July 20-23, 2016: Albuquerque Stake Youth Pioneer Trek

Mike and I were asked to provide the food for this year's Albuquerque Stake Youth Pioneer Trek. We were to plan the meals for the 120 participants and 20 or so staff members. Mike was a great assistant, especially up a the Trek camp kitchen. I did all the shopping, prep work, and most of the cooking and baking. It was a LOT of work but also a lot of FUN!

Apricot Coconut Muffins

  

Fresh frozen cherries for Cherry Chocolate Cakes

 

Bread dough rising on Manual setting, ready to be formed into rolls and risen one last time before baking

  

Whole wheat and white dinner rolls for the BBQ sandwiches on the last day

My favorite kitchen assistant, Amy Swapp. She and Maureen Collette were the BEST helpers ever
Just look at these gorgeous sandwiches for the Trek staff--yum!

 

  

Mitch Adams was another awesome helper
Here he's finishing up the Cheddar Chicken for our second night's staff supper

  

We served Cheddar Chicken, Creamy Red Potatoes, Steamed Carrots, and Green Beans w/Bacon on Day 2

  

The back side of beautiful Maureen Collette and her hubby, Dan

  

Here's a scruffy Rob Sorensen, Mitch Adams, and Chez Steel with a cooler filled with ice and A&W Root Beer

  

The ice cold root beer was used for the Trading Post

  

Randy Swapp outside the Trek camp kitchen

  

THE THREE (KITCHEN) AMIGAS!

  

Amy Swapp was the friendliest, hardest worker

  

Maureen Collette was equally friendly and hard-working despite other responsibilities and obligations at Trek

Second night's Staff dinner

  

Photos of the Trek staff in the big kitchen

  

Me and Dan Collette 

  

Amy Swapp with French Toast and Bacon breakfast on Day 3

  

Good friends and staffers, John Naegle, Brandon Eams, and Rob Sorensen 

  

President Bill Moore (left) and Randy Swapp

  

President Wayland Adams and son, Mitch

  

Mitch Adams and David Collette, our younger staffers

Dan Collette, President Bill Moore, and Randy Swapp enjoying breakfast on Day 3 

Dan throws double horse shoes!

Mitch playing Horse Shoe Toss 

  

On Day 4, the Trek families return for a final lunch feast
We served BBQ on dinner rolls, Coleslaw, Chips, Watermelon, and Chocolate Cherry Cake

  

On our way back to Albuquerque, Mike and I stopped at the Very Large Array Observatory near Magdalena, NM