The Petra Zone

Just a question to throw out there to those who may have hosted Petra or in the know. Next weekend, I am hosting a Petra Farewell DVD release viewing party with some Petheads and for dinner I want to serve the food the band liked to eat before they ministered in concert. Does anyone know their tour rider or what their favourite pre concert meal was?

The tour rider was not specific at all regarding which foods to provide, aside from drinks - the promoter was to provide plenty of bottled water and Coke products. When I spoke with Wayne Seboa and Adam Hall of Petra's management team, they only specified "no pasta or pizza please, but feel free to be creative."

Prior to the concert I hosted in Youngstown, we had a HUGE catered dinner with a ton of different dinner entrees. John Schlitt could not stop talking about how much he loved it (he even made commented on it from the stage in the middle of Petra's performance) - and he made at least 5-6 trips back to the tables that I saw. One strange thing that he liked: he filled his styrofoam cup about halfway with green beans, and then completely drenched them with thousand islands dressing. The catering volunteers and myself gave him a strange look, because it just didn't sound (or look) appealing ... and he said "hey! it's my little secret - now OUR secret - and it's actually REALLY good!". Needless to say, I have yet to try his "little secret" out for myself.

That's pretty funny. Actually, I've used Thousand Island dressing on a multitude of things besides salads (sandwiches, burgers, dips) but not green beans. The sad thing is, it doesn't sound half bad! Maybe that's a Yankee thing; we Southerners cook our green beans with ham or bacon for flavor, but I've had some green beans in restaurants up north that were bland.

FYI, the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, slaw, etc they served at the Ft. Wayne banquet went over really well too!

When Petra was in Irving on Nov 22, John mentioned during the concert that the band really loved the Texas barbecue that they had for dinner.

Another thing John Schlitt really likes: roasted peanuts. He ate a TON of them from the dishes in our backstage area.

The band also loved the salad, chicken, scalloped potatoes, Italian sausage, and green beans we had backstage. They also enjoyed the wide array of desserts that we provided.

Here are a couple backstage photos for your enjoyment.

They didn't like my nightcrawler burgers at all. What a mistake that was.

Yum, that looks good.

Yum, that looks good.

Yes, it does. I wish someone would cater a dinner for me! Unfortunately, I am the only person I know (that I see regularly) that can or will cook.

I've pretty much gotten the impression there isn't much that John won't eat.

Maybe that's a Yankee thing

Sorry, it's NOT! Just the thought of that is making me GAG!

I've pretty much gotten the impression there isn't much that John won't eat

Don't serve him German chocolate cake for his birthday... he won't eat THAT.

A big thank you to all who replied. It gives me lots of ideas for next Sat. Special thanks for the backstage photos.