In his own words: Josh Codding of Yosh's Unique Deli

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about Yosh's Unique Deli and the duties of your position.

Josh Codding: We are third-generation deli with just over one year at the new Yosh's Unique Deli in south Reno. My grandparents, Joe and Peggy Castillo, and my mother, Debbie Morgan, along with my aunt, Jody Coli, owned the original Unique Deli for 25 years. We are a deli and catering company that uses fresh ingredients and local produce whenever possible. We bake our breads fresh daily, smoke and roast all natural meats in-house, and make sandwiches, soups and salads with innovative flavor combinations and sauces. Everything is made from scratch. My mom and I are responsible for buying ingredients, running the kitchen day-to-day, creating new menu items and customizing catering menus for customers' unique events.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Codding: My passion for food began while growing up at my mother's deli and grandparent's kitchen. I was always around home-cooked food. When I resigned from the forest service, I decided to pursue my passion for creating food.

NNBW: This business has been recast several times since it was founded in 1973. What's been the key to success as you re-opened in your newest location?

Codding: Consistency and quality, hard work and great customer service, combined with the original unique recipes merged with new flavors and menu items that I've created.

NNBW: What's driving the need for Yosh's to take on the additional retail space at South Creek? How will this addition impact your business?

Codding: Simply, the need for more space in the kitchen and the dining room. With our loyal lunch crowd and new customers finding out about us all the time, we want to be able to serve everyone and have seating for them to enjoy the food. We also want to provide a designated pick-up window for our call-in lunch orders so they can pick up quickly and avoid waiting in the ordering line. We are expanding the kitchen so we will have enough room to do more catering events alongside of the daily lunch and evening service. In this new space, we will also have a private meeting/events dining room for catering.

NNBW: What's the most important thing you have learned in your career?

Codding: I'm still learning to be patient and flexible because there is always something that needs to be addressed and problem solving to be done. I've never been in a situation where I don't have a boss to turn to. Any questions that need to be answered, it is my responsibility to answer them.

NNBW: What do you like most about your job?

Codding: I value sharing my passion for food with other people. It's very rewarding when people enjoy our recipes and are open to trying new things that we create.

NNBW: What was your first job?

Codding: I was a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service and BLM for six years before resigning in 2010.

NNBW: Tell us about your dream job. Why aren't you working it?

Codding: I would love to have a fine-dining restaurant where I could create higher-end cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients. The deli is a starting point for me. It's an opportunity for me to refine my skills as a chef and learn how to run a successful food business.

NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?

Codding: Owning a food business takes patience, endurance, long hours and flexibility. You have to be prepared to spend a majority of your time on the business.

NNBW: Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.

Codding: I really enjoy my day-to-day interactions with staff and customers. I also love to create new menu items and push the limits of traditional cuisine and flavor combinations!

NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? How do you spend your time away from work?

Codding: I love being outdoors (hiking, biking, fishing, golfing). I spend most of my time outside of work cooking for friends and family and spending time with my dog, KC.

NNBW: Why did you choose a career in Reno? What do you like most about working/living there?

Codding: I've done a bit of traveling and what always brings me back to Reno is the close-knit community. Growing up here, I have created a wide circle of friends and most of my family is here. I also really like the accessibility to the mountains and outdoor activities.

The basics:

Name: Josh Codding, co-owner, Yosh's Unique Deli & Catering

Number of years in this job? 1

Number of years in this profession? 1, with 25 years of backup experience from my mom and aunt

Spouse, kids or pets? I own a dog named KC

Know someone whose perspective you want to share with NNBW readers? Send contact information to: rsabo@nnbw.biz or call 775-850-2146.