Even in closing… the power of Twitter.

cosmickitchen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:08:15 +0000

The day we closed our beloved four year old restaurant, I was doing what I always did, live tweeting the event. Tweets were coming in like crazy from the extremely loyal clientele we gathered through the years. Some were even coming from the dining room, where customers were tweeting their last meal at CCK. One of those tweets caught the eye of a local news station and they called shortly after to see if we could be interviewed within the hour. This was the result (please click the link to be taken to the actual video clip):

Locals say goodbye to ‘out of this world’ breakfast dishes

Posted: Aug 28, 2011 5:47 PM EDT Updated: Aug 31, 2011 6:28 PM EDT

By: Veronica Macias – bio | email

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Chris Lubben can’t believe he is cooking breakfast at his family-owned restaurant for the last time. The doors to the popular breakfast restaurant on Eastwood closed on Sunday after almost four years of business. His wife and business partner Kristen Lubben calls the ending ‘bittersweet.’

“We just wanted to be in control of it, and not have it like other restaurants. Sometimes they’ll run out in the middle of the night. We didn’t want that to happen because we have such loyal customers,” said Lubben.

On Sunday morning, the chef-owner tweeted about his last day. And the couple credits social media for keeping them afloat during the recession. But now that their lease is up, closing just feels like ‘good timing.’

“Its great to hear that they’ll miss us and come in and share our last day with us – it really means a lot to all of us,” said Lubben.

There was a limited menu served because of Hurricane Irene but the Cosmic Kitchen delivered one of the menu’s biggest hits: the big stack of pancakes.

One of their regular patrons even tried to get them on the Food Network show ‘Man vs. Food”

Another said it’s not only the food that drew them in but it was the family environment and good company. Pam Ardell said going to Chris’s Cosmic Kitchen on Sunday’s was a ‘ritual’ for her and her girlfriends.

“Where else can you walk into someplace in the morning and have your drinks sitting on your table before you’ve even come in the door,” said the woman in her Sunday’s best as she tried to fight back tears.

And the Lubben’s said its people like her that make the departure so hard.

“When you own a restaurant you see people everyday. We’ve seen their kids grow and we’ve just had so many tremendous experiences here. I mean we feel like these people are family,” said Lubben.

As of now the family doesn’t know what the universe holds for them, but they know it will involve Chris’s cheesecake. They plan to use social media to help get it off the ground.

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.

~*~

The reason for writing this blog was to let other restaurants and small businesses know that you must NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF TWITTER and other social media outlets. If you scroll through our blog here, you will see how social media kept our little restaurant in the news the past several years. Fortunately, it’s something that I *love* to do. If you’d like any help, find me on Twitter @KristinLubben. You can STILL find us on Twitter @CosmicKitchen, cooking up only the best food related tweets from across the Twitterverse!

~*~

Thank you Wilmington. We enjoyed the ride.

cosmickitchen — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:55:48 +0000

From Our Family to Yours

cosmickitchen — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:15:26 +0000

Dear Friends,

After much deliberation, we regret to inform you that we will be closing our doors at the end of this month. We could go on and on for hours about the plight of the small business in these economic times, but we’re sure you’ve heard enough of that in the news. This is a decision we, ultimately, had to make for our family and our future. We didn’t want to continue operating to the point where we had to close our doors suddenly and “run off into the night”. We owe you, CCK and ourselves more than that. It certainly wasn’t an easy decision, as I’m sure you know. Tears were shed. We consider all of you our CCK family and we will miss you dearly. Your support is what kept us going as long as it did, and we thank you for that. We’ve been honored by your choice to share your birthdays, milestones & anniversaries with us… we’ve even seen your children grow! Through it all, it’s truly been our pleasure serving you.

Some of you will be sad, but don’t be. Chris & I achieved our life long goal of owning and operating our own restaurant (for almost 4 years)! Most people never take that leap and follow their dreams… we did, even knowing the statistics. And I’ll tell you what, it was worth every drop of blood, sweat & tears! If we had the choice to go back in time and do it again, we would. This has been the most adventurous, challenging, and rewarding three and a half years of our lives and we look forward to what the future brings.

Please join us through Aug. 28th.

Thank you for being a part of our lives,

The Lubben Family

Bringin’ Back The Beef!

cosmickitchen — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:37:43 +0000

Cosmic Burger shown with optional lettuce, tomato & onion.

