Personal Narrative: My Relationship With Mary White's Restaurant

I am Lucas “Luke” Putnam, and I am completing my practicum at a Mom and Pop home-style family restaurant, White’s Restaurant, in the charming town of Belmont, North Carolina. My job title is “Jack of all Trades.” In this family owned diner, I am required to do whatever is necessary at that point in time to serve the customers efficiently and personally; therefore, I help in all aspects of the diner. I work as a busboy, dishwasher, waiter, server, hostess, line prep, and even the chef. My relationship with my supervisors, Carroll and Mary White, is like being a part of the family in which they are my parents. We are free to discuss all topics among each other and with the customers. After gaining the acceptance of the “regulars,” they became
and Mrs. White are active members of the community. First of all, White’s Restaurant provides the atmosphere of going to Grandma’s house to eat. Children are catered to by offering pancakes and waffles in the shape of Mickey Mouse ears while the adults are invited to stay for hours and talk about current issues while enjoying their unlimited coffee or sweet tea. Personally knowing their customers and catering to them is what makes White’s Restaurant different than other similar restaurants. If there are leftovers at the end of the day, the White’s will call their church or neighbors to come down to take the food to someone in need in the community. The White’s are also members of the Mount Holly Lion’s Club, which provides health programs to help with hearing loss, diabetes control, vision screenings, eyeglass recycling, and disaster relief for the local community as well as globally. The White’s periodically host the Lion’s Club meetings and provide the meal to the
I would learn all aspects of running a successful club from being a bouncer, waiter, bartender, and manager. I would like to gain as much hands-on experience as possible while I am young and still in college; therefore, I will become a better manager because I have actually performed all of the different jobs within a bar. Not only am I majoring in Hospitality Management but also I am in the Army ROTC Program, and I plan on commissioning in the United States Army for thirty years or until I am eligible to retire. After my retirement, I plan to use my knowledge I gained in my HRTM classes and practiums to acquire a job in this rewarding field. I am interested in the food and beverage aspect of the industry. My ultimate goal is to own my business; moreover, I envision an establishment, The Outpost, geared to active military and veterans. The Outpost would offer a family friendly restaurant where active duty soldiers can bring their families to eat near their post and a bar to have a drink with friends. The military memorabilia and my promise to donate a percentage of the profits to Wounded Warrior Project will attract veterans. The operation of a bar is very interesting as well as the challenges of advertising and catering to the needs of the patrons and keeping the bar relevant. My practicum at White’s Restaurant and my future practicum at a local bar in