Serving 500 Pizzas and BBQ Plates at the Charlie Kirk Memorial: Behind the Scenes with 801 Food Trucks

When we got the call to cater the Charlie Kirk Memorial event, we knew it was going to be something special. Serving 500 people is no small task, especially when you’re dealing with both pizza and BBQ – two completely different cooking methods, prep times, and equipment needs. But that’s exactly the kind of challenge that gets our team at 801 Food Trucks & Catering fired up.

The Call That Changed Our Week

The memorial organizers reached out to us, no extra fees, just a straightforward conversation about what they needed. They were planning a memorial drive that would end at the park and they wanted hearty, comforting food that could feed a crowd of mourners and supporters. Pizza and BBQ felt like the perfect combination – familiar, satisfying, and something that brings people together during difficult times. Italian was Charlie’s favorite!

What struck us immediately was the timeline. We had less than a week to prepare for an order that size, which meant every single day leading up to the event was going to be crucial. Our operation manager immediately started coordinating with our kitchen staff and truck crews to make sure we had everything lined up.

Breaking Down the Numbers

500 plates might sound straightforward, but when you’re talking about both pizza and BBQ, the logistics get complex fast. We decided to go with a 50/50 split – 250 BBQ plates and 250 pizza orders. The BBQ crowd tends to eat heartier portions, especially at memorial events where people are gathering for hours, so we wanted to make sure we had enough of our signature pulled pork, brisket, and pizza to go around.

For the pizza side, we knew we needed variety. Our wood-fired pizzas are always a hit, but for an event like this, we had to think about dietary restrictions too. We prepared our standard favorites – pepperoni, peto de manzo, and margherita – but also made sure to have plenty of our gluten-free crusts and vegan cheese options available. You never know who’s going to show up to a memorial event, and we wanted everyone to feel welcome.

The Prep Marathon Begins

Three days before the event, our kitchen looked like a military operation. We started with the BBQ prep because, honestly, good BBQ can’t be rushed. Our pit master fired up the smokers at 8 Pm, loading them with locally-sourced brisket from Utah ranchers we’ve been working with for years. There’s something about that slow, steady smoke that just can’t be replicated – and when you’re feeding people who are grieving, that extra care and attention matters.

The pulled pork went on next, followed by our signature dry-rubbed ribs. By the time our regular crew showed up at 7 AM, the whole kitchen smelled incredible. One of our newer team members commented that it was the best-smelling Tuesday morning she’d ever experienced.

Meanwhile, our pizza crew was working on dough prep. 200 pizzas means a lot of dough, and our pizza dough needs at least 24 hours to develop the right flavor and texture – it gives our crust this subtle tang that people always ask about but can never quite place.

Equipment Coordination Like a Chess Game

Here’s where being an experienced food truck catering company in Utah really pays off. We knew we’d need our big BBQ truck for the smoking and warming, but we also needed our wood-fired pizza truck on site. That means coordinating two full truck setups, plus our prep truck for supplies and backup equipment.

The event location added its own challenges. We had to make sure we could get power for our equipment, confirm we had enough propane & wood for the pizza oven, and figure out the best positioning so both trucks could serve efficiently without creating bottlenecks. Our team scouted the location two days early, mapping out the flow of people and identifying potential issues.

One thing we learned over the years of food truck catering in Salt Lake City is that you always bring backup everything. Extra propane, backup warming equipment, additional serving utensils – because when you’re serving 500 people, there’s no running back to the kitchen for supplies.

The Day Of: Controlled Chaos

Memorial day arrived with perfect fall weather – crisp but not cold, which is ideal for both outdoor eating and our equipment. We arrived at the park at 2 Pm, giving ourselves 2.5 hours to set up before the first guests were expected.

The first challenge hit us immediately. The ground was softer than we’d anticipated from the site visit, and getting our trucks positioned took some creative maneuvering. Thank goodness for our experienced drivers who’ve dealt with everything from muddy festival grounds to narrow downtown alleys.

By 3 Pm, both trucks were positioned and our crews were running through final checks. The BBQ was perfectly tender – that 15-hour smoke had worked its magic. Our pizza dough had risen beautifully overnight, and our wood-fired oven was heating up to the perfect temperature.

The Rush Begins

The first wave of people started arriving around 4 Pm, about thirty minutes ahead of schedule. That’s when you really find out if your prep work was solid. Fortunately, we were ready. Our BBQ truck started serving immediately – pulled pork sandwiches with our house-made coleslaw, brisket plates with mac and cheese and baked beans, that people drive from across Utah to try.

The pizza truck took a few more minutes to get going since each pizza needs about 90 seconds in our wood-fired oven, but once we hit our rhythm, we were cranking out pizzas faster than people could order them. The smell of that wood smoke mixing with melted cheese and fresh toppings – it’s something that never gets old.

What really made the day special was watching how the food brought people together. Memorial events can be somber, obviously, but there’s something about sharing a meal that helps people connect and support each other. We saw strangers sharing tables, families gathering around our trucks, and lots of conversations sparked by people complimenting the food.

Going Above and Beyond

About halfway through the event, we realized we were going through food faster than anticipated. Instead of panic, our team kicked into high gear. Our prep cook, who’d been monitoring everything from our supply truck, fired up additional equipment and started prepping more sides. Our pizza crew began stretching backup dough we’d brought just in case.

This is exactly why booking food trucks direct makes such a difference. When you work with a local, family-owned operation like 801 Food Trucks & Catering, you get people who are personally invested in making your event successful. We weren’t just fulfilling a contract – we were helping a community honor someone’s memory.

By 6 PM, we’d served every single plate and pizza we’d prepared, plus the extras we’d made on the fly. Our crew was exhausted but proud. The event organizers came by to thank us personally, and several families made a point to tell us how much the food meant to them during such a difficult time.

What Sets Our Utah Food Truck Catering Apart

Looking back on the Charlie Kirk Memorial event, it really highlighted what makes 801 Food Trucks different from other food truck catering options in Utah. First, our commitment to quality ingredients – that locally-sourced BBQ meat and our from-scratch pizza dough made a noticeable difference in a high-volume situation.

Second, our experience with large-scale events. We’ve catered everything from corporate gatherings to wedding receptions across Salt Lake City, so we know how to manage the logistics of feeding hundreds of people efficiently.

But most importantly, it’s our team. Every person working that day understood they weren’t just serving food – they were providing comfort to people who needed it. That’s the kind of service you get when you book directly with a local food truck company that cares about the community.

Ready for Your Next Event

Whether you’re planning a memorial service, corporate event, wedding, or just a backyard party, 801 Food Trucks & Catering brings the same level of dedication to every job. Our pizza and BBQ menus can scale up or down depending on your needs, and we always come prepared with backup plans and extra supplies.

The best part? When you book directly with us, you skip all the third-party fees and work directly with the people who’ll be serving your guests. That means better communication, more flexibility, and often significant cost savings compared to booking through a platform.

Ready to see what Utah’s premier food truck catering can do for your event? Contact us directly and let’s start planning something amazing.