Raise some dough for Nikole

Thursday, May 09, 2013

at bread&cup – 440 N 8th Street

Nikole Anderson is 12 year old girl dealing with childhood rheumatoid arthritis.  Her case is so severe that she has already had to have double hip replacement surgery.  She captured my heart recently when she was in our restaurant one Thursday for Pizza Night.  Her mom, Brandy, introduced Nikole to me and told me a little of her story.  I was struck with deep sadness to consider this little girl had to deal with such a difficult disease at a young age.  As I … more »

Here’s a preview of what to expect from us this year:

6^th Market Meal Season.  Though the weather doesn’t feel like it, our local farmer’s market opens for the 2013 season this Saturday.  With that comes our Saturday Market Meal, which we began five years ago in 2008.  I looked back over some of the old menus we presented then and note how much we’ve been able to develop this experience.  The prix fixe menu was a bit foreign to many of our guests at that time.  People are accustomed to having several choices and substitution options.  We … more »

How should you react when you discover your customer doesn’t like your product?

First, don’t panic.

Especially in my industry, our product is all a matter of taste. It is important to leave room for this distinction because uniformity of taste doesn’t exist.  Everyone doesn’t like a medium rare steak.  If I discover you don’t like what I serve you, I must make an important assessment.

Was your disapproval due to your preference or my performance?

Does the customer simply not like my product or did I fail in execution and delivery?

Big difference.… more »

“That’s not my job”

“No one told me.”

“I didn’t know how”

“I’m too tired.”

“I don’t feel like it.”

“They didn’t do their job”

“It’s their fault.”

When you choose to become an entrepreneur, the buck stops with you. You are now at the top of the organizational chart.

Taking on this role means you forfeit your right to shift blame or to complain, not because no one cares, but because complaining is now an exercise in futility.  Complaining should always flow upstream, never down.  If it does, you contaminate the source from which your best ideas will emanate.… more »

These seedlings are already about 3 weeks old. Soon grown to be cauliflower, bok choi, purslane, mache, cipollini and served on your plate at our restaurant; yes, Spring will be upon us before we know it.

I love Spring and its special delivery of renewal and relief from the cold, gray days in which we have endured rather than thrived.  Of the four seasons, anticipation would seem to be the dominant descriptor.  I anticipate the herald of Spring much more than the arrival of Summer, Fall and Winter. Even my emotional state improves as the mercury rises.

Gardening has always … more »

2013 is already off to a great start, up significantly even over last year at this time, and January is our slow month. Our first major seasonal event is behind us, that being Valentine’s Day, with many more events planned for the coming year.  The challenge for us is to anticipate response and be prepared for it, but without precedent, we’re never quite sure what to expect.

March brings St Patrick’s Day, which actually falls on a Sunday this year, but we plan our celebration on Saturday, March 16.  Since everyone wants to be Irish for at least a day, … more »

We received a good diagnosis last week from Karen’s oncologist. No visible cancer remaining since her November surgery on the most recent CT scans.  In essence she is starting from a clean slate.  This doesn’t mean she is cancer free yet, but it does mean that what was there has been removed has not yet recurred.  She does have an aggressive cancer and the chance it could show up again is still possible. We take a wait-and-see approach again, continuing with regular check ups and blood work.

I am still in awe of what our community has done for us … more »

I’m one of those weird people that like the New Year’s transition thing.  Being reflective, I think about the previous year, where I’ve been and how I can do better. As a result, I did something for the first time in my life this year.

I signed up with a personal trainer.

At 49 years of age, I am considered an old dog.  And you know what they say about old dogs? They can’t learn new tricks.  But every rule can be broken, so about a month ago I had my first workout with Andy at a nearby gym. I … more »

I came across something this week that caught my attention. I’m still not sure if its serious or a parody. Watch and you can be the judge.  {The ReviewerCard}

Every chef or restaurant owner knows the feeling that comes from a negative reviewer.  It stings to know that we didn’t live up to our goal of making people happy.  But the most helpful kind of feedback you can receive is negative.  I’m not saying you need to feel good about it, but a glowing review only makes you feel delighted, it doesn’t show you anything to improve upon.

To any business owner, … more »

I like quiet spaces.  I’m sitting in one early this morning. They give my mind property to roam.  It is here that I like to occasionally linger and visit my thoughts.  They don’t often speak very loudly, so in order to hear their conversation, I need to get into position where the volume of the outer world is low so I can listen to what they have to say.

One thing in particular I ponder over and over is the outpouring of generosity Karen and I have received this month.  I still stand in amazement that so many of you … more »