2/4/11

Fridays are pretty calm at the capitol complex, but luckily, we were quite entertained as a group of 60 Sissonville Elem kids stopped by.  We typically offer boxed lunches or some meal deals for school kids but these kids went through the regular lines and boy did they have fun!  I think each kid went through my register at least 4 times.  Cute as can be in their school t-shirts (they were red...perfect for WEAR RED day for Heart Association), they had desserts, desserts and more desserts.  
Shortly following them, the usual House of Delegate members arrived as well as many Senators.  This was the first time I had seen any Senators in our food court and was pleased to have them.  A special shout out to Marty for being "most entertaining" of the day.
Nothing much else happened other than closing up a great week and then taking the leftover fresh food (wraps, salads, side items, etc) to Covenant House as a donation.  That always makes one feel good, to donate something good (and healthy & fresh) to someone less fortunate.  We can all make such a difference in this world....
After Wednesday and Thursday (doing the most business thus far, pulling off a 250 box luncheon, 7 other caterings, forgetting to order hamburger buns, frozen turkeys not done in time for hot lunch, and the list goes on and on), we were entitled to a slow day, don't ya think?
I am blessed to have a fantastic staff, entertaining, thorough and hard-working.  Keep it up guys!

Sandwich of the Week Recipe:
Fried Green Tomato Sandwich- our way


dust sliced green tomatoes with flour, seasoned with S&P, cajun seasoning
deep fry until crispy- drain on paper towels
pile on sub bun with chipotle mayo, two crispy bacon strips, shredded lettuce, fresh sliced mozzarella and indulge!

http://thepittmangroupwv.com

Beginnings

Our company, The Pittman Group, opened for business at the WV State Capitol food court, in Charleston,  on January 11, 2011.  It has been quite a busy time, these past few weeks, getting ready for the new business plus legislative session.  For the 300 seat cafeteria, recently remodeled and very state of the art, there are menu's to be made, products ordered, employees to hire and train, traffic flow to figure out, expenses, prep assembly for food items, new equipment mastered (the Rational fancy stuff), catering ideas put to paper, cash registered working and credit card readers cooperating, vendors to begin new pacts with, appointments, safety meetings, health inspections, and the list goes on and on.  But did I mention EXPENSE?  Starting a new business from zero product to ready for business has been a very costly endeavor as well as learning experience.   My suppliers have been great to work with and I am blessed to have them looking out for me.  Luckily my hubby, Eddie,  has been in local business here in Charleston for 20+ years in the vending industry (Canteen Vending plus we manage cafeteria's at Directv in Huntington and BB&T in Charleston, Summers Street), so he has been around the block a time or two regarding start-up business.
I wanted to create this blog to fill you in on some of the happenings in the catering/cafeteria world here in our small town of Charleston, WV, as well as give you a laugh as someone who has changed careers at 40 years old (after a 20 year stint with Blue Cross/Blue Shield) and has had to learn things in the kitchen world "the hard way". You may get some good tips from my blog, share a good laugh, be able to advise me on things, know the latest "gossip" (sssshhhhh....), enjoy a recipe or just plain take a minute from your day to unwind. 
Whatever the reason  you are here, THANK you from the bottom of my heart for listening and being part of this.  
Let's get started...