Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda, (HAB) is very excited about the new facility at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Extensive renovations have created a sparkling new restaurant, with fresh, delicious food, located across from the lobby.

The Pink Cafe's new concept features are: a self service, cafeteria style restaurant a choice of eating in or a `grab and go' section waitress assistance for those needing help special ordering.

"Although the original Coffee Shop, established around 1965, was special and popular as a traditional eatery, our new facility will offer more menu variety and an improved and better organised take out service.

"Customers will still be able to come in, sit down and enjoy all the old favourite foods such as burgers and fries, BLTs and homemade soups, but all service will now be self service and HAB volunteers will be available to offer assistance to those who need it,'' explained Mrs. Pike.

Healthier items will be on the menu such as salads with diet dressings, vegetarian sandwiches and low calorie items such as Jell-O for diabetics.

They will offer four kinds of freshly perked coffee as well as many cold, refreshing drinks and delicious juices.

Mrs. Pike has a long history with food. She lost her mother at the tender age of eight and began cooking for her grandmother and extended family.

Fortunately she loved cooking from the start and continues to have a passion for it.

She describes herself as "dependable, loyal, honest, compassionate and a workaholic who goes the extra mile with a friendly attitude.'' When she's not physically on her job she supports the HAB by volunteering her free time to the gift shop, the pharmacy or the information desk.

It is apparent from the moment you meet her that she enjoys contact with people.

She joined the hospital staff in 1948 and gained a wealth of knowledge and experience while receiving formal training in Food Services and Dietetics at five different hospitals in Toronto, Canada in 1969.

Her qualifications include a certificate in Hospital Departmental Management, a diploma in Supervisory Management Studies and a certificate in Basic Cooking for the Catering Industry.

Mrs. Pike became food service manager of both King Edward and St. Brendan's Hospitals in 1977 and she held that post until 1991 when she retired from the Bermuda Hospitals Board to join the HAB as Coffee Shop manager.

"I love to cook and I enjoy supporting the HAB which devotes so much time and energy serving the hospital. I know that our customers will appreciate our new, modern, state-of-the-art restaurant with our delicious menu.

"The Pink Cafe is beautiful with a different concept, self service, but we feel that people will like the new 46 seat facility and we hope our take out service will be popular,'' she said.

The top three challenges posed to Mrs. Pike in the operation of `The Pink Cafe' are: Ensuring customers receive quality meals at reasonable prices.

Motivating employees to perform at a high level Operating within the budget to earn a 15 to 20 percent profit, which is raised for the hospital.

Mrs. Pike concluded with a smile: "Our prices will remain reasonable, as they were, with a few minor increases.

"We welcome all of our regular customers back and we hope that new customers will flock in also.'' They are open Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 am to 2 p.m.

and closed on Sunday.

The Pink Cafe's happy staff: From the left: Ruby Swan, Bernadine Rogers, Barbara Tucker, Joan Pike, manager and Annika Outerbridge. Missing is Tynnetta Massop.

Joan Pike, manager of The Pink Cafe, loves her work.

CLUB CLB