We are so fortunate to have Rodolfo working with us in the kitchen! Rodolfo has been with Hugh Groman Catering for over two years. He started as a dishwasher and has since moved into full-time Phil's production.

 

His weekly prep includes processing 1000 pounds of potatoes, mixing multiple gallons of slider sauce, shake base, and poppy seed dressing, and shredding 75 pounds of red and green cabbage. Everyone at HGC appreciates Rodolfo for his playful sense of humor, dedication to the potato, and extremely hard work.

 

When Rodolfo isn't working to make sure everyone gets their potato tots, he can be found playing soccer with his team, Leon. He is the top goal scorer for his team and loves the camaraderie of team sports. He is also an excellent dancer, and the meringue is his favorite dance. Rodolfo likes to relax after work with friends and a nice cold beer.

A special shout out to Michael Gaffney for spearheading the event and to Ellen Kirmayer, a friend and client, who we believe has attended every food  bank day we've organized!

If you are interested in joining us at our next food bank volunteer day, please email Michael at  mpgaffney@comcast.net.


He'll get you on our list and send you all the details.

Happy Holidays!

 

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to thank my business coach Paul Sanneman.  I found Paul through my wonderful friend Michael McCutcheon. 

Two years ago, just after opening Phil's Siders, my companies had reached a size where I was no longer competent to run them successfully on my own.  Paul has provided amazing support and insight.  With his help, we're expanding in exciting ways.  We've hired dozens of new staff in the past two years, as well as promoted people within the company to new levels of responsibility.  We recently added a fourth van to our fleet (I think I can call it a fleet now!) and have taken over more space in our commercial kitchen, effectively increasing our space by 50%. 

Most importantly for me, I've been able to "let go" of certain tasks and empower others to do them instead (far better than I would have handled them on my own!).  I've always felt the need to control all the details, and I never thought I could become the kind of boss who empowers their team and "gets out of the way." But with Paul's help I feel like I've been moving in that direction. 

 

Paul was kind enough to interview me in a series of podcasts as part of his "Business Success Tips."  The link to the first podcast is here.

 

I am grateful to all of you for your support, referrals, and business. 

 

Many hugs,

Hugh 

A Happy Hour at a Tech Company In San Francisco

 

Finger Food Appetizer and Dessert Buffet

 

An elegant selection of cheeses with black olive tapenade, homemade sourdough and cranberry raisin walnut toasts, and roasted nuts

 *  

Spears of endive with coconut curry chicken salad, toasted almonds and golden raisins with Napa cabbage and fresh mint

 

*

 

Filet mignon with horseradish cream and baby arugula on flaky rosemary biscuits
*
Tiny banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
*
Tiny sour cream cupcakes with strawberry frosting
*
Tiny devil's food cupcakes with fudgy frosting

Thank you so much to those of you who have reviewed Phil's, HGC, and Greenleaf Platters on social networking sites such as YELP, Berkeley Parents Network, and Chowhound, as they are among the most powerful sources of new business for us. THANK YOU!