Day 1283 I haven't been strangled, I just went on a run

The sun is starting to set earlier and winds are becoming colder, winter is nigh. While I’d like to curl up on my sofa and shut out the bitter world I must instead do the opposite and get out there, it’s running season. Some are born to run, they put on a cute outfit and happily do laps around the common or Battersea park. I however am not so graceful. By the end of a run I look like I survived attempted murder. It’s best if I stay in the shadows.

Salads:

Roast squash + split peas

Roast pepper rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced chickpea + tomato

Day 1282 I like my England served mid

Opinions fly around daily about numerous issues that face our society but I heard one thing that I thought should really be implemented. When there are road works, they should be worked on at all hours until said work is done. Why don’t we do this?

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpeas

Sumac rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Squash + ginger

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Asiago cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1281 Warm start to a cold day

A full pep talk took place this morning as the time to jump out of bed grew closer. Then the worst happened, Moose crept into my room and slumped his half asleep body across mine. It was dark and misty outside, the warmth resonating off my dog plus my plush bedding. Winter is upon us. I’ve already achieved so much just by being here. The rest of the day is just extra credit.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Lemon + herb rice

Roast vegetable pasta

Soup: Mushroom + white bean

Day 1280 I don't worship false Gods but i'm in awe of mystical beings

On this day, many moons ago, someone very dear to me was painfully pushed out into this world. Since then they have endured the trials and tribulations that this wonderful world has to give. Along the way they met me. I want to thank whatever spirit that makes good shit happen because without this person i’d probably be in an asylum. I’ve met a lot of people in this life but none of them sing to me quite the way you do. Tanti auguri to my Dragon.

Salads:

Mushroom cacciatore

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Braised potatoes with chicken + tarragon

Sandwich: Chorizo, Fontina cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1279 No friend of mine

Every morning I walk in to be greeted by our bread delivery, a tower of cardboard boxes filled with carby goodness. This morning there was a second tower with a note attached to it ‘For Buddies Deli’. The competition (apparently). Though I do love a bit of drama, I’m not one for terrorism the second tower is safe…this time.

Salads:

Vegetable curry

Ginger + herb rice

Roast olive + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced broccoli + potato

Day 1278 But he's such a sweet guy

Another bonkers day. In an attempt to be hospitable to a customer I have nothing in common with, I made the light joke. ‘Have you heard the news? Paracetamol can cause autism!’ turns out the pensioner is in support of this claim and was not best pleased with my jesting. Oh well, I tried. I will go back to the drawing board and try and find a less aggravating topic. I should just stick to talking about the weather.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Baked veggie pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced spinach + sweetcorn

Sandwich: Parma ham, Manchego, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1277 Did you really just say that?

The return was relatively painless, huzzah! My favourite interaction yesterday came from one of my oldest customers. He asked about my holiday and I told him I went to Sicily, he went on to tell me that all Italians are liars and thieves…it was like experiencing first hand one of those street interviews with an EDL supporter. Great banter, the ignorance and arrogance of the general public is frightening but very entertaining!

Salads:

Thai coconut curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Tomato + many greens pasta

Soup: Sweetcorn + ginger

Day 1276 Revelations

We’ve returned to work in the nick of time, I was getting use to that blissful leisurely life. It’ll take me a moment to rearrange my prefrontal cortex to be able to interact with people again. Needless to say i’ve been living in my own little hole for the past 2 weeks. I am happy to be back though, being able to frequent other food establishments in the city has helped me appreciate that we’ve got something good here.

Salads:

Vegetable curry

Rainbow rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Provola, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1275 I wonder what life is like outside those doors

It’s here, the last day before we shut up shop for 2 weeks. When we returned from our winter break the summer looked so far away. As I reflect on the past 8 months and recall the happenings in our little establishment all I can do is let out an exhale of air. It’s a lot. Let’s take this time apart to breath, we’ll reconvene on September 22nd. Hopefully the other local businesses run some deals so you don’t have to take out a second mortgage while we’re away. All tea, all shade.

Salads:

Potato + broccoli gratin

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Roast vegetable panzanella

Day 1274 All in a days work

Procrastination isn’t an option right now. I woke up yesterday determined and that determination led to a seamless day. I got home and executed my menial tasks then zoomed into central London again to return the atrocities I bought on Tuesday. I even incorporated a few other errands along the way, who carped the diem? Me. Here’s hoping today leaves me with the same level of satisfaction. There’s nothing like a deadline to light a fire under ones arse.

