Written by Angie Brown
Friday, June 6, 2014
As you may know, I’ve been working at the best kept secret in Auburn for a couple of months, The Village Cookery. It is heaven in the job world. I adore the precious owners, and the staff has quickly become like family to me. I have never worked in a resturant before, if you don’t count the high school gig at the golden arches.
Several people have asked me why I’m doing this now. The truth is, I love to work, I love people, and if I didn’t get out of my house, I would probably become a recluse, although that kind of cancels out the love for people statement. By working at the Cookery, I have the opportuntity to be around people, serve wonderful food and have a pretty good time while I’m there.
My employer, “Sissy” Eason loves to laugh. She is a joy to work with. There are times when we all know she might need a good cry but she finds the positive in every situation and helps us all smile through it. Everyone who knows her loves her.
She is one of those people who makes others feel special. She has already taught me so much about serving, sharing and just perservering. Her most common expression is, “The Lord knows”… and of course, He does.
I see the chance to serve food to people as more than a “wait staff” position. I view others in my position with much more respect now that I’ve had the opportuntity to do it myself.
It is not an easy job. It is vastly unappreciated by the general public. I can’t imagine working the long hours some servers have to endure. We are only open for lunch during the week and for dinner on Friday. I don’t think I could physically handle more. But someone has to feed the people, all the time, every hour of the day.
The Village Cookery is the dream and livelihood of a very few. It is a made from scratch, prepared fresh everyday, from local grocers and farmers market establishment. There has probably not been an hour that I have not told the chef or the manager how stunningly beautiful the food is.
“We eat with our eyes” is another Sissy quote. I believe her, but the taste is what keeps our regulars waiting at the door at 11 a.m. That, and the fact that we remember whether you like your tea sweetened or not, how many lemon slices you like, which is your favorite table and who you might be waiting for on a given day. We believe in hugging, like you would expect at home.
I don’t know how long I will be at this job. It is somewhat of an experiment for me. I do know that I have gained a new appreciation for what it means to feed people. I have gained a mother figure in the beautiful person Sissy Eason. And I have seen the best in people and perhaps, sometimes the worst.
Either way, I hope this little slice of restaurant pie will be around for a long time. Come see for yourself – we’ll have your sweet tea (or unsweet), waiting.
Angie Brown is a humorist who loves being a wife, mother and grandmother. She lives in Opelika with her husband of 31 years and four of their seven children.