Craft service caterers put healthy options within reach
Caterers work hard to provide a range of meal options
Craft service folks who staff the sets say that for a show on a decent budget there are always a number of healthy choices available.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are de rigueur on any craft table, as are energy bars and low-fat or sugar-free goodies. Meanwhile, caterers work hard to provide a range of meal options, including plain-cooked foods or macrobiotic offerings for casts and crews with a spectrum of health requirements -- essentially putting it all on the table, so to speak.
Ultimately, say caterers and craft pros, the choices are up to you.
"We go out of our way to provide a selection (of food) that's healthy, but on a day-to-day basis, the decision is up to the individual. They can eat as healthily as they want, or put three scoops of mashed potatoes on their plate," says Frank Woodward, chef and owner of For Stars Catering, who is often requested for films by the likes of Francis Ford Coppola, Jim Carrey and Tom Cruise.
Mary Ellen Seaman, key craft service caterer on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," offers comfort foods and all the healthy choices she can. "All of the talent and producers, whoever is on our call sheet, whatever the head count is, that's who I provide for," she says.
For those interested in healthier options, on-set food pros will have the usual suspects like low-fat cheeses and sliced turkey, but will also scout for unusual and appealing edibles to make sure their casts and crews are well taken care of.
"We're all one big family for three months, so you've got to take care of everybody," says Michael Kehoe, a craft service pro who has worked on a number of films for Tom Cruise including "Mission: Impossible III" (from which he wrote and directed the Food Network docu "Catering Impossible"). "I even found vegetarian jerky for a guy who was a vegetarian but loved beef jerky."
Vered Daniel, who has done craft service catering for independent films and television shows including "Malcom in the Middle," "That '70s Show" and "According to Jim," keeps plenty of finger foods on hand for hard-working crew who may not have time for a lunch break. "I do lots of sushi -- it's healthy and they can take a few pieces at a time, eat quickly and fill up."
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Hollywood is eating only with their waistlines in mind. On shows with grueling schedules, bizzers are looking for eats that will boost their endurance.
"On shows like '24,' the actors and crew work long days, they're interested in foods that enhance performance," says Jackie Keller of NutriFit, who has provided dishes that optimize energy for craft service on the sets of "Lizzie Maguire" and "The Bernie Mac Show" as well as catering for folks on "24" and "Charmed." "They want foods that will give them energy to last on their feet. We've worked with writers, directors, makeup artists, actors, you name it, and the primary concern is energy for optimal performance."
NO SLACK FOR SNACKS
Dr. Susan Roberts of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts U. lays out some simple rules for eating a healthy meal on the set.
- Decide what you will or won't eat in advance. Whether it's a day or a week, making decisions about what you want to have makes an enticing spread much easier to resist.
- Stick to the fresh fruits and veggies or stay away from the snacks altogether.
- Turn to lean proteins like sliced turkey for a full feeling.
- Limit yourself to a one-time morning and afternoon visit.
- Ask if the service can stock items that will help you stay on track, whether it's a particular fruit or individual containers of nuts.
- At salad bars, stick with veggies and stay away from pasta dishes or mixed salads with cheese.
- Proteins and low glycemic-index carbs keep you from getting hungry. Go for small portions of pasta and large portions of salad in the same meal.
