Apple Spice Junction

Archive for April, 2009

What is Cinco De Mayo and why is it celebrated?  Mostly, I think we use it as an excuse to have a party.  It actually has a very relevant reason why it is a treasured holiday in Mexico.  Here’s what really happened:

4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862.

The French had landed in Mexico (along with Spanish and English troops) five months earlier on the pretext of collecting Mexican debts from the newly elected government of democratic President (and Indian) Benito Juarez.  The English and Spanish quickly made deals and left.  The French, however, had different ideas.

Under Emperor Napoleon III, who detested the United States, the French came to stay.  They brought a Hapsburg prince with them to rule the new Mexican empire.  His name was Maximilian; his wife, Carolota.  Napoleon’s French Army had not been defeated in 50 years, and it invaded Mexico with the finest modern equipment and with a newly reconstituted Foreign Legion.  The French were not afraid of anyone, especially since the United States was embroiled in its own Civil War.

The French Army left the port of Vera Cruz to attack Mexico City to the west, as the French assumed that the Mexicans would give up should their capital fall to the enemy — as European countries traditionally did.

Under the command of Texas-born General Zaragosa, (and the cavalry under the command of Colonel Porfirio Diaz, later to be Mexico’s president and dictator), the Mexicans awaited.  Brightly dressed French Dragoons led the enemy columns.  The Mexican Army was less stylish.

General Zaragosa ordered Colonel Diaz to take his cavalry, the best in the world, out to the French flanks.  In response, the French did a most stupid thing; they sent their cavalry off to chase Diaz and his men, who proceeded to butcher them.  The remaining French infantrymen charged the Mexican defenders through sloppy mud from a thunderstorm and through hundreds of head of stampeding cattle stirred up by Indians armed only with machetes.

When the battle was over, many French were killed or wounded and their cavalry was being chased by Diaz’ superb horsemen miles away.  The Mexicans had won a great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build the greatest army the world had ever seen.  This grand army smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War.

That’s why Cinco de Mayo is such a party — A party that celebrates freedom and liberty.  There are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect, ever since the 5th of May, 1862.  VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO!!

So now you know why you should book a catered meal from Apple Spice Junction on May 5th.  You have a great reason to celebrate!  Check out our catering menu for tasty south of the border selections that will make your Cinco De Mayo Party a hit.

In the opinion of Apple Spice Junction, every business has a responsibility to give back to the community where they are operating.  Apple Spice Junction restaurants around the country do this in many different ways.  We bake our bread fresh every day and use it for that day only.  Because of this, every store usually has leftover bread at the end of the day and are encouraged to always donate this bread to a relief agency or program.  Bread is given to churches, homeless shelters, halfway houses, and any other places that are operating in our towns that we feel are helping the community.

The Apple Spice Junction in Salt Lake City partnered for many years with an individual who would do a dinner once a month at the Road Home Shelter.  Apple Spice would donate all the catering dishes and equipment, including vehicles, to help put the meal together.  Food was donated from many different vendors and whatever could not be found through donations, Apple Spice would subsidize the rest.  Employees also had the opportunity to go and help make and serve the food which provided individuals the opportunity to perform service for others.

Employees on our teams all over the country are involved in many different services to the community.  As an example of this, The Little Rock, Arkansas team is doing the 5K Walkathon on April 29^th to help raise money for the March of Dimes.  We strongly encourage all who have the opportunity to look for ways to be involved in their communities.

Good customer service is the lifeblood of any business.  It is even more important from your caterer as you are usually using them in conjunction with events that will be attended by others and that you may be judged personally on such as business meetings or important social events. 

What are some things you should expect from your caterer? 

• They should always answer their phone.  If you need to talk to the caterer then they need to be available for you.  

·         They should listen to your needs and be able to offer suggestions that fit in with what you’ve told them.     A good caterer will try to develop a sincere relationship with you so that they can understand how to best serve your needs.     

·         In a competitive market place, they should be priced fairly.

·         They should communicate appropriately with you.  If you request a proposal from them, it should be returned to you in a timely manner and there should be open communication before, during and after your event. 

·         They need to keep their promises.  The caterer has to be the most reliable person you know.  They need to be on time, they need to have the right amount of food, and they need to have the details of your event correct.

·          Last, but not least…..they should have great food!

Apple Spice Junction strives very hard to be the best at customer service in both their catering and deli/box lunch delivery.  Let us help you plan a stress free event with fantastic service and great food!

It’s harder to keep morale up when the economy is down.  There are a number of great reasons to try to do so, however.  Employees who feel that their company appreciates them are more productive, have increased job satisfaction and display greater loyalty and work ethic.   Times are tough and often having a company party catered is considered one of the perks that have to be eliminated.  However,  a Company Picnic or Barbecue can have huge returns for a small investment where company morale is concerned.  Check out our Summer Sizzle menu and call today to see what we can do for you to help you with your event.

Organizing a great business meeting can be a stressful thing to do.  You need an agenda, you need participants, you need media materials, you need food…..Want to know a secret?  Apple Spice Junction can totally take care of the food for you.  We specialize in Corporate Catering so making your meeting easy on you is what we’re good at.  You tell us when and where to deliver the food and we do everything else.  We bring everything you need to eat and we set up your food buffet style so that you can easily serve yourselves.  After your meeting we come back and clean everything up so that the only way you knew we were there is the fact that that your stomach is full and you have a smile on your face!