Day 631 Step into Christmas

We’re open until the end of the week. There’s so much to do before we close, i’m making so many lists and checking them tice (cheeky xmas reference). I expected it to be much quieter this week as people start to head home, shock horror, I was wrong.

Salads:

Chickpea + rainbow peppers

Smoed garlic rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Turkey + parma ham braise

Soup: Spiced sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Turkey, bacon, cheddar, cranberry, mayo, mustard, slaw + gravy to dip

Day 630 Recovery

The party was intense and this morning has mainly consisted of confirming that certain events took place. Saying this no work has been done and now we’re very behind. It’s all a mess.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Spinach + cumin rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Five spice veg

Day 629 Shubz

Tomorrow the deli will be having a shubz. Turns our a lot of people don’t know what this means. Here’s some knowledge for your noggin, a shubz is a party. Could be carnage, hopefully not. Either way we will open on Monday as if nothing happened.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Preserved lemon rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Celeriac, apple + potato

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, pecorino, Apple relish, frenchie’s mustard + tomato

Day 628 Work comes first

Minus 4 people, MINUS 4! I’ve made myself a little hot chocolate to cheer myself up. Working in catering makes it a little hard to get into all the festivities. I’m not a Grinch, I actually love Christmas but work comes first so I don’t make holiday plans until the blinds are down and the oven is off.

Salads:

Five spice vegetables + aduki beans

Tofu + edamame rice

Spinach + pea pesto pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced tomato + lentil

Day 627 Rain on me

I started my working day by covering myself in oat milk and then a double shot of coffee. I’m feeling a slight burning sensation and I smell like a latte. This has not dampened my spirits I am in a relatively good mood but like always, anything can walk through that door and ruin my day.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + lentils

Lemon + herb rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Sandwich: Fennel salame, Provola cheese, Fig + chilli relish, tomato

Day 626 Winter woes

I’m done now. This cold is too cold even for my cold soul. I’ve practically been ice skating down the street. Moose seems to be at peace with this icy hell but I can’t walk on all fours (i’ve tried). Plus waking up before dawn is hard enough add ice to the equation and it’s enough to make you whimper on the way to work.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Rose harissa rice

Chicken + tarragon pasta

Blue cheese potato bake

Soup: Cauliflower, potato, ginger + turmeric

Day 625 Slippery business

Hasn’t been too busy this morning. Should I talk about the snow? Is that to obvious a talking point on this frosty morning? It’s pretty viewing, but when an icy cluster slips into your boot it’s suddenly a bit of a pain in the arse. That and the rest of the problems snow causes. But yeah… it’s pretty.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Indian spiced curry with paneer

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Parma ham, Manchego, jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 624 Rush

Honey child I can’t even. I was up at 5am this morn, they common was beautiful and frosty. I was greeted at work a mountain of work to climb so there is NO Friday feeling up in this bitch. I have been running at full pelt all day. Who needs cocaine when you have the deli eh?

Salads:

Indian spiced veggie curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: I don’t know i’m sorry

Day 623 Onion juice

My eye’s won’t stop crying. It’s all the onion juice in the air. My body hurts and my patience is low. So i will rant on here about a constant conversation that has taken place this morning to relieve some of my angry tension …Yes, it’s cold, we do this every year as if it’s a big surprise that it gets cold in winter.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry with black bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Sausage + ham ragu pasta

Crab stick + pickled ginger rice noodle salad

Soup: Cumin roasted parsnip + tomato

Sandwich: Mortadella ham. Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 622 Capitalist conundrum

I’m struggling to think of presents for the family. I could go to Boots and get a three for two but the gift sets would be poorly received and with good reason. It’s personality less tat. I take pride in gift giving so if I can’t find anything that fits the only thing my family will be unwrapping is quality street.

Salads:

Mushroom ragu + pinto beans

Parsley + lemon rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Something with turkey

Soup: Med veg + tomato

Day 621 Take a chill pill

I get a lot of shit for my vicious attitude, I blame my Italian mother. Anyway, this morning someone was being a Karen at the gym and the PT had just started their shift and it made me feel so much better about myself. At least I have the decency to allow people to sip their morning brew before tearing them a new one.

