Running a successful
beer-and-food pairing event is not easy. Coordination of all the facets
requires sound planning, and delivering the services from kitchen to glass to
table requires a near military precision, if it’s done right. When Michael
Scofield, general manager of the Fox & Hound in Edison, undertook the task
of putting together his first beer dinner many months ago he really didn’t know
what to expect.
It’s clear he does now. At the
third Beer Dinner he’s orchestrated, he has the system down. Making exceptional
food? Check. Cooperating with well known breweries? Check. Getting the beers
poured in time for the course? No problem. Delivering exceptional food? Got you
covered. Educating your customers about beer, food and how they match up?
Bingo. Giving customers something to take home besides beer recommendations and
memories? Bravo.
That probably accounts for why
Scofield has seen his guest numbers balloon from 24 at the first dinner to
nearly 60 at last night’s. He had to expand the dinner to two rooms just to
accommodate the crowd, but since it was well planned and put into effect by a
cute little dynamite stick named
Jessica, it worked fabulously. Jessica and her crew—Sara, Erica, Alicia, Mary
Ann and Dan—functioned like a well-oiled machine, bringing food and beer
exactly when it needed to be there. And they did it with a smile. Even though
Sara still pours beer backwards.
By all accounts, Scofield’s food
was once again exceptional, and Victory’s beers never disappoint. Victory rep
Steve Gates was both personable and informative. His participation should make
Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski (Victory’s Founders) proud.
In all, yet another superb night
at The Fox & Hound, which, due to NFL football, will probably happen again
in early January, according to Scofield. After all, he’s got the formula down
pat now.
What are the chances of having a
handsome, smooth, friendly, witty, knowledgeable emcee to keep the evening fun
and relaxed?
Um, we’re working on that.
For more pics, check here.
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