Yawn. Sorry, but that’s how I feel! I’ve been waking up at 5.18am (yep, the exact same time) pretty much every day for the last fortnight. I think I feel the sunlight and my eyes open and my brain starts working, thinking of all the business related things I could be doing. I do the usual, close my eyes, count sheep for a while and realise by my hundredth sheep, sleep isn’t happening and I wake up and start working. This means I’m usually found down the gym at 6am and have done an average person’s day by lunchtime. It also means I’m exhausted by about 5pm – grr, I need to find some ‘brain-switch-off’ pills or something! Anyway, let’s move on… since my last update ‘Good things come to those who wait’, ‘good things’ have definitely happened but I’m still not sure about the ‘wait’ being justified!
So, the supper club (or ‘pop-up restaurant’ is an easier description for many) is happening this Saturday and amazingly, given it’s my first one, is over booked. I’ve struck gold in finding Charlotte, the manager of the venue, who has professionally baked for over two years, and who, after sharing her love for business and food, has agreed to help me with my supper clubs. She’ll be making the puddings and will be my ‘other half’ on supper club evenings. I’ve also finalised the menu, trying to keep it simple yet impressive, which will kick off following an aperitivo. Guests will receive a five course extravaganza, beginning with an aperitivo, Italian music and the opportunity to meet new people. Most importantly, because this particular venue is a bakery it means I’m able to try out my concept and give people the opportunity to make their own pizzas! Oh, and the local newspaper are coming to write an editorial on it, argh! Fingers crossed it all goes to plan – I’ll definitely be writing an update after, so keep your eyes peeled. Also, if this seems like something that would interest you, I do have more Supper Clubs booked in, so click here to guarantee a ticket!
Sundried Tomato Dough-Sticks
Bechemel, Potato & Tomato Focaccia
As usual I’ve been doing a lot of cooking – making arancini by the bucket load and baking numerous types of dough. My favourite recipes have included the sundried tomato dough-sticks, my butternut squash, sage and blue cheese arancini and a pesto focaccia. I’m afraid these recipes are remaining hidden as I can’t share all my secrets can I?! However, if they sound yummy – come to one of my supper clubs or stop by my van and you’ll no doubt find them there! Such a tease. I know!
That leads me onto a nice Segway, being my van. Theodore has proved the ONLY upset of my fortnight as things just don’t seem to be progressing as quickly as I’d hoped. Maybe naively, but I thought that once Theodore was in the garage and I’d sent over my requirements, that would be it and the next time I’d see him, he’d be a lean green catering machine. Evidently not, instead I’m having to chase his renovation every step of the way, urging mechanics for quotes and giving out deadlines which are seemingly being laughed at. I’m starting to learn that maybe the world of motors really is a ‘man’s world’ so I admitted defeat and brought in the muscle, aka my Dad. Despite the muscle obviously being intimidating (joking, of course), our urgency hasn’t seemed to be translated with the response being ‘we’ll do it when we can do it’. Oh boy.
MYO Sticker!
I suppose I shouldn’t ever expect things to be plain sailing and the worst case scenario? Theodore won’t be ready for the summer. Best case scenario? I’ll have a catering van by the summer, for a heck of a lot cheaper than I could have got it done anywhere else. Fingers crossed for the latter. Anyway, let’s think more positively – I’ve ordered all my packaging for my street food, calculated costs and profit margins (pretty good I’d say), finalised the majority of my recipes and have more of an idea about the locations I’ll be trading in. And, I’ve been working hard at Leonardos and in return being given masses amount of yummy food – see pictures below.
Avacado, Smoked Chicken and Mozzarella Salad with Cheesy Garlic Bread
Also, on a non-Theodore note, I’ve been lucky enough to eat at the Chestnut Horse in Winchester, Charter 1227 and Anokkha in Salisbury and Sprinkles Gelato in Southampton (please click on the links for the reviews). The gelato was possibly the highlight – I don’t actually know what the place did to me, it seemed to turn me into a five year old all over again. From the sweet, intoxicating caramel smell that you could smell from the street to the ginormous sundaes and waffles I could see people demolishing inside, I was trapped. For the first time ever, I would’ve been happy to wait for however long it took until we’d got a seat. Luckily it wasn’t table service so I was free to find my own seat, and I was so desperate that I asked to share a table with two others. I chose a tub with three flavours as I couldn’t narrow down my choices to two – these places give you too much choice! I went for Chocolate Jelly, Fruits of the Forest Sorbet and Pistachio with whipped cream and erm, I asked for the cone as well, to stick in as a big wafer on the top. What I hadn’t anticipated was how big it would be – I looked at it, and thought annihilation would soon be coming. However, twenty minutes later, and with a lot of help, we finished it – with chocolate all over my face and hands, and on the table, I could definitely have been likened to a hyper child. However, on a serious business level, it’s reconfirmed my opinion that I should sell gelato in my van.
Definitely the highlight of my day – Sprinkles Gelato
So, that’s largely it for now! I have lots to look forward to, immediately being my first supper club tomorrow and I’ll also be looking into what type of food stand/marketing I can do in the interim while I’m waiting for my main man, Theodore.
