Ten Year Anniversary Celebration

1999-2009

It's hard to believe, but it's been nearly ten years since we opened Gervais & Vine. So, over the next couple months, leading up to our big party, we're going to share some of our favorite stories from the past decade with you. We'd also love it if you'd share your favorite memories of Gervais & Vine with us, whether we helped you learn to love wine or you found love within our cozy confines, we'd love to hear about it. If you had a great experience while dining or attending a Wine Goddess event or a tasting, please share it with us. Even if it's just one line, we'd love to hear it and we'd love to share it with everyone who visits this site.

Please send your stories to us by email. We'll be giving out some cool prizes for stories at our big bash in March.

Here's another great story from one of our long-time friends...

I remember a few years down the road, you sent out one of your usual emails and asked if anyone had a teenager that was looking for a job. You needed a runner, someone to assist the wait staff get the food out hot and fast. They had to know in advance they would not have weekends off, NO WEEKENDS OFF!!!

Well it just so happened our son was home from Tampa, working as the photo guy at Eckerd's while going to Midlands Tech. He hated his job, it was an ends to make a means. Gordon (dad) and I (mom) talked about the email and how we thought Gordon (son as in Gordon E. not dad, as in Gordon M.) would be a great waiter if he learned the job. His personality and friendliness would be a great asset.

This, we thought would be a great job for Gordon! Starting out as a runner, in what we felt was a great restaurant, would be a great way to get his foot in the door, hopefully learn the job, do a good job and make lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Well at least make money, and more money then he made as the photo guy at Eckerd's.

We told Gordon about the job and he went down and met with Kristian. Next thing we knew Gordon was there more then we were! Only thing was, instead of spending money at G and V like us, he was making money, and seemed to really enjoy it.

Not too long after that, we came in for dinner with another couple. As the waitress gave us our menu I noticed there, in the middle of the page, right there it said "Gordon's Pizza"

I said, ( mom that I am..) "Is that our Gordon????"

My husband, being the man that he is, and the dad said, "I don't know I guess it is, what other Gordon do we know that works here?"

Our waitress overhearing the delight and surprise in my voice, said, " Are you Gordon's parents???"

"Yes", we replied with glee.
 
"Oh," said the waitress, "WE love Gordon. I'll tell him you are here!"

"No, that's ok" we said, knowing how embarrassed he might be that his parents were here and not wanting to get him in trouble.

The waitress said, "Oh no, he will be happy to see you. He'll come out to see you if he gets a chance'.

Well in no time at all, Gordon went from being a runner to being taken under the wing of  the head man, Sam the chef at the time. Gordon would show up at G and V right after his classes ended at Midlands, and well before his shift started. Sam took the time to train Gordon in food prep, organization and gave him little jobs to do. They got to be good buds and Gordon loved working with Sam. HE looked forward to going to work everyday and never complained about working, or weekends at work. It seemed like his whole attitude changed. Gordon went from the brother that never cooked anything, to the brother that was now working the back kitchen, and moving on from there to the front of G and V, then going to Solstice for a while and back to G and V again.

One day Sam left Gervais and Vine and Henry came and was to be the new head chef. Henry came with lots of experience, and Gordon had lots of interest and enthusiasm and Henry continued where Sam left off. One afternoon not too long after Henry took over, THE FREE TIMES came in to do an article on G and V and Henry. Henry did the article but when it came time to take a picture of him, Henry insisted that if they wanted a picture of him for their article, then they needed to take a picture of him with Gordon. They did.

So, here we are again, another night for dinner and another new menu. BUT, this one was very special. You see, G and V with it's constantly changing menu's also constantly reprinted them with the new features.

One night while looking at the menu, deciding what tasty morsels would  grace our pallet that night, I SAW IT!!! Right there on the Hot Tapas page......at the bottom of the page....THERE IT WAS again!!!!

What you say? What was it you saw???

Chef: Kristian Niemi                                Manager: Noelle Norton

Executive Chef: Henry Griffiin                   Sous Chef: GORDON LANGSTON

That was in April 2005. I was so thrilled and I asked if it would be ok if I took one of the menu's . Yes, I was told, they were going to be changing them again, so go ahead, enjoy. And so I did, and I still have it, along with the Free Times article!

Today, after being inspired in a great restaurant, with great mentors, great co workers and of course great guests, Gordon has been inspired to follow in the culinary field. He is now attending the Culinary Institute of America, one of the premier culinary schools in the world.

Gordon was accepted on November 15th 2007 at 11:16 AM. Gordon began at CIA in February of 2008 and has just completed his extern ship at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa. He returned to CIA in Hyde Park, NY. on Sunday, March 1st to complete his final year of Culinary School after having the privilege of working with the chef's and new staff in the new kitchens of Rosso for the past three weeks and now has become a part of another fantastic restaurant's history here in Columbia. being a part of the new history of Rosso

And as Paul Harvey would say.............."And that's the rest of the story" Well, at least for now. I am sure there will be much, much more to come.

Congratulations for just one of the many lives you have touched in your 10 years of excellent food, fellowship and fun. G and V is just like Cheer's. A friendly, fun neighborhood place, where everybody knows your name....and your wine choices.............and what kind of food you like and they're always glad you came, and so are we!  :-)  Cheers again and again.