A heap of tater tots is pressed into a waffle iron until crispy. Remove and repeat. Between the crispy tater tot “buns” are placed a pile of bacon, spicy jalapeños, green onions, American cheese and Coca-Cola-infused ketchup.

The Tater Tot Chop understandably raised a few eyebrows when it was introduced this season. But, if you’re looking to spend $16 at a ballpark on a shareable belly-buster, it is certainly the way to go.

The item is one of several new snacks that was introduced to Braves fans this season after Delaware North became the team’s food vendor. Fans don’t want to enjoy a baseball game on an empty stomach, and it takes a village to ensure they have access to all the cold beer, roasted peanuts and hot dogs they want — and even salads and gluten-free options, if that’s what they want.

As the Braves prepare to move to Suntrust Park next year, we spoke with some of those passionate and patient souls who prepare and serve concessions to the fans.

Love of community

Like many people who sell food to Braves fans, 61-year-old Renae Allen, of Conyers, isn’t paid for her services. One of 275 volunteers who work concession stands at Turner Field to support local nonprofit organizations, Allen and her husband, Pastor Richard Allen, have been working for 26 years on behalf of Community Fellowship Church.

Allen began volunteering at the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in 1990 to help her church raise money to build a new, updated facility. Now the money goes toward scholarships, camps and tutoring opportunities for kids in the community.

Dressed in khaki pants, a navy shirt and Braves cap, her eyeglasses dangling from a cord around her neck, Allen has developed something of a following. Many of her fans sought her out when she was moved from a beer portal to stand number 140 for All-Star Lineup concessions, where she sells Cracker Jacks, roasted peanuts, hot dogs and beer.

There she can be found, hands on her hips or leaning against an exit sign, making sure the transactions move swiftly. Her duties range from ushering fans from long lines to a shorter ones to serving food to sweeping the floors.

Like many who work concessions at Turner Field, Allen also works at the Georgia Dome during the Braves off-season. While she anticipates the church will continue its relationship with the Falcons, she’s not sure if it will head to Suntrust Park next year. For Allen, the lack of public transportation is a deterrent.

Still, the 61-year-old admits she’ll miss the people she’s come to know during her time with the Braves. For the 81 home games she works each season, the fans and fellow workers she encounters at games are her “family.”

Like beloved usher Walter Banks, Allen and her husband were honored by Turner Field during a recent game. On June 2 the couple was invited to pull down the number “53” on the countdown to home games left at Turner Field.

“I was so thrilled — it was humbling, but it was kind of emotional for me,” said Allen. “I cried when we came back upstairs.”

Love of fans

Latoya Roberts, 32, from Riverdale, arrives for her shift at Turner Field long before there are fans at the stadium. Aside from the constant hum of a floor scrubber and the occasional chatter between employees, it is quiet.

She has perhaps one of the most important vending jobs at a stadium: ensuring adult fans have access to cold beer.

Roberts started working at Turner Field as a stand manager, overseeing the inventory of a single stand, 13 seasons ago when she was 19. Now she manages inventory for 64 beer portals.

When fans are happy, Roberts is happy.

“You can have a bad day, but then you run into a fan and they make your day,” she said.

Her favorite fans aren’t her customers, however. They’re not old enough to drink beer.

Seeing kids sing the national anthem or attend games with their camps and schools makes her 15-hour workdays worthwhile.

During one camp visit, Roberts said she heard a familiar voice call out for “Auntie Toya.” When she realized her friend’s son was part of a group, she treated all 30 kids to free frozen lemonade.

She obviously can’t buy treats for every cute kid she sees, but Roberts said she sometimes has a soft spot for the kids who get to the stand and are a dollar or so short.

Her face beams with a huge smile just thinking about making a fan’s day.

Roberts’ own 1-year-old twin daughters, Karter and Kaiden, are Braves fans in the making. Earlier this season, she dressed them in Braves dresses and brought them to the Chop House to meet the people Roberts refers to as her “extended family.”

Roberts said she is “antsy” for the move to Suntrust Park, comparing the anticipation to a kid’s first day of school.

She is contemplating moving her new family to Cobb County to be closer to work.

Love of cooking

Kennedy Dorsey is nothing like the frantic chefs you might see on fast-paced Food Network competitions.

Dorsey, 55, is soft spoken. Dressed in a blue and red baseball cap, his dreadlocks secured by a hairnet, he delivers his words in a deliberate manner.

The Jonesboro resident has worked at Turner Field for a decade.

Previously he prepared meals for Braves executives and VIP clientele in the Suntrust Club. There he was in charge of creating menus with baseball themes. During a game against the Kansas City Royals, for example, he might serve ribs and brisket inspired by the city’s brand of barbecue.

One of his favorite menus featured Maryland crab cakes for a game against the Washington Nationals. Braves president John Schuerholz praised the dish, saying it reminded him of his Maryland upbringing.

Now Dorsey is the chef de partie for the press kitchen, serving weekday lunches and home game dinners to stadium staff members.

He’ll remain in this role after the Braves move to Suntrust Park. He’s not too familiar with Cobb County and worries about what the commute will be like, but he’s excited to see what the future in a new facility will bring.