Mark Story Frank Gerbes swears there's no horse meat in his burgers.
"It would probably go down quite well, though."
The catering veteran is again geared up to quench the hunger of thousands at the five-day Kelt Capital Horse of the Year 2009.
For the past 11 years, the man and his
Gala Catering business have stood behind the hotdogs, chips, burgers, breakfasts and sandwiches at the biggest equestrian event in the Southern Hemisphere.
"It grows every year so we need to change what we do each time," Mr Gerbes said.
The 73-year-old and his team, mostly family members, start each day by preparing 50 breakfasts.
Then there's morning teas, sandwiches, lunch and "just about every food" the man can muster given changing tastes.
"The biggest change over the 11 years has been the variety of food served. We started out with just two catering vans selling hotdogs, chips and icecreams."
While he can't pin down a definite number of hotdogs, he estimates he sells "tens of thousands" every show.
"And in terms of chips, well, last year we sold a 7-tonne truck worth of chips."
So do professional riders watch what they eat?
"Ha, no. They love eggs, hotdogs and chips, it seems.
"All washed down with a heap of coffee."
The Hastings man who began in catering in 1972 selling candy floss at school galas (hence the name of the business) said while the show wasn't the biggest event on his catering calendar, it was one of his favourite gigs.
"We'll keep coming back as long as it runs. We enjoy supporting it. You get to know the people and I couldn't think of anything better to do."
