“I live for the simple things in life…devotionals, dogs, dinners with loved ones, and desserts. I can’t remember a time in my life when one if not all of these things were present in my everyday living. I was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Va. I began working in the food and beverage industry when I was 16 at a small locally owned coffee shop down at the oceanfront. It was here I learned the art of being a gracious host and forming lasting relationships with the guest beyond the transaction. I learned what it meant to truly serve someone. I discovered that investing in the lives of my guests inspired me and that each new face was an opportunity for a new friendship. My “regulars” became my extended family and that tradition has followed me into every restaurant I have worked in over the last 15+ yrs.
I met and married my wonderful husband in 2005 who was serving in the military and quickly embraced the role of military wife. We found ourselves living in sunny South Carolina and away from family. It was important to me to establish lasting friendships at our duty stations regardless of how much or how little time we were slated to stay at each command. I loved throwing dinner parties and themed events for my friends. Everywhere the Navy sent us I was able to feel at home through “the fellowship of the covered dish.” Inviting folks into our home who were also far away from their home towns was an incredible way to bond and helped me understand what people crave most in life…genuine relationships. I took this discovery and ran with it in regards to my professional life. I worked over the years in various local restaurants mostly family owned and operated and even dabbled in traveling chocolate sales for a bit.
Living in South Carolina solidified my passion for people and for working in the food and beverage industry. I was introduced to southern hospitality at its finest and worked for an incredible husband and wife team in a quaint old house built in the late 1800’s. I learned so much from watching them on a day to day basis but my biggest take away from my time there was a successful restaurant beings and ends with the folks you work with. Those relationships are just as important as the ones we make with the guest. I loved coming to work everyday and spending time with my restaurant family. I knew when it was time for us to move back home and for my husband to retire from the Navy I wanted to be somewhere I could mentor and invest in the lives of not just the folks I serve on a daily basis but also those who work with me. That’s when I met Anne and was introduced to The Stockpot. I knew from my initial meeting with her that we both lived to love on those around us whether it be through our food or our conversation we were going to make magic and really create a place where folks loved to work and loved to eat. She offered me the position as the General Manager of their new location in Downtown Norfolk, Va. and I jumped on the opportunity to live out what I had grown to love. ” – Molly Herman
