By Phillip Klitzner, Owner, Nosh Away, Seattle
Over the past few days, I understand that there has been a lot of negative feedback regarding the Jewish festival in relation to Nosh Away and other food vendors. I sincerely value the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and all of the work they do for the community. So I feel that maybe I should try clarify the decisions that were made this past Sunday.
When festival organizers first contacted me about this event I was very hesitant. I have been burned really bad before on this type of event, and I was reluctant to sign up. I finally agreed to this, however it was only because the Jewish Federation was begging me. If it were anyone else, I never would have agreed. I honestly feel bad for making this commitment, when I knew full well the consequences I would face if any challenges arose such as unfavorable weather conditions, etc.
My crew worked tirelessly the week prior to the event, making 2,500 skewers, hundreds of pounds of salad, ordering all the necessary beverages and supplies. We spent a lot of time designing our booth.
We really wanted to show the community who “Nosh Away” was and our capabilities. On Sunday morning at 7 a.m., we loaded the truck at Nosh Away in the rain and drove to the festival. By the time we were done unloading everything for the festival, it was still pouring down rain, and my staff was drenched. By 11 a.m., it had been raining so hard, and blowing in our tent, everything inside our tent was soaking wet, our BBQ grill could not be lit, the deep fryer could not be used because of the rain, the field was soaked, and there was no end in sight to the rain.
Also, the health department insisted we put a tarp down on the floor. This tarp was soon muddy and slippery, which created a very hazardous working condition, not to mention the live electricity wires sitting in puddles of water inside our tent. As an employer, I had to consider the serious liabilities due to these unfavorable conditions. I made a business decision, that we would pack up and go, rather then spend $200 per hour paying my staff, who by the way were contract employees, and who I could not mandate that they remain to work in these miserable and unsafe conditions. I felt terrible and upset. I had given this festival every ounce of energy I had, and now what? There was no one who could guarantee the rain would stop, and that anyone would show up.
Freezing cold and soaking wet, with a heavy heart, we drove away.
Things happen. It’s unfortunate that this type of outdoor venue was planned in Seattle, without being able to control the weather. I am truly sorry that things did not work out as planned, and that Nosh Away could not have a presence at the festival. I know that maybe you feel hurt by our actions, but as I mentioned before, we gave it all we had, and it just was not working. I truly believe that if you put yourselves in our shoes for a few seconds, you will realize that no one had any ill intentions, and that Nosh Away did everything we could to make this successful.
It is my goal and hope that we will be able to continue our relationship and work together to make this community stronger than ever.
Once again on behalf of the Nosh Away staff and ownership, we are sorry!