October 18, 2013
In hospitality we strive for perfection: to provide for the guest things that they didn’t even know they wanted. But, like I tell my staff, there are days when we will make mistakes, when we will disappoint or fail to meet a guest’s expectation. We won’t mean to and we ... Read More »
by: Dena Grunt
in food, life lessons
by: Dena Grunt
in Quote
October 14, 2013
Last week during one of my son’s “fall break” weeks (he is in a year-round school) my family traveled to my in-law’s – The 29 Palms Inn. We were joined by four other families from our school community and what a fabulous time we all had! And, while we were, ... Read More »
by: Dena Grunt
in family
October 9, 2013
October is, by far, my favorite month … and I swear it’s NOT because my birthday is in October (I mean it doesn’t hurt!)… But truthfully, I love everything about October: the sudden change in the weather; the crisp morning air, the cool nights; the pumpkins in the fields and the ... Read More »
by: Dena Grunt
in family, life lessons
October 7, 2013
Growing up I had friends … but when I think back (shiver) I am not sure that those friendships were easy; some (many) came with emotional tariffs that left me wanting. But, really, who has time to dwell on the trivial wasteland of adolescence!? Today, I look around me and ... Read More »
by: Dena Grunt
in family, life lessons
September 20, 2013
A few weeks ago, our Executive Chef walked into my office and said, “I have a surprise for you,” and he plopped down a few cartons of what looked like ice cream, and a bunch of spoons. What I tasted, however, was most definitely NOT ice cream, but instead it ... Read More »
by: Dena Grunt
in food
September 15, 2013
Rather than meeting in my office for our weekly meeting, our chef at Nick’s Cove and I went on a field trip to Canvas Ranch to pick up some delicious produce and (omg) drop-dead gorgeous strawberries. The owners of Canvas Ranch have been farming on their land for the past 12 ... Read More »
by: Dena Grunt
in Quote
September 15, 2013
A friend recently said to me, “I am a very honest person.” It was an interesting choice of words in the moment and it made me think about the word. Honest is a funny word really … some would say it’s a word that defines a person; however, I would ... Read More »
by: Dena Grunt
in Aside, life lessons
September 11, 2013
There is a line in a song that goes something like this: “… life is a prize, but to live doesn’t mean you’re alive…” It’s from a Nicki Minaj rap that my son listens to and each time I hear that line in the song, it makes me pause. It ... Read More »
by: Dena Grunt
in family, food, gardening, life lessons
Dena Grunt contemplations post 50