Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaaaannnggessss.... Oooo how scary change can be... and liberating... and terrifying... and freakin' awesome!!! When I decided to scrap Louisa's menu and start fresh it came out of a realization that we had no idea who we were. We weren't focused, had no direction and were going no where. Our goals and values weren't clear. It was like we were on a ship with no captain, an elevator with no operator, an expedition with no guide, a hot air balloon with no controls... So I did what any self respecting business owner would do... I freaked out. I threw some stuff, yelled, screamed and then, finally, focused and embarked on some introspection. You know, took a little look under our hood... And that's when I saw it... The problem. The real issue. It wasn't with Louisa's it was me. I opened the hood and there I was staring back at me. "Helloooo, remember me?" Crap...
"What do I want Louisa's to be?" became "What do I want to be?"
"Who is Louisa's Cafe?" became "Who am I?"
"What the f**k am I doing this for?!?"
Holy shit this was getting very existential and frankly, really annoying... All this what am I doing and why and how and OMG is this going to work talk was scaring the crap out of me. But it had to be done. When shits not going your way and you're lost in the abyss the only place you can go is in. Its the only real place that's constant. If it's not right at the core then its not right anywhere. If there is no direction, no road, then you're not going anywhere. You're just treading water in the pond waiting and no one else can throw you a life ring. See, you can survive treading water but you're not going to get anywhere. You'll just stay there and eventually, well, you'll drown. Eeek...
Anyway... the results are still coming in. Louisa's is changing her menu to reflect who she really is. So come see us as we transform. And don't freak out ok? My intentions are best and honorable. And who knows? Maybe you'll just love it!
As for me? Well, I'm still working on it. Just writing this blog is making me tired of myself already... What I do know is the following:
- I want to be the proprietress of a successful Louisa's
- I want to be an exceptional friend, mother and wife
- I want a pony...just kidding...
- I want happiness and love everyday in my life and my work
Not too shabby for a few months work... I wonder what will happen next...
Finally! 2012 has arrived. After a borderline disasterous end to 2011 (multiple illnesses, break ins, fraud and hives in December alone...) I welcome 2012 with open arms!!!
So forget what I said about making myself a cook. I did 3 recipes and then life happened. Blah blah we know how that goes... I just didn't follow thru on it. I apologize immensely to myself and anyone else that had been supportive of me and that project. Sometimes life just gets too big and in the way of the stuff you really wanna do...
But its a new bright and shiny year... The year of The Dragon... My year. This year belongs to me. I am taking back what's mine.
This year is the year I leave all my stupid fears to rot under a burned out car on the side of 99 Highway.
This is the year I bring myself back from the mysterious place I disappeared to.
This is the year I do whatever I want with my business, myself and my future.
My head is out of the sand. My eyes are open and my feet are on the ground and ready to push me forward. This is the year I make it all happen. It's all action all the time... Until the end of the world...
Xoxo
Alcena
So… Here is a confession… I don’t really know how to cook. Ok, thats an exaggeration but not by much. I didn’t go to culinary school and I didn’t apprentice with a great chef. Or a mediocre chef. Or any chef of any kind. I worked in a little cafe when I was 18 cooking brunch but thats it. And now, here I am, the “chef” in my own restaurant. The story is longer and more complicated than that but when you strip it down those are the basics.
I can cook what I can very well and I have never shied away from a recipe. I’ve made it thru the last year by reading and consulting with other chefs, friends and staff… But I still need more… I crave more knowledge. Its this horrible itch that wakes me up at night and gives me anxiety… What am I missing? What don’t I know? What could I be making if I hadn’t approached my career backwards? Aaaaah! Read More
As usual the best (or worst) of my stories starts with a ringing phone. No call no shows are the worst. It’s bad for everyone… My loyal employees, our customers, me, L and Mr. Plum. This weekend was no different. When both of your brunch cooks burn you on the same day no one wins.
6:45 am I get the call:
“We have no cooks. I can’t get ahold of [asshole #1] or [asshole #2].”
I start screaming into the phone, ” OH MY GOD!!!!!! START CALLING EVERYONE ELSE!!!!” My body breaks out in a cold sweat. I’m terrified. I jump out of bed and in my sleepy haze find my chef coat and head to the bathroom. Then it hits me. Pure panic. I can’t do this. I can’t fake brunch. As you may know, I’m kind of an accidental chef. I can rock a dinner service but brunch is a whole different animal. You can’t fake your way thru brunch. Read More
I am fortunate to be doing what I love. Food rocks. As do wonderful staff and supportive families. Read More
