Z’s Café 1116 Pennsylvania location announces the Big Reveal of Studio Z –just in time for the Fort Worth South Arts Goggle.  This gallery will feature original works from local artists.

Z's Cafe has an established a close relationship with the arts community – their flagship location is inside the Fort Worth Community Arts Center – and the influence is evident at their new location in the Southside Hospital District.  Recognizing that for many artists today a café or local coffee shop will be the first venue to display their works, Z’s hopes to expand the audience and increase awareness for local artists and the programs to which they are connected.

“Our goal is to blend the flavors of our new neighborhood with the taste of Z's” ~Co-owner, Carlo Capua.  Many of the artists shown in the ‘Studio Z’ Gallery are enrolled in programs throughout the Fort Worth community, in which art plays a recuperative role.

Exhibits at ‘Studio Z’ will be installed once per month.  Selected works will be displayed on the website, but to get a true feeling for the collection, a ‘Meet Z Artist’ reception will be held on the 1st Saturday of the month following the installation.  Meet Z Artist events are open to the public.  Admission is $7 and includes a light hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Z’s Café is a family-run, woman-owned business and a social enterprise, collaborating with local non-profits Samaritan House, Cuisine for Healing, YWCA, Make-a-Wish and others.  The partnership with Samaritan House creates jobs and increases skills for low-income individuals.  To date, 79 residents have found employment, marketable experience, and renewed self-esteem as a direct result.

The Pennsylvania location also rents commercial kitchen prep space and commissary services to food trucks, chefs, caterers and bakers in the area.  The networking opportunities alone in this “culinary incubator” promise quite an opportunity to the innovative entrepreneur.

Z’s Café offers a variety of healthy, affordable menu choices, including:

• Full catering menu for any size party or business function, breakfast, lunch or dinner
• Wedding options for the cost-conscious couple
• Weekly packaged, heart healthy meals for individuals, couples, or families

Full menus are available at www.zscafe.com/menus.For more information, contact co-owner Carlo Capua at carlo@zscafe.comor (214) 908-5452.

As Café Manager, Carl will serve as the gregarious, larger than life, Italian greeter and food guru. With over 35 years’ business experience, Carl has worked in automobile sales at Bill McDavid and Mac Churchill, and more recently as Epicurean Specialist at Market Street in Colleyville. Stop by Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm to say hello.

A social enterprise, Z’s Café is partnered with local non-profit Samaritan House, providing jobs to low-income individuals while offering delicious, homemade fare. Inspired by recipes from Chef Janet's collection, managed by son Carlo, and kept running by residents from Samaritan House, Z's Cafe proves that it’s more than just money; together we CAN make a difference.

The motto of "Food, Family, Friends" is the heart of our philosophy and some of our proudest achievements have been witnessing our staff do things both they, and society, once thought impossible. In other words, they shine even brighter than we could have imagined. Our employees learn food and service skills while making their way back into the labor force, and over the past 3 years we’ve put 79 people back to work.

Z’s Café offers a variety of menu choices with a home-cooked flair, healthy, low-fat, affordable options and no time spent in the kitchen, including a variety of alternatives for gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-sensitive diets.

Z’s Café & Catering features:

• Two full-service cafes located in the Fort Worth Cultural and Hospital Districts
• Full catering menu for any size party or business function, breakfast, lunch or dinner
• 4-star wedding catering options for 2-star budgets
• Freshly packaged, portion-controlled, heart healthy meals (contact us for details) Full menus are available at www.zscafe.com/menus.
• Hourly kitchen rental as a culinary incubator and resource for small businesses

For more information, contact co-owner Carlo Capua at carlo@zscafe.com or (214) 908-5452 (cell.)

Thank you for supporting Joe's Run, Samaritan House and Z's Cafe!

Carlo Capua, co-owner of the family-owned Z’s Café & Catering, will make an appearance today on FOX4’s Good Day Program Check out the Video! to talk about this community partnership and also to share Chef Janet’s recipe for ‘Best in Fort Worth’ chicken salad!  If you are looking for a quick and healthy meal, chicken salad is the way to go!

We weren’t voted ‘Best Healthy Lunch’ for just any reason.  Our chicken salad is not only nutritious, but can be served in a variety of ways that don’t involve long prep time OR heating up your Texas kitchen.  Chicken salad is an easy addition for wedding parties, pool parties, girl’s night in or just a quick, easy dinner.  Check out recipe ideas below or pick up a PINT to go at either of our locations.

Charles was born in Corsicana, Texas. He is one of six children (one deceased.) He also has three sons – the youngest is 37. His journey in Fort Worth began in 1956.

Charles Walker, father, friend, part of the Z's family

Charles was one of the first employees of Z’s Cafe when it opened three years ago. When asked how his career at Z’s began, Charles said, “I found out about it from Rick Eisimeeger. He works at the Samaritan House. I was my brother’s caretaker and had retired from doing plumbing work and I was taking care of my brother until he passed away. Rick asked one day if I would be interested in working in a cafe that was going to open up and I said put my name on the list and when the job opportunity came up, I started and have been here ever since.”

Prior to working at Z’s, Charles was in the military during the Vietnam War and later became a plumber until 1997. “I used to do plumbing and I’m used to seeing people all the time. I was in the military and got to see people all over the country. To me personally, its an everyday thing. We’re serving the public a specific deal so we have to go along with their program,” Charles said.

When asked his best memory so far at Z’s, Charles had a great story to share.

