'd freed them all, the water was three feet into the street, making it impossible to avoid without trodding straight through. Not as much fun as crossing a river while backbacking, but kinda fun in a bad girl way.
Within 20 minutes our feet were totally drenched, as well as most of our clothes. And I was wearing heavy duty sailing foul weather gear. We finally pulled out of the driveway and made our way to the freeway. Our attempts towards 580 West were almost thwarted by a giant puddle under a bridge on MacArther Blvd, but we plowed ahead. Just when we thought we were in the clear, the high wind alerts appeared for the Richmond Bridge. We weren't free yet!
With minimal tossing about on the bridge, we arrived at the MFM offices and got our first break: the rain let up, and we were offered a spot to park under a covered ledge. We began to unload the trailer and set up our goods. Things seemed to be turning around. Then the wind kicked in, providing us with yet another lesson in Running a Concession Stand 101: tie EVERYTHING down. Well the weather was particularly unforgiving today, providing us lots of learning. And for the grand finale: the grill wouldn't ignite. After trying just about everything, a lovely gentleman who works for MFM tried turning the propane tank upside down and then righting it. That seemed to do the trick??!!
Well, it was a bumpy ride, but at noon, as promised, our flatbread sandwiches were hot off the grill and waiting eagerly for tasters. A lovely crew of market managers and support staff came down to try and talk. What a great bunch of people, and a fun place to work at that! I for one am very grateful to all the hardworking folks who make these awesome farmers markets possible. Hopefully we'll get invited to join them for a market or two!
Woo hoo! We gals of Vesta Flatbread spent the day maniacally shopping and prepping for our debut this Saturday, Jan 30th, from 1-8pm at the Winter Brews Beer Festival at Oakland's own Linden Street Brewery. You should go, because the $25 admission gets you a commemorative glass, 5 pours from a selection of no less than 38 west coast microbreweries, and the opportunity to eat some awesome food, hear live music and rub elbows with your fine fellow Oaklanders. Linden St Brewery is near the Port of Oakland, in the shadow of the iconic gigantic dog cranes (or horses, or whatever you call them). Hope to see you there! Oh, and serve you a sandwich, of course. Help us to sell out early so we can start drinking.
