October Newsletter
News, updates, and fun facts about the Grain & Grit Team!
RANDOM ACTS OF CARING & KINDNESS
Community Events & Causes
Kitchens for Good
The G&G management team got down and gritty, packaging 500 nutritious meals for under-resourced children and seniors. Did you know that 1 in 8 people in San Diego is food insecure? The Project Nourish program works towards fighting hunger by preparing and distributing over 288,000 prepared, scratch-made meals annually throughout San Diego. In addition to combatting hunger, Kitchens for Good believes “that all food has power and that all people have potential”. They give second chances to individuals with troubled pasts or complex situations by equipping them with training, resources, and life skills that will help them move forward and create a better future for themselves. They are a true example of caring and kindness, being more than just food!
If you would like to learn more or see how you can get involved, visit kitchensforgood.org.
Pigs N’ Pups
The Carnitas’ crew teamed up with The Animal Pad to bring back Pigs N’ Pups, a fun dog event that helps find foster dogs their forever home! Guests enjoyed food and drink specials at the portable bar, plus a dog menu for the furry friends.
The Animal Pad rescues dogs from all over San Diego and Mexico. If you would like to donate, adopt, or support in any way, head to theanimalpad.com.
This will be a reoccurring event, so be sure to keep an eye out for the next one!
Katie Fitzgerald
helping dogs find their forever home!
Grain & Grit Blood Drive
Coming up November 11!
We will be hosting our very first blood drive with the San Diego Blood Bank at the Little Italy Food Hall! Everyone who donates will receive a fun T-shirt and specials from participating locations.
Sign up to donate and be sure to help spread the word!
Back to School!
The G&G team put together over 20 back to school care packages for the kids of G&G, filled with a G&G pencil box, supplies, and fun activities! We were so excited to hand these out to the families and wish the best of luck to the kids during this school year!
5 Daily Reminders:
1. I am amazing.
2. I can do anything.
3. Positivity is a choice.
4. I celebrate my individuality.
5. I have GRIT.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
G&G is going Pink! The Little Italy Food Hall and Carnitas’ Snack Shack crew will be supporting Breast Cancer Awareness with special offerings, a percentage of sales will go towards Shades of Pink Foundation! Keep an eye out for more details to come and see how you can support!
A LOOK INTO PASSION & PERSEVERANCE
Team Member Stories and Guest Highlights
Team Member Spotlight
Aurora BETHA
“I was walking past Aurora as a couple was ordering a bottle of Prosecco. She took the order down, but instead of returning with the desired selection, Aurora took the opportunity to take what she learned in wine education and brought out a sample of our Prosecco & our Cremant de Limoux (Champagne equivalent) and made that up sell!
Aurora is always eager to learn something new and has attended every wine class since she started. She is consistently curious and ambitious to utilize what she has learned in her guest interactions. I am beyond proud of this wonderful woman and excited to watch her grow!”
- Emily Royer
“Aurora is always eager to learn something new...I am beyond proud of this wonderful woman and excited to watch her grow!”
Meet Terri!
This is Terri, the BYC team helped celebrate her birthday with her. She has been coming to see us almost daily prior to Covid; even just to get her water bottle filled up on her way to Disneyland! Since Covid, she hasn’t been able to go to any public place, except for BYC! It took her sometime to really get comfortable with the team. She’s not a fan of new staff at first for sure, they just have to win her over! All of the kitchen staff always says hi to her as she cruises through the restaurant.. Gotta be one of her favorite parts! She loves when every team member, says “Hi Terri”!
Team Member Spotlight
What’s new with our G&G fam?!
Congrats Kassie & Melissa!
September was the first month we launched our Brand Ambassador program! Congratulations to Kassie Lewis at Graze by Sam and Melissa Williams at Carnitas’ Snack Shack! These two social gurus will be snapping photos and posting fun, authentic content on our social media. Have some fun stories or photos you would like to share? Be sure to send them over to our ambassadors!
Congrats, Derrick!
Be sure to congratulate Derrick at Carnitas’ Snack Shack for his promotion to manager! Derrick joined the army at age 17 and has lived in several places, including Illinois, Texas, and Virginia! He has been in the restaurant industry for 20 years and says his favorite thing about working for G&G is “the leadership, culture, and more than just food attitude. It doesn’t hurt that my 'office’ is located on the Broadway Pier!”. Congrats Derrick, very well deserved!
Congrats, Lindsey!
Lindsey from our marketing team has recently been promoted to Marketing Manager! She has been so instrumental in our content, graphic design, and growth! She is excited to go full-force and see what lies ahead with all of the G&G concepts and her growth within the company. “It is rare to find a team of leaders that is excited to help you reach both your professional and personal goals. I have already learned so much!” Lindsey is also celebrating getting married in August. Congrats to the newlyweds!
Welcome Brittany!
Please join us in welcoming Brittany Simmons who joins us with food and beverage experience from the Queen Mary and the Hyatt. Brittany will be joining our Broken Yolk team to support the growth and development of the brand. Her interests include hiking, baking and cooking, trying out new restaurants and breweries, and watching football (Go Bears!). We are so excited to have Brittany on our team. Be sure to say hi to the newest addition to our G&G fam!
Restaurant hightlights
Stay up to date on what’s happening
Vote Little Italy Food Hall
For Best Safety Protocol!
San Diego Magazine has launched a poll for COVID related topics. The Little Italy Food Hall will be running for Best Safety Protocols. The Food Hall has kept safety top priority by implementing taping of sections, interior queues/guards, table and safety signage, an informational video, QR touchless ordering systems, curbside pickup, and more. Plus, the efforts the Food Hall put towards dining on the Piazza della Famiglia has been highlighted by the Mayor of San Diego! Great job team!
PLEASE VOTE & SHARE with your family, friends, strangers, anyone!
Polls close on October 9th!
A Great Comeback
Great things are happening at Not Not Tacos. The Nashville Hot Chicken is here to STAY, making its way onto the daily menu. Plus, Sam’s Meatloaf is making a return for the month of October. You are going to want to grab one while you still can!
The Broken Yolk Cafe Orange Grand Reopening!
The team at Orange has been working hard to revamp the restaurant! They are excited for the beautiful space and encourage you to come check out the fresh new look and same delicious menu!
SOCIAL MEDIA
POST OF THE MONTH
Highest engagement!
Submitted by:
Graze by Sam
Picturing: Zack Austin | 223 likes
You already know what day it is! Team Member Monday is here again! Today we are featuring the one, the only, Zack!! Zack has been a Grazer since DAY 1! He’s an OG, and a lot of our guests know it!
STAY IN THE KNOW!
Share your photos to be featured! #ourggc
Sneak Peaks
A glimpse into New concepts, menu development, program teasers, & More!
Eats by Sam Coming Soon!
Eats by Sam, the soon-to-be ghost kitchen in Seaport Village, will be home to several delicious concepts. Slated to launch starting with two initial concepts, Samburgers and Samwiches, Eats by Sam will offer takeout and delivery, with the added perk of having a brick and mortar ordering kiosk as well as outdoor seating.
Sam’s New Book Release
In case you missed it, Sam the Cooking Guy’s newest cook book comes out on…wait for it…November 10th!! We cannot wait to pick up one of these and get cookin’.
Did you Catch that?
Press Announcements
Carnitas’ Snack Shack on San Diego Mag
Hardship Relief Fund
At Grain & Grit, we believe in caring and kindness. The Grain & Grit Hardship Relief Fund was built to raise funds to help our G&G family in need.
Let’s Hear it!
Have ideas on we can make our guest or team member connections even better? We want to hear it!