Joyce & Mike 1970
Mikey was 4 when Joyce started the Spaghetti Bender. With Joyce and Mama running back and forth operating Joyce’s Pantry (now the Sugar Shack) life was crazy for the family. The Spaghetti Bender business picked up after a local restaurant reviewer gave an excellent review so Joyce sold the Huntington Beach location and focused on her Newport Beach restaurant.
When he was 10 Joyce gave Mike a taste of the business by starting him in the dishwashing room. From there he graduated to every job in the restaurant including chef and manager by the time he turned 18.
Mike always enjoyed the “Front of the House” the best. Interacting with guests, helping them select fine wines and entrees and moving from table to table checking on guests experiences and telling jokes: Mike used the good training Papa gave him from a lifetime of watching the Old Man work.
After spending nearly 30 years in the business Mike indulged his 2nd passion and became a real estate broker where he runs his own brokerage today.
Although he’s been away for over a decade he still misses the busy Saturday nights and all the happy guests....proving you never get the food business out of your system.
When he was 10 Joyce gave Mike a taste of the business by starting him in the dishwashing room. From there he graduated to every job in the restaurant including chef and manager by the time he turned 18.
Mike always enjoyed the “Front of the House” the best. Interacting with guests, helping them select fine wines and entrees and moving from table to table checking on guests experiences and telling jokes: Mike used the good training Papa gave him from a lifetime of watching the Old Man work.
After spending nearly 30 years in the business Mike indulged his 2nd passion and became a real estate broker where he runs his own brokerage today.
Although he’s been away for over a decade he still misses the busy Saturday nights and all the happy guests....proving you never get the food business out of your system.
