chell n.

Chell N. | Server

Accurso's

Years of Industry Service: 25

----------------------------------------------------

For the last ten years, Chell was a manager at a corporate restaurant. She recently quit that career path because "it was sucking the soul out of me." Now she's serving and back in school. A student at the University of Missouri, Kansas City as a creative writing major, Chell is getting her PhD so she can teach poetry. She's kept a journal ever since she can remember, her grandmother gave Chell her first diary when she was five-years-old. "I have a thousand journals that I've written in over the years." She likes spiral bound journals with pretty covers. The paper can be lined or unlined because she writes and sketches a little bit too.

Chell likens working for independent restaurants to being in "velvet handcuffs" because of the lack of health insurance. "You're out their on your own and have to figure it out for yourself." But restaurant service also gives her the freedom to pursue new dreams. Chell lives close to work and her regular bar, The Peanut, where she was spending the afternoon with bartender and friend Jessie. She has lived in a lot of different cities and thinks that everyone, including in Kansas City, is really pretty nice. 

  Make KC Better » Blow up P&L and better mass transit. 

beth t.

Beth T. | Bartender

Accurso's

Years of Industry Service: 14

----------------------------------------------------

Beth comes from a big Italian family, two sisters and one younger brother. They all live in Kansas City except for her mother who has retired to Colorado. She has a dog named Star and a cat named Cisco, reads and gardens. She just started reading Tom Robbins' Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Beth is currently single. Her ideal man would have a job, his own car, be nice, comes from a good family and he has to like animals. Owner Joe Accurso stopped by during our chat and said, "Beth is what Accurso's is all about. She's a sweetheart, like a sister."

  Make KC Better » Better Public Transportation. 

day off, drink on

A Day in the Life

-------------------------------------------------------

A few weeks ago, The Employee Lounge followed Tannin Wine Bar's bartender/bar manager, Ryan R., on his day off. Just to see what his day was like and just to see if service industry people really live the good life like they always brag about. Conclusion: It ain't so bad. The following is a timeline of our day.

 ---1:00--- 

We meet Ryan at Tannin. He has a bit of work to do so we catch up on some blog stuff and order lunch. After checking inventory, he joins us at the bar for a sandwich, fries and a glass of rosé. Massandra wine rep Andy H. stops in on business, we convince him to stop working and have a drink with us. Believe it or not, that was not hard to do.

 ---2:30--- 

Next stop: The Rieger for a Joseph Drouhin industry tasting and pre-sell. We skip the beautiful spread and focus on the 20-or-so Joseph Drouhin offerings. A lot of familiar faces are spotted: Brenda and Michael from The Farmhouse, Jim from Gomer's, Matt from Accurso's, Kyle from The Capital Grille, photographer Paul Ingold and of course, all the friendly faces of The Rieger staff. 

 ---3:30--- 

Work stuff is officially done. So it's off to Harry's Bar & Tables to meet friends Zach and Mary Ann for some bubbly. We sit inside with bartender Jamie while she preps lemons and limes for that night's shift. Ryan shows us the secret spot for notes, we giggle over the funny messages, a random coupon and one photo of a very-naked behind. The sun is shining and it's not too hot so we move out to the patio. Mary Ann arrives with ice cream cones from Murray's and everyone is double-fisting frozen treats and cocktails. We spot another wine rep. This time it's Craig from Pinnacle. "Hey, stop and have a drink with us." Done and done. Again, no arm twisting is required. Guinness is flowing and we squeeze in a couple of quick interviews for the blog.

 ---5:40--- 

Our final stop is The Foundry. We sneak in moments before happy hour is over and order apps and beer. We're sitting at a picnic table outside and a fat, adorable American Bulldog is tied up to the table next to us. Craig has continued on with us even though his wife is texting him to get. home. now. Tina's husband Chris joins us from Corporate America for a beer. Maryann orders a rootbeer float that looks divine, but we stick to our malt bevvies. Another wine rep comes strolling up. This time, it's my husband, George from Major Brands. We invite him up too, but he only stops to say hi. He is green with jealousy and a little pissy because he has to continue working. But hey, we were working, too! Following Ryan around town drinking is not an easy job. Okay, we're lying. It was easy AND it was loads of fun.

 ---6:45--- 

Zach, Maryann and Ryan take off. They are meeting more friends back at The Rieger for dinner. Two guys and four ladies....Ryan's odds are pretty good. He invites us along, but we decline. We call it a night while Ryan parties on. What a life indeed.

Note: You will see Ryan again soon in his own official post, complete with interview.