RETAILING
Compiled by Mary Ann Galante, Times staff writer
The just-opened Ralphs supermarket in Rancho Santa Margarita has a new feature for Orange County grocery chains--its very own chef.
The chef is stationed in Chef Express, the full-service deli in the 45,000-square-foot store on Santa Margarita Parkway.
In addition to the usual hot and cold entrees, the chef will prepare ready-to-serve items such as pasta salads and items with no cholesterol or salt, said a spokeswoman for Ralphs Grocery Co. Promotions for the deli tout “restaurant quality in a take-home atmosphere.”
The 45,000-square-foot store officially opened its doors Thursday.
The Ralphs chain already has stationed chefs in stores in Beverly Hills and Del Mar.