BIG NEWS FOR JUNE!

We’ve decided to bring back the $3.00 burger deal, and this time, it’s being offered for a FULL MONTH! Same huge 8oz hand pattied burger with french fries, same cheap price, but this time it will be on Wednesdays only and you must dine in with us to receive the price.

No take outs, substitutions or add-ons (other than your option of adding lettuce, tomato & onion for $1.00 extra) or other discounts allowed in association with this offer. Runs from June 1st through June 30th on Wednesdays only. Dine in only. No rainchecks or substitutions if item sells out. Limit ONE burger per person.

If you recall, when we offered this last time for our Three Year Anniversary Celebration, it was a huge success. So make sure you mark your calendars for every Wednesday in June and bring a friend! If you have any questions, drop us a line or find us on Twitter and Facebook.

“Making a Difference, One Course at a Time”

cosmickitchen — Thu, 19 May 2011 12:58:52 +0000

Chef Chris Lubben

For over a year now, our Chef, Chris Lubben, has been working with Linda Glass Quinonez to help get her fabulous vision off the ground. Her vision was to start a non-profit that would provide professional food service training to economically disadvantaged adults, qualifying them for career opportunities in the food service industry. We’re very proud to announce that she has achieved her goal! Cooking for Change, Inc. is now a 501(c)3 Public Charity, NC Nonprofit Corporation! We think this is fabulous and inspiring. So we’re officially announcing that Cooking for Change and Chris Lubben, Executive Chef of Chris’ Cosmic Kitchen and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, are teaming up! Chris has agreed to be lead advisor for this new food service educational program, having already made a presentation on Business Ownership from A to Z during a Cooking for Change “Basic Business Principles” class.

Cooking for Change students will train in the CCK kitchen whenever the restaurant is closed, allowing the students to gain experience in a professionally equipped and operated kitchen while learning all levels of food planning, preparation and service.

More about Cooking for Change:

Cooking for Change, Inc. (C4C) is a twelve-month educational program, set in three-month increments, using established professional food service curriculum providing basic required skills training so graduates can receive career opportunities in institutional food service businesses with benefits.

Institutional Food Service Businesses are recognized as food services for hospitals, nursing homes, universities, government, convention centers, large sports facilities, contracted corporate food services.

Using established, successful programs started in San Francisco (DeLancey Street Foundation), Seattle (FareStart), Washington D.C. (DC Central Kitchens) and New Orleans (Reconcile Café) C4C is organized specifically for the New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender tri-county area.

We’re very proud to be a part of this program! I’ve also started volunteering my time to Cooking for Change as well, jumping on board to help with their Twitter & Facebook accounts, as well as getting them in touch with a website designer who has agreed to volunteer his services as well.

A huge shout out to Richard Perry of AkiraMedia.com for agreeing to help us! Follow him on Twitter @AkiraMedia

If you’d like to find out more about this program, please email Linda Glass Quinonez at Cooking4ChangeNC@gmail.com to request a brochure. Also, if you are a local restaurant or just a caring member of the community who wants to get behind this program, get in touch with us TODAY! We’d love to have you onboard.

I’m sure we’ve all known someone who needed a second chance. That’s what this program offers… so let’s start “making a difference, one course at a time!“

Don’t Forget Mom!

cosmickitchen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:59:17 +0000

As you all know, Mother’s Day is coming up on May 8th. Our Chef, Chris Lubben, has informed me that he’ll be making 50 slices of Vanilla cheesecake to give away to the first 50 Moms who dine with us on Mother’s Day! * I had to make sure I heard him right… 50 pieces, wow! These are all handmade with love folks. So on May 8th, don’t forget Mom, because we sure aren’t!

A few weeks ago we ran the “Say Cheese!” special, where we featured our Galactic Grilled Cheese with French fries for $3.95. Those who sent in (or tweeted/facebooked) pictures of their Galactic Grilled Cheese entered themselves into a drawing for ‘FREE Lunch for Four‘. The winner of that contest is… Jeremy Godwin! He won with this photo (click on the http link below):

Evidence of the best grilled cheese ever! #SayCheese @CosmicKitchen http://yfrog.com/h25f2qmj—
Jeremy Godwin (@jergo) March 26, 2011

We thank everyone who came in to take advantage of that deal, as well as everyone who sent in photos. We love you guys!

