Day 639 Frankie says relax

I love mornings like today. The shop is filled with people (most of them hungover) just sipping coffee and talking. I love and hate a community vibe, if you’re in a rush and you want to ‘refuel’ then the deli can seem quite tedious and inefficient. However if you enjoy human interaction and rogue banter this is the place for you.

Salads:

Curried lentils

Cumin + turmeric rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Polenta bake

Soup: Parsnip, cumin + tomato

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, provola picante, apple relish, mustard + tomato

Day 638 Buffering

Do you ever just sit at your desk, look at the work you have to do and just buffer. There is nothing going through my head at the moment. There’s pros and cons to this. A pro is that I’m relaxed, chilled, vibing. The con is that i’m not getting any work done which means that it will pile up and that relaxed feeling will disintegrate.

Salads:

Thai spiced chickpea coconut curry

Lemongrass + lime leaf rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

BBQ jackfruit salad

Soup: Turmeric + potato

Day 637 Slithers of happiness

I made soup yesterday. This is quite boring information to share but I’ve never made soup before. It was nice. I bought a bath robe in the January sales and I highly recommend you get one too because when you get out the shower and put on a robe you feel like you’re in a spa. It seems this post is all about the little things the bring slithers of happiness.

Salads:

Peri peri split peas + cauliflower

Dill + carrot rice

Chicken, olive + mushroom pasta

Braised veg with polenta croutons + roasted feta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Milano salame, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 636 Pump it

I’m feeling much better this morning. Yesterday just didn’t feel right, you can try and avoid the January blues as much as you like but they will find a way to sit on your shoulders at some point. This morning I woke up way before the sun and did a leg day in an attempt to get pumped, I hope y’all are ready, we back.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Korean spiced pork noodles

Soup: Thai spiced vegetables

Day 635 Buon Anno

Hello, missed me? When I’m not at work it feels like i’m in an alternative universe. My new year has mainly consisted of gaming and eating. Now it’s back to reality, and i’m genuinely happy to be back as are the rest of the team. It’s easy to go a little crazy when you have no routine.

Salads:

Five spice veg + aduki beans

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Tomato + herb pasta

Cheesy potato bake

Soup: Potato + ginger

Sandwich: Parma ham, Manchego cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 634 Merry Christmas

We will return January 16th. I want to thank all our customers from the annoying dietary requirement rascals to the bantering bandits. This year has been swift and filled with too many highs and lows to mention. Thank you for waiting in all weather conditions and putting up with our questionable service. I can’t wait to see you in the new year and hopefully we’ll be ready for all the antics that 2023 has to give. Love you, over and out.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry

Spring onion + ginger rice

Tomato, basil + french bean pasta

Soup: Cumin roasted parsnip

Sandwich: Fennel salame, Manchego cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 633 Shine

We are finally getting a Christmas tree tonight. I’ve been seeing beautifully decorated trees situated perfectly in peoples windows and now its our time. Like with everything, our family does things a little differently. We just cover that pine tree in lights and a single border collie ornament.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Sandwich: Chorizo, provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 632 Pushing on

My computer was running slowly so I called in a ‘Nerd’ (this is what they called themselves, I would prefer to be called a Genius but whatever). I was told my computer is old and slow. It’s 8 years old but I guess in computer years that makes my PC a pensioner. I refuse to accept the diagnosis, here’s to another 8 years!

Salads:

Braised chickpeas

Lemon + garlic rice

Tomato + french beans pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

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