I’m aware that people flock to the deli like hungover zombies on Fridays but last Friday was next level. I was so close to slamming down my utensils (Gordon Ramsay style) and telling everyone to get out. But I kept my ego at bay and we smashed it.
Salads:
Beetroot goulash
Red pepper rice
Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta
Polenta crouton bake
Soup: Cannellini bean + med veg
Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar, apple relish, Mustard + tomato
The team is bigger and louder than ever and i’m not even on shop floor. It’s weird having to explain the deli, turns out there’s a lot more to it than I give it credit for. Considering we’re such good value it’s amazing how bespoke we are. I love this place.
Salads:
Med veg + white bean
Lemon + dill rice
Roast pepper + tomato pasta
Soup: White bean, tomato + courgette
Sandwich: roast beef, Sriracha cream cheese, Cucumber, ginger carrot + red onion slaw + rocket
Today is about delegating. I have to observe the team and make sure all is running smoothly, unfortunately for me, I actually enjoy work so relinquishing control is hard for me. I’m also quite lethargic and I was counting on a busy work day to keep me awake.
Salads:
Mexican beans
Kimchi rice
Courgette, tomato + parsley pasta
Soup: Tuscan Tomato
Today i’m anxious ‘the new guy’ is starting and that brings on a whole mountain of stress. Training someone to work at the deli is not an easy task. How to make a latte rather than a Cappuccino, taking down orders using our abbreviations, Talking a middle aged man through a crisis… It’s a lot.
Salads:
Cauliflower madras
Lemon, garlic + mint rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Teriyaki egg noodles
Soup: Wild mushroom + white bean
Sandwich: Chorizo, Pecorino cheese, spicy peach relish + tomato
Like most people, I have a devil and and angel on my shoulders. At the moment my devil is shouting ‘spend all your money, it might not exist soon!’ and then my angel is whispering ‘save it for a rainy day’. Well, it’s raining and I want to spend my reserves on silly things like a canal boat holiday…
Salads:
Chickpea + sweet potato curry
Edamame + crispy shallot rice
Roast vegetable ragu pasta
Salad with crabstick + dill mayo
Soup: Cauliflower + potato
I had a call yesterday at the deli around 4pm. It was a customer informing me that there was someone in the shop. It was me. I was hosting a roasting dinner party. I love that the community looks out for us after hours. That, or they think ‘if I can’t have deli on the weekend, no one can’.
Salads:
Chilli non carne
Spinach + herb rice
Leek, black olive + tomato pasta
Panzanella
Soup: Squash, Broccoli + sweet potato
Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
I could never have a dull 24hr it seems. Yesterday I went to the nail salon and who was there? the little cretin who came for a trial at the deli then disappeared without a reason. I’m burnt because I know the deli is a great place to work (probably better than your workplace) and I’m not good with rejection.
Salads:
Veggie dahl
Peshwari rice (turmeric, almond, sultanas + coconut)
Mushroom ragu pasta
Chicken + potato stew
Soup: Spiced sweet potato
I went to a catholic school. I come across many people who just blindly believe in a higher power but last night was so different. I have no problem with religion as long as it’s not pushed onto someone who doesn’t want it. I can’t unpack last nights event’s in a few sentences but I will say I had a great time and it was enlightening.
Salads:
Med veg lentil
Rosemary + lemon rice
Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta
I’m excited for the day ahead because so far everything has gone swimmingly. Tonight, my friend has convinced me to go and discuss faith with a group of people who I don’t know and they don’t know me. What a fantastic opportunity to play devils advocate.
Salads:
Thai coconut chickpea curry
Miso rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Oriental spiced sweet potato
Sandwich: Parma ham, Camembert cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
So i was walking my dog last night around 9:30pm and this guy on a bike heckles me and says ’pitbull’s are illegal in this country, you need to put that dog on a lead’ I stopped and asked him if he was joking to which he just mumbled and attempted set off again. Then he asked me if I smoked weed…I love my interactions with the local community.
