The novel coronavirus has forced all of us to adapt in one form or another. We’ve had to adjust the way we interact with each other, our approach to hygiene, how we socialize, eat, work, play, worship, learn, shop, exercise… Seemingly overnight we’ve been thrust into a strange new world. Many of us have lost our jobs or had to put our careers on hold. Some of us are still struggling to find our new niche, and we can look to those who’ve adapted successfully for inspiration. The Fat Cow and Oyster Bar is one such story.
The Fat Cow and Oyster Bar’s husband/wife team opened their restaurant in Langley in 2012. Hubby and head chef Christopher earned his chops in the kitchens of Fraser Valley restaurants like Uli’s in White Rock, The Vault in Cloverdale, and Maple Ridge’s Lava Dining Lounge. His wife Emmy acts as the General Manager for Fat Cow and brings her love of food, wine, and family to the table.
When the COVID crisis hit, Fat Cow knew they had to act fast. With business dropping off and the government quickly limiting operations, The Fat Cow and Oyster Bar needed to change their approach while still fulfilling their essential role in bringing food to local families.
Now thinking firmly outside the box, Christopher and Emmy decided that in this time of social distancing, the community would be better served with grocery delivery than a brick-and-mortar restaurant. So The Fat Cow and Oyster Bar became Fat Cow Essentials, featuring local products and produce delivered directly to doorsteps in the Fraser Valley region and across Greater Vancouver, with an emphasis on their local community (Langley has delivery available six days a week, with curbside pickup available at the restaurant as well). By keeping items local, they can help keep their suppliers in business and help the food chain continue uninterrupted from farm to table.
As we all know by now, safety is paramount in the current environment and Fat Cow Essentials is definitely putting safety first. Each employee is screened for symptoms before every shift including a mandatory temperature check, and then equipped with gloves and sanitizer. To further ensure safety there is no interaction between employees and customers, with all delivery orders placed outside doors. Employees wait at a safe distance after ringing the doorbell to ensure the package is picked up. For orders picked up at the restaurant location customers can text their stall number and they run the order out.
Fat Cow Essentials is also helping the community by delivering free hot dinners for seniors who are unable to leave their homes, people who are in quarantine, and people with compromised immune system during this COVID-19 outbreak. If you fit any of these criteria and are struggling financially please contact Fat Cow here.
They are now offering dishes and sauces from their restaurant as well as custom cocktails and a wine list as part of their grocery delivery service, so fill your e-cart and support your community here.
