“Thank you, I appreciate the invitation to be here. I think what everyone is doing here is beyond amazing.”

We know there is so much need in our community to serve men, women, and children in all sorts of situation and food is how we have chosen to show our love. When we cook for our family and friends, we put our heart into it. We provide a nourishing meal to show how much we care for people.

I started Honest to Goodness nine years ago to provide solutions for busy professionals and people who don’t have time to cook for themselves. We have eight chefs that provide food to keep them happy and healthy. Our vision is to do good and make a positive difference for people, not only the clients that hire us but also in our community as well. We have signed up to provide a meal at the shelter in April and I am excited about our team can get together for that event.

• Be organized – have a plan in place; have a menu and make lists; work out the time it takes to cook the dishes
• Clean environment – before you begin, wipe down and sanitize all surfaces in the kitchen. Wear gloves when handling raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Clean as you go
• Bulk purchase – Costco is great for that. Another option is Smart Food Service (formerly Cash N Carry). They have outlets in Seattle SODO, Ballard, Northgate and Bellevue/Overlake. You get good deals on bulk foods, ingredients, dried herbs and spices, frozen meats and vegetables. Another option is Restaurant Depot. If you have a food service license or a restaurant license you can apply to be a member and shop there
• Get disposable-lidded foil pans – great for transporting food and heating

Menu planning

• Think of simple but flavorful dishes that appeal to all. Don’t over salt or over sugar dishes – you need salt and sugar to balance out flavors but there are many herbs, spices, and stocks you can use to build up flavors
• Keep dietary restrictions in mind, especially when cooking for vulnerable community. Also, think about gluten free and dairy free dishes, and vegetarian meals as many are now adopting a meat-free diet
• Look at build-your-own-meal as an option where women can create their meal with what works best for them
• At Honest to Goodness, we are big on nutrition and focus on nutrient-rich foods. Have a colorful meal that are rich in anti-oxidants – greens, red sauces, roasted vegetables, etc.
• Cook to the seasons – in these colder months, look at hearty stick-to-your-ribs kind of stews, casseroles, chicken potpies – dishes that are flavorful and creamy. In the summer time, look at a light and refreshing meals – taco bar or a build-your-own entree salad
• Remember carbs (pasta and rice) are more easily digested than protein or fiber. So add proteins and fiber to your meals. It also helps balance out the sugar if people are diabetic
• Heart healthy cooking oils – for high heat cooking I use avocado, grapeseed or coconut oil. For sautéing, I usually use olive oil,
• I’m a huge fan of taking shortcuts as long as it does not sacrifice quality and nutritional value. For instance, I will buy Marinara sauce and add flavoring. I also use frozen or precut vegetables or vegetable blends that you can get at grocery stores
• Use appliances that do all the work. Make it as easy on yourself as possible. Use ovens, slow cookers instant pots, rice cookers
• Double check your recipe ratios and ensure you have enough of everything. Read your recipe twic

Catering tools

• Thermos-pens to ensure everything is cooked to the proper internal temperature
• Cathay Pacific Catering sells  catering crates – cardboard boxes with Styrofoam inserts that help transport food in safe temperature way, cleanly and safely. They are available in full size sheet pans

A common culinary term is mise-en-place, which means everything in its place. It’s more than about being organized for chefs it’s a mindset, is how we life our life. Get everything ready before you start assembling –it makes it simpler quicker easier.