A lot has changed in the last 8 years.  I've always had people to help me with my catering business.  However, I used to get up, go shopping at the Berkeley Bowl at 8:30am, go to my commercial kitchen, cook all day, pack up the party, load the van, drive to the event, unload, setup the party, run the event, clean up, load the van, drive back to the kitchen and unload the van. 

Thank G-d I have more help now than in the past!  Now I have a wonderful crew of people who do most of the heavy lifting.  Today we catered Ardela's 103rd birthday (Ardela happens to be a friend of mine).  My wonderful cooks prepared the sweet and sour ginger baby back ribs, fried chicken, shrimp with grapefruit and a lemon caper remoulade, maple sesame cole slaw and cheddar scallion corn muffins.  The crew helped me load the van, and off I went.  I unloaded the van, set up the food, and spent the rest of the day receiving the gratitude for the delicious and decadent food the cooks had prepared so lovingly and carefully. 

The cooks don't always get to receive the gratitude first hand, but I try to pass it on whenever possible.   I am lucky and grateful to be able to work with such a talented, committed and lovable group of people, who make it possible for me to have a business and have a life beyond work as well.  It makes the hard work worth it, and sometimes even fun! :)

Happy spring to all of you.

Sincerely,
Hugh