Chef's Challenge
I may not eat much… or often… but when I do I want it to be good. I’m pretty stink in’ hangry right now… and I know Chef, Frank Primley, is always up for a challenge. Any guesses? What will Frank do with 2 eggs, fresh, sliced mushrooms, Walla Walla Sweet onion and his choice of protein? I told him to surprise me! Here it is… Before and after! Damn, Frank is good! How he turned those ingredients into a delicious Lemon Meringue Pie… I will never know. Pure magic!
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Good Folks in Space
Jason was his name. He called to order for takeout; two pizzas, one large, one medium. There is nothing like that sinking feeling when something has gone wrong with an order. First… the brain scrambles… you read the ticket over and over… then you stare at the cheese on top and pray you can, with eyes only, properly identify the toppings snuggled beneath. Eventually the truth emerges. Somewhere between Jason’s phone call, training and construction, an error had occurred. Both pizzas were mediums. “What would you like for us to do?” I asked. Make the large or change the order to two mediums? Without missing a beat… Jason quickly replied, “Oh no. I’ll wait! We love your pizza… and your Geppetto’s Stardate posts!” Yes, I am admitting we make mistakes here at Geppetto’s. If we didn’t… we wouldn’t be human. We learn and grow. Jason left with two mediums and one large. No complaint, no angry tone, no passive departure with a scorpion’s sting through a bad online review or a threat to never return. Jason exuded good nature, smiles, laughter, appreciation, understanding and patience. He was and is an inspiration. Just because we are not wearing masks and are allowed to open at 100%… the situation remains somewhat the same. The struggle with staffing is real. So much wasted time and money on trainees who don’t stay. We continue the quest and pray for the right ones to emerge. Meanwhile… we give thanks for those like Jason who encourage and inspire us to keep moving forward to better, more stable times. And yes… I did just relate the word “stable” to the restaurant business. Our prayers and gratitude continue! We are thankful for good folks in space. Please note: We will be closed tomorrow, Monday, 7/26 and Tuesday 7/27 for maintenance and repairs. Please note: We will be shut down Monday and Tuesday, 7/12 & 7/13 for maintenance and repairs.
Even the Starship Enterprise had to dock now and then! We will be back up and running on Wednesday 7/14. Sorry for any inconvenience. We hope to see you soon! Well… another batch of Geppetto’s house made meatballs in-da-books! I thank God for my East Coast girlfriend, Kelli and her Sicilian Grandmother. It is her recipe we proudly serve. De-freakin- licious!
Progress continues… and things are looking way up. Looking so forward this morning’s Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Greeters Meeting. It’ll be the first in person meeting since pandemic shutdown. Salem Chamber has been a genuine source of support and strength since we joined about four years ago. Greeter’s meetings every Friday are like a pep rally at the end of a week. Alas… it’s the restaurant business I’m in. What is the end of a week?! Happy Friday! If you are in business consider joining the Chamber. You may feel just fine out there on our own… but there is power in networking that can move mountains. Through time and space life passes. Everyone knows by now… it’s been a wild ride to say the least. Events of late… beyond the trailing of guidelines… have had me speechless. I am only now finding the words.
In the midst of it all has fallen the loss of a dear friend and mentor. Geppetto’s closes only three days a year; Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Fourth of July. On Thanksgiving most people want to dine in the comfort of home with family and friends, enjoying turkey and all the fixings. Christmas is more for home dining also and a time to focus on the “reason for the season.” Geppetto’s figured out long before we owned it that the Fourth of July is for BBQs, picnics, libations, fireworks and all day Karaoke. Okay maybe only at my house but it used to be a thing. I’m sure it still is in some backyard celebrations! I happen to have at least four people in my life who were born on the Fourth of July. One of them stands out extra special this year… because he went to heaven about a week ago. His name was Dr. Robert D. Ward. He was the first Conditioning Coach in the NFL and brought Sports Science to football. You may remember the Dallas Cowboys doing things no other team was doing… like Ballet, Yoga and Thai Chi. That was Bob’s idea. Full potential was what he was after, development of both the mind and body… not only for himself but for others… even me. He is a Masters World Record Holder in Track and Field. His accomplishments and awards too numerous to mention. His passion never ceased. Bob would say, “Be careful what you say, Julie. Once you say it, it’s out there and you can’t get it back.” He continued, “So… what do you want to put out there? What do you want your ripples in the Universe to be? Good or bad? The choice is yours. Just remember… you can’t get them back.” Bob could not have known the breadth of his influence on my life. He will continue to inspire me to do my best, to look for the best and expect the most for others too. He was ahead of the game always. His thinking was infinite his faith in God rich and deep. I’m sure he is with God now and his many questions have been answered. Since we bought the restaurant four years ago… Bob would often conclude correspondence with, “REMEMBER… PIZZA WITH EVERYTHING!” Bob’s “Pizza with Everything” is a wonderful metaphor for life and all that is within it. Meanwhile, BBQ Chicken is Geppetto’s pizza through the month of July. Pizza with everything is always possible… anytime! Except for those three days a year… Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Fourth of July… Join us for dine-in or call for takeout and delivery… all of Salem and Keizer, call: 503.378.1271. Happy Fourth of July and God Bless America! |
AuthorJulie Hoy Archives
June 2022
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TEL: (503) 378-1271HoursSunday - Thursday 11:30am - 8:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am - 9:30pm |
Location616 Lancaster Dr NE | Salem, OR 97301
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