Today we’d like to introduce you to Sammy Fox.
Hi Sammy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It all started with the dream. A very obsessive dream. A relentlessly nagging dream that would never go away. Each time it would slip my mind there would be something that reminded me of why I wanted to be a restauranteur.
The science fascinated me! The variables that caused things to click excited me! I couldn’t wait to put together concoctions that would taste good. Not everything was good, but, I kept eating good food that my mother and my grandmother cooked. It created a very experienced palate.
Working in restaurants, I always had the desire to invest in one on my own. I traveled the country as a chef consultant and grew my desire to own my own by helping others thrive!
I thought I might start small and go with a food truck. So, I contacted fellow classmate and best friend Brook Fowler and asked her if she would be willing to become an investor in a food truck to service the community of Temple Texas.
She quickly agreed and offered her family property Matusch Auto as a landing spot in downtown Temple.
After Consulting with my mother, Christine Dean, I decided to name the food truck “The Singing Chef“ as she suggested. It was a Chicago style food truck with hometown favorites like funnel cakes and live entertainment!
In 2016 the food truck burned to the ground. A faulty fryer ignited a grease fire that was uncontrollable. My daughter was to be born in a week. In despair, I took any job that was hiring. I worked as a cook, GM & Kitchen Manager for several restaurants across DFW yielding great results. Average of 4.9 on Google. (Based on 2yr).
After a long search for property, I finally just found a small hole in the wall, and with tremendous support from Brianna Moratto and my best friend Brook Fowler, we opened
“The Singing Chef Café“ “www.thesingingchefcafe.com
8000 Wichita St. #113 76140
Having a brick-and-mortar restaurant has allowed The Singing Chef Cafe to have more community-oriented events. “Movies and Music in the Lawn“ and a community favorite “Sauté and Sip“, which is a teaching class that focuses on cooking high-quality, full flavor cuisine! You bring your own beverage to seal the deal while learning to cook a four-course gourmet dinner, prepared alongside the restaurant owner.
I also have a tour schedule posted on the wall that keeps the community updated with the future events! They can actually see me perform in a musical setting and not just know me behind the grill. I’m a former touring musician that has had a top 50 and to top 100 singles and Regional Texas Radio Report. In 2012, I won “Live Band of the Year” at the Texas Country Music Awards! I got the fever for touring by marching with Drum Corps International at age 14. I was the youngest person to march on the snare line in the history of the corps.
On Friday and Saturday nights I perform on many stages across the State of Texas! On Sunday I perform as a musician and utility player in the Pathway Church praise and worship band.
Food is my passion. Music is my passion. My daughter is my passion. God is my passion. People are my passion.
My café concept recently got a call from the executive producer of a Food Network TV show. I was asked to audition for a new show that they were developing. So far, that has been the highlight of my TV media experience with this little “hole in the wall” Café.
We received a write up by renowned food critic, Bud Kennedy, of Fort Worth Star-Telegram which boosted interests in my cuisine! I believe you should just show up, do a good job and fuss behind closed doors lol. Lots of prayer!
I haven’t been able to keep employees after the pandemic. In turn, I was forced to put in 110+ hours a week! I single-handedly cooked every meal! I’ve cooked over 7000 meals averaging a 4.9 rating on Google.
I like to be personable with my customers and not treat them like they are a dollar amount. I like them to feel comfortable and taste the salt of the earth and feel the light of the world.
I am currently coming up with a new concept that will include a full bar and live entertainment!
Each day during lunchtime, The Singing Chef Café fills with regulars with smiling faces that can’t wait to eat! It’s my favorite time of the day because I get to see some customers that I have considered friends over the last year that we have been open. I hope to never close any venture that I open. I hope that The Singing Chef Café sticks around for 25 years or more!
I hope that my daughter Scarlett Fox has a passion for cooking and one day will take over the restaurant and keep the tradition!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road 100% of the time. My biggest problem is losing revenue by having to close my business from time to time to take care of personal life. Being the only one working causes tremendous stress when balancing personal life and the amount of time spent at work. If I don’t open my shop it doesn’t open. I have hiring signs up but I cannot seem to keep any employees. I pay weekly and starting pay is commercially competitive.
I have a hard time keeping up with all the tasks. We are a sit-down restaurant where I offer full service. I take orders, I serve them, I cook them, I clean, I restock, I close. This is a one-man show and without God I could not have gotten through it. Without prayer, I couldn’t conquer the same schedule today!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We specialize in practical gourmet food,comfort food, soul food, seafood,pasta, sandwiches, burgers and chef specials!
We offer a lot of sweet and savory concepts on our menu. Items such as the “Mucho Appreciatato” donut burger and the Candy Bacon BBQ Burger. We offer Captain Crunch Chicken tenders tossed in a sweet and spicy glaze and served with a creamy sweet & tangy dipping sauce!
I pride myself in cooking with ingredients that are the most healthy! I use butter alternatives, fresh cut vegetables. I make my own seasonings through my seasoning company, “Scarlett Fox Seasoning Company“. We use all natural ingredients and pink salt.
We don’t use animal fats or MSG just good old fashion flavor from the root up! We can only serve a limited number of guests per day as we cannot stock large quantities of food, by choice.
What sets me apart is that I run my own restaurant 100%.
The logo was designed by Creative Designer Crystal Armstrong.
www.crystalarmstrong.com.
The menu, the concept and any local media was designed by me. I also secretly enjoy creating Photoshop images in what little free time I have.
I also travel and sing on the weekends as a headliner across the state of Texas. Balancing that with family and professionalism is a fulfilling life, just lacks sleep! Haha. I also offer a catering that comes with a live band. A one stop shop for your event!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I like for the local community to have a fingerprint on the business. I allow different vendors from the community to sell their baked goods in my store, which I buy in bulk.
I like the fact that repeat customers participate in our Sauté and Sip cooking class. When you see somebody again it makes you feel like you were doing something right!
If you want to support please tell people about me or share this article. Please Show up for lunch and dinner if you want to keep us operating! I promise you will get a meal that was cooked with passion and soul and a gift from God.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thesingingchefcafe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammyfoxchef/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesingingchefcafe
