Goodbye 2007

Only 1 day left in 2007-- and what a year it's been! We started out the year winning Runner-Up in the Arkansas Times Readers' Choice Awards for Best New Restaurant, and we have been featured several times in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Arkansas Times, as well as in other local and regional magazines. Chef Jason made appearances on all of the morning shows, and he had the opportunity to work with Chef Messnier, the former White House Pastry Chef, at the Arkansas Literary Festival.

Along with the great press, we also negotiated for a large part of 2007 on our move to Argenta, finally signing the lease in November.

Our business has been steadily growing, with some months as much as 40% over the previous year, and ending the year with our sales up 25% overall.

We welcomed our new Catering Director Veronica Jones, who has taken over the reigns and promises even more growth in the upcoming year. We also welcomed our new Sous Chef Austin, whose exceptional background has raised the bar even higher. If you have noticed our desserts and pastries in the past couple of months, then you know what I mean.

In our personal lives, Chef Jason and I started homeschooling our daughters in June, and what a great move that was. We're all so blessed to learn daily from each other. And, in October we learned that we have a new baby on the way, slated to join the clan June 6. Never a dull moment around the Morell house!

All of us at Starving Artist Cafe' would like to wish you a healthy, blessed new year as we say goodbye to 2007 and hello to 2008. We thank you for your continued support as we change and grow, and we also welcome your comments and suggestions.

Cheers!