Smart Start

 In my opinion, the key to being a good [sometimes GREAT!] Interim Innkeeper is to be really well organized. Kirk is a  hard worker and great with the guests but in our team - I'm the queen of organization. Every day I write out a list of how many we have for breakfast and what we are serving, how many rooms are to be tidied and how many to be cleaned and then how many new guests we are welcoming that afternoon. Breakfast is of course where it starts and since I am not naturally a morning person [DARN] I do as much "prep" for breakfast the night before as is possible. This is what I call my "Smart Start".

Each of our properties is different and the amount and type of prep that each inn allows is different but if possible we always like to have at least one pot of coffee ready to go so that we can just punch a button first thing when we get to the kitchen. If we are really lucky our inn will have a pot with a timer and the coffee is ready when we show up. Kirks part of the "Smart Start" is the coffee. We always work with what each inn prefers but one of his favorites is "Seattle's Best". It better be good because guests who stay at B&Bs do expect GOOD COFFEE - right??







For a B&B breakfast the food must be as fresh as possible so you can not do too much cooking the night before but there are some dishes that can be "preped" and then refrigerated to be baked in the morning - what a smart way to start the day. These are my famous Baked Pears ready to spend the night in the fridge. Well they aren't really mine - I stole the recipe from the Hood River B&B Association. I'm sure they won't mind if I share it with you so here it is:

Hood River Baked Pears -

  Take one really nice pear - as you can see I like Red Anjou-
  slice it in half and scoop out the core, slice a small part off the sides so that it will balance.
  Spay a pan with oil, place pear half's in pan and sprinkle with really good granola - homemade is      best- sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar.
  Refrigerate over night and then bake at 375 for 20 min or until pear is soft.
  Serve with vanilla yogurt and more cinnamon/sugar on top.
YUMMMMM!

 
One key to a "Smart Start' is to set the table the night before. Most of our properties encourage this as it is attractive and gives the guests something to look forward to. Actually, setting the table is one of my favorite chores at a B&B. Its always fun to play with someones china and sliver.


                  How do you start your days? Just don't tell me you sleep in cause I'll be jealous!