north st. deli

Fast · Fresh · Delicious

Day 514 Scorcher

It should be a great weekend. Next week is set to go back to average temperatures so I intend to pack as many activities as possible into the next 72 hours. I’m currently in a docile state as I’ve had minimal sleep but I will turn the A/C on in the deli and smash this heated Friday.

Salads:

Rainbow lentil

Sweet chilli · garlic + lemon rice

Broccoli · cashew + rocket pesto pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Gazpacho

Sandwich: Napoli salami, Ermesenda cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 513 Shine on me

I didn’t even bring a jumper to work today, this is the weather I live for and I plan to take full advantage. Basketball after dark yesterday, picnic tonight, picnic and a rave tomorrow. I am gonna spend every ounce of energy I have in my body.

Salads:

Black eyed bean + roast squash

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Chorizo ragu pasta

Fattoush styled salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Day 512 Old town

So many familiar faces came through the door yesterday, it was such a wholesome scene. Stepping into the deli is like being in someone’s living room. Some sit in the corner and pout about the lack of ‘professionalism’ while others get into the village vibe.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Spinach + herb rice

Smokey aubergine pasta

Miso noodle salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Sandwich: Roast lamb, Pecorino pepe, Red onion, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 511 It's been too long

Today is the busiest catering day we’ve ever endured but there is something more important in my life than sandwiches today. My Turkish queen is coming back to ends all the way from Australia. I have not seen her in the flesh for 4 YEARS. I can’t even.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Sumac rice

Pea, spinach + cashew pesto pasta

Surimi potato salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Day 510 Rude

So I woke up at 11am yesterday and dragged myself out the house for a leisurely walk with my dog. Headphones in, sun shining, my boy trotting away, bliss. Then some ugly old hag started calling me a cunt and wishing death on my dog because he was off lead. She should take note from Moose and mind her damn business.

Salads:

Yellow Chickpea curry

Lemongrass · ginger + lime leaf rice

Leek · tomato + black olive pasta

Sausage · white bean + potato salad

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Fontina cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 509 Social living

June is going to be a very social month for me. Technically I’m always social, I have to be. I probably talk to over 100 people a day. I’ll admit that sometimes I wish I was a quiet person and I have tried many time to be so, but I just can’t keep my mouth shut.

Salads:

Roast pepper + white bean

Leek + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Red lentil, ginger + tomato

Day 508 Melting pot

Growing up in London puts you in this weird bubble. So many cultures and traditions living within close proximity to one another. Teaching one another about different ways to life. I think it’s benefited me greatly because i’m open to different opinions and flavour sensations. You may view the deli as ‘a lot’ but to me it’s normality. Get into it.

Salads:

Coconut curry with mung beans

Ginger + turmeric rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Cumin roasted tomato + potato

Sandwich: Chorizo, smoked mozzarella, onion relish + tomato

Day 507 On the mend

We were exhausted yesterday but we knew that the people needed their spicy goats and quiches, so we marched on. It was painful. The delirium was real, I can’t say I remember much about yesterday. Everyone was asking us questions and we had to summon every inch of consciousness we had left to provide answers.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Lemon + chive rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Bulgur wheat salad

Soup: Indian spiced veg

Day 506 No sleep

Yes, my weekend was incredible. However I crossed borders in the early hours today and the counter crew have been at the deli since 4am. We have not slept but we are ready to serve…perhaps not with a smile. Just know deep down somewhere inside, we’re happy to be here.

Salads:

Black beans + aubergine in black bean sauce

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast vegetable Pasta

Cheesed salad

Soup: Chickpea, cauliflower + tomato

Sandwich: Speck ham, Manchego cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 503 May the odds be in your favour

I don’t think my phone is listening in on my conversations and it obviously can’t read my mind however, the algorithms are against me. Why am I being shown so many videos about hellish airport experiences?! My nerves are sky high. If I seem distant today it’s because i’m coming up with a game plan for my return flight being delayed. Come rain or shine you will have the deli on Tuesday.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + chickpea

Tofu + soya rice

Roast squash pasta

Chicken pasta bake

Soup: Borlotti bean + tomato

Sandwich: Speck ham, Fontina cheese, jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 502 Delayed

I’m going to fly for the first time in 3 and a half years this weekend. We’re busy enough at work that my mind is occupied with other things but TikTok and Instagram keep showing me clips of heavily delayed flights and i’m getting nervous. As a pessimist, my brain is telling me to bring a sleeping bag so I can nap comfortably in the airport.

