Talking Shop

Preparing a special feast for moms

Columbia hotels gear up for to feed hundreds Sunday

“Pampering mom on Mother’s Day, that is what it is all about,” says executive chef Robert Singletary.

This Sunday marks the 15th Mother’s Day that Singletary and cooks at the Clarion Hotel Columbia have prepared a feast for everyone’s special lady.

As many as 600 moms and their relatives are expected to dine Sunday at the Gervais Street hotel.

The hotel’s chef and eight cooks will prepare at least 100 pounds of bone-in ham, 140 pounds of roast beef, 100 pounds of lamb and 100 pounds of chicken for the annual banquet, said restaurant manager John Belyew.

“It’s excellent for the people, families. And it’s a lot of work,” Belyew said. “We include our entire banquet staff ... and kitchen help, totaling 40 people. It’s a day-and-a-half affair.”

Around town, hotels are preparing for big crowds this Sunday.

In addition to the Clarion, Embassy Suites on Greystone Boulevard, Radisson on Bush River Road and Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites are among other area hotels hosting Mother’s Day brunches and dinners this weekend.

The average price per person is $25, and walk-ins are welcome.

About 58 percent of Southerners (and 56 percent nationwide) plan to dine out with their favorite moms, the National Retail Federation reports. Last year, 63 percent of Southerners said they would go out while 61 percent said they would nationally.

At Clarion on Saturday, staff will set up tables, place linens and silverware and prep food for the next day. And then at about 5 a.m. Sunday, the kitchen staff will arrive and soon pots will simmer and ovens will bake and broil a smorgasbord of meats.

There will be London Broil, salmon and shrimp in addition to the loads of ham, lamb and chicken. And for moms and relatives who are vegetarians, there will be rice pilaf with green peas, sugar snaps with pearl onions and steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots.

Oh, let’s not forget the line of red velvet, carrot and paradise (pineapple and kiwifruit) cake slices.

First guests will be served about 11 a.m., and the last about 3 p.m.

“People come here because they know they are going to get good food. Nothing is out of the can — except for maybe cranberry sauce,” Belyew said.

Customers are bringing their families and loved ones out to dine, he said. Good food, good service and a keen sense of detail are hallmark every day but especially on Mother’s Day, Belyew said.

The retail association estimates that the average consumer will spend about $139 on Mother’s Day this year.

Total spending for Mother’s Day 2008 is expected to reach $15.8 billion, up a million from last year.

• Adding some voice to Moms’ cards

Hallmark’s new voice recordable cards are the top sellers at Kitty’s Hallmark store at Trenholm Plaza in Forest Acres and have helped boost sales, said manager Karen Dodger.

The $5.99 cards allow customers to record a 10-second message to mom and then play a clip of a song that matches your sentiments.

Columbia card shopper Eleanor Clark likes the Earth, Wind & Fire’s Shining Star and Tina Turner’s Simply the Best versions of the new recordable greeting cards.

“The prices are a little bit up, but I love cards,” Clark said. “And for mom, the sky is the limit,” she said.

Kitty’s Hallmark at Trenholm Plaza is one of six owned by local Hallmark franchiser KSM Inc. of Lexington.

• Flower shop chatter

Columbia area florists say they will make 600 deliveries for this Mother’s Day combined.

Here are the shops’ most requested orders:

• Kirby Croft at 3508 Main St.: Sweetheart (miniature) rose bushes and flower bouquets in teacups and teapots.

• Shandon Florist at 3019 Millwood Ave.: Spring-like, brightly colored arrangements and blooming hydrangeas, gardenias and azalea bushes.

Each week, Delawese Fulton, retail reporter for The State, will provide the latest retail development news. The goal is to give you the skinny on the new stores in your neighborhood, as well as any businesses closing. If you have any retail news, contact Fulton at (803) 771-8659 or ddfulton@thestate.com.