Punching the Clock: Lunch time

Chick pea salad will not kill you. That’s one of the many lessons I learned while working at Garf’s Deli Wednesday.

John and Beth Stewart have owned and operated Garf’s since 1992, when John decided he wanted to become his own boss. Ever since, the deli has been a staple business in the landscape of downtown Norwich.

Upon arriving, I was introduced to the crew – Eric, Jeremy and Sam – and after a quick change into Garf’s garb, I was ready to try and make something.

I was assigned to cookie detail, which was good I thought, since that was the only thing Garf’s sells that I actually knew how to make.

“That’s my specialty,” I said and then thought “Oh no,” when John said, “That’s what everyone says,” with a grin.

Now it became my challenge. I had to prove I at least wouldn’t mess up the cookies. I thought, “What could go wrong? So what that this is four times bigger than the batches I make at home?”

Soon thereafter I promptly realized I’d stuck my foot in my mouth. Now thinking back, I (more than likely) made myself look like a complete moron as I mixed the giant-sized batter before I let the butter soften and looked even sillier when I started smelling up the deli like burnt metal from the hand-held monster – I mean mixer.

When the cookies were ready to bake and I was satisfied I hadn’t made a complete fool out of myself – yet – nor had I ate any of the ever-so-tempting batter, I decided to move onto bigger and better things: like helping to prepare salads.

It occurred to me in no time that Garf’s does a lot more than what people see inside the restaurant. Their delivery and catering services take up a large portion of their day. From the faxes to the phone calls, the place is constantly busy waiting on walk-ins as well as getting lunch orders prepared for what seemed to be most of the business luncheons in Norwich.