The staff of legend
The Hardware Grill celebrated its 20th birthday on October 20. That must be 150 in restaurant years. In a business notorious for its lack of longevity; how does a restaurant not only survive but stay relevant? What effect does a restaurant with such staying power have? A major one, apparently. Hardware Grill alumni own restaurants and businesses, are exec chefs in amazing places, carry on with creative pursuits and there are a good number of folks who have made hospitality careers at the Hardware Grill. To show this in a graphic way, I asked Melinda and Larry Stewart, owners of the restaurant, to help me assemble a family tree. The Stewarts checked their records, put out a call on Facebook and talked to those still in touch. As you can imagine during the project like this, much wine was drunk, especially during the moments of hilarity that began with ‘do you remember?’ Being a proud alumnus myself, it was a delight to do.
Design by Jan Thalheimer.
| 1. Amanda Van Brabant 2009-2011 Then: baker. Now: owner, Amanda V’s Bakery.2. Andrew Fung 1998-2002, 2004-2006 Then: cook. Now: chef/owner at XIX.3. Brad Smoliak 1996-2000 Then: co-owner, sous chef. Now: owner, Kitchen by Brad Smoliak.4. Brad Waritsky 1997-2002 Then: cook. Now: registered nurse. 5. Brian Waritsky 6. Cam Dobranski 7. Chris Thompson 8. Cindy Lazarenko 9. Clark Yuill 10. Clint Zaiffdeen 11. Cory Welsch 12. Curtis Beer 13. Dan Strelow 14. Danielle McLaughlin 15. Dean Lonsdale 16. Dylan Prins 17. Evan Robertson 18. Garnet Madsen 19. Garrett Ross 20. Gary Stinn 21. Graham Versailles 22. Jennifer Cockrall-King 23. Joanne Lofeudo 24. Jordan Abbott 25. Jordan Wiggins 26. Kieran McKinney 27. Kyle Wilson 28. Lacey Cormier |
29. Laine Colman 1996-2008 Then: server. Now: business owner/operator.30. Leona Mihaljisn 2012-Present Then: daily cash. Now: office manager.31. Margo Maria Klimowicz 2003-2006, 2012-2014, Present Then: busser. Now: photographer.32. Mark Jackson 1996-1997 Then: Our first dishwasher. Now: Professor, Oxford University. 33. Mary Bailey 34. Matt Hauca 35. Matthew Steppan 36. Michael Love 37. Mike Buckley 38. Mike Caldwell 39. Nigel Weber 40. Patrick Leano 41. Pauline Ulliac 42. Perry Wenham 43. Peter Keith 44. Pietro Scontrino 45. Rino Lam 46. Ronald Bolanos 47. Russell Frame 48. Ryan Vickers 49. Sean O’Connor 50. Sarah MacKinley 51. Sasha Sproule 52. Shane Thomas 53. Steven Hugens 54. Tracey (Lomnes) Waritsky 55. Wendy Perusini |