This month I had the opportunity to attend one of the largest music festivals in the world, with a slight twist. For four days my friends and I camped, listened to music and, that’s right, worked on a Food Truck. More specifically, The Big Cheese truck.
For those who don’t know, The Big Cheese is a grilled cheese food truck from Washington, DC that is featured at several food and music festivals each summer. This summer they were at Bonnaroo before Firefly as well as multiple Truckeroo and Drink the District events.
Photo by Sarah Wilson
Before the festival I was quite nervous. I’ve worked as a restaurant hostess before but never had I worked on a food truck. I also didn’t realize how much actually went into running a food truck. On the truck you have 1-2 people working the grill, 1 working the register and 1 working as the “linebacker” which means running to get whatever is needed on the truck, more sandwiches, drinks, chips or whatever else is needed.
On my first shift, I split my time between linebacker and the register. Working linebacker was a great way to get my bearings on the truck, but what I really loved doing was working on the register because it gave me the opportunity to interact with customers which made the whole day worth it.
Photo by Sarah Wilson
The most amazing part of working at the festival was the friendliness of other food vendors. People were always willing to trade food, or even just give it to you, knowing we were all in it together.
As vendors we had just as many opportunities as people who were attending the festival. My boss created a work schedule that allowed everyone who was working on The Big Cheese to see every performer that we wanted.
Photo by Sarah Wilson
If you have the chance to work as a food vendor, no matter where or when, take it. Working in customer service teaches you so much more than you’d ever expect, and getting to work on a food truck during an amazing music festival is even cooler.