The Evolving Local Food Scene in Lake Havasu City
A local mixologist from Lake Havasu’s Martini Bay (pictured here) guided participants in creating a Bourbon Old-Fashioned during the latest virtual Lake Havasu Food Culture event.
‘Twas the season for warming up with a bourbon old-fashioned alongside fellow food system advocates - and that’s exactly where we were for the third Lake Havasu Food Culture event. Taking place in December 2020, the event included a happy hour with a local mixologist drink demo and continued the community conversation about memorable food experiences, building a proud food workforce, and innovative ways to market and celebrate local food businesses.
In this virtual space, Local First Arizona and our Lake Havasu partners were joined by community representatives that included a farmer, nutritionist, retired chef, food blogger, restaurant manager, resort director, and other passionate Lake Havasu residents. When asked what was important when it comes to the consumer experience at local restaurants, a variety of factors were highlighted: cleanliness, staff appearance, vegetarian and vegan options, travel site reviews, ambiance, seasonal menus, and quality of conversation with wait staff.
Discovering those locally-owned and treasured food spots is something the new Lake Havasu Food Alliance group hopes to make easier for visitors so that local businesses can gain more customers as the economy rebounds from Coronavirus shut-downs.
““To find the best place to eat [when traveling], we track down a local and beg them for recommendations. Usually it’s just some hole-in-the-wall, but the food is always amazing!” ”
Cha-bones Steakhouse and Tapas Bar offered their insight into creating a strong workplace culture.
Improving relationships between staff and their customers is another important aspect for a successful food business. Participants that manage food employees explained how staff should be engaged with customers, remembering names, learning how to serve properly, offering recommendations, and sharing about other events and places to visit in town with tourists. Culture in the workplace must be one of ongoing training, education, and growth opportunities for staff. “People don’t quit jobs, they quit managers who are not hitting the mark,” said one restaurant manager.
For those employers that struggle to find time or money for training, funding resources through Arizona@Work and Mohave Community College were discussed (for more information contact Lisa Card at the local SBDC office).
Additional challenges discussed revolved around restaurants’ struggle to get attention and exposure, but participants offered low-cost solutions. They suggested jumping on the patio dining trend and new outdoor dining ordinances as an opportunity to create a ‘Restaurant Row’ on Friday nights and take over downtown. Even better news! There is funding for this as well through the Safest Outside Grant. Another suggestion included rounding up all the different social media and Facebook accounts into one centralized account that would help locals and visitors find out about local restaurants and food events and connect with each other.
Local First Arizona has collaborated with Lake Havasu stakeholders, such as KAWS, Go Lake Havasu, Better Business Bureau, Lake Havasu Farmers Market, Small Business Development Council, Mohave Community College.
As the Lake Havasu Food Alliance continues to move forward, the most actionable item identified was to create a video reel and partner with food bloggers and local TV channels to highlight local chefs, restaurants, and exceptional staff with a behind-the-scenes look at some of Lake Havasu’s best local food spots. Stay tuned for more details as the next Lake Havasu Food Culture Roundtable comes to Lake Havasu in early 2021.