Hola hola!!
I've spent the weekend in Valencia, Spain. Visiting my very old and dear friend, Alberto, has been a treat. The people I've come into contact with in Valencia have been nothing but exceptionally hospitable. Their generosity of spirit flows as the wine does, splashing into the decanter, kick starting the aeration process so vital to disperse the sulphur compound, releasing the fresh fruit aromas locked deep within. From the airport's passport control officers to the shop keepers, the lady on the orxata stand to the dancers from the show I was introduced to after, I was met with friendly faces, warm embraces and genuine words. What a pleasure. And it didn't stop there, home cooked meals were in abundance and created with such ease, as though everyone in Spain is a cook. The food on offer was mouth watering, moreish, almost seductive in it's effect and more so enhanced by the constant chattering of stories being shared, the explosions of laughter and the flowing juices of the grape. I watched with intrigued as the huge paella pan was set on the open fire, as the process of adding ingredients transformed a once empty pan in to a feast fit for a king. Learning the tricks of the perfect Spanish omelette, which are being put to the test this evening, a Spanish twist to tagliatelle carbonara and orxata, a sweet milk like drink made from Chufa (a root) and water were just a few of the delights of my trip.
And so, back to the vibrancy that is London town I put focus once again to the launch of the business which is fast approaching, a week from now.
Ciao ciao
Monday 24 May 2010
Thursday 20 May 2010
Melon and Cumin, in a cake?
My dear readers,
As another week edges to a close the summer has finally manage to show up for the show. I sit and review my diary, with it's lists of crossed out action points and contemplate the ever extending "to do" list ahead. With only 2 weeks left to the launch of Edesia Caterers I take a moment at the beginning of each day to push away the nerves, fears and doubts that I know if were allowed to absorb my day would only deter me from my work and in a milli second without notice I would be running around in circles like a little hamster in his cage, running and running, around and around on his little wheel, going ever so fast, as fast as his little legs can take him but ultimately not moving an inch in the process. I take the little hamster off his wheel and let him run, run around the room, out into the hall, up the staircase and down again with purpose, with intent, with direction and ultimately with reason and a sense of achievement because we all need to find our reason, our purpose, identify our personal achievements. And so begins my day with purpose, to finish the day with an achievement.
Yesterday saw the biggest leap in the construction of the website, the "look" was finalised (thank you HRH QR for assisting), Edesia's wording was finessed and visuals were uploaded, even my sis was impressed ...... until I showed her how simple it was to do :) if you ever want to build a website and like me are ignorant to the whole process get one from www.weebly.com The branding in general has been decided from the colours used to the look of the logo, which should all be finalised in the next few days ...... thank you Josie ;)
Now you know the old age saying "all work and no play makes xxxxxxx a dull boy" or something to those words, well quite frankly I couldn't agree more. So last night my friend Debi and I went to a gig and saw the coolest band I have seen in a long time. Their music is described as "space age gangster soul" and they are called "The Future Shape Of Sound". Not usually my kind of music but what really had it for me was this, their sound is original but most importantly they were really engaged, engaged with each other on stage, engaged with their music and engaged with the audience. You wanted to date the drummer, hangout with the female vocalist she was so cool, you wanted the lead male vocalist as your brother and the guitarist you'd be happy to introduce to your sister .... they were all so unique and true to their individual identities but combined they were ... The Future Shape Of Sound .... check them out on myspace.
Tomorrow I'm off to The Gluten Free show and am hoping for some real inspiration, it should be a treat and I'm aiming to pick up some good tips to share with you, in the form of a new kick ass recipe :) I did concoct a lemon and cumin creation a few days ago but it's not yet worthy of the Edesia stamp of approval and still needs finessing before I share with you any further ..... stayed tuned though :)
I hope you all have a purposeful day!!
so we'll catch up soon
As another week edges to a close the summer has finally manage to show up for the show. I sit and review my diary, with it's lists of crossed out action points and contemplate the ever extending "to do" list ahead. With only 2 weeks left to the launch of Edesia Caterers I take a moment at the beginning of each day to push away the nerves, fears and doubts that I know if were allowed to absorb my day would only deter me from my work and in a milli second without notice I would be running around in circles like a little hamster in his cage, running and running, around and around on his little wheel, going ever so fast, as fast as his little legs can take him but ultimately not moving an inch in the process. I take the little hamster off his wheel and let him run, run around the room, out into the hall, up the staircase and down again with purpose, with intent, with direction and ultimately with reason and a sense of achievement because we all need to find our reason, our purpose, identify our personal achievements. And so begins my day with purpose, to finish the day with an achievement.
