I remember my first trip to a restaurant supply store. I had been taking weekend classes at San Francisco’s California Culinary Academy, and needed a bigger skillet. Two years ago I drove to Seaside for a huge stainless steel pot for the city’s Chowder cook off. Now Santa Cruz home chefs have a supply store to call their own.
Owned by George and Jennifer Neel, this is the first storefront for the established business. John Neel said his father George has been in the restaurant supply business for 35 years. John has been involved for about eight years, and his older brother Luke for 11. They have been waiting for this Water Street location for a couple of years.
Good News, based in Felton, has sold directly to restaurants through door-to-door sales people. Jennifer said the sales people still visit clients to take orders and have product delivered. 
The entrance is at the back of the building where there’s a bit of parking. In the shop, sharp knives and soft chairs were surrounded by shelves filled with bright aluminum and stainless steel. Silverware and steak knives, priced by the dozen, were boxed near powerful meat slicers on consignment. I was perfectly happy with my Cuisinart mixer, until I saw a medium-sized commercial model. (Too bad, no place to put it.)
Need some chef whites? How about red plastic burger baskets for your next barbecue, two-foot-long whisks, or wooden pizza paddles and industrial strength pie cutters? They even have a few commercial ranges, one by American Range. Escargots anyone? Shell tongs for $4. Large plastic salad bar tongs ($3) are joined by all manner of spatulas and spoons.
Your next party might include impressive cocktail shakers, muddlers, and embellishment bins. I really need a pretty green lime squeezer ($10). |KP
