So, if you’ve registered for the con already, you may have noticed that there were no food options. (If you haven’t registered yet, you should go do that now, then come back to this). We figure it’s probably a good idea to let you folks know what’s going on with food this year, so, here we are.
The first three years we ran BSidesROC, we bought food for everyone. Pizza (that sucked) the first year, then subs the next two years (better than the pizza, but not by much). Last year we switched venues, and had to buy food as part of the contract. Those that wanted to buy in to that food (taco bar), were able to. For the rest of you, we summoned a couple of food trucks and set up space in the parking lot for them. Most people went that route. This mostly worked, but was a giant PITA to manage, and cost us a ton (for the venue food).
This year, we’re taking a different approach. We’re letting the venue handle food entirely on its own, and not worrying about it from our side at all.
What does this mean for you?
- Breakfast will be available for purchase directly from the venue
- Lunch will be available for purchase directly from the venue
- Lunch will also be available via food trucks in the parking lot again
- If you hate the thought of buying from the venue, or food trucks, there are quite a few options within walking distance – feel free to hit them up.
If you want to take a peek at the kinds of food the venue offers, their menus are here.
Now, we’re a little unsure of the logisitcs around delivery (200+ people all ordering food at the same time seems like a good way to DoS a kitchen to us). We’ve talked with the venue about that, and come up with a plan. We will have a link posted that will let folks pre-order the food they want, thus “skipping the line” and avoiding backlog. Stay tuned to the venue section of the website for that.
We think that this will work out well for everyone, and if it turns out to suck, we’ll revisit the plan next year =)