Salads:

Med veg lentil

Lemon + chilli rice

Chicken ragu pasta

Teriyaki noodle salad

Soup: Cauliflower · potato + turmeric

Day 501 Short week

It’s a three day working week and i’m so anxious. Me and my stupid self have packed so much work into these three days I could cry, I could actually cry right now at my desk but Fergie told me a long time ago ‘big girls don’t cry’ so I won’t. Can’t wait t see if I pull it off!

Salads:

Paprika beetroot + bean

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom + spinach pasta

Paneer + lentil concoction

Soup: White bean, spinach, chilli + garlic

Sandwich: Roast lamb, minted yogurt, chilli relish, bombay mix, red onion + tomato

Day 500 Chilly

While most of you will be going to the pub, gigs or maybe a house party, I have convinced my friends to join me on a sensory experience. Immersive ASMR (don’t know? google it). They’re gonna feel chills and tingles like they’ve never felt before, we’ll feel them together. Then we shall eat kebab.

Salads:

Mung bean curry

Peshwari rice (almonds, coconut + sultana)

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Salad du jour

Soup: Tuscan tomato + red pepper

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Pecorino pepe, chilli relish + tomato

Day 499 Cater to your needs

I’m writing this before the deli opens because we are going to be grinding today. On top of everything else there are multiple catering jobs going out today and I have to provide a sample for a future catering job. It might not seem like it when you walk in but the deli is always at 100mph. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry + roast squash

Edamame + crispy shallot

Mushroom ragu pasta

Chorizo + potato braise

Soup: Leek · dill + potato

Sandwich: Garlic salame, Fontina cheese, onion relish + tomato

Day 498 All the best

How do you sign off an email? I think it says a lot about a person. Personally, I switch mine up depending on my mood but what I really struggle with is the long conversations. We’re 10 emails deep and i’m still saying ‘kind regards’? But then is it rude or unprofessional to just put my name?

Salads:

Moroccan Chickpeas

Minted rice

Courgette · tomato + basil pasta

BBQ jackfruit noodles

Soup: Roast squash · tomato + rosemary

Day 497 One step, two step

Okay, okay, we have a different vibe today. The people of the land are on better form and seem happier. I’m taking each day as it comes. If I look to the future, even two months ahead, I am overwhelmed with the amount of work afoot. So here’s to today.

Salads:

5 spice lentils

Seaweed rice

Sausage + ham pasta

L’insalata del giorno

Soup: Bean · rosemary + tomato

Sandwich: Pancetta, Smoked mozzarella, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 496 Negativity

I had a great weekend and I woke up in a relatively good mood. I came to work and there’s been a slight negative air. This makes me contemplate my customer service style. I know I can be mean but after evaluating, I think it’s just my environment. On a daily basis I have to take in the general publics emotion…and it tends to be negative.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + lemon rice

Broccoli · chilli + garlic pasta

Med veg braise with feta

Soup: Cumin roasted sweet potato + ginger

Day 495 Now I'm ready

I started the day uninspired but it was very busy so I kept my head down and had a light chat about S&M while I made a multitude of coffees. Then a customer came in and we reminisced about our favourite child TV shows. Now I’m feeling ready to take on a drizzly rush.

Salads:

Med veg + split peas

Sumac + lemon rice

Courgette · pea + basil pasta

Gratin

Soup: Thai spiced bean + tomato

Sandwich: Mortadella, Mozzarella, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 494 Loading

I’m a little delirious today, probably because of my lack of slumber. Hopefully I can centre my mind in the next 30 mins because some of our custom does not take kindly to a counterhand that buffers while computing the salad components that has been requested. Wish me luck!

Salads:

Roast pepper + bean stew

Leek + dill rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Cheesed salad

Soup: Indian spiced red lentil

Day 493 I need a grill ASAP

I called it. Yesterday consisted of a lot of trials and tribulations. Big one being at around 2:30pm, the fuse board blew and the shop went dead. I switched the fuse back on to find it had fried my grill! Have you ever called a catering equipment company and ordered a 30kg sandwich grill like it was medication in an ER drama? I have.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut chickpea curry

Ginger + tofu rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Surimi rice noodle salad

Soup: Sweet potato + cumin roasted tomato

Sandwich: Cooked ham, smoked mozzarella, spicy peach relish + tomato