Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Mel Gilman, manager of Pat Smith's Deli in Saratoga, serves a plate of chicken kabob and macaroni salad.

Pat Smith provides food extravaganza for diners

By Suzanne Cristallo

Planning a dinner for a thousand, grabbing a fast sandwich for lunch or sitting prettily in the delicate surroundings of an English tearoom can all be experienced in one location, thanks to Pat Smith. She runs Pat Smith's Extravaganza, a catering company; Pat Smith's Delicatessen; and the P.S. I Love You Tea Room, all on Big Basin Way in Saratoga.

The food complex offering this melange of services was first established in Saratoga with the catering company in 1993, followed shortly afterward by the Tea Room and then the deli in 1995.

Smith, a native of Long Island, N.Y., has been in California 40 years and was employed in the catering business in San Jose for many of those years. When the company closed down, she decided to open her own catering service, but not without the help of her longtime friend Mel Gilman, whose "day job" as manager of 135 jewelry stores with outlets in Macy's, Mervyn's and discount stores allowed him some scheduling flexibility.

He was able to oversee the selling of watches and diamonds until about 4 p.m., then switch to the duties of catering manager, keeping busy with glassware, china, linens and staffing logistics until late in the evening and on weekends. A promotion involving interstate travel for the jewelry business made him decide he would rather stay in one place. As a result, he joined George Zell for an 18-year stint in their own catering business, "Catering by George."

Gilman also ran two delicatessens for several years--La Strada on Main Street in Los Gatos and Zelman's in Campbell.

"I had been retired one week when Pat Smith talked me into running her deli," Gilman, 70, recalls. For the past two years, he has assumed all of the food-buying duties in the deli, along with food preparation and serving. Gilman builds New York-style overstuffed sandwiches to go along with macaroni, tossed green salads and potato and pasta salads. A drink of iced tea or lemonade added to that is the house $6 special.

He also helps with catering, where Smith's pork roast with her secret tangy pear sauce is a signature dish--either for a buffet serving hundreds or an elegant sit-down dinner for a private party.

"Any kind of food a customer wants, we can provide," Gilman says. Whether it be Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Mexican or English, Pat Smith's will provide catering for one or all at corporate conclaves, weddings or public events. Prices are determined by what is served, how it's presented and where the event is held. Three company vans and a staff of up to 30 can handle the transport and details and will even dress in theme costumes.

For a slower pace in dainty surroundings, customers can visit P.S. I Love You, the tearoom that serves a luncheon buffet for $9.95, a Sunday brunch for $15.95 and a la carte tea sandwiches and desserts. And for those who may have forgotten Mom's table admonitions, a special class in dining etiquette is held at the tearoom, either for children being introduced to table customs for the first time or adults brushing up for that special dinner at the boss's house.

Pat Smith's Extravaganza and Delicatessen of Saratoga and P.S. I Love You, 14435 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. Deli hours: 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily, 867-0435. Tea Room hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily, 867-1351. Catering office hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 867-0433.

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