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Confessions of a Tired Caterer; Burned to a Crisp

Recently, after 8 years of owning my own catering business, Tea 'n Mystery, I announced I was retiring on June 3. I am quite happy with my decision, but it has surprised so many people.....I am surprised. Of course, the ones that were the most surprised never actually worked alongside me...so they never actually experienced all the highs and lows of this business. Truly, I can say to you....unless you are in the ditch digging business...you have probably never worked that hard physically in your life! For a taste of what my days were like....read on...and maybe you will see why at 57, I am retiring and working my Plan B.
Typical Day 1 of job: Lists, lists, and more lists. Products needed, serving supplies to retrieve from storage, paper products needed, decorations needed, etc...and then the shopping begins. 1. Restaurant supply for large quantity items 2. Costco for smaller quantities or certain cheeses, fruits, eggs, heavy cream, paper products 3. Party City for decor and or paper goods. 4. Kroger for produce in small quantities, anything small...dressings, mayo, mustards, etc. 5. Market Street for anything Kroger does not carry. 6. Storage Unit 7. Enterprise Rent-a-Car for van rental. Arrive home and store perishables in extra refrigerator. Pack up aprons, towels, gloves, etc and your work black and whites. Get some rest.....you will need it!!!
Day 2: Rise and shine......have breakfast, load up and go to commercial kitchen taking every cooking and serving piece needed. Unload at kitchen and refrigerate everything and get started cooking. Hopefully, no problems or interruptions (perfect world) and you do all prep and cooking possible. Clean commercial kitchen totally, load van and change into your black and whites to go to job. Don't worry about resting...you can rest on the drive to the job while going over every detail of set-up in your mind. Arrive at job with a SMILE and set-up as quickly as possible to allow time to decorate for WOW factor you are hoping for!!! Delegate to employees but keep a close eye on the big picture....then the guests arrive! It is SHOWTIME!!!! Short of illegal or immoral...you do WHATEVER it takes to please and thrill the guests and host. Try to always remain on top of things and servers all evening so that you do not need to be asked...you just DO IT!!! Clean up as quickly as possible and leave premises clean and tidy. Always leave all uneaten food as the client has paid for it. Show the client the leftovers and thank them for the business. Leave knowing the client and the guests were all happy with your services and go home to unload, clean your serving pieces, pay all servers, and enter payment. Fall into bed exhausted, but knowing you did your absolute best to make their event perfect!!!

Tired yet? Stay tuned as I will be sharing some humorous (to you...not at the time, I can assure you) adventures from the past 8 years and the life lessons learned from them.

Sincerely,

Sheila Williamson
www.sheilasenergy.igniteinc.biz
ignitewithsheila@gmail.com

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