Yesterday saw the biggest leap in the construction of the website, the "look" was finalised (thank you HRH QR for assisting), Edesia's wording was finessed and visuals were uploaded, even my sis was impressed ...... until I showed her how simple it was to do :) if you ever want to build a website and like me are ignorant to the whole process get one from www.weebly.com The branding in general has been decided from the colours used to the look of the logo, which should all be finalised in the next few days ...... thank you Josie ;)
Now you know the old age saying "all work and no play makes xxxxxxx a dull boy" or something to those words, well quite frankly I couldn't agree more. So last night my friend Debi and I went to a gig and saw the coolest band I have seen in a long time. Their music is described as "space age gangster soul" and they are called "The Future Shape Of Sound". Not usually my kind of music but what really had it for me was this, their sound is original but most importantly they were really engaged, engaged with each other on stage, engaged with their music and engaged with the audience. You wanted to date the drummer, hangout with the female vocalist she was so cool, you wanted the lead male vocalist as your brother and the guitarist you'd be happy to introduce to your sister .... they were all so unique and true to their individual identities but combined they were ... The Future Shape Of Sound .... check them out on myspace.
Tomorrow I'm off to The Gluten Free show and am hoping for some real inspiration, it should be a treat and I'm aiming to pick up some good tips to share with you, in the form of a new kick ass recipe :) I did concoct a lemon and cumin creation a few days ago but it's not yet worthy of the Edesia stamp of approval and still needs finessing before I share with you any further ..... stayed tuned though :)
I hope you all have a purposeful day!!
so we'll catch up soon
Monday 17 May 2010
Barclays one small step competition
Hey people of the world!! :)
WOW!! 2 weeks have literally flown by and each day has brought with it a new adventure. I must say it's been a lot of fun :) The business has now been registered. Edesia Caterers is now an official venture of it's own, the website is under construction, the legal and financial aspects have been sort, and many contacts have been made. The best news of all we have our first booking!!!! To be quite honest this is just the tip of the iceberg, there is still so much to do before launching in June not to mention from then on.
There is so much to consider when creating a business. For me most recently the question of why, why am I creating it. What does it mean for me and what will it mean for everyone else? What is Edesia Caterers? Why ask for our service over someone else's? What makes Edesia Caterers different, better, unique ......... ultimately more chosen. I've got to be really honest with you here, this was really difficult for me to get to grips with and to answer. There is competition out there, a lot of competition. From people who have established themselves in the market for years now. They have what I have, a belief that they can provide great service with great food. As I do, they hold the determination to stay passionate and innovative with their food. I researched a few catering companies, bluff calling to establish how they go about their customer service, pricing, offering and hoping to identify their unique selling point. I didn't find it (their unique selling point) unless I read their website testimonials but it wasn't coming through in they way the spoke with me. I didn't feel comfortable that they had my "party" interest at heart. So it was back to chopping board and back to the question, what is Edesia caterers all about? Will you have to read it on my website, through my blog? No, I want you to feel it from me when we speak.
Last night I completed and submitted my application for a business competition run by Barclays bank. It's called Barclays one small step competition and the winners will receive £50,000 to invest in their new business - you can check out and vote for me through this link
https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/5863
It was a last minute addition to the application which my good friend Debi encouraged and videoed for me. I wouldn't say I'm ready to take over from Larry King but it's nots so bad. There were 5 shots at this video, just to give you a laugh I'm sharing the ones that didn't get through on the link below .......... enjoy!!! I did :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J95D78ag89k
Ok, when you've finish picking yourselves up off the floor :) let me just tell you a lot of focused work went into my pitch to win the competition however if nothing comes of it, it was a great exercise. Through this I wrote down, in a coherent fashion, exactly what Edesia Caterers is about, what it means for me and my customers. In essence this is Edesia Caterers story .....
