Archive for the 'Staff Spotlight' Category

I’ve always wanted to be a talk show host, or interview people for magazines and the like.  We are so lucky to have Tom Green work for Kasa, so I thought I’d start with him.

Me –  Let’s get right into it.  Why such a short marriage to Drew Barrymore?

Tom – (goes red and starts laughing)

Me – Ok maybe too personal.  How was working on the set for Charlie’s Angels compared to here?

Tom – (laughing) I think you have the wrong Tom Green.   I get that a lot.  I get mistaken for him all the time because I look like him. Even Drew Barrymore mistook me for him.

Me – So the name?

Tom – It’s just a coincidence.  I googled it, and THE Tom Green’s real name is Michael Thomas Green, while my name is after my grandpa ‘Thomas Green’.  So my parents did not get inspiration for my name after seeing Road Trip.

Me – Tell me about the suspenders that you ALWAYS wear?

Tom – I bought them for a costume party originally and never stopped wearing them since.  I like them because they people know I’m just a little bit different.  Mot much, but just enough.

Me – And the Oliver Twist cap?

Tom – It works really well with the suspenders. (smile)

Me – Where are you originally from?

Tom – Boise, Idaho!!

Me – Wow,  what brought you all the way here to SF?

Tom – I followed a girl…

Me – Aaaah.  What was your first impression of the City?

Tom – I was pretty overwhelmed at how many PEOPLE there were, and how BIG and congested it was, I’m used to things spread out a lot more.  The cost of living is horrendous too.  But part of me loves living paycheck to paycheck.  I have what I need to just live in the present and not too much out there in the future.  But part of me knows that I should start saving and go to school.

Me – How old are you, Tom?

Tom – Just turned 22!

Me – How long have you worked with Kasa?

Tom – A year and a half now. Kasa hired me a week after I first arrived here.

Me – What do you love and hate about being a server?

Tom – I love talking to really cool customers.  Just today, this older lady told me about this awesome cookbook from the guy who started Momofuku, the ramen noodle place in NY. I also like that this city has a lot of food-conscious people who really want to talk about the food.  I like chatting to them and telling them how we cook the food here.

Me – What do you hate?

Tom – (laughing) I don’t know what it is about alcohol that makes people shout, but the super drunken crowd is not cool.   Other than that, not much.  Oh wait, I hate trying to deal with a customer in line while answering the phone at the same time — that’s a doozy.  And I don’t ask for much, but it’s always a bummer when customers don’t tip.  Even a penny in the tip box is appreciated.

Me – What are you most proud of at Kasa?

Tom – (smiling) I make pretty awesome roti and I’m really proud of my chai.  Anything I make here, I have it to a T.

Me – What’s your personal favourite dish?

Tom – The lamb curry with chutney and onions.  It kills Tim because it’s the most expensive dish! (laughing)

Me – What’s different here compared to your last job as a cook in Boise?

Tom – Everything is cooked fresh at Kasa.  In Boise, everything came frozen in a bag — the onion rings, the burger patties, the fries.  All I had to do was throw everything in the fryer. It was a really easy job.

Me – OK, last question.  What do you think of the handful of yelpers out there dissing on white Kasa servers?

Tom – That’s a tough one.  I always wish they would say it to me in person so I could come back with some sassy remark.  I like people who have fun with it though.  The other day a guy asked me, ‘What province of India are you from?”  I said, “Idaho.”  I also like when Indian customers come in and giggle at a white guy serving them Indian food!

Thanks Tom:)

You can find Tom Green at our Marina location, with his suspenders, cap and super sweet personality, making you awesome roti, amazing chai and serving you with a smile.  Don’t forget the tip though and if you are intoxicated, try and keep your voice to a reasonable tone and it’s all good.

Anamika