Conversations with Caroline Glover

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Glover.

Hi Caroline, 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.
My first restaurant job was the Chili’s to-go girl when I was 16… and honestly, I got the restaurant bug pretty quickly from there. I didn’t know I wanted to be in kitchens until I was in my second year at a traditional four-year college and was super unhappy and just felt uninspired.

I moved home and worked in a kitchen (because this was the time of Food Network’s heyday…) and eventually went to culinary school at the Culinary Institute of America. And I’ve never not worked with food again since then! It hasn’t always been kitchens… I worked on farms, was a personal chef, and ran super clubs but it always went back to food for me.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course not. Restaurants are hard, physical work. And 10 years ago, it paid a lot less than it does now. But I will say… if you love what you do, the road isn’t quite as bumpy.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My husband Nelson and I both own Annette and newly opened Traveling Mercies.

I am also the head chef of both spots. It’s incredibly fulfilling to create a spot for regulars to keep returning to time and time again. Our staff is amazing and has gone above and beyond our vision to create such a special spot.

How do you think about luck?
I would say of course I’ve had good luck… And privilege. I’ve had a very loving support system from my parents which gives me the courage to take on a lower-paying job like a line cook.

I was lucky enough to attend the CIA which launched me into the food world in NYC. And I was lucky the developers at the Stanley Marketplace were willing to take on a tenant who had never owned a restaurant before. All those helped me to succeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.travelingmerciesbar.com/ https://www.annettescratchtotable.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annette_scratchtotable/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/travelingmerciesbar/

Image Credits
From the Hip