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Getting to know... Double D Special Events, Inc. in Monee PDF Print E-mail
Getting to know...    Double D Special Events, Inc.   in Monee

   Don Bender believes that everybody loves a great party. Double D Special Events was incorporated in 2004 with that thought in mind. His life could be considered one big party because he caters events that have been hosted by large corporations serving over 3000 people, churches serving approximately 200 people and even his friends with parties of 60.
   Double D Founder and President Don Bender has been cooking for large parties approximately 20 years during fraternity events, Chicago Bears tailgating and horseshoe parties around the Midwest. His friends kept insisting he make more out of it than just a hobby.  Don always wanted to own his own business so he decided why not get paid for doing what he loves.
     What makes his catered events special is the sight and smell of whole hickory smoked roast pig which is the most popular item on the Double D Cooked Onsite menu. That however is not the only thing his 5 catering crews love to cook. The hickory smoked Creole marinated beef brisket and marinated chicken breast are also customer favorites.  They also offer sliced smoked turkey breast, sliced hardwood smoked ham, zesty seasoned Italian sausage and sliced Italian beef, to name a few.
     A variety of side dishes are also offered including a fresh tossed garden salad, fresh sweet corn, tri colored rotini, macaroni salad and short shredded creamy cole slaw.
    What event would be complete without desserts? Not a Double D one. Slices of apple pie, brownies, mini cupcakes, ice cream and cookies are just a sample of what is available. Double D also offers onsite pickup and drop off catering.
    They do not, however, cook fish. Don said, “Fish is fickle. It doesn't hold together well and has to be eaten right away. If it sits for a small amount of time it starts to look bad."
    They also do not have a liquor license so they do not offer any alcoholic beverages. They can, however, provide subcontractors to supply alcohol, music and other entertainment.
    Another option for customers that want to host an event but do not have the space at their home would be indoors at Deer Creek Golf Course, located in University Park off of Western Avenue. The clubhouse can hold up to 150 people and has everything located there including the kitchen and the bar.
    The pig roaster is a professionally made rotisserie grill that is 6ft long that they tow behind their vehicles to transport it to the event location. Currently they have 5 pig roasters and each pig roaster can cook up to a 200 lb pig. Typically, 1lb of meat per person is recommended, so they are able to serve up to 1000 people with 5 pig roasters.
    They also have access to other grills that will allow them to prepare food for up to 3000 people at an event. They use an “indirect heat” cooking style. That means they push the Kingsford charcoal to the sides of the grill and place tin pans down the center of the grill. This allows them to catch all of the drippings and to prevent flare ups from the charcoal. They slow roast the pig and the grill temperature is kept between 225-250 degrees. The pig takes 1 hour of cooking time per 10lbs. Therefore, a 100lb pig takes 10 hours to cook.
    There are various jobs that need to be done leading up to the event. On the day before the event, roughly 3 hours are spent prepping for the job. This includes picking up, marinating and securing the pig for the night. They always go through an extensive checklist to make sure they have all the equipment and supplies they need for the event.
    On the day of the event between 12-24 hours are put in. This includes one hour hook up and loading of vehicles, traveling to the job site, one hour of charcoal preparation and site set up. Pig roasting time takes 1 hour of cooking time for each 10lbs of pig, one hour carving time, one hour site cleanup and then traveling back to home base.
     On the day after the event three hours are put into cleaning the grill and doing inventory.
    They are prepared to cook the pig whether it is raining or the temperature is below zero. They have tents that are put up if needed to protect the pig roaster and pig crew. They also have heaters to do winter events.
    Preferably, parties of 60 are the smallest that they will do. They will do parties for less people, however the customer would be charged for 60 people as it is not feasible for them. The reason for this is that all the preparation and cleanup is basically the same. They have served customers over a 24 hour period including all 3 shifts. The professional and uniformed crews take pride in making the special event one to remember. Double D has a staff of 22 part time employees with all of the crew chiefs having certified food licenses. Some village trustees including Dave Stockton and Kevin McGill have been cooking with Double D for many years.  
     Several events can be booked on the same day at different locations and all shifts can be covered. There is no extra charge for  an event that lasts 24 hours. Everything is included in the price quoted. There are no hidden fees. This is another reason Double D has repeat customers. Everything is talked about first so the customer knows exactly what he or she is getting and paying for.     
     Pricing includes choice of 3 side dishes, plates, napkins, plastic ware, serving tables, food warmers, chafing fuel with serving pans, set up and clean up of buffet tables.        
     Double D provides more than food. Party rental equipment is also available including 10' x 10', 20' x 20' or 20'x 40' tents with side panels if needed, banquet style folding tables, contoured folding chairs, globe lights, keg coolers and beverage troughs. This is more convenient for the customer. They can make one phone call and have everything provided. These services include the set up and take down of the equipment if requested.   
      Double D is available 24/7/365. Yes you read that right! Every holiday is a reason for a special event with Double D. Every customer is important. Existing customers, new customers or a past customer. Don answers the phone calls himself so there is no way he will not get a message. He has voice mail and will definitely call customers back.      
     From 1989 to 2004, Don was a salesman of heavy construction equipment. His job was inside and outside selling air compressors and pumps. He could not wait to get outside and make selling more personable. Don said he was not happy with the turn the industry was taking because it seemed like it was all about numbers and nothing was personal. "People buy from people but I would rather directly communicate, personalize, plan and see people enjoy their “purchase", commented Don.            
    Don graduated from the University of St. Francis in 1989  in Joliet with a degree in Commercial Recreation. Don loves his job as he enjoys traveling and has been to able to see all of the Great Lakes. He has seen mansions and enjoys meeting people. One of his more memorable events was one that had 60 Rolls Royces. 
     Don's dad, Martin, started up his own business, Fluid Air Inc, 24 years ago. He designs food and drug processing equipment in Aurora. Don feels he received the entrepreneurship bug from his Dad many years ago and is now enjoying a business of his own, like his Dad.  Don has lived in Monee for 10 years and will be married to his wife, Sheila, 18 years this August. Sheila also graduated from the University of St. Francis with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She has worked at Ingalls Memorial Hospital for 17 years as a Recreational Therapist and is currently the Supervisor of the Physical Rehabilitation Unit. They have 2 children. Brittany, 11, loves and plays travel softball and Martin, 7, loves all sports and plays for the Monee Mavericks.
    Don loves the small town of Monee and has been involved with community events for the past several years. He was on the Parks & Recreation Board of Directors for 5 years, on the Monee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 4 years including the Dollars for Scholars Board of Directors that awards scholarships to students that live in Monee. Don annually sponsors and supports the Monee Fall Faire, Bunny Brunch and the Halloween bonfire.
   Double D's mission is to have customers 100% satisfied by providing top quality food and rental equipment. They have developed long lasting relationships with vendors, customers, employees and friends who are the backbone to making Double D Special Events, Inc. a success.

One of the most popular comments Don receives from his customers, is that they are so glad to have someone else prepare all the food and set up for their event so they can enjoy their own party with their friends and family. So, when you are ready to enjoy your own party , give Don a call so he can take all your worries away from that stressful planning and really make it an enjoyable event. You can call Don at Double D Special Events, Inc. at (708)473-5373 or fax (708)534-6136. You can also check out his website at www.doubledspecialevents.com.


 

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