Girard Gourmet, a staple in the community for more than 20 years, knows its clientele — literally. On any given day, customers bustle around each other, vying for space and treats in the narrow deli and bakery. Even through the crowd, regular clients shout warm greetings to owner Diana Goedhuys, and she greets them back, asking about their lives and families. At the end of the rush, Goedhuys, who has owned the restaurant with her husband, Francois, since it opened in 1987, gets to sit down and rest — for a moment. Goedhuys’ work slows down only momentarily, as she plans for upcoming events. Over the weekend of June 11-12, she and Francois had nine events to plan and cook for. It’s a lot of work, but something the couple has loved to be a part of. “We love being a part of this community and celebrating special holidays with the members of the community,” Goedhuys said. “It’s something we’ve done for years.” The Goedhuys’ reputation in La Jolla is evident when Goedhuys tells of catering a La Jolla high school student’s graduation party — and seeing a picture of Francois Goedhuys holding the graduate as a baby at his baptism. One party Girard Gourmet is ready for is Father’s Day. Goedhuys said her husband rolled out his newest quiche, the “Cowboy Quiche,” in time for the holiday. With potatoes, green onions, bacon, ham, red pepper and greens, it is certainly hearty, something Goedhuys said “dad will like.” “It’s definitely a masculine quiche,” she said. The bakery also offers customized cookies, made to honor any dad with themes such as sports, ties and other fatherly motifs. It’s Francois who creates the cookies, and, said Goedhuys, “he has rarely met a design he will not tackle.” The Goedhuys’ also incorporate green ideas into their business. For about eight years, they have operated a farm in Julian, where they grow some of the produce they use in dishes at the restaurant, such as rhubarb, stone fruit, lettuce, Swiss chard and zucchini. In addition, they take scraps from the restaurant back to the farm to use as compost. Francois, who grew up in Belgium, felt it was natural to grow his own products. “It was a tradition, growing up in Belgium, that everyone had their own garden and grew the things they would cook with,” Diana Goedhuys said. “Plus, it was a way to tie his love of gardening into the business.” For information on catering events or to order dishes for Father’s Day, call (858) 454-3325 or visit www.girardgourmet.com.