Random Acts of Kindness

Comment

Comment by Chris Tripoli on April 9, 2010 at 2:50pm

More time needs to be spent on items like these! Happy to be a member.

Chris Tripoli
A'la Carte Foodservice Consulting Group

Comment by Terri Hitchcock on December 21, 2009 at 6:36am

I came across this today in our local newspaper and needed to share:

http://www.thestar.com/actsofkindness/article/741064--24-hours-of-kindness?bn=1

Operator Comment by Peter Rosoe on December 10, 2009 at 8:27am

Terri -
Hospice is going to discuss it at their next board meeting. I have talked to a few of my chef buddies in the area and they are all on board. Like anything that is starting, we are wide open to suggestions.

Comment by Terri Hitchcock on December 3, 2009 at 12:17pm

Peter, what a PHENOMENAL idea! Is there anything that we can do to help?

Operator Comment by Peter Rosoe on December 2, 2009 at 8:04am

In response to Terri Hitchcock's story of the dying young lady who had breakfast in a restaurant, I have contacted my local Hospice Care facility and offered to provide their patients with comfort food as their mood allows it. I think this is a program that has HUGE legs and could become an important service back to the community factor within the Restaurant Community. I am calling it the 'Make A Dish Foundation.'

Comment by Tami Kennedy on October 31, 2009 at 12:03pm

I love it when I get the opportunity to help someone young and growing in our industry. As I man the front counter on this beautiful fall Saturday to take care of that "emergency need" customer, I got the opportunity to help out a culinary arts student who needed a single menu cover for a presentation on his dream restaurant. He said he had looked all over town for something and it was not available. He came in and asked if we sell them and I had to tell him that they were special ordered for us. When I learned he was a student I was able to drag out all of our samples and ask him which one would fit the project best. He picked one out and I said "Well, if that will work, then it is yours. You can have it. Good luck on your project." He could not believe it, but he was most appreciative and I am sure we will see him in the future as his supply needs grow with his career.

Comment by Terri Hitchcock on October 30, 2009 at 7:34am

Today I had the pleasure of witnessing an awesome sight.

While standing in line at the counter of a local Tim Horton’s in Toronto, a gentleman ahead of me was patiently awaiting his turn while counting his change. Given his clothing, I suspected that he was homeless, although I don’t recollect seeing him around before.

When he got to the counter, the manager, who was watching the general crowd, stepped up to the cash register to take the order.

The manager asked if he could help the customer and the customer asked what he could get for $1.13.

The manager said, and I quote, “Must be your lucky day. We’re having a soup and sandwich combo special. It’s $0.75. If you’d like a donut for dessert, it’s an extra five cents. Limited time offer. No exchanges, no refunds.”

Surprised and a little excited, the customer said “I’ll take it!”

The manager replied “But wait… you haven’t decided what kind of soup and what kind of sandwich, not to mention what kind of fabulous donut. What’s your pleasure?”

The customer leaned in and said “whatever’s the cheapest”.

The manager then said “Hey, that’s not how this works. The customer always gets what the customer wants. Those are the rules.”

So, the customer ordered an egg salad sandwich, vegetable soup and a cruller.

He left with his package of goodies and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.

When I got to the counter I was smiling too. The manager smiled back at me and said “Sorry, you just missed the special. What can I get you instead?”

Priceless.

Comment by Terri Hitchcock on October 19, 2009 at 6:02am

While traveling recently I dropped by a little breakfast nook that I frequent when I can. While waiting in line (this place always has a line-up at the door), the owner approached the group waiting around to "ask a favor". He had a guest that was going to be arriving and he didn't want this woman to wait in line. In exchange for our willingness to allow her and her companion to move straight into the restaurant, he's gladly offer a 10% discount to each of us. More baffled then anything, most agreed.

About 5 minutes later a young lady, startlingly beautiful while gaunt and pale and wearing a kerchief, wandered into the crowd and thanked each of us profusely as she and her companion made their way into the restaurant. The owner made a special point of accompanying her to the back of the restaurant where her breakfast was already being delivered to the table.

Upon leaving the restaurant after breakfast, my waitress thanked me very much for patiently waiting. I asked what bought about the excitement earlier. She explained that the young lady is dying and has been in the hospital for months. She mentioned to a friend earlier that day that she’d love to eat a real breakfast outside the confines of her room, so her friend made the arrangements, bundled her up and drove her to the establishment.

The owner, impressively, risked agitating potential customers and took on the financial responsibility of making “amends” of his own accord, apparently having never met this woman before that day and without the need to justify to others his generosity.

Well done John. Well done.

Comment by Andrea Faurot on October 15, 2009 at 10:09am

My daughter is working at Panara Bread while going to college. The other day while working the drive through with other employees 4 people in a row going through the drive through paid for the people's order behind them. We have paid for the people behind us at toll booths for years, but had never thought to do it in a drive through. Now that is truly paying it forward!

Operator Comment by Peter Rosoe on October 15, 2009 at 8:31am

So its is late one night here on the Oregon Coast. A woman and three young ladies arrive at the door of the restaurant 15 minutes before closing(and we are one of the latest places open). They explain that they are from North Carolina and they REALLY want to get some whole Dungeness Crab. We only have picked crab meat that goes in pasta and on an appetizer, so I offer some remote possibilities, local grocery chains being the major choice. Things are not looking good for them. A couple, regular customers, overhear the whole exchange. As the woman and her girls are turning back to leave, Russ and Sue step forward and say that a friend has given them some crab and they would be glad to pay it forward. Despite any rejections from the Carolinians, Sue jumps in her car and within minutes is back at Fulio's with two whole crabs for the group. They took them and left. Even though some people might complain that they lost some customers, I couldn't have been happier or prouder of my community.

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