It is now mid-June, 2021 and I’m prepping for a new podcast episode on Gastro-diplomacy, I sat back and thought about some of my favorite meals. The bread and meats from my Amish neighbors, Avgolemono soup and potato latkes from my Greek grandparents and of course pork chops and pan-fried-hominy from my parents.
I can’t forget about the deep-fried pickles from my recent Front-of-House gig. I moved to a small, quiet town in the middle of farmland, USA. When I moved here, I realized that I was only 35 minutes from the city, I wanted to work somewhere close to my new home. So I put in an application to a local bar and grille that was just off a beautiful, glistening lake.
I became the new front-of-house face. It was my first time working as a host and server. Before this, I was used to drive-thru windows and the exhausted faces of highway travel center visitors.
This one evening, we were prepping for a wedding party. The party wasn’t supposed to come until about 7 pm. I had a FULL house which meant the wedding party may have to wait at the door.
I was frantic from my misplanning of time and doing my best to hurry people along without coming across as rude. I turned around from clearing a table and saw the beautiful bride dressed in white surrounded by her (also) glamorous posse. I greeted them at the door and not to my surprise — saw some concerned looks from the wedding party when they saw that there was no available seating.
My nerves went through the roof. After I gathered my co-workers to explain the situation we all quickly teamed up, cleaned off the newly empty tables, moved them into a line to set, and filled the glasses with water.
The party was seated. Even though only a few minutes went by it seemed like forever.
Appetizers and drinks started to be delivered.
I rushed back to the door and let my co-workers take the reigns on the wedding party. I began to seet tables again. I couldn’t believe that within minutes there was a full house, a full bar, and kitchen tickets down to the floor.
It was about 9 pm when I had the chance to catch my breath and relax to grab a drink of water. I sat at a high-top bar seat near the front door and looked around. The noise was unlike anything I had heard before. So much chatter in such a small space! But the best part? The smiles on people’s faces.
The chomping and chewing of homestyle comfort foods. Some of those people who were now sitting down waited almost an HOUR outside to come and dine with their loved ones. Some waited 30 minutes for spots at the bar. Some waited 45 minutes because they were first timers and they heard the food was incredible.
Everyone was in this space… together.
Most if not all were vaccinated. These were moments in my community at the beginning of post Covid-19. Some were celebrating this alone. Some were long-time friends catching up… and some were toasting to life on a Friday night.
Food and drinks are really powerful tools. They bring people together. They make people happy. And it’s one of those things that you don’t have to negotiate verbally. The happiness and connections come so easily.
That night, every single person in the room was sharing this loud, wonderful moment without realizing it, and that brought a joyful tear to my eye.
Working in a restaurant is not always like this. It can be overwhelming, scary, tiresome, and grueling. But when the lights are low, the food is hot, and the music is pumping… you really appreciate the good nights with your staff. I suggest that if you have never worked service before, try it at least once.
Michela Bocchine
Michela is the producer of the Ethnographic Eater podcast and a Community Partner of Peace At The Table.
Thank you so much for this great story, Michela. It speaks so much about where we are right now and to the peace that’s there to be found over food.
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