Salads:

Vegetable curry

Lemon + herb rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Spiced vegetable

Day 1273 Grey humpday

I did myself the disservice of going into central London in the hopes of refreshing my wardrobe. It was a total flop and a waste of time. I will venture back into the hell hole later today to make some returns. Yay. I have a boring list of tasks to complete and it’s raining. Somehow i’m still feeling jolly, probably because I know this weekend i’ll be sipping an espresso in a foreign location.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Spinach + herb rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Gorgonzola, onion relish + tomato

Day 1272 It's all too much for some

The saying goes ‘if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen’. While this may seem a little harsh to the faith hearted, it is in fact the kindest option you can give to a person. I will not force you to stay, I will trust you know yourself well enough to determine whether you’re up for the task. If you’re not, be kind to yourself and leave.

Salads:

Med veg + white bean

Roast pepper rice

Sausage + mushroom pasta

Soup: Tomato + sweetcorn with a little sriracha

Day 1271 Beast mode

I ate like a beast this weekend and i’m not even sorry! Life is short. The morning has brought up some harsh realities, i’m not surprised just disappointed. We encourage each other to look at the brighter side of life, no matter how dark it may seem. As a pessimist, I have to summon all my mental strength to employ this sentiment. Alas, life is good, people are a problem, we move on.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry + sweet potato

Ginger + lemon grass rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Spiced tomato + chickpea

Sandwich: Milano salami, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1270 Wet, wet, wet

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. It was mighty hard convincing my brain to get out of bed with the sound of the pitter patter outside. The streets were empty, doesn’t feel like a Friday. One more week to go until we close for 2 weeks. Am I excited? Not just yet, there’s plenty to do in the meantime and excitement tends to lead me astray. I’ll remain tense for a moment longer.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Veggie baked pasta

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Vegetable madras

Day 1269 Being offended is an occupational hazard of living in a society

In the midst of the the morning rush I made a coffee and sandwich for a gent. He sat outside, ate, then came in to pay. He was chuffed by the value of his meal then exclaimed he was surprised by my service. Why? because a google review led him to believe that I was rude. I replied with an honest response ‘sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit’. I’d like to think I dish out negativity where applicable, with that being said, I hope you fall in a puddle Megan Barton.

Salads:

Ginger + turmeric chickpea

Spiced spinach rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Gorgonzola, Onion relish + tomato

Day 1268 Stay on top

I predict an intense day ahead of me. It’s 8am and I’m frantically writing this post in the hopes of staying on top of things, possibly easing the stress. But I don’t doubt that the day will be filled with highs and lows. There’s only so much I can control. If I could govern all of it i’d probably live a boring life. Shout out to my crazy custom for keeping life interesting…I guess.

Salads:

Black eyed beans + braised roast peppers

Chilli + rosemary rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Spiced lentils

Day 1267 That was nice

That was a bang tidy weekend. Did I accomplish everything on my ‘to do’ list? no. I don’t care, all will be sorted in due time. What I did achieve was a feeling of relaxation, splendid. I am now hungrier than ever for our 2 week break in September. For now, I have to lock in, i’m back at my desk and there are still many parties to cater for before we can rest again.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced vegetable

Sandwich: Milano salami, Manchego, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1266 Plan now, panic later

This bank holiday is perfectly timed, I need to sit with my thoughts and work out some logistics for the coming months. There was me thinking my summer was going to busy (and it has been) but this winter is already looking pretty hectic. All I need to do is spend a long weekend working out how I want to divide my time and make a plan. I do love a good plan.

Salads:

Braised chickpeas

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 1265 Calm, relax, immune

Composure comes in all shapes and sizes. My composure is complex but it’s there. I will remember how you like your tea, not because I like you, it makes my life easier. I’m sure we can all agree infamy weighs on the brain heavier than the good. If you do something that causes me the slightest displeasure, I will remember. I will collect my thoughts, I will become composed and ready to serve.

Salads:

Aubergine + black lentil

Lemon + coriander rice

Broccoli, spinach + walnut pesto pasta

Soup: Spiced lentil

Day 1264 Short and stumpy

Yesterday I went to the nail salon and asked to remove my talons. I’ve had long nails for a long while, I wanted to feel my finger tips again. Now, I sit here with stubs at the end of my hands and I feel mighty strange, but I will have to get use to this feeling because they’re gone now.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry with roast squash

Ginger + sweet chilli rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced brown lentil

Sandwich: Chorizo, Provola cheese, chilli relish + tomato