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Post a commentPantry 1 Deli & Gourmet Specialties features upscale food, affordability
Her storefront may have changed, but Melinda Malia’s knack for gourmet cooking remains the same.
The Gloucester Township resident, former owner of Malia’s Gourmet Deli, is back serving the community delicious homemade fare at Pantry 1 Deli & Gourmet Specialties Featuring Melinda.
Located on Pitman-Downer Road in Sewell, the business features a full-service deli, breakfast, sandwiches, soups, prepared foods and a quality catering service.
Malia sold her former Fries Mill Road location in 2001; this March, though, she was faced with the opportunity to reconnect with her lifelong passion.
“I had wanted to come back for the last seven years and when I found this place, I jumped right into it,” she said. “I stocked it, cleaned it and opened it in a week.”
Malia’s business, located inside Pantry 1, gives customers “the ultimate food experience.”
“We’re not an Italian deli, even though we have pickles and parmigiana cheese; we’re not a bakery, even though we have baked goods,” she said. “We have a little bit of everything and it’s all made in the store.”
The business’s catering service handles all types of gatherings, including corporate events, luncheons and parties. Hors d’oeuvres, hot and cold appetizers and deli trays are available.
In addition to her gourmet gift baskets and box lunches, Malia offers special holiday packages where she’ll “do the trimmings” for big meals or create a take-home dinner for two for Valentine’s Day.
Malia’s daily menu features 12 gourmet sandwiches, including tuna with apples on a croissant or baguette; the grilled vegetable special, with fresh mozzarella, eggplant, squash, zucchini and carrots in a balsamic vinaigrette on basic focaccia; and the “King James,” with roast beef, provolone and horseradish Dijon mustard on a baguette.
A popular “everyday special” — and one of Malia’s personal recommendations — is the “Grandma Malia’s Favorite,” which includes honey-roasted turkey, Brie cheese and pear with honey mustard on a croissant.
“I put things together that no one else would,” said the owner. “I don’t follow directions well and I don’t do recipes. I pull this from there and that from there and make my own. I like to create.”
The deli carries a full line of Dietz & Watson meats, and also sells homemade roast beef, chicken cutlets, roast pork and meatballs. A variety of soups — including tasty seafood bisque — are featured daily, as well as specialty salads.
“There’s always something different,” said Malia, adding that chicken potpie and baked macaroni and cheese are popular specials.
The store also features a variety of baked goods, including old-fashioned crumb cake, black-and-white cookies and yogurt muffins — banana chocolate chip, blueberry, almond poppy and cappuccino.
New customers receive a free cookie and should not miss out on the shop’s special cherry white chip variety.
Malia’s customers receive not only
friendly service, but also great value. “It’s gourmet food without the expensive gourmet dining,” she said.
Patrons can get a breakfast sandwich with two eggs and choice of meat for $2.99 daily or any gourmet specialty sandwich for only $5.95.
Deli prices there are about $2 cheaper than typical Italian delis and supermarkets, the owner added.
Malia opened her first business in 1997.
“I used to watch ‘The Frugal Gourmet’ and Julia Child when I was younger and I became very passionate about food,” she said. “I told my husband that I wanted to go to culinary school, and he said, ‘Why? You’re the best cook I know. We’ll open a business.’ And it took off.”
Nearly half of Malia’s former customers have returned to support her in the new location and she hopes
word will continue to spread. “I didn’t realize people liked my food so much, but I love that they keep coming back,” she said, “I love putting smiles on people’s faces; it’s why I do what I do every day.”
My Community Trend profiles a selected business or organization each week as a service to its advertisers. This is promotional copy and does not imply endorsement by My Community Trend.
The Gloucester Township resident, former owner of Malia’s Gourmet Deli, is back serving the community delicious homemade fare at Pantry 1 Deli & Gourmet Specialties Featuring Melinda.
Located on Pitman-Downer Road in Sewell, the business features a full-service deli, breakfast, sandwiches, soups, prepared foods and a quality catering service.
Malia sold her former Fries Mill Road location in 2001; this March, though, she was faced with the opportunity to reconnect with her lifelong passion.
“I had wanted to come back for the last seven years and when I found this place, I jumped right into it,” she said. “I stocked it, cleaned it and opened it in a week.”
Malia’s business, located inside Pantry 1, gives customers “the ultimate food experience.”
“We’re not an Italian deli, even though we have pickles and parmigiana cheese; we’re not a bakery, even though we have baked goods,” she said. “We have a little bit of everything and it’s all made in the store.”
The business’s catering service handles all types of gatherings, including corporate events, luncheons and parties. Hors d’oeuvres, hot and cold appetizers and deli trays are available.
In addition to her gourmet gift baskets and box lunches, Malia offers special holiday packages where she’ll “do the trimmings” for big meals or create a take-home dinner for two for Valentine’s Day.
Malia’s daily menu features 12 gourmet sandwiches, including tuna with apples on a croissant or baguette; the grilled vegetable special, with fresh mozzarella, eggplant, squash, zucchini and carrots in a balsamic vinaigrette on basic focaccia; and the “King James,” with roast beef, provolone and horseradish Dijon mustard on a baguette.
A popular “everyday special” — and one of Malia’s personal recommendations — is the “Grandma Malia’s Favorite,” which includes honey-roasted turkey, Brie cheese and pear with honey mustard on a croissant.
“I put things together that no one else would,” said the owner. “I don’t follow directions well and I don’t do recipes. I pull this from there and that from there and make my own. I like to create.”
The deli carries a full line of Dietz & Watson meats, and also sells homemade roast beef, chicken cutlets, roast pork and meatballs. A variety of soups — including tasty seafood bisque — are featured daily, as well as specialty salads.
“There’s always something different,” said Malia, adding that chicken potpie and baked macaroni and cheese are popular specials.
The store also features a variety of baked goods, including old-fashioned crumb cake, black-and-white cookies and yogurt muffins — banana chocolate chip, blueberry, almond poppy and cappuccino.
New customers receive a free cookie and should not miss out on the shop’s special cherry white chip variety.
Malia’s customers receive not only
friendly service, but also great value. “It’s gourmet food without the expensive gourmet dining,” she said.
Patrons can get a breakfast sandwich with two eggs and choice of meat for $2.99 daily or any gourmet specialty sandwich for only $5.95.
Deli prices there are about $2 cheaper than typical Italian delis and supermarkets, the owner added.
Malia opened her first business in 1997.
“I used to watch ‘The Frugal Gourmet’ and Julia Child when I was younger and I became very passionate about food,” she said. “I told my husband that I wanted to go to culinary school, and he said, ‘Why? You’re the best cook I know. We’ll open a business.’ And it took off.”
Nearly half of Malia’s former customers have returned to support her in the new location and she hopes
word will continue to spread. “I didn’t realize people liked my food so much, but I love that they keep coming back,” she said, “I love putting smiles on people’s faces; it’s why I do what I do every day.”
My Community Trend profiles a selected business or organization each week as a service to its advertisers. This is promotional copy and does not imply endorsement by My Community Trend.