Edesia caterers strives to incorporate the best of old fashioned values with modern techniques, from where we source our produce to the way we cook, from our level of service to the people who work with us, to provide excellence at your fingertips.
Our slogan “excellence at your fingertips” is not just a catchy phrase it is the essence by which the business was born and is run. As a small catering business we provide a comprehensive catering service to both private and corporate clients. We offer an array of delicious savoury foods from canapes and finger food to buffets and barbeques to formal dining. To enhance these choices we also provide a mouth watering selection of sweets to compliment, with some amazingly moreish gluten free alternatives like our very own Strawberry and Rosemary cake or our own spin on the classic Lemon Meringue Pie. To top off any event we provide a beautiful selection of southern french wines, a mixologist with an exciting cocktail menu and a personalised floristry service.
So 2 weeks have past but as you can see it has not been spent idly sitting around sipping champagne and nibbling on delectable canapes, that job I leave totally to my customers ....... ;)
Now back to the kitchen.
WOW!! 2 weeks have literally flown by and each day has brought with it a new adventure. I must say it's been a lot of fun :) The business has now been registered. Edesia Caterers is now an official venture of it's own, the website is under construction, the legal and financial aspects have been sort, and many contacts have been made. The best news of all we have our first booking!!!! To be quite honest this is just the tip of the iceberg, there is still so much to do before launching in June not to mention from then on.
There is so much to consider when creating a business. For me most recently the question of why, why am I creating it. What does it mean for me and what will it mean for everyone else? What is Edesia Caterers? Why ask for our service over someone else's? What makes Edesia Caterers different, better, unique ......... ultimately more chosen. I've got to be really honest with you here, this was really difficult for me to get to grips with and to answer. There is competition out there, a lot of competition. From people who have established themselves in the market for years now. They have what I have, a belief that they can provide great service with great food. As I do, they hold the determination to stay passionate and innovative with their food. I researched a few catering companies, bluff calling to establish how they go about their customer service, pricing, offering and hoping to identify their unique selling point. I didn't find it (their unique selling point) unless I read their website testimonials but it wasn't coming through in they way the spoke with me. I didn't feel comfortable that they had my "party" interest at heart. So it was back to chopping board and back to the question, what is Edesia caterers all about? Will you have to read it on my website, through my blog? No, I want you to feel it from me when we speak.
Last night I completed and submitted my application for a business competition run by Barclays bank. It's called Barclays one small step competition and the winners will receive £50,000 to invest in their new business - you can check out and vote for me through this link
https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/5863
It was a last minute addition to the application which my good friend Debi encouraged and videoed for me. I wouldn't say I'm ready to take over from Larry King but it's nots so bad. There were 5 shots at this video, just to give you a laugh I'm sharing the ones that didn't get through on the link below .......... enjoy!!! I did :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J95D78ag89k
Ok, when you've finish picking yourselves up off the floor :) let me just tell you a lot of focused work went into my pitch to win the competition however if nothing comes of it, it was a great exercise. Through this I wrote down, in a coherent fashion, exactly what Edesia Caterers is about, what it means for me and my customers. In essence this is Edesia Caterers story .....
Edesia caterers strives to incorporate the best of old fashioned values with modern techniques, from where we source our produce to the way we cook, from our level of service to the people who work with us, to provide excellence at your fingertips.
Our slogan “excellence at your fingertips” is not just a catchy phrase it is the essence by which the business was born and is run. As a small catering business we provide a comprehensive catering service to both private and corporate clients. We offer an array of delicious savoury foods from canapes and finger food to buffets and barbeques to formal dining. To enhance these choices we also provide a mouth watering selection of sweets to compliment, with some amazingly moreish gluten free alternatives like our very own Strawberry and Rosemary cake or our own spin on the classic Lemon Meringue Pie. To top off any event we provide a beautiful selection of southern french wines, a mixologist with an exciting cocktail menu and a personalised floristry service.
So 2 weeks have past but as you can see it has not been spent idly sitting around sipping champagne and nibbling on delectable canapes, that job I leave totally to my customers ....... ;)
Now back to the kitchen.