We’d also like to take a minute to thank all of you who voted for our Chef/owner Chris Lubben in Wilmington’s Top Chef contest. He made it to the Top 10! Your support has meant the world to us, and although Chris didn’t make it into the Top 3, we know he’s the top in YOUR book!

Carve a little time out for yourself this Spring and come see us, we’ll be waiting for you…

(*Free slice of cheesecake for “Mom” with the purchase of an entree. While supplies last, no rainchecks)

Say Cheese!

cosmickitchen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:58:46 +0000

March 22nd – April 1st, Chris’ Cosmic Kitchen is celebrating one of our most popular menu items, the Galactic Grilled Cheese! Although it’s only listed on the menu with the homemade shrimp bisque, you can always buy one by itself or with a side of fries or fruit if you don’t prefer the bisque. For this limited time celebration, we’re offering you a SUPER deal on this CCK specialty! One Galactic Grilled Cheese with a side of French fries for only $3.95! Yes, you heard me right; and this isn’t your grandma’s grilled cheese… this is several slices of melted cheddar & provolone cheese with two grilled, seasoned, tomato slices and served on a thick, garlic herb, white bread. So if you can’t afford to eat at Encore’s restaurant week next week, or don’t have the time to sit down for lunch, call us up the 22nd – 1st and order a Galactic Grilled Cheese with French fries for only $3.95! This special is dine in or take out. (Max. 1 per person, dine in, and 4 per take out order please. No side substitutes, must be fries.)

Oh, there’s something else to this celebration! We’re calling it, “Say Cheese!” because if you submit a picture of you or your friends eating this special, we’ll enter you to win a Galactic Grilled Cheese lunch for 4 (*) and your picture may be one of several chosen to be shared here on an upcoming blog. If you forget your camera, our server Caress Chanel will more than likely have hers handy. So if you’ll allow her, she’ll snap a photo for you! Email photos to CosmicKitchenOnline@gmail.com and feel free to share them on Twitter & Facebook as well. (* Lunch for four includes four Galactic Grilled Cheese with French Fries & soda/tea! Dine in only.)

It’s also that time of the year again where Wilmington votes for its Top Chef! We’re very honored to have had our Chef, Chris Lubben, nominated again this year and even more pleased that he’s made it to the top 25 so far. If you’d like to see him advance, don’t forget to vote! Round 2 voting goes until March 29th. What is the Top Chef competition? Here is an excerpt from the StarNews:

Each year, the StarNews compiles a list of noted chefs in the Wilmington area, based on feedback from editors, food critics, readers and local culinary experts. Visitors to StarNewsOnline.com then vote for their favorites and help us narrow the list. The Top 10 chefs are featured in the StarNews, and the Top Three chefs compete Iron-Chef style for the chance to be named the Wilmington area’s Top Chef. The winner will be announced at the Fourth Annual Taste of Wilmington Food & Wine Festival on May 15.

So, here’s to hoping we see you sometime in the next two weeks and that Chef Chris Lubben makes it into the Top 10!

Always a reason to celebrate at CCK!

cosmickitchen — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:51:33 +0000

Shirts have arrived for our “How Do You Stack Up?” promotion, brought to you by Walker Roofing Specialists! Anyone completing the Large Stack of Pancakes Challenge will receive one of these limited edition T-shirts, while supplies last. We got them right in time… the StarNews just published an article about one of our customers submitting a casting call video to the Man v Food television show on the Travel Channel. We’re all hoping Adam Richman is watching and will choose Wilmington, NC, as one of his destinations!

In other news, Valentine’s Day is coming up. It’s NOT TOO LATE to order your handmade cheesecake for that special someone in your life. Give us a call today! We are actually closed on Valentine’s Day (we’re always closed on Monday) but you can cash in on the holiday Tuesday, Feb. 15th, right here at Chris’ Cosmic Kitchen. Just bring in your sweetheart, spend over $20 and get a slice of Chris’s handmade cheesecake for 50% off! One slice per couple please, and cannot be used in combination with any other deal.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m also ready to celebrate the arrival of Spring… I wish it would get here already!

