There are many aspects of my job that are challenging mentally and physically but once i’ve got through the pain of waking up before the sun I’m happy to head to work. I love how the day evolves from the calm and talkative morning crowd to the intense drama of the lunch rush. It’s taxing but worth it.
Salads:
Roast peppers + white bean
Spinach + herb rice
Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pesto pasta
Peri split peas + halloumi
Soup: Lightly spiced vegetable madras
Sandwich: Cooked ham, Fontina cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato
We’ve been quizzing each other all morning. If coffee just won’t do and you’re on the verge of falling asleep then I highly suggest a general knowledge quiz with your colleagues. I’m now amped up and ready for rush. This might not of been the wisest use of my time as I have a lovely stack of admin to get through.
Salads:
Med veg lentils
Lemon + garlic rice
Tomato, french beans + caramelised onion pasta
Soup: Borlotti bean + roast pepper
I can’t believe October is nearly over! I’m looking forward to the coming months. We’re constantly asked if we’re happy with the refurbishment and the truth of the matter is we don’t know. After 20 years we’ve made some big changes and we’re going to need sometime to get use to our new environment. Like a rescue dog but with less trauma.
Salads:
Thai coconut curry
Ginger + turmeric rice
Leek, black olive + tomato pasta
Spiced lentils with salted ricotta
Sandwich: Mortadella, Provola, Onion relish + tomato
Soup: Potato, broccoli + peas
I’m worryingly peaceful today. It’s been nothing but chatter this morning and now I have to get hyped for what i’m hoping is gonna be a big boy lunch rush. When the blinds go down on Friday it almost feels like the end of a series, you exhale and contemplate what the next series has in stall for you. The weekend recalibration is crucial, without it we would all be human shells. TGIF.
Salads:
Peri peri cauliflower + split peas
Ginger + turmeric rice
Courgette, tomato + rosemary pasta
Soup: Spiced tomato
Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Brie, Chilli relish + tomato
It’s so hard to concentrate in this mad house. As mentioned the refurb is still taking place so there’s a lot of moving parts that we’re not use to at the moment. On top of this everyone is catching me up on their 3 week hiatus from us. My mind is moving so fast and yet so slow as i’m still transitioning back into deli life. Chaos, it’s just chaos.
Salads:
Moroccan spiced lentils
Sumac + preserved lemon rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Wheatberry, squash + salted ricotta
Soup: lightly spiced squash + red lentil
Yesterday was easier than I anticipated, customer wise. The deli is still a working progress but it’s actually be nice to resume some kind of routine. I had no intention of 2023 being a fun year. After 20 years of the deli the infrastructure needs a lot of TLC which means I take comfort in the lunch rush because at least then I know what i’m doing (most of the time).
Salads:
Mexican beans
Lemon rice
Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta
Chickpea + tofu curry
Soup: Sweet potato + ginger
Sandwich: Milano salami, Pecorino cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato
And we’re back. The deli is still a bit of a building site but so is life, we move on. I love when we come back it’s like the start of a new school year. Everyone’s catching up on the holiday gossip and i’m trying to rewire my brain into deli mode. I’m gassed to have deli food back, it’s hard for all of us when the blinds go down.
Salads:
Thai spiced chickpea
Coconut + ginger rice
Spiced mushroom + tomato pasta
Potato + spinach bake
Soup: Spiced lentil + tomato
Sandwich: Parma ham, Manchego, Jalapeno relish + tomato
Here we go, last day. I'm not in holiday mode yet. I have my driving exam on Monday so I want to keep a level head before letting my brain shutdown. Plus with the kitchen refurb is about to become reality the deli will still be the only thing on my mind. I can't wait to reopen and hear about all the sad lunches you've had to prepare for yourself in our absence.
Salads:
Vegetable curry
Ginger + turmeric rice
Red pepper + tomato pasta
Mushroom + broccoli gratin
I have spent my morning running about the place. Debates have been booming and now I’m typing at the speed of light because Mother is looking at me with her ‘i’m gonna kill you’ eyes. What can I say? Ya gurl loves a debate!
Salads:
Five spiced aubergine + aduki bean
Edamame + crispy shallot rice
Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta
Teriyaki spiced egg noddles
Soup: Roast cauliflower, lemongrass + potato
I came to the realisation that I’ve been procrastinating. It’s so easy to preoccupy yourself with meaningless problems to avoid doing things that are outside your comfort zone or just generally unappealing but it’s time to get shit done. Three more days people.