Monday 3 May 2010
Focus
Dear reader :)
I hope on reading this you are as well (if not better) than I am today. I awoke with a real sense of excitement, I wish I could pin point why but I can't exactly. I just felt elated with a sense of wanting to achieve things. Unfortunately looking out the kitchen window as I write to you the weather doesn't seen to be in the same frame of mind. All morning it has schizophrenically jumped from clear blue skies with beautiful bright raze of sun shinning down on my herb garden to large billowing clouds of grey, gently spraying mist through the cool breeze which becomes more apparent with the lack of heat from the then cloud covered sun. The herb garden may be dampened but I shall not, not today.
Self awareness and the ability to manage yourself with this awareness is an important trait to have when starting a project on your own. Know your strengths and weakness, build a team around you that compliments you so as to enhance the strength of your team where by increasing your chances to succeed. The list goes on and on I'm sure. I will not claim to have the self awareness of a Buddha but do take some comfort in the fact that I have made mistakes and appear to have learnt from them. In this vain I have an understanding, which I hope you can appreciate, that when I feel very excited with so much adrenalin going through my blood stream, so much so there would not be a milli second of surprise if I took to flight right now, and have this yearning to achieve so much in one day, procrastination generally enters the room and sits right beside excitement on the feelings board. But I have much to do and am determined not to let procrastination beat me :)
So 2 days ago I sat and wrote out a rough business plan, so rough it makes Oliver Twist look like prince William but I got it out none the less. 7 pages of notes, what, where, when, why and how, through to the 5 P's, profit, people, promotion, product and property. It helped a lot. It made me ask myself questions I hadn't thought about before and have to answer them too :) Today take 2 factors into consideration 1. I'm in a want to achieve mood 2. Structuring a business plan is not the most exciting project in the world (for me :) ) I will put a structure to this business plan, clean my 7 pages of thoughts up like gathering a ball of dough and rolling it out flat ready for the purpose it was intended :)
Without further ado, keeping Mr procrastination at the door (outside the door) I shall sign off, hoping we all have a fun and productive day ........... just because it's a bank holiday doesn't mean you can't be productive :)
So we'll catch up soon
I hope on reading this you are as well (if not better) than I am today. I awoke with a real sense of excitement, I wish I could pin point why but I can't exactly. I just felt elated with a sense of wanting to achieve things. Unfortunately looking out the kitchen window as I write to you the weather doesn't seen to be in the same frame of mind. All morning it has schizophrenically jumped from clear blue skies with beautiful bright raze of sun shinning down on my herb garden to large billowing clouds of grey, gently spraying mist through the cool breeze which becomes more apparent with the lack of heat from the then cloud covered sun. The herb garden may be dampened but I shall not, not today.
Self awareness and the ability to manage yourself with this awareness is an important trait to have when starting a project on your own. Know your strengths and weakness, build a team around you that compliments you so as to enhance the strength of your team where by increasing your chances to succeed. The list goes on and on I'm sure. I will not claim to have the self awareness of a Buddha but do take some comfort in the fact that I have made mistakes and appear to have learnt from them. In this vain I have an understanding, which I hope you can appreciate, that when I feel very excited with so much adrenalin going through my blood stream, so much so there would not be a milli second of surprise if I took to flight right now, and have this yearning to achieve so much in one day, procrastination generally enters the room and sits right beside excitement on the feelings board. But I have much to do and am determined not to let procrastination beat me :)
So 2 days ago I sat and wrote out a rough business plan, so rough it makes Oliver Twist look like prince William but I got it out none the less. 7 pages of notes, what, where, when, why and how, through to the 5 P's, profit, people, promotion, product and property. It helped a lot. It made me ask myself questions I hadn't thought about before and have to answer them too :) Today take 2 factors into consideration 1. I'm in a want to achieve mood 2. Structuring a business plan is not the most exciting project in the world (for me :) ) I will put a structure to this business plan, clean my 7 pages of thoughts up like gathering a ball of dough and rolling it out flat ready for the purpose it was intended :)
Without further ado, keeping Mr procrastination at the door (outside the door) I shall sign off, hoping we all have a fun and productive day ........... just because it's a bank holiday doesn't mean you can't be productive :)
So we'll catch up soon
Saturday 1 May 2010
Gluten free contact
good morning :)
Ok, so yesterdays' business planning was side tracked slightly, mainly due to suffering a second day of a hangover - why does it take longer to recover as you get older? are there any scientific reasons for this? Wednesday evening my sister and brother, Sinead and Cormac and Sandra, Cormac's girlfriend came over for a canape sampling session. Cormac, being a mixologist, is creating a cocktail menu for me which he also had samples for. Needless to say, the cocktails went down a treat!! Luckily I got my samples and feedback in before the alcohol had a chance to gate crash the party. Admittedly, I'm still suffering today. I'm thinking definitely next time to get other people to sample the cocktails :) any offers?
