This is about real life and a table for four. Actually, it's about seven tables for four and a counter that also seats four and the three people involved who are making it happen and the one person who makes it possible. 
I am talking about Carmella's Casa Italiana, a cozy Italian restaurant and pizzeria in Bradenton. There's Ralph, my son. He is an amazing and creative cook who also does double duty as a server on Wednesdays and Sundays. When he was a teenager, he could tell you everything there was to know about music, groups, and singers. He had a memory that was astounding and strong. Today, he still has the music information; however, he uses his memory to recall customers, what they order, how they want it cooked, and how often they come in. He knows what products sell and how to cook and sell them. As quick as his mind is, he's that quick on his feet and with his hands. He's like lightening when the restaurant is busy and he moves from tossing a pizza at the prep table to the stove where he sautes a remarkable veal Marsala or shrimp scampi. During his down time, Ralph makes the tiramisu and cannoli cream that are the staples of our dessert menu. This season, there isn't much down time, yet Ralph manages to do all that and so much more.Then there's Tim. He's been with us since the very beginning. He's the calm and level-headed prong in this equation. OK, he's not Italian, so that's the only reason I can give for his marvelous composure! Given that he's not Italian, we discovered that one doesn't need to be Italian to be a talented Italian cook. Among all the other menu dishes he creates and cooks, Tim is responsible for making the lasagna and the meatballs. A customer came in the other day and wanted to discuss a catering order that involved meatballs. The customer went on to say that he wanted to sample the meatballs to ensure they are still as awesome as they used to be. Really? We still have Tim making the meatballs. They are still awesome. We have customers who are travel here and abroad. We consistently hear that our meatballs and lasagna are the best they ever tasted, even better than the lasagna and meatballs they had in Italy. That is high praise indeed!
Tina is the newest member of our team. She is a true people-lover and she brings high energy and a customer following. She has incite into the customers and makes them feel instantly comfortable. She was originally hired to work 4-6 hours a week. I hired her over the phone. One hour after she arrived on that Friday to fill out the application, I met her in person and offered her the full time position. She's been with us a little less than two months and has already proven herself to be invaluable. We implemented some of her ideas; and the best thing is, she always thinking and coming up with more new ideas and better ways of doing things. You might say I found and hired her by accident when the person I really wanted to hire backed out. That being said, I'm keeping her on purpose!
Ralph, Tim, and Tina are making it happen. Last night we were slammed through the roof. Only one delivery was lost.....after all, our delivery service is "hit or miss" and only one wine glass was broken. No one got cut. All the customers left smiling, full, and happy.
So, that only leaves me. I make it possible and I consider myself honored and blessed to have such an incredible team. I mostly work at Manatee Memorial Hospital in the cardiac cath lab and on the restaurant and do things like the website, marketing, payroll, taxes, this blog, and other back of the house jobs.
Lately, though, I've also been working in the restaurant. You will find me there some Friday and Saturday evenings....Wednesday and Thursday evenings...Monday nights. I prefer to stay behind the scenes because the real stars are Ralph, Tim, and Tina. As I said, I am honored and blessed...and thankful. Feel free to stop in and see what I mean. You won't be disappointed. Now go find out!
