Appetizers Anyone?

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Vegan-Tastic

When we scored our big Google account this past summer, we made some positive changes in our abilities and goals as a company. If you do any kind of search on what the big dot com companies feed their employees, you will find yourself searching their job postings to find out how you can get in on the five star cuisine action. Their requests are simple; Top Quality, Variety, Environmentally Friendly, and Vegan options. We had Top Quality in the bag. Our, well over, 50 menus tackled the variety request. Our newly implemented Green Chicks line of compostable plates and utensils satisfied the environmentally friendly requirement. But, we had only served Vegan meals once a year with the traditional Thanksgiving Tofurky.
In order to do this, and do it right, we brought in a Vegan Chef to teach us all about vegan philosophy and lifestyle. In a nutshell, the term vegan was created to describe people who avoid products made from or by animals. This includes anything from textiles to food. It became necessary to differentiate vegans from vegetarians because the term vegetarian had been interpreted, by some, to include dairy products.
While we were not intent on becoming solely a “vegan” caterer, we wanted to learn more about this demand in the community. The Seattle/Tacoma area is known for its diversity and there is a much higher vegan population here than in many other parts of the United States. According to Wikipedia, at least today, vegans in the United States are made up of between 0.2-1.3% of the population.
Numerous studies have shown veganism to be a healthy lifestyle which lowers many common health risk factors including high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, and even forms of cancer. Veganism is also a major friend of the animal kingdom as subscribers to the philosophy believe that animals should not be used for human benefit. It is, however, a bit of a challenge to find restaurants and caterers that are familiar with vegan requirements. For this reason, we are happy to be a part of the solution for people looking to hold vegan events (weddings, parties, luncheons, dinners, etc.)
Our attitude towards any vegetable inspired challenge is this;
“Ve-Gan Do It!”

Veteran's Day with The Chicks

It's Veteran's Day 2008. Just 10 minutes ago, I received a text from my former Navy Chief, Gary Spevak. Both of our Naval careers ended about the same time, and ever since January 2005 I have been a proud veteran of the United States Navy. Gary has even more to be proud of as he served an entire career in the military, whereas I served one tour of duty. Who would have thought that I would be a "party chick" 3 years later? It's pretty amazing where life takes you if you are open to it. My experience in the military, as a whole, was positive. I am very aware that it had everything to do with the leadership I was under. I have met quite a number of veterans and active duty military over the years who had experiences that were similar to mine. I have also met some that had nothing nice to say about their tour of duty. One thing that we all have in common though, is the pride that comes with serving our great country. There is an amazing brotherhood and sisterhood you join when you serve your country. My husband and I have shaken hands with Marines (once a Marine, always a Marine) who fought in World War II. The most amazing part was that they were as honored to meet us as we were to meet them! It is true that once you serve, you take on the legacy of those before you who gave up their very lives for our freedom. It is an amazing honor and a responsibility to carry it forward to the next generation.
Today, I am thinking about all of those I have stood side by side with as well as those I took orders from and gave orders to. I am grateful to those who picked up the baton after we passed it down. Happy Veteran's Day and thank you for your service!

Loyalty in a Lagging Economy

I don't know about you, but I am tired of reading and hearing all the gloom and doom about the economy and the precarious future of our financial investments. It really is enough to make you double up on your meds and hide under your covers with the curtains closed. Virtually every media outlet is reporting increased amounts of stress in the workplace and interpersonal relationships due to the state of our economy. Even longstanding successful companies with proven business models are feeling the pressure to downsize in order to remain in existence through this storm. Employees are uncertain about their job stability and their productivity suffers as a result. This represents an "about face" from the job market as recent as a year ago. Employees had their pick of employers, because of the low unemployment percentage, and would constantly be on the lookout for better opportunities. Employers had to adapt to higher turnover in fields that were traditionally filled with devoted career oriented employees. As the economic landscape changes around us, business trends are following suit. We are forced to reevaluate what we need to do to survive. I want to share with you a positive aspect of "battening down the hatches" as a family, company and even as a country.
Your average employee (Joe the Plumber, if you will) has to decide where to place their loyalty. Hard times have a way of helping us all identify our priorities in life. How much do we need to get by? Can we accept a decrease in pay in order to keep our jobs? I once worked for a Physician who eloquently described this scenario as "bleed or amputate." We learn to depend on each other a little more in order to get through the hard times as a team... and in some cases, a family. In no other industry does this feel as literal as in the food industry. We spend an incredible amount of time together under extreme amounts of stress and pressure. On early mornings, we drink our first cup of coffee together. This carries on throughout the day, taking meal breaks to prepare food for each other, and sometimes ending the day with a fabulous dessert that will never be appreciated by anyone outside the walls of the Three Chicks Catering building.
We are learning, as many other businesses are, that success sometimes means getting through the rough times intact. There is no trophy at the end of the race, and you usually get a little dirty by the time the trial period is through. When all is said and done, you look around at the people who worked so hard along side you to make it happen, and know that you will always be a part of something bigger than yourself.
I just want to encourage everyone to see this time for what it is. These times are meant for reflection, team building, and strengthening your commitment to succeed. Grab on to those around you because they are your best allies in challenging times. Together, we will get through this and party on the other side!