While I didn't format the business plan I did sit in Starbucks and think about it a lot. Conseqeuntly I woke this morning feeling rather anxious, a sign I thought to myself that I probably really do need to get this business plan down on paper. Any help on this is most openly and gracefully accepted ;)
So here's the thing right, when you start out on a journey you start making connections with people you would never have previously made contact with and the most wonderful things can happen. Only last week I had met an old friend of mine Cat for breakfast and while we were discussing the business I explained to her I was experimenting with gluten free ingredients and the troubles it is to source these. Well, low and behold she tells me of this friend who set up a businesses selling gluten free ingredients after becoming herself so frustrated with the lack of availablity on the market. So I got in touch with her and though disappointly she had stopped selling the gluten free ingredients she credits herself with being a keen baker who has a wealth of experience with gluten free recipes, due to her partner being coeliac. She is in the middle of writing a business plan herself to start her own business catering specifically for coeliacs and wished to meet to discuss ideas and maybe even business partnerships. Well one can only speculate, and speculate I did all day yesterday, where this could go but one thing I know for sure is that I need to meet this woman.
OK, so today is back to the drawing board, back to the business plan and to get it down and out of my head where it's living a very introspective and at times daunting existence. The idea is to not let it ovewhelm me, just take it piece by peice and after my fourth cup of coffee I'm ready for it!!
so we'll catch up tomorrow
Ok, so yesterdays' business planning was side tracked slightly, mainly due to suffering a second day of a hangover - why does it take longer to recover as you get older? are there any scientific reasons for this? Wednesday evening my sister and brother, Sinead and Cormac and Sandra, Cormac's girlfriend came over for a canape sampling session. Cormac, being a mixologist, is creating a cocktail menu for me which he also had samples for. Needless to say, the cocktails went down a treat!! Luckily I got my samples and feedback in before the alcohol had a chance to gate crash the party. Admittedly, I'm still suffering today. I'm thinking definitely next time to get other people to sample the cocktails :) any offers?
While I didn't format the business plan I did sit in Starbucks and think about it a lot. Conseqeuntly I woke this morning feeling rather anxious, a sign I thought to myself that I probably really do need to get this business plan down on paper. Any help on this is most openly and gracefully accepted ;)
So here's the thing right, when you start out on a journey you start making connections with people you would never have previously made contact with and the most wonderful things can happen. Only last week I had met an old friend of mine Cat for breakfast and while we were discussing the business I explained to her I was experimenting with gluten free ingredients and the troubles it is to source these. Well, low and behold she tells me of this friend who set up a businesses selling gluten free ingredients after becoming herself so frustrated with the lack of availablity on the market. So I got in touch with her and though disappointly she had stopped selling the gluten free ingredients she credits herself with being a keen baker who has a wealth of experience with gluten free recipes, due to her partner being coeliac. She is in the middle of writing a business plan herself to start her own business catering specifically for coeliacs and wished to meet to discuss ideas and maybe even business partnerships. Well one can only speculate, and speculate I did all day yesterday, where this could go but one thing I know for sure is that I need to meet this woman.
OK, so today is back to the drawing board, back to the business plan and to get it down and out of my head where it's living a very introspective and at times daunting existence. The idea is to not let it ovewhelm me, just take it piece by peice and after my fourth cup of coffee I'm ready for it!!
so we'll catch up tomorrow
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