Our new Assistant General Manager is Noxolo Dintwa. Solo has been with The Flying Banzini almost since inception. She has a sparkling personality, is a spectacular server, and has a keen sense for problem solving. Chef Mathew Gregoire and I asked her to take on the role of Assistant General Manager and she accepted. With Mat’s tutoring she is soaring. Thank you Solo for all you do. Oh, she also has the most awesome hair. And her birthday is in January.

With my partner Mat and Solo running the day to day operation of the restaurant I am free to take a year to complete my Master of Journalism at Carleton. This gives me great peace of mind. I will get a schedule sorted out in the next couple of weeks. I have been away a lot lately and would like to serve in the restaurant at least a couple of times per week.

One of the great joys of being partners in The Flying Banzini is our staff. After a long career as an employee (I was a broadcaster) it’s no small matter of pride to have created jobs. To be an employer. To be an entrepreneur.

The restaurant industry is an interesting place. It’s a big tent. There are lots of transient staff – students, for instance – who are happy to have a job while they are working towards a different goal. There are lots of staff who have higher goals in the restaurant industry – we have had staff who have left us for “higher end” restaurant jobs or to open their own businesses. And, there are staff who may well grow with us for a long time to some.

We know that we are still a small neighborhood restaurant – with the opportunities and limitations that this brings. Mat and I try to be supportive of whatever our staff’s personal goals are. I am happy and proud to shake hands with a staff person who is off to their next adventure in life. If we can play some role in personal growth, I am proud of our contribution.

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Twittter: @FlyingBanzini

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We now serve breakfast Saturday and Sunday 9 AM to Noon.

The Flying Banzini community group for August is Operation Come Home. $1 from the sale of each special sandwich is donated to this Ottawa organization that works with street involved youth. http://operationcomehome.ca/