There are delis and then there are delicatessens. The difference can be seen in the steaming Country Meatloaf and the unique Tom Turkey sandwiches at the Chef’s Table in Clermont, Fla.

Homemade and fresh are just two of the profound traits of this family-owned operation that is well known throughout Clermont for its friendly atmosphere and stellar lunch menu. Among the restaurant’s distinctive characteristics is the “Geno’s homemade sausage packed in links” available for purchase in mild Italian, sweet Italian, hot Italian, fresh kielbasa and Geno’s special.

The story behind the sausage is the foundation for this casual delicatessen. Gena Cheplick grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania watching her father operate Nardini’s Grocery Store. Gena with her husband Bob and father Geno, opened a Clermont delicatessen in June 1997 bringing some of those famous sausage recipes from her father’s neighborhood market.

“Growing up in the grocery business with my parents, aunts and uncles, I learned the business pretty well,” Gena said.

An important piece to the family puzzle is Dennis. A former chef at Walt Disney World for 11 years, he brings a culinary zeal to the delicatessen that is unmatched. Dennis joined the team in 2000 and helped moved the deli to a newer and larger location. After 6 years of growing the business, the chef's table moved to it's third and current location in 10 years in February 2007. Along with a large seating capacity, the menu has been expanded to include new items, such as chicken hot off our new rotisserie. The Chef's table can even be reserved for evening functions.

When Chef Dennis isn’t piling the homemade stuffing, cranberry relish and oven-roasted turkey (not the processed deli slices) on his original Tom Turkey sandwich, he is using his culinary knowledge to construct some of the most divine frozen meals. One freezer with prepackaged to-go entrees are chocked full of variety, such as baked ziti, country spare ribs and enchiladas.

“We get a lot of requests for the Cuban Beef Plantain Pie,” Gena said. “It’s basically a Cuban shepherd’s pie, but it sells out fast. That’s part of the fun. We prepare different to-go dishes and it helps keep it different for the customer.”