Thursday, April 24, 2008

Where to Find Great Produce: PSLA


PSLA

One of the really great things about being a chef in LA is that you can find almost anything you need when you need it. I have been so lucky to come across people who love what they do, and are really good at it. A few years ago I met Ben Cruz through a mutual friend. Thrilled with his enthusiastic personality and killer charisma, I was further excited to find out that his family own a produce company in LA. What a perfect friend for a chef! I got his number - not knowing that I would need it almost immediately. 

I was asked the next week to cater an amazing wedding for 125 people - a roof top event in downtown LA. Since it was my first big event, I couldn't believe I said yes, and quickly grabbed the PSLA card. I was excited and clueless, and Ben calmed me down right away. He invited me down to check out their supplies.

As I pulled up to their downtown facilities, I knew that I had made the right choice. It was clean and efficient and there were walls and walls of beautiful, fresh produce. I was like a kid in a candy store.

A month or so later I went to go pick up my order. All of my produce stood in the giant cooler waiting for me to pick it up. I felt so relieved - one less thing to worry about, as I had the best of the best at my finger tips.

The event went beautifully, and the one thing that everyone commented on was how fresh and delicious all of the food was. I always say, “A chef is as strong as his or her weakest link," and thanks to PSLA the weak link wasn’t the produce! Since then, they have been an absolute asset to my culinary world.

Thanks Ben.

Happy Cooking.
Mary

PSLA
Produce Services of Los Angeles
800-622-5874