Salads:
Thai spiced chickpea
Lemongrass rice
Sausage + ham ragu pasta
Cheesy pasta bake
Soup: Smokey aubergine
You can try as hard as you like to be prepared but the universe…oh that universe. She comes in and just shits on everything you have planned and sometimes just throws some sprinkles of shite on top just to make sure you rid yourself of that optimism you’ve been working so hard on.
Salads:
Peri peri cauliflower + split peas
Spinach + cumin rice
Roast squash ragu pasta
Braised pinto beans with sausage + ham ragu
Soup: Leek, dill + potato
Sandwich: Chorizo, Provola cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato
One more week WOOHOO!!! I can’t get too excited, it’s not like in school when the last week means movies, banter and slacking off. My dumbass has booked back to back catering all week so it’s full power to the end but this will make the break even sweeter. I hope you’ll be okay without us…
Salads:
Mexican beans
Sumas rice
Tomato + french bean pasta
Soup: Sweet potato + ginger
Sandwich: Parma ham, Manchego, Chilli relish + tomato
The penultimate week is drawing to a close and what a week it’s been. The idea of a new kitchen is finally setting in and we are super excited but inevitably very nervous. Getting the kitchen re done is like having heart surgery. Imagine if we don’t wake up. I should probably stop watching Grey’s Anatomy, i’m too invested.
Salads:
Mung bean curry
Coconut + ginger rice
Leek, black olive + tomato pasta
Soup: Chilled Gazpacho
I’m just going to keep my head down and endure the day ahead until I can leave this wonderland of charcuterie and pasta bakes and go to my bed. I’m so tired but in good spirits which is weird because it’s been an emotionally draining week. One week left until we close for 3 weeks!
Salads:
Med veg + rosecoco beans
Red pepper rice
Courgette, tomato + rosemary pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced sweet potato
When I woke up this morning I was ready to enjoy my day after a drama filled evening. Today is just as dramatic and it’s wearing me down slightly. We haven’t had a chance to prep for lunch and now we’re all in a bit of a panic. Lunch is incoming and i’m shitting myself
Salads:
Five spiced aduki beans
Crispy tofu rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced vegetable
Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar cheese, fig relish + tomato
I had a good cry this morning while prepping the onions, what a great way to start the day. I had an awful time yesterday. Considering the global population is growing why are we replacing human jobs with robots and AI? It would be great if when you call a service provider a person picks up, but I guess that’s too much to ask so i’ll just stay on hold for an hour because I have nothing else to do.
Salads:
Moroccan spiced lentils
Cumin spiced rice
Tomato + basil pasta
Chessy bake
Soup: Roast squash, ginger + potato
Sandwich: Garlic salami, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
Two weeks left, just two weeks and the deli will have a well needed break. This is all I can think about right now. Mainly because we plan to re-do the kitchen while we’re closed. So no holiday for us but at least we’re improving our quality of life at work, which is important considering we’re here for 12 hours a day!
Salads:
Black bean + roast squash
Lemon + pumpkin seed rice
Roast pepper pasta
Soup: Chilled Gazpacho
Sandwich: Chorizo, Pecorino, Chilli relish + tomato
Yesterday was the hardest day i’ve experienced in years. The oven broke, the power went out and it’s hot AF in the deli. Somehow we’ve managed to open today and that looked unlikely at 6pm yesterday evening. Being the responsible adult is tough but there is no feeling like when everyone looks to you for a solution and you manage one out of your ass.
Salads:
Indian spiced mung bean curry
Roast pepper rice
Mushroom ragu pasta
Tuna + potato salad with borlotti bean
Soup: Chilled Gazpacho
Sandwich: Napoli salami, Pecorino cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato
I’m loving this weather. We have no A/C because our electrics are tripping like you on a Saturday night in Inferno’s but we’re making it work. There’s a ton of work to conquer and it looks like it’s going to be a busy lunch rush. All I can think about is having a siesta.
Salads:
Thai spiced chickpeas
Ginger + spring onion rice
Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta
Korean spiced rice noodle salad
Soup: Chilled Gazpacho
We have our coffee machine back and I am on top of the moon! I’ll be riding high today but we still have a problem with our electrics which won’t be sorted until the end of the month but we won’t think about that right now. We can make coffee and that’s all that matters. The deli without coffee is a sombre place.
Salads:
Med veg Lentils
Sumac rice
Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta
Fregola salad with parmesan
Soup: Chilled Gazpacho
Sandwich: Napoli salami, Asiago cheese, Chilli relish + tomato