This past week, The Seafari Girls got to create their own cafe. We decided on the name “The Sandbar” this summer. Our place is only open for two days this summer and just for lunch.
Monday morning, we decided on a menu which will satisfy all of the parents who will visit our cafe. We had fresh fruit spritzers, delicious and fresh salads, sandwiches, and decant desserts. Grocery lists were made and everyone helped to do some purchasing at either Stop and Shop or at the Moors End Farm stand.
Tuesday, was the first prep day. The girls came to my house on Hinckley in small groups to make salad dressings, wash vegetables, roast beets, bake biscuits and cookies, make pesto sauce, and get the deck ready for the tables. We went down to Hinckley Lane beach for a swim and to collect shells for decorations for the tables at our cafe.
Wednesday, we had a lot to do to get ready for our first seating at noon. We divided the girls into two groups; the servers and the kitchen crew. The kitchen crew came to my house and finished preparing everything that was needed for lunch. The servers practiced taking an orders and how to treat guests at a restaurant. When it was time for our guests to arrive, we were ready. It was great to see all of us work together and everyone enjoying a meal.
Thursday the groups switched and the other set of parents came for our 12:00 seating. Again, the orders came in quick and the Seafari Girls rose to the challenge and did another amazing job! At the end, we all got to order and enjoyed eating everything that was leftover. The Sandbar was definitely the best lunch spot in Nantucket this past week!
Creating a cafe in four days is an ambitious job but it really pays off to share my love of good, fresh, and local foods. I hope all of the girls who participated have more respect for the time and effort that goes into a meal. I also hope that it inspires them to love to cook and broaden their palates.
