Tuesday, May 14th, 2013—It has been told to us on this tour, many times, that the tater team has the coolest job ever. While I agree with this statement this job is much more than the “coolest job ever.” While the movies and media may bring attention to people who do not like their jobs or are looking for a constant switch, there are plenty of people of there like the tater team who wouldn’t trade their job for anything!
I think the reason for this is simple and it all comes down to excitement! Each and every day we wake up knowing that our job will be different and exciting whether its the National Harbor Food and Wine Festival, the Five Guys corporate event or making a stop at a local grocery store (all of which was accomplished in the last week) that tater team does it with excitement. Can you imagine running into a grumpy and tired tater team!? Neither can we!! We make an deliberate effort to bring the joy and honor that we have to a town near you. We have this excitement because we get to drive around the country promoting an awesome cause, Meals on Wheels, and an awesome product, Famous Idaho Potatoes. We get to see the country and run into many of you and that brings us all the excitement in the world!
What brings your excitement in the workplace or at school? Although we are still doing our job, we get EXCITED about it. I encourage you to pursue something that you too can get excited about! For me it was combining my love to talk to people with my desire to travel the country. Maybe you want to go back to school and get that graduate degree, maybe its turning your excitement about drawing into a painting business. Whatever it is , get excited about it, because as the tater team will tell you, having a job with excitement is awesome.
Tuesday, May 7th, 2013—
We’ve officially logged one month in the books – 6 more to go! This week Tyler and I along with commissioner Dan Moss and his wife Jann got to ride on top of the potato in the Pegasus Parade. One of the events leading up to the Kentucky Derby. It was more fun then you could imagine, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
With this ‘job’ we have had the luxury of seeing some incredible sites, visiting cities and states that I don’t know if I would have ever had a reason to. Traveling the country was an undeniable perk when I applied for the job. In the little travel I had done before I knew it’s not so much the places you see but rather the people you meet. This trip is no exception.
From cab drivers to waitresses to hotel staff and everyone in between, it seems they all have a connection to either Idaho or potatoes or both! Of course driving around with a 6 ton potato is definitely a conversation starter but so many of those curious questions lead to real connections and friends all around the country.
Remember Elbow, Elbow, Wrist, Wrist, Wipe a Tear, Blow a kiss,
Kristie
Monday, April 29th, 2013—
Chef Jeff Tunks, who took home his own Big Idaho Potato Truck
The Big Idaho Potato Tour continued our journey down the eastern seaboard of the country by visiting the cities of Alexandria and Reston, Virginia and spending time in the beautiful city that this country calls its capital in Washington, D.C. Our events ranged from a food and wine festival to setting up shop outside of the United States Department of Agriculture building. This continues to speak to just how awesome our job is that a six ton potato has the ability to cross into some many different parts of everyone’s life.
In Washington D.C., we had the privilege of spending time with Chef Jeff Tunks who owns six D.C. restaurants (which happen to serve A LOT of Idaho Potatoes.) We were able to eat at two of his restaurants, Ceiba and PassionFish. The Tater Team can speak to the quality of the food and service at both of these restaurants!
During our time in Reston, VA we also had the chance to meet Pauline Rogers. Pauline’s energy and love for the potato was beyond contagious! She is a lady that you want to be your grandma because of the stories she told and the genuine heart she displayed towards us! She also has a grandson that attends the greatest university in the world (and my alma mater) Boise State University! Towards the end of our time in Reston, we had the great privilege of connecting with Ann Tran (twitter: @AnnTran_). She has been honored by Forbes as a top 50 social media influencer. Krisite and I were immediately drawn to her because of our love for social media. She kept her over 300,000(!) followers in the loop during her visit to the Big Idaho Potato Truck! We want to thank Ann and her crew for the great visit!
I tell you the stories of these three individuals to prove a point. The point is that the Big Idaho Potato has the ability to allow the Tater Team the great interactions that we had over the last week, what do you have in your life that can bring these interactions? Is it your desire to help people? Could it be your musical ability? Or just your love for life? Find whatever it is, capture it and look for the Jeff, Pauline and Ann’s of your life. I can promise you will not be sorry!
Tyler
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013—
We just spent an action packed week in New York. We went to a restaurant event on the beautiful Hofstra University campus. We gave out free Idaho fries from a food truck wrapped to look just like ours in Chelsea Market. We got a full access tour of the Manhattan Fruit Exchange. On top of all of that we had a photo op contest going, the prize being 2 Knicks tickets or $500. Let me introduce our winner is Scott Davidson from Hofstra and he chose the $500..
How did you hear that potato was on campus?
I saw a picture of it on Facebook and my roommate also informed me of it being near the Mack.
What did you think about the giant potato?
My friend and I (the other person in the picture) first thought the potato was real. We were shocked that a potato could get that big and thought up crazy ideas such as if someone were to live in a potato that big, what it would be like. But even though we found out it was fake, it was still a magnificent site to see.
Have you ever been to Idaho? What do you know about it?
I personally have never been to Idaho, and the only thing I can tell you about it is that it is pretty much is the potato capital of the world. From what I learned in grade school, Idaho is known for it’s potatoes.
What are you going to spend the money on?
I am most likely going to spend the money on some new clothes or save it for the summer (when it is surely needed).
What’s your favorite way to eat potatoes?
My favorite way to eat potatoes is mashed -by far. More specifically garlic mashed potatoes is up there on my personal list of favorite foods. I don’t know where this world would be without potatoes.
