Sobeys & Your Holiday Entertaining: ’Tis the season for food and family

It’s the season for entertaining whether it be with family, friends or co-workers. Yet for many, finding the time to organize a party can be a struggle. Let St. Albert Sobeys take care of one of the important components of any party—the food—so you can spend more time with your family and guests.

Food trays from Sobeys can be as simple or elegant as you wish, and best of all, they’re fresh. Every tray is prepared in-store, from cutting up the fruit and vegetables, to slicing the deli meat and cheese and arranging it all professionally on platters. Nothing is shipped from a main warehouse pre-packaged. You can order your food trays via phone, and soon you’ll be able to place orders on-line through Sobeys’ website. But it’s always best to come into the store and speak to Alison, the Deli Department Manager, in person. Alison will listen to what you want, offer suggestions and place your order immediately. If you come in, all your questions can be answered right then and there, plus you’ll get to see with your own eyes all the available food choices.

Alison co-ordinates every step no matter how big or small the order. And Cherry in the Produce Department always keeps “on trend” with what customers want for their entertaining fresh-cut fruit and vegetable trays. Don’t forget the dessert! Brenda, the Assistant Bakery Department Manager, will look after the delectable sweet treats from cake samplers to petit fours. If there are special dietary  requirements for your guests, “…we definitely make sure we take the proper precautions. Somebody wants it, we’ll do it,” informs Alison.

Hosting a wine and cheese night? St. Albert Sobeys has a free wine-and-cheese-pairing book to guide its customers through those difficult pairings. For last-minute get-togethers, Sobeys has a large assortment of frozen nibbles that take no time to heat and serve. Chicken wings, sausage rolls, quiches, Asian-food party boxes and bite-sized cream puffs are just some of the pre-made hors d’oeuvres found in the frozen food section. And for fresh appetizers, there are ready-made fruit, vegetable and spinach dip trays available in the Deli Department, which are always made in-store.

St. Albert Sobeys really understands how important family is. How? Because Stuart Trenchard, the owner of St. Albert Sobeys, doesn’t mind hiring family members in his store.

“There are husbands and wives, moms and daughters, and this way our team can keep a very healthy work–life balance. When you shop with us, it just feels like an extension of your home,” says Stuart.

And this time of year should be spent with family and friends. St. Albert Sobeys can make those times a little more special by giving you the gift of time by helping you prepare for your loved ones.

Get to Know:
Alison Hayduk, Deli Department Manager

• Been working for St. Albert Sobeys for 21 years, and is in charge of customer orders.
• “We prefer to talk to customers in person so they get a better understanding of what the tray can look like. They can ask questions, even sample a cheese they don’t know.”

–Alison Hayduk

Get to Know:
Cherry Tawat, Fresh-Cut Fruit & Vegetable Supervisor

• Been working at St. Albert Sobeys for 5 years, and is in charge of the fruit and vegetable trays.
• “We have special platters for customers. They can always ask, call our customer service or drop-by. Customers aren’t limited to just the round ones they see on the shelf.”

–Cherry Tawat