Salads:

Tuscan white beans

Spinach + herb rice

Sundried tomato + cashew pesto pasta

Braised lentils + salted ricotta

Soup: Squash + rosemary

Sandwich: Fennel salame, Provola picante, Fig relish + tomato

Day 620 Before dawn

I trialled waking up at 5am and exercising first thing. This is my attempt to feel better about my health during the heavy eating that takes place over the Christmas season. I went through an unholy amount of Maoam’s last week and I really feel the need to repent.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Leek + dill rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Potato + paneer curry

Soup: Coconut curried vegetables

Sandwich: Chorizo, Brie, Onion relish + tomato

Day 619 Heavy

This has been a heavy week. I’ve been inundated with work, banter and problems and I just went numb. I swear I looked like a ghost during the rush yesterday, just floating about with no expression on my face. I don’t think many would bat an eyelid because you never know what vibe you’ll walk into at the deli!

Salads:

Indian spiced coconut curry

Cumin roasted carrot rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Sandwich: Parma ham, Peppercorn pecorino, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 618 Too much information

First day of the advent calendar. I went for a slightly unorthodox choice. Instead of chocolate I purchased a cheeky calendar from Lovehoney. I might regret telling this to the world but i’m not a big fan of taboo’s. Let’s be honest, It’s going to be a very merry Christmas.

Salads:

Sriracha aduki beans

Crispy tofu + ginger rice

Courgette, tomato + rosemary pasta

Beany beef braise

Soup: Spiced red lentil + tomato

Day 617 Highs and lows

England won, good for them. I lost this morning when I woke up and hour late. I managed to pull it back of course (I always do) so now I get to enjoy (hopefully) the rest of my day. Tonight we’re going to watch basketball. Tomorrow December begins.

Salads:

Paprika black beans + pumpkin

Rosemary + garlic rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, chilli pecorino, Onion relish + tomato

Day 616 All stations go

It’s a very busy day today. I know it’s always busy but there’s different levels. On top of the rush we have catering and then I have emails galore coming in. I’m slightly panicked but that’s good it encourages me to work as efficiently as possible…ja feel?

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Lemon + sumac rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Veggie bake

Soup: Sweet potato, ginger + tomato

Day 615 Breaking my nuts

Good morrow my little nutcrackers. We’re about to hit the final month of the year. I always try and go into December with the mentality that my monthly wage will be sacrificed for festive fun. This weekend I managed to spend my monthly budget and none of it was Christmas presents. When will I learn.

Salads:

Chickpea + cauliflower coconut curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Parsnip + apple salad

Soup: Indian spiced parsnip

Sandwich: Prosciutto crudo, Fontina cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 614 Shing shing

I fulfilled a childhood wish yesterday and dined at Benihana. It was everything I wanted it to be. I was fed and given a show. I think I have the finesse to work there. If you see me in the corner flipping Parma ham and smacking avocado just know I’m training for my next role.

Salads:

Lentil + smokey aubergine

Middle eastern rice

Pepper, walnut + rosemary pesto pasta

Soup: Indian spiced cauliflower

Sandwich: Speck ham, Fontina cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 613 Keep calm

My professionalism is sometimes a little questionable. Yesterday I vacated shop floor because a customer insinuated that I wasn’t serving very well. I decided to bite my tongue and step away rather than explaining to said customer why they are inconsiderate and just wrong.

Salads:

Coconut curry with aduki beans

Crispy tofu + red onion rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Braised beans with parma ham

Soup: Sweetcorn, ginger + potato

Day 612 Tasty meal

I had a lovely dinner last night so I want to hype the restaurant. Roti King (I think they have a couple locations) is the kind of restaurant that makes me love dining out. It’s good food at a reasonable price and I can’t make it at home. Add it to your list and go.

Salads:

Oriental veg + black bean

Miso + ginger rice

Squash + rosemary pasta

Korean spiced egg noodles

Soup: Sweet potato, tomtao + ginger

Sandwich: Fennel salame, Pepe pecorino, chilli relish + tomato