“My best memories...one that I am going to never forget I’ll put it like this....when we first started out we had a catering event, it was me Martin and Carlo. Carlo washed dishes quite a lot that particular night, it was quite busy. He’s not afraid to wash dishes. After that I think I washed dishes for 8 hours one night. It was fun and the time went by really fast. There was no problem with that, it was kind of fun to see your boss be a part of the program, not a lot of people get to see that.”

Many friendships have been made among the Z’s staff. Charles shared how he has seen every new employee begin at Z’s. He said, “ I am constantly meeting new friends. It happens in all walks of life, wherever you go you meet new people. Its one of life’s experiences.” Charles lit up when talking about his fellow employees and spoke about them in a playful way, “they remind me of my kids, most of them are around the same age. So I treat them as kids.”

Charles is a very special man and one that any person would be lucky to have a conversation with. Charles, or “Chuck” as his grandkids and close friends like to call him, is a man who loves his family and job. He enjoys relaxing and watching television when he is at home. Charles will not hesitate when asked what his favorite Z’s meal is, “The salad trio, that takes care of everything (pasta, chicken and fruit salad) you can taste. The stuffed pork chops and rice but we don’t serve that everyday.”

Along with sharing his brilliant leadership and serving talents at Z’s, we would like to thank Charles Walker for graciously sharing his story with us.

"These days, we are all balancing health and nutrition with budget and schedule.  Our goal at Z’s Café is to offer delicious food at reasonable prices that support job growth and individual empowerment in the Fort Worth community.”  Chef Janet Z. Capua, Co- Owner Z’s Café & Catering.  "As a family-run and woman-owned business, we are excited to be a part of the Southside community.”

An enterprise with a social mission, Z’s works with hundreds of local non-profits, donating to awareness and fundraising efforts.  Added to their reputation for outstanding food, beautiful presentation, and top-notch service, Z’s Café has enjoyed generous support from the Fort Worth community.  A key goal for 2012 is to develop a job training center for low-income individuals to teach food preparation, catering, and food service.

Keeping with their family tradition, the new location will feature two Chicago-style Italian favorites - Italian Beef and Italian Sausage sandwiches, both served with sautéed peppers and a tasty au jus.  For diners seeking healthier fare, heart-healthy and cancer-fighting meals will be available for pickup. Z’s is committed to quality food, and treating everyone who walks through the door like family.

The new location will also rent prep space and commissary services to food trucks, caterers and bakers in the area.  The networking opportunities alone in this “culinary incubator” promise quite an opportunity to the innovative entrepreneur.

Voted Best Chicken Salad ~Fort Worth Texas Magazine~	Best Healthy Lunch in Dallas/Fort Worth ~WFAA-List~	Best Healthy Dining ~Fort Worth Child Magazine~

From the recipe collection of Chef Janet Capua, Z’s Café offers a variety of menu choices with a home cooked flair, healthy, low-fat, low-cost options and no time spent in the kitchen, including a variety of alternatives for gluten-free vegetarian, vegan and dairy-sensitive diets.

Z’s Cafe'& Catering features:

• Full catering menu for any size party or business function, breakfast, lunch or dinner
• Wedding options for the cost-conscious couple
• Family-packaged, portion controlled meals for two or more
• Weekly packaged, portioned controlled individual meals (10+ meals per week)
  The menu selection for all packaged meals changes weekly to provide a variety of healthy cuisines that are convenient for busy lifestyles. Full menu available at www.zscafe.com/menus.

For more information, contact co-owner Carlo Capua at carlo@zscafe.com or (214) 908-5452 (cell)

Check out our Facebook Page for pictures of our Grand Opening!

Listening to Carter speak at the annual Samaritan House Out of the Box luncheon today, just reminded me that it is not always the magnitude of the effort, but the compassion behind it that resonates.  This sweet boy did not even want credit, he insisted that the gifts be given by an 'anonymous donor'.

When the reporter asked Carter if he thought it was strange to be gathering Christmas gifts as a Bar Mitzvah project, his response was

A good deed is a good deed, anytime, anywhere.

This compassionate young man, stood up today and inspired a room full of community leaders with his leadership.  His mom simply asks that we follow his lead.  Z's Cafe hopes to follow this lead every day.  It is our mission to reach out and inspire others to make connections that make a difference. We'd love to recognize other community-minded young people as part of our 'Beyond the Cafe' news series. Share your stories with us!

Although we're fiercely proud of our specialty recipe, we won't mind if you occasionally cheat on us. Z's is proud to partner with THE CUP, a new gourmet coffee shop on Camp Bowie (the Old Bluebonnet Bakery.) You can now get our famous chicken salad with your imported Italian coffee and delicious teas.

We are excited to be an integral part of the Fort Worth neighborhood.  So if you don't feel like driving the extra 1/2 mile down Camp Bowie east, it's OK. We'll forgive you.

It was a fabulous event.  6 local chefs, including Jon Bonnell, Jerrett Joslin and Brian Olenjack, each prepared a fabulous course paired with the perfect wine to bring out the flavors.  They all worked together to serve 6 delectable courses to over 200 guests.  Funds raised will provide over 2,500 meals to further the mission of providing nutritious, delicious food readily available to people combating cancer in the Fort Worth area.

We are proud of our partnership with Cuisine for Healing.  You can be sure Janet was visiting with everyone she knew, including good friend and godfather of Fort Worth cuisine, Walter Kaufmann, and making new friends at every turn.  You can get involved and make new friends too.  For more information, visit their volunteer page.

In town for an alumni tailgate event, TCU grad and 2010 American Idol Top 20 Tim Halperin took a break to enjoy some Z's Cafe recently. Check out the incredible music video to his new single "The Last Song."