I’m in low power mode. All I can think about is ploughing through the lunch rush and running home to my bed. I‘ve had so much information thrown at me this morning and some hilarious conversations have taken place but I just can’t focus my mind on anything other than my duvet. Pathetic fallacy.
Salads:
Cauliflower curry
Lemongrass rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Roast squash + ginger
Sandwich: Chorizo, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
We ran out of bread relatively early yesterday. I’ve ordered more bread to accommodate my carby crowd but this morning has demolished my attempt at being prepared. Some smart ass came in the late afternoon yesterday and said ‘so your a sandwich shop without bread?’ to which I relied ‘We’re actually a deli, and your moustache screams my mother never told me she loved me!’ I’m joking but I wish I did.
Salads:
Chickpea + roast quash braise
Spring onion + garlic rice
Med veg ragu pasta
Mushroom, potato + leek bake
Soup: Lightly spiced vegetable
Happy Halloween. This morning we’ve been visited by a T-rex and I sliced my knuckles while prepping the speck ham. Eventful morning as always. I don’t intend on participating in the festivities of Halloween because it’s just another capitalist ploy to make to spend unnecessary funds on unnecessary shite. Just another trick.
Salads:
Indian spiced coconut curry
‘Peshwari’ rice (turmeric, coconut + currents)
Courgette, tomato + basil pasta
Chickpea, potato + paneer curry
Soup: Sweet potato + ginger
Sandwich: Speck ham, Cheddar, Jalapeno relish + tomato
What a dreary weekend. Owning a dog means I have to embrace the rain but i’ve lost my waterproof jacket so I have to weather the storm with my puffer which is not ideal as I seem to just soak up every droplet that lands on me. Anyway, new week same shite. Let’s get into it.
Salads:
Beetroot goulash
Lemon + dill rice
Roast squash ragu pasta
BBQ sausage + ham braise
Soup: Tuscan tomato
Sandwich: Fennel salami, Pecorino cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato
Oh Friday, you never cease to amaze me. Friday’s are so complex, everyone comes in with a different state of mind. Our jobs are to adapt to each customers vibe and Jesus it’s exhausting. However a catering job has come in last minute and this will provide the perfect distraction to my spiralling thoughts. Chin chin to Friday!
Salads:
Vegetable chickpea curry
Cumin roasted carrot + mint rice
Mushroom ragu pasta
Soup: Leek, dill + potato
Sandwich: Dry rub roat pork, Celeriac slaw, Jalapeno relish + tomato
What a miserable day, sorry to be so solum. I have so many bits and bobs to get through today but come hell or fire I will get my shit done. However there have been immaculate vibes in the deli this morning it’s so easy to forget we’re at work and there’s duties to be completed. You’re all so distracting.
Salads:
Five spiced aubergine + aduki bean
Crispy tofu + ginger rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Egg noodle salad with bean curd
Soup: Lightly spiced sweet potato + lentil
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