As far as chuckwagons go, the new “Big Al’s Grill Team†mobile kitchen is a marvel of modern technology.
The Grill Team rig was on display, and in action, for the Tuffy’s Classic Golf Tournament August 7 at the Perham Lakeside Golf Course and Mulligan’s. The custom-made trailer is 50 feet long, with complete kitchen facilities. It also includes living quarters for Allen Arvig’s chuckwagon crew. Cooking–and eating–is a hobby for Arvig, who with his team has been preparing and serving barbecued beef, chicken, pork and even wild boar for about 13 years. The Grill Team is in action about 18 times a year, mostly for Arvig Communication Systems employee functions and parties. The team also works several charity events a year–such as the Tuffy’s Classic. The team has not had a caterer’s license, so they cannot sell food preparation services on a commercial basis, said team member Jay Arvig. However, they are working on certification, he added. “It really is still a hobby for us, but the catering license makes everything legal,†said Jay Arvig.
Judging is meticulous, according to Allen Arvig, and is based on three main criteria: appearance, taste and tenderness.