Griffin Speaks

HONEY'S KITCHEN

Several years ago my wife and I invested five thousand dollars in a restaurant that my dad wanted to open in the Montgomery County Courthouse. My dad was successful in convincing the Montgomery County Commission that he was the right one to open the restaurant that had been a big disappointment for the previous owners. The commissioners at that time were Commissioners, Brown, Jackson, Wingard, Gowan and Joseph. Fortunately for my dad he had the support of District Attorney Ellen Brooks and one of my best friends, Steve Dodd. 

My dad began interviewing people for employment at the restaurant that he would name Honey’s Kitchen. My dad has always referred to my mother as “Honey”, so he honored her with that gesture. We were all very excited that this was the beginning of something big. We envisioned that there would be Honey’s Kitchens around the world. 

A family friend told us that he knew someone that would be a great breakfast cook. I told my dad that we should definitely give this referral serious consideration because the family friend had excellent taste in food.

The gentleman arrived for the interview. My father and I were very impressed with him. He told us that this would be a second job for him, but he could handle both jobs. My dad told him that would be fine. My dad asked him when he could begin work? The newly hired cook looked at my father and me and said that he would have to consult with his employer at the funeral home and arrange his schedule. My dad looked at me and I looked at him. My dad asked, “what do you do at the funeral home?” The man said that he was one of the embalmers. My dad did not say a word and went back into the kitchen. He walked around the kitchen for about five minutes quite as a church mouse. He all of a sudden looked at me and asked if the friend that made the referral was crazy? He told me that there was no way that he could have someone in his restaurant cooking breakfast food that was an embalmer.

 I was about to die laughing! This was the funniest moment in my life. Finally my dad went to the man and told him why he could not let him cook. The man had no problem with my dad’s decision. He told him that he understood. Fortunately my dad found a good cook and the business thrived long enough for him to win an award as new minority businessman of the year. Debra and I recouped our five- thousand-dollar investment and the Honey’s Kitchen was history! 

Greg Griffin is a freelance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com