This week I got the chance to interview my mentor, Laura Franks (who goes by Nevya) about the Yellow Deli and her experiences working there. Here is my full interview with her:
Me (Rayna): Why did you choose to work here? Nevya: Well, probably because we're all just a big family and we all just wanted to be together. Also, its just an amazing place where you can be hospitable to people. I mean, what else could you want to do? Take care of people and be with your friends. R: What skills and training was necessary for you to be at the position you are now at the Yellow Deli? N: (laughs) The main skill would probably be being humble and learning. I think that's the main thing. Especially in our place its not any special skill. Everyone can do anything, its just that we have to be taught. The main skill is just to listen and be inclined to learn and give your whole heart. R: So did you ever dream of becoming a cook when you were younger or working in hospitality? N: (laughs) Never once! R: What did you imagine yourself doing as a child? N: I didn't know (laughs)! Being a hermit or a monk or something?? No (laughs), I didn't know. R: At It's creation, what do you think was the purpose of the Yellow Deli? Was it to serve wholesome food or was it to be a part of the community like the Vista community, for example? N: Well the first deli that was created--you know, that we had one like 40 years ago--that one was just for the purpose of having a place that we could be together and also to make a place that people could come to get to know us and also so we can just love people. So it's the same with every deli. Just as an extension to reach out to the local people and get to know them. R: And, lastly, I've noticed that the employees here--all of you guy--are very close and you all know each other from outside the workplace. How do you think that helps in everyday life here at the Yellow Deli? N: Well, I think running a restaurant--well probably many different businesses, but especially a restaurant--you have to communicate a lot and you all need each other. I mean, the waiter is nothing apart from the cook. The cook is nothing apart from the waiter. If there wasn't a dishwasher, there would be no restaurant. The bus boy, the host, every person is necessary and you all need each other so there is a lot of communication that needs to happen and the closer you are with the person, the easier it is to communicate. Week 1 Reflection: Interning at the Yellow Deli this first week has proven to be a really beneficial, fun project for me. Yesterday (Thursday, May 17th) I moved a little away from basic prep work and helped the head of kitchen work with making the restaurant's famous ranch dressing-like sauce that goes on their "Chicken on Ranch" sandwich. Today, I helped make the spinach artichoke spread for their "Yellow Submarine" sandwich. I am really stoked to be moving away from prep work. I anticipated and feared that my only tasks while interning at the Yellow Deli would be monotonous work that don't challenge my skills as a chef. However, I can see that this is not the case and I am really ecstatic. I have been doing great work that is beneficial to me, the staff is happy to see me when I come in, and I have already made friends with many of the workers. Going into this internship, my original plan was to switch internships mid-way through, however, I am liking interning at the Yellow Deli so much that this is no longer in my plans.
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Rayna ChavezHello, welcome to my 11th grade internship blog! I've had a passion for cooking since I was 9 years old, so I knew that for my school-required internship I wanted, more than anything, to intern at a business in the culinary field. Fortunately, I was able to land an internship at a health-conscious restaurant in Vista, CA called The Yellow Deli. Read about my once-in-a-lifetime educational experience here. Business Info:My MEntor: Laura Franks (Neviah)
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