High Five
Sabrina and Ed Schafer
Co-owners/managing partners, Mustard Seed Cafe
My husband and I had been regulars at our favorite restaurant, Mustard Seed Cafe in the Valley, for 15 years. Then in 2003 I was diagnosed with celiac disease with gluten (wheat, barley, rye, oats and their byproducts) forever banned. Restaurant eating became very difficult.
I brought Sabrina helpful gluten-free information, hoping to find dishes I could still eat; she really ran with it. She and Ed have worked hard to meet gluten-free needs with their sauces and salad dressings, while keeping standards high. “We’re going above and beyond to make sure we have safe products” she says. “He’s looking for ingredients for our sauces, working toward making all our sauces gluten-free so we never have to worry.”
Mustard Seed accommodates other dietary need – including heart-healthy and diabetic. The Schafers are constantly educating new employees, especially about gluten issues, and appreciate helpful information.
Impressively, many of their servers and cooks stay a decade or more. “We have wonderful employees who later become customers with their families. It’s that kind of place,” said Sabrina.
“I love people and have a passion for this business,” she said. “I enjoy our customers. And I truly believe our food is the best in Spokane.”
I raise my chopsticks to the Schafers for their care and dedication to those on the food fringe.
Deborah Chan
Spokane Valley
Bob Bailey
YMCA basketball coach
We’d like to recognize Bob Bailey, our 11-year-old son’s YMCA basketball coach.
Our son is finishing up his second year under this volunteer coach and as parents, we are very impressed. We have experienced many coaches for several different sports, most of them very good, and we appreciate the time they invested.
However, this coach from the Mead area is one to be highlighted and publicly commended. Our team is not only a winning team, but one with a great sense of character, teamwork and strong work ethic. Coach Bob does an excellent job of coaching and instructing each boy fairly and with encouragement as well as with high expectations and according to the boys’ individual strengths and limitations.
We are grateful for his investment in our son’s growth and development as well as the others. Please join us in honoring coach Bob Bailey.
Sara and Joel Ferris
North Spokane