Salads:
Split pea curry
Ginger + turmeric rice
Spiced chickpea pasta
Tahini dressed leafy salad
Soup: Roast pepper, white bean + tomato
I bought new pillows for my bed yesterday. I was inspired to do this because of our recent holiday. When you go to a hotel the bed tends to have soft and firm pillows and I wanted this luxury at home. I had such a happy slumber last night but when I’ve spoken about this in the shop I get the giggles because pillows have made me happy.
Salads:
Aubergine + black bean
Edamame + crispy shallot rice
Artichoke + tomato pasta
Polenta bake
Soup: cauliflower, potato + turmeric
Sandwich: Speck ham, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
I love how some customers can come in hanging out of their behind and I’m suppose to be supportive but as soon as i’m not with it the same courtesy isn’t reciprocated. It’s one of those days where by head won’t come down from the clouds and my mind is just white noise.
Salads:
Paprika pepper + white bean
Roast vegetable rice
Sun-dried tomato, leek + almond pesto pasta
Soup: Spiced chickpea + tomato
I sometimes feel that the deli is like a different world, a microcosm where people behave the way I hope humanity as a whole would. Then, I watch the news and get smacked with the reality. I like my bubble, I want to stay in my bubble and I ask that no one tries to pop it.
Salads:
Peri peri cauliflower + black eyed beans
Roast pepper rice
Fregola with roast vegetable
Soup: Spiced pumpkin
Sandwich: Porchetta, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
I fell asleep at 10pm last night. My last thought was ‘omg i’m going to get 8 hours of sleep’. I was expecting to wake up feeling like a new woman. I didn’t. I keep having a reoccurring image in my head of me getting stabbed by a faceless person and I think it was my dream last night. 8 hours is overrated.
Salads:
Siracha spiced clack beans
Lemongrass + ginger rice
Roast squash pasta
Char siu egg noodles with jackfruit
Soup: Leek, Dill + potato
Sandwich: Fennel salame, Provola cheese, chilli relish + tomato
After watching Married At First Sight my friend and I went to the food truck on the common to get a late night munch. Chips, beans and a stray dog. I have the sinking feeling that we was left somewhere because he had no training and was a mission to walk. This does not help restore my faith in humanity.
Salads:
Med veg lentil
Lemon + garlic rice
Roast pepper + tomato pasta
Chorizo + potato braise
Soup: Velvet mushroom
This morning was rainy and dark, my bed was whispering ‘come back’ but I had to resist. It’s so hard to resist. I’m a little vacant in the mind today so who knows how today’s service will go… at least I can trust the food will be great. Thanks Mum.
Salads:
Chilli non carne
Spinach + herb rice
Chicken + mushroom pasta
Thai spiced split pea
Soup: Chickpea + beetroot
I hate sending bitchy emails because I never know if they will come across the way I’ve intended them to. You might assume I mean I don’t want to hurt the receivers feelings but quite the opposite. I want them to suffer because they have driven me to sign off my email with ’sincerely’. That’s not my vibe.
Salads:
Thai spiced split pea
Edamame + crispy shallot rice
Spinach + pea pasta
Panzanella
A calm day can turn upside down so fast. I went from casually sipping coffee with customers to sweating in the sandwich section. Not actually sweating (because nothing phases this beast). I love not knowing what to expect from the day but I wish I had more sleep.
Salads:
Cumin roasted beetroot + chickpea
Dill + tomato rice
Leek, black olive + tomato pasta
Sausage + ham potato ragu
Sandwich: Bacon, Blue cheese, Peach relish + tomato
So winter is upon us. I wake up in the morning to darkness and all I want to do is cuddle down and go back into dreamland. I like being back at work but I need to get back to my stressed self because the queue was long as anything yesterday and I couldn’t move fast enough.
Salads:
Moroccan spiced lentils
Sumac + lemon rice
Mushroom ragu pasta
Spiced cracked wheat
Soup: Roast squash + rosemary
If you don’t understand something, you ask questions but when I do it, it comes across as interrogation. Why? Is it me? Am I the problem? Watching a show like Married At First Sight has shown me I might communicate too much and it may come across as intimidating. So let’s just repress our emotions.
Salads:
5 spice veg + audki beans
Kimchi rice
Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta
Crispy tofu noodle salad
Soup: Tuscan tomato + rosemary