Thursday, October 1, 2009

Taste of the Tropics - 25 years


Thomas and Katyla at Taste of the Tropics
25 Years in Business

Thomas and Katyla opened Taste of the Tropics twenty-five years ago today! Thomas is my youngest brother. Their shop is located in Post Oak Mall in College Station, Texas ... home of Texas A&M University.
My SIL texted me last night that 25 years ago, my brother and I were sitting at the table writing out recipes for the drinks that were going to be served. Wow! I had remembered that I was there for the week to help them with the opening but had forgotten that I had assisted with recipe recording.
It was such an amazing time. The first drink served was a peach drink. I will refrain from using the word smoothie since if this word is said in the presence of my brother, it sends chills up and down his spine and he grits his teeth. He does not serve smoothies! He serves a tropical fruit drink that has a specific mixture of milk, ice and sweetening. It is blended to a stage that only brother and SIL know exactly how to achieve. There is a signature dot on each drink that has two flavors. It is a secret as to how this dot appears. I can tell you that the flavor of the dot goes all the way down the drink. Sooo yummy! Thomas figures that it takes roughly 100 "pours" to acquire the ability to make the "dot". The drink shown might be a strawberry/banana drink.
There is no telling how many employees Thomas and Katyla have hired, but one thing is for sure, if you have worked for this couple you have been through a leadership program and work experience that will last you a lifetime. They have a knack for teaching pride in one's work and dedication to business. They have set the bar high and standards attainable through teamwork and dedication.
Congratulations, Thomas and Katyla!! I love you both!

5 comments:

Lisa said...

That's really awesome, congrats to them. I love reading about your cookbooks, I also am a collector. I love to find old ones in antique malls that have all kinds of clippings and notes from the owner. It also makes me kind of sad that they end up in a mall, but I give them a home. Thanks for sharing. Lisa

bjs_express said...

Promise to publish watermelon recipe if yall every retire the store ;)

bjs_express said...

Promise to publish watermelon recipe if yall every retire the store ;)

Nicole Powell Hegemeyer said...

When I was pregnant all I craved were these drinks. We drove from Navasota to College station at least 4 times a week for atleast 7’months. I love their drinks and would go 2 or 3 times a day if I could!!! When my step son who was 22 was dying of cancer and we had a benefit for him these people who never met us before without hesitation donated gift cards with like 10 free drinks each plus donated money!!! Good people good drinks great service!!!!!!

Nicole Powell Hegemeyer said...

When I was pregnant all I craved were these drinks. We drove from Navasota to College station at least 4 times a week for atleast 7’months. I love their drinks and would go 2 or 3 times a day if I could!!! When my step son who was 22 was dying of cancer and we had a benefit for him these people who never met us before without hesitation donated gift cards with like 10 free drinks each plus donated money!!! Good people good drinks great service!!!!!!