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What’s a Caterer to Do Part 33

Remember me? Yes, it’s been 6 months to the day since we’ve chatted. I had to re-read Part 32 to see where we left off. It was May Day, May 1st. Today is November 1st. We’ve survived Spring and Summer, we’ve ushered in Fall, and now it’s November! The season of uncertain weather, unpredictable temperatures, less sunshine, more rain (better than the alternative), and the thought of what’s to come. I’ve heard that the Farmer’s Almanac predicts a tough winter. How do they know what to predict? Do they have a crystal ball? A wind sock? A sixth sense? All I know is that catering under any circumstances is a tough way to earn a living. But I can only imagine the challenges of earning a living as a farmer! They are so dependent on the climate, precipitation, temperature, storage, the “market” and the ever-changing costs of product that they need to do what they do. Yet, we are all so dependent on them for our livelihood! Yes, we all count on each other to do what we do. We truly are intertwined. We need to remember that, and be grateful for the hard work and commitment of the other people/businesses that provide us with what we need to continue our work. We’ve been hearing a lot about “supply chain” issues lately. I guess we blame that on COVID. Might as well! COVID truly has interfered with our lives in most every way possible over the last 18 months. If we can’t get what we need, to provide what our clients want and need, we have no business. Luckily, with ingenuity and flexibility, we’ve been able to continue to hobble along this year, doing business in a strangely different but acceptable way, at least for now.

So why now, you ask? We’ve been out of touch for 6 months. Sure, we’ve chatted with a few of you, maybe even done a little catering for you. Maybe we’ve had a quick lunch together, maybe shared a happy hour, or a quick phone call. But the deal is WE MISS YOU…and you miss us! We’ve had many people mention that they miss our updates. So enjoy! It’s very therapeutic to drop thoughts and sentiments on a page for many to read. The real deal is that we haven’t stopped long enough in the past 6 months to stay in touch. We’ve been busy cramming beautiful food into divided plastic boxes for delivery. We’ve been tasked with turning beautiful two-sided self- serve buffets into one-sided “served” buffets” (resembles a cafeteria line). We’ve been challenged meeting the ever-growing requests to accommodate dietary limitations. Meat, no meat, gluten, no gluten, dairy, no dairy, lactose, no lactose, vegan, heart healthy! Sometimes we joke that we should change our name to TCDC. (okay I joke, nobody else thinks I’m funny). Tasteful Connections Deli and Cafeteria. We’ve been busy fielding many phone calls reflecting daily changes from clients regarding menu choices/guest count/timing changes for booked events. We’ve been mildly concerned with COVID protocol. We’ve been busy making sure that we have the right people at the right time in the right places to do what we do. We’ve been patient with clients that want to book events, but are unsure, maybe even afraid, that COVID will get in the way. Truly, we’ve come full circle. It’s been a juggling act, sometimes an actual circus! We’ve been up to our ears in trying to get what we need, to do what we do, in a somewhat cost effective fashion. We’ve been overwhelmed by the increasing prices of everything that we use from plastic to paper, fruits to vegetables, meat to poultry, disposable gloves to gas for our vans. That’s kind of how we roll these days. Less parties, more everything else!

Forgive me for rambling! It’s time to get ready to go to that workplace to do what we do. Moving forward, our goal is to get back to “real” catering. Get back to what we do best. Get back to what inspires us. Get back to interacting with client’s and associates. Get back to not fretting and stewing about what tomorrow may or not bring. So as the holiday season approaches, food-filled and fun-filled, let’s try to GET BACK to what’s always been important to us. Faith in the future. Fabulous, festive food. Fun and frivolity!

Be well, be strong, be grateful and remember, we’re in this together. For now and till later, Sandra