We recently had the chance to connect with Chef Sammy Fox and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sammy, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I recently played drums for my first time as a praise and worship member of Creekwood Church.
Naturally, they film it and posted on YouTube for online viewers.
My eight-year-old daughter and I were sitting on the couch and she saw our church listed on YouTube.
She was very proud and excited to see it. We clicked on the service that we had just attended, and we watched the praise and worship section together.
And it really warmed my heart whenever she said “Yep, my dad is famous. He’s on TV.” Lol!
That really warmed my heart! All I really want for my daughter is for her to be equipped mentally and physically, for the world ahead. For her to love me endlessly and be proud of me and know Jesus!
My daughter Scarlett and I have so many amazing times together. We play Xbox and do arts and crafts and just laugh and have a constant good time. I can’t even tell you all the places we have traveled together to. She also loves riding her scooter and doing tricks at the skate park.
She’s the best part of my life! I love you so much Scarlett!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As some of you know and have tasted, I am a chef. But, I’m also a closet comedian, music minister, an entrepreneur, a father, a worshiper and Christian!
I started The Singing Chef Café brand 4.5 years ago. I cannot believe that it has been five years! Time has surely flown by!
It’s been a long hard road since the last interview, but it’s been also very rewarding! I was able to upgrade equipment and actually be able to offer gourmet meals thought from scratch and personally prepared by me. So that has gone a long way in helping me achieve the level of freshness and consistency that all of the customer base deserves. I’ve also added a smoker where I enjoy smoking fish and meatloaf, chicken quarters as limited time specials!
I’m really proud of the new menu I have released. It consists of many different fusions such as Mexican, Italian, Soul and Cajun.
Items such as Hot Honey Smoked Catfish topped with a sweet corn Elote served with rice and mashed potatoes and gravy. I have been able to boldly offer items that I believe in based on flavor profile and they have been a hit amongst the customers!
I am currently figuring out how I can offer steaks. I love a good steak and it doesn’t have to be extra extravagant.
It just has to be a great solid steak that could stand on its own and provide tender, salty, buttery and smoky deliciousness to the masses.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My dad. Moses Dean. Jr.!
Without a doubt, my dad is the man I look up to when it comes to drive and responsibility!
My dad always went to work and he always worked overtime and he always provided for all 11 of us. I had 4 brothers and 4 sisters growing up, with myself being the second oldest.
I admired how my dad would work for us. He set a standard inside of me that I will never forget. He never called in and always asked for overtime so that we could do fun things. My dad always express the importance of family and working hard as men. He taught me that I should respect women and my elders. But he also taught me how to fight and stand up for myself.
My dad is the reason I work so hard today while finding balance of being a dad myself and having other hobbies and interest interests as well. Without my dad in my life, I’m not sure what my work ethic would be since he was so influential upon me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
No.
I can’t remember a time where I almost gave up.
I may become very overwhelmed and inundated with tasks, procedures and training. And, I might feel like I wanna give up for the day, but there is no way that I could ever give up. I have pursued my passion, my passions are part of who I am.
So, if I gave up, I would have given up on who I am as a person. I would also have given up on my faith as I know God makes a way where there is no way.
When times are awesome I thank the Lord for His grace and mercy and guidance. When times are rough, I rely on the Lord for strength and comfort and guidance.
I put a lot of prayers up and keep my head down and keep moving. I’m rooted in the pursuit of outcomes that dictate a positive and healthy lifestyle.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say for the most part….
The real me is a person who wants to stand on a mountain top and preach to people about the goodness of Jesus and share my testimony of what God has done and pray with them.
I can’t do that inside the café everyday. But there are moments where I get to share the good news of the Lord. I respect everyone that comes to eat and I don’t not force my personal views on them.
But I am deeply spiritual, and feel that the Lord guides me and all that I do. So, I have to mask that a little when I am at work.
At work, I give you a professional version of me that usually consists of you being the likes of family. I give you a chef who is deeply passionate about cuisine and freshness and consistency.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I would hope that people would say that they could see my passion. But, most of all I hope people would say they saw me be a great dad and Christian! Obviously, we love our children. But I think I love my child more than any of you. Lol.
I hope they would say that I was hilarious 🤣 because I secretly wanna be a comedian.
Also, I hope they say that I loved my daughter! AND I was the most attractive and smartest person they have ever seen in their life, lol, and that God anointed that man to cook.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thesingingchefcafe.com
- Youtube: @storefrontsessions
Image Credits
Photos:
Christopher Winston
Thanin Viriyaki
Scarlett Fox
