Employee appreciation certificate

APPRECIATION WEEK JUMPSTARTS EMPLOYEE MORALE

URBANA, Ohio-Boosting morale and showing thanks for its 75 employees at its retail store, cafe, production facility and farm, Robert Rothschild Farm hosted its first employee appreciation week Aug. 9 to 13. "It was a good mix of fun and learning," said Robin Coffey, marketing manager.

The weeklong event included an employee breakfast, health screenings, giveaways, and a motivational speaker. Robert Rothschild's products and specialty food products of some of its competitors were sampled.

Inspiration struck in May while planning an event for the gourmet condiment company's independent sales representatives, Coffey explained.

"There is some tendency to be segmented with all the different areas here," said Coffey, referring to the farm, retail store, corporate offices and manufacturing facility. "It gave employees the chance to interact with others they usually don't in their day-to-day work environment."

Each employee contributes to the company's success, and last week each employee's efforts were celebrated, noted Coffey. Robert Rothschild was open its normal business hours.

The company's employee activities committee quickly pulled the festivities together. Every month the activities committee plans events.

A similar weeklong employee appreciation event will be planned next year. "It was an energizing week," said Coffey.

Not all events are just for employees. For consumers and its community, the company hosted its first National Recipe Cookoff Sept. 11 as part of the company's annual celebration of raspberry season.

The company kicked off the contest in early August and received recipe entries from across the country. Initial judging took place in late August with 10 finalists being chosen for the judging on distinctive flavor in the final dish of the Robert Rothschild Farm product, overall taste, originality/creativity, and simplicity of preparation.

In the sweet category, a recipe for Ice Box Cookies, featuring Robert Rothschild Cherry Pineapple Preserves, took top honors. In the savory category, a recipe of Apricot Mango Wasabi Mushrooms, featuring Robert Rothschild Apricot Mango Wasabi Sauce, received first prize.

"We will add them to our recipe library for use in demos, on the web, for customers, etc. Plus we are talking about adding some of them to our menu for our caf?? too," said Coffey.

Both of winners received a $150 Robert Rothschild Farm gift certificate

All recipes were prepared by the company's Market Caf?? Culinary Team. Judges included the mayor and local media personalities.

Robert Rothschild Farm produces a complete line of gourmet food products from its 55,000-square-foot facility located on a 170-acre working farm.