Timothy ‘Renshaw
TABLE HOPPING

Jody’s Fine Foods and Catering,

105-1425 Marine Dr., West
Vancouver. 925-1299, Master-
Card accepted. Open from 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Open Monday to Friday
for iunch. Take the kids or call a
babysitter? You could do either.

VETERAN NORTH Shore
Rat-packers will remember
the sage words of the scurvy
mob’s spiritual leader in a
moment of lucid inspiration
te “stick to the alleys, boys.”

The advice was meant as one of
many guidelines for the survival of
chronic pranksters in the urban envi-
ronment, but it’s a credo worth con-
sidering by adventurous diners and
other fine food explorers.

For much culinary talent resides
off main street. -

Take Jody Clarnan, for instance.

Her small Jody's Fine Foods and
Catering operation is fast carving
out a reputation for itself in the
competitive commercial catering
business as one of the best on the
North Shore and beyond.

Claman launched Jody’s about
two years agu after building up her
successful Feature Foods film cater-
ing company.

Serving the stars and their
entourages had its allure, but after
eight years the buzz and glamor had
begun to wear off. And so had the
per-plate profit percentage.

Claman wanted a change.

The former co-owner of the
Beach House in Stanley Park con-
sidered heading back to university,
re-educating herself and charging
off in a totally new direction.

But not for long.

For the simple joy of preparing
good food and feeding people is
what makes Jody Claman click.
And Claman clicks with an exuber-
ance that is at once warm and dis-
arming.

“I love life. To be able to feed
someone ... it’s a real tfeat. And to
get paid for it at the same time, well
that’s just great,” she says in her
typically full-steam-ahead manner.

Claman tock a stab at street-level
catering and has yet to look back.

Jody’s Catering, with a minimal-
ist staff of three, feeds an ever-
lengthening list of catering clientele
-— from the rich and famous (Martin
Sheen) to the notorious and annoy-

8
Hel Quelity
CUSTOM SHIRTMAKERS

Men's & Ladies
SHIRTS * BLOUSES « JACKETS » SKIRTS

SALE

* SELECTED PATTERNS $3 5
FROM ONLY

* ALTERATIONS 5)
FROM ONLY

Hurry — only for 3 weeks!
SHIRTS COMPLETED IN 24 HOURS
2537 Granville St. at Broadway
FREE parking at rear 731 -91 99

“NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

CATERING CORNUCOPIA... Jody Claman of Jody’s Fine
Foods and Catering in West Vancouver presents an enticing
selection of her kitchen’s production.

ing (Table Hopping freeloaders).

They do weddings, film “wrap”
parties, corporate wing-dings. They
also do lunch. And they do it
extremely weil.

Jody's, as Claman will be quick
to tell you in her rapid-fire manner,
is not in the exclusive employ of
high-rollers, big wheels, Hollywood
hotshots and deal makers. It is a
place for anybody who appreciates
good food.

Jody's specializes in fresh,
robust, organic, full-flavor — joy-
ous foods loaded with goodness and
vitality. Baked goods loaded with
chocolate and calories.

All of which are at the top of
Table Hopping menus, especially at
midday when the search for quality
luncheon counters intensifies.

Jody's occupies a small corner of
Ambleside’s Village Square across
from the Square Rigger neighbor-
hood pub.

Its smal} kitchen is primarily a
Staging and preparation area for

catered meals, Inside are only a few
tables. But Jody's has an outdoor
patio outfitted with a half dozen
tables and ringed with elegant
wrought iron fencing in which iun-
chcon custoiners can sample the —
operation’s wares Monday through
Friday.

It is a place of laughter and con-
versation, both supplied in a steady
torrent by Claman, who has the gre-
garious charm of a culinary Bette
Midler.

On Saturdays ... well, as Tatie
Hopping learned, things can get a
little hectic at Jody's. The small
catering operation can be preparing
upwards of 1,500 meals for week-
end celebrations.

It’s not the best time to show up.

Beyond baked goods and per-
haps a cappuccino, meals are not
served. Staff, too, are not focused on
across-the-counter service, especial-
ly if it be Table Hopping department

See Jody's page 29

someone wants to
meet you ...

in today’s classifieds.

Tatking Fersonats are for single paople over 18 iookung tor a sincere
ielationship, Eaplicn o¢ «mplicit sexual language will not be accepted.

Wednesday, October 12, 1994 ~ North Shore News — 27

Po ee Se ee a

Flavour of India

SUN. THRU THURS. ,
for 1 FREE DINNER
Purchase one dinner entree, receive a second entree of equal or

Please present coupon {9 server before ordering.
lesser value FREE. Oct. 20/94

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[

*Excludes baverages and Tandoori Entrees. Dinner Mon.-Sat. 5-10; Sun.5-9
I Watch for details on our new menu —_
I Open for lunch Monday to Friday 12:00 - 2:30

I

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fas

175 E. 3rd St., N.Van. Fully Licensed

Phone # :

985-5477 _.. iA ‘
—— Fx B5-170~

OR
PRAWN CURRY
Dinner includes your choice of rice or
potatoes, vegetables arid hot

~~ Sea Mates

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT.
980-1213 $98 Marine Drive N. Van.

rs |

2 FOR 1
; DINNER SPECIAL |

Enjoy one complimentary entree when a second entree |

of equal or greater value is purchased. ]
f

Value up to $14.95

I BRIDGE HOUSE
i RESTAURANT

f 3650 Capilano Road
ql North Vancouver
Valid until October 18th, 1994

1987-3388 sh

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2427 7 Ueanine | Druve, W, Van G926-SF3S