Local Business - A day in the life of Sarah Jane Harris from Chez Joel...

Hi, I’m Sarah Jane Harris, and you will find me at “Chez Joel” in Steyning High Street - why this name? My father is French and for years now, has judged Olympic style cooking contests in France, and indeed all over the world, which whetted my appetite, so to speak, for running an eating establishment and Delicatessen. Everything about the place has a French flavour – the food, background music, decoration and, well, just the feeling!

My day starts with an early morning wake up call for our family pets to be dealt with, not to mention two schoolchildren. I live outside of Steyning, and with two horses, 31 chickens (the eggs are used in the shop) to be organised and fed, plus four dogs to walk. Oh, and, of course, one husband, one son and one daughter to feed! My husband, John, helps with ideas and the paperwork, not to mention the moral support!

Once I reach Steyning, my ovens get turned on about 8.30 a.m., I check my supplies, organise deliveries, and ensure that we have the right bread (French of course!), milk and salad items in stock, or to be ordered. Where I can, I use the vegetables from my own garden.

I can offer breakfasts, elevenses, and await the lunchtime rush. After that, the staff and I eat our lunches before the next excitement of afternoon tea and cakes. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays I am experimenting with evening French Bistro meals. After that home, feed animals and family, crash out and eat something myself – all set for another day.

I have met some wonderful people who come to the Deli – from ever-growing Sixth Formers at the School, ladies from choirs, to TV personalities, (a star from Downton Abbey loves my Crayfish salads). I love Steyning – its ambiance, friendship, buildings, and people. Do come and eat at Chez Joel – it does have a difference!

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