KATE GREENBERG OFFICIALLY ELECTED 2020 MOZZA EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

In what many are calling a long overdue recognition, Kate Greenberg, Mozza’s Director of Operations, has officially won the 2020 Mozza Employee of the Year Award, considered one of the most prestigious honors in the United States restaurant industry.

Greenberg, affectionately known aka “KGB”, was sitting with chef/owner Nancy Silverton in Mozza2Go at the storied Los Angeles corner of Highland and Melrose when a Tribune delivery boy handed her the hot-off-the-press newspaper with a banner headline declaring her the winner of the distinguished award. Kate was speechless. Then she smiled sweetly and shyly and hugged the delivery boy.

“I’m so happy for Kate,” said Nancy as she sipped on a 1961 ginger-infused water, her new Chateau Latour. “2020 has clearly been the most difficult year, but Kate stepped up. I’m happy for Kate Greenberg.”

Joe Bastianich, Mozza-co-owner and Italian wine producer was also please by the news. He issued the following statement: “Wise beyond her years, mightier than she appears, Kate Greenberg has been a true leader in the most difficult of times. Our industry is lucky to have a young woman like Kate Greenberg to lead us into a future of immense opportunities. Congratulations, Kate.”

In San Francisco, renowned chef Dominique Crenn said “When you’re good, you’re good. But, when you’re extraordinary, you are a true bad ass. Congratulations Kate. You are a bad ass.”

Terry Malloy, who went to school briefly with Kate, told her, “I just mean to tell you you grew up very nice.”

But, not everyone was thrilled with the news. Especially other candidates.

When asked by Tribune reporter Jimmy Dolan if she had congratulated Kate on her victory, Jennifer Beech, Mozza’s party planner and one of the eight finalists, huffed passed the journalist and brusquely said “I don’t want to talk about it. And Jimmy, I don’t trust you. And that’s on the record and you can put that in your fucked-up newspaper.“

After Friday’s official declaration protestors briefly stormed the Mozza Tribune’s offices in the notorious Folsom Lot of Nickerson Gardens housing project in Watts off of Imperial Highway, but were repelled by Big Hank, Loaf, Kartoon, Honcho and even Cleamon “Big Evil” Johnson. Dolan was not at the office during the confrontation.

Later, Dolan, widely considered the Tribune’s ace reporter, faced a cold reception from Osteria Mozza cooks Herbert “Herbie” Yuen, Nico Rodriguez and Marisa Takenaka following news of the Greenberg win. “The only reason we are allowing you in the kitchen Jimmy is to tell you we are demanding a recount,” Herbie said.

When told of Yuen’s reaction, Greenberg, who grew up not far from the notorious San Quentin Prison, smiled and simply said “Oh, Herbie.” As a unification gesture Greenberg brought the kitchen a very large bottle of some blue bottle tequila. Knowing the kitchen staff, that bottle, big as it was, won’t be around long.

Aside from the responsibilities that come with the title, Greenberg will receive a wide variety of treasures including rare wines, a two-night stay at the Ojai Valley Inn, at least two burritos from Burritos La Palma, two chivis from Sonoratown, Aryton Senna on call to move her GTB 251 from alleys, an autographed copy of the book “Southside” and the only known printed out copy of “Knuckles”.