5 Food Blogs To Follow

cosmickitchen — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:05:04 +0000

I began this blog almost a year and a half ago. It was my first time blogging, ever. I was so nervous when I began… would I say the right thing? Would my writing skills be up to par? Then, just like when we opened this restaurant, I thought, “just go for it!”. I’ve really enjoyed the experience thus far and have met some truly awesome people because of it. I will admit that before I began blogging, I didn’t read very many blogs. I think that once you do it yourself, you better appreciate and understand the blogging world…

With that, I give you five food blogs that I follow:

Ruhlman: Translating the Chef’s Craft for Every Kitchen
I highly recommend this blog from writer/cook Michael Ruhlman. It’s one of the first food blogs that I began to follow. You can find everything here from recipes and “how to’s” to giveaways and Anthony Bourdain. One of the things I love most about Michael Ruhlman is that he is accessible. You can find him on Twitter & Facebook and he will answer your questions when he can. (By the way, his lovely wife Donna takes the awesome photographs you’ll find on his blog!)
WhiteonRiceCouple: stories of food. travel. life. through photography
I discovered this blog due to a mention from @ruhlman on Twitter. Just one glance and I was hooked. What a truly beautiful site with stunning photography! I absolutely love how they tie in food, travel & life so that you feel as if you are on the adventure with them. Check it out! Find them on Twitter @whiteonrice
EatingRules
“Health and nutrition information is complicated. Eating delicious, healthful food doesn’t have to be.” This is Andrew Wilder’s blog about food & nutrition which began with a personal journey. Find recipes, inspiration & more! Join his community and follow him on Twitter @eatingrules
Eat it, North Carolina: a North Carolina Foodie Blog
Love food? Love North Carolina? Check out this blog full of reviews and food deals from around the state. Be sure to also check out their blog roll on the left hand side of the page. Find them on Twitter @eatitnc

And last but not least…

Everyday Musings
Another visually stunning site about food, travel & life. Every time I visit this blog, my day gets a little brighter. Check out the food index under “Food”. Kudos to Olivia, I think she’s awesome! Please check it out and follow her on Twitter @livvyrae

How do YOU stack up?

cosmickitchen — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:05:53 +0000

Welcome to my first blog of 2011! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season. I followed many of you on Facebook & Twitter as you celebrated and traveled with your families, some of you even chose to spend some time with us at the restaurant. For that, we are deeply appreciative. We hope that in this new year, we will welcome many more into our “CCK Family“.

So by now, you’ve heard about our Large Stack of Pancakes Challenge. It’s almost daily that someone brings it up. To date, we only have *five* people in our Hall of Fame. They have accomplished eating an entire Large Stack of Pancakes (five plate sized pancakes) in one sitting. Only five folks in over three years of the running competition! Once you finish the large stack, you get into the Hall of Fame, get your stack for FREE and also get FREE pancakes on the second Tuesday of each month! The next couple of entrants will also receive a limited edition “Large Stack T-shirt“! I’m hoping to have them in by the first of February. Can’t wait to show them to you!

We’ve had several customers attempt the large stack more than once. They are very determined folks who hope to someday conquer the challenge and get into the Hall of Fame. One such customer, Jarrad Reynolds, even put us on the map recently by submitting a video to the Man V Food Nation Casting Call. Before he submitted the video, he posted this tweet which was then recognized by ManVFood on Twitter (make sure you click on the links in the tweets to see the awesome photo/video!):

From @JarradReynolds:

http://twitpic.com/3mf5fq ready for @ManvFood to come to @CosmicKitchen for the Large Stack challenge! #ilm #manvfood—
Jarrad Reynolds (@JarradReynolds) January 02, 2011

From @ManVFood:

@jarradreynolds Ha! What a great picture. Thanks for the suggestion about the Large Stack at @CosmicKitchen.—
(@ManvFood) January 03, 2011

Jarrad is a huge ManVFood fan, and surely not the only one in our fabulous little town of Wilmington, NC. He wants Adam Richman to head this way. Here’s his attempt:

Just submitted my Casting Call video for @ManvFood Nation I really hope @AdamRichman comes to town! Check it out! http://tinyurl.com/35fwxjl—
Jarrad Reynolds (@JarradReynolds) January 06, 2011

Thanks for the awesome shout out Jarrad! We truly have the best. customers. ever.

Join the campaign and let Adam Richman know you’d like him to come visit Wilmington, NC, too! Find him online or on Twitter.