Fairs, Festivals, Catering
| Celebrating Year #27 ! |
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So popular that others tried to clone my name, logo, and style, but after 27
years, I am, a survivor. I AM Big Fat Daddy.
| Wayne M. Schafer IS Big Fat Daddy |
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"When you love what you do, and allow karma to rule your heart, you'll succeed." ~
Wayne M. Schafer, 1982
About Wayne....
Wayne M. Schafer worked his very first job in the mid 70's in a hot kitchen somewhere in Towson.
Cooking was of great interest to him, as he would spend many hours at the Pine Ridge learning from his mother "Babs" who
had been in the food business for years. The early 80's Wayne found himself behind-the-scenes in Chipperelli's,
one of Little Italy's finest restaurants. He would also work at some of Baltimore's best seafood restaurants. Wayne
would often work for his parent's food concession business, but soon found himself starting his own--he was only 19. Often
seen selling pizza, lemonade, and onion rings at fairs and festivals, his stands were custom built of wood and weighed
a TON! Wayne had his photograph in the Winchester Star Newspaper when he was 20.
Big Fat Daddy's Early Days...
Wayne would start "Big Fat Daddy's" on his own in the early 80's, a name given to him by his daughter. He
would take up partnership with his younger brother, Brian. The brothers would work together at Tully's, where
Wayne was Kitchen Manager and Brian was a cook. They would acquire and take turns running the busy "Big Fat
Daddy's Famous Pit Beef" stand (then located on Route 40 & Chesaco Ave.). Wayne found himself juggling weekend fairs
& festivals.
Sucess is forthcoming...
Meanwhile, Cindy was working for Brian in the Pit Beef stand the day Stephen Reichlein came in for a sandwich.
He offered to take pictures (of the life-size black bull mascot) and do an interview. Cindy had heard every
excuse in the book for a "free sandwich", and figured this was just another--still she served her best cut of beef, sauteed
in a special blend of hickory smoked bbq sauce, mouthwatering as ever. As it turns out, Stephen Reichlein did enjoy
his sandwich, and was the real deal. He did feature Big Fat Daddy's in his BBQ Book, and a recipe for the top
secret "dry rub" seasoning. An an article in Saveur Magazine would follow, and eventually the New York Times
would rave over the sliced pit beef. Soon the phones were ringing off the hooks. During this time, Wayne and Brian
ceased their partnership.
As Wayne was traveling state to state, Brian would continue to run and eventually close the Pit Beef stand in 2001. Though
the original stand is still there, it is unrelated to Big Fat Daddy's. Wayne would remain proprietor
of his now concessions business, Big Fat Daddy's. Wayne says, "I have sued twice to keep my name. It's not just
a name, it's my reputation. Nobody can claim rights to that."
Later on...
In 2003 Wayne began met his partner in life, Cindy. They were married in a small lakeside ceremony
in 2008.
And now...
Wayne continues to devote most of his life to Big Fat Daddy's, as he feels no one loves it as much as he does.
He has catered for some of Baltimore's top celebrities, played most county and state fairs emcompassing five states, and
at one time landed the company #19 in the "Best Barbeque in the USA" according to an old Stuff Magazine poll.
Big Fat Daddy's was featured in the Baltimore Sun several times including June of 2008, and though he does not compete in
competetions anymore, he has launched a line of clothing. What's next? His dry rub.
Cindy has convinced him to make more time for fishing and Wayne enjoys the wonders of Maine in his free time.
He also fixes up and sells food trailers, and dabbles in buying and selling restaurant equipment.
Wayne is looking for a serious buyer to take over the business, and do it right. "I've had offers, and they were
good--even one to franchaise but I won't sell to just anyone." You may call him crazy, but he says,
"Big Fat Daddy's isn't my business, it's my life. People have been coming to fairs and festivals since I was 19, enjoying
my food, and I'm not about to let 'em down now. "
got beef?
About Cindy....
Cynthia Marie's first job was spent in then small Della Rose's busy Italian Restaurant
learning the ropes. Italian herself, cooking was not her forte' though she was born into the culture. Her
Great-Grandmother ran a kitchen during the prohibition, and was known for sour beef and dumplings. Her Grandmother
and Mother ran "The Big Mamu Hunting Lodge and Kitchen" in Danforth, Maine and were known for Italian Cuisine and Dee's Famous
Canoli's.
Corporate America....
Getting away from food altogether (or so she thought) Cindy decided to follow a career path in her Major
of Marketing. She married at 21 and her name changed to Cindy Fahnestock. She would serve as Assistant Directors
and Executive Assistants to some of Maryland's top CEO's. Later divorcing, she would keep her married
name "Fahnestock" as she had been author to many published works and in-house corporate training guides. She was
tired of sitting in an office.
Big Fat Daddy's on the side...
She would be involved with the Big Fat Daddy's pit beef stand and manage catering contracts for then partner
Brian Schafer from 1997-1999. Cindy served the sandwich to Stephen Reichlein and saw how reviews and write-ups
launched the tiny pit beef stand into success. She would eventually leave her busy office career to go
back into the business full time with Wayne Schafer in 2004.
Big Fat Daddy's now...
Cindy is now in charge of marketing Big Fat Daddy's, is the Certified Food Manager, and handles all event
booking. Cindy says, "We are usually booked a year or more in advance in five plus states. We are trying to
do a few fairs in Maine now also. I'd like to be closer to home." She is often found grilling what appears to be "the
whole cow" on the barbie.
Big Fat Daddy's goes green...
In 2005 Cindy launched a line of novelty products and found ways for the business to go green and be more environmentally
friendly---something that is close to her heart. "I've been recycling for many years, I remember having my first apartment
and my friends thought I was crazy, I'd drive to the dump and have my cans and bottles all separated. It's important
and there's no reason we can't change a few things and do better for this green earth!" Additionally Cindy books Big
Fat Daddy's into charitable events for Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity. She also has her own drink division called
Cynmarie Concessions, which teaches children early on how to recycle and reuse cups!
Cindy does it all...
Cindy Fahnestock-Schafer is also known as author and artist Ira Mency, which is an anagram for her name Cyn Marie. She
is author of the children's fantasy novel "The Prism: Book One" and does much freelance work. Her upcycled artwork has been featured in several museums and is repurposed art made from recycled goods or discarded items. She also sells antiques that she collectrs on her travels. She loves animals and enjoys spending time in Maine on East Grand
Lake, where she feels closer to her grandfather. "I would love to spend more time in Maine, as things are
so different there, but our business is based in Maryland and the lower part of the East Coast. I also love North and South
Carolina, so who knows."
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County Fairs
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Festivals
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Block Parties
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Craft Shows
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Car Shows
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Weddings
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Backyard BBQ's
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Bull Roasts
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