How to Steward an Event - Part 1; Basic Terms, and Planning
will know what is in season, where to get the best quality foodstuffs cheapest, and have multitudinous recipes ready to go. If you are lucky, they will practice recipes on you. They always get into the event at no cost, as does their Kitchen Crew.
Hall Steward - usually a deputy for the Steward and is often in charge of venue decorations, ensuring that any tentage for stewards, cooks and VIP's is up and helps to keep an eye on things during the event. Ensures that the Steward does not have a nervous breakdown - and if they do can take over the running of the event. Also somebody who gets into the event at no cost.
Tourneycrat - I can't think of another term for this - perhaps Marshall? If you are running a tourney or other fighting event, this is the person who is in charge of the actual fighting - from setting the style of the fighting to ensuring the field is OK and appointing a marshallate team. This person will attend the event at no cost.
Kitchen Crew - belongs to the Head Cook - usually about 3 - 5 people who live in the kitchen for most of the event. Their responsibility is with the Head Cook and the Steward and not for cleaning up the general area. Be nice to them (see Head Cook). They are chosen by the Head Cook.
Hall Crew - the crew belonging to the Hall Steward and Tourneycrat to help them. Usually chosen by the Autocrat (except for specialists like Marshalls) and assigned. They put up decorations, tables, set fields up, erect tents and take it all down again. I like to have 3-5 of these for this purpose (in addition to the Marshalls) as in the SCA it is accepted that everybody will pitch in with cleanup at the end of the event. Remember - the Steward, the Hall Steward and the Tourneycrat will also be helping, so there are plenty of hands and bodies. They are not responsible for anything at all to do with the kitchen, unless they are also acting as Servers. Depending on the amount of work there is for them to do, they either get into the event free, or pay a reduced price.
That done, I can sail on happily (and hope that I don't loose you).
Firstly, the secret to a successful event is PLANNING. Nothing can beat it,
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