Jeremiah Cafe
The greatest achievements in the culinary world are perhaps not culinary at all, but human. Last week, I dropped into Jeremiah Cafe for brunch. I first heard of Jeremiah Cafe from a friend who is the proud mother of a son who is on the autism spectrum. Their objective to serve the neurodivergent community and to encourage diversity and inclusion in the restaurant industry is an uplifting thing to experience firsthand. As someone who has struggled with my own learning differences for over four decades, their mission strikes a chord in my own heart. True excellence in hospitality is rooted in love, in acceptance, and in inclusion. At Jeremiah Cafe, there are all of these.
The path to great food is not a simple one. It is a winding road that begins and ends with learning and discovery. The first thing I noticed as I entered the restaurant was a sign that said, “We are a teaching restaurant.” Now, if you are like me, your first tidbits of culinary wisdom were passed down from your parents and grandparents. You learned about ingredients, perhaps in a backyard veggie patch, a chicken coop, a nearby farm, or at the grocery store. You learned the preferred recipes and techniques favored by the previous generation. And perhaps most importantly, you learned how to cope when things didn’t go exactly to plan. Doing this in the home is one thing; choosing it as a career is something else entirely.
At Jeremiah Cafe, students learn not only how to cook but how to run a restaurant. They learn how to deal with people. These social skills do not come easily to a neurotypical individual, and for those of us who are neurodivergent, it can be particularly challenging. Students learn how to function under the pressure of a lunch rush, expediting orders, communicating amongst the team, and maintaining composure when things get chaotic.
It’s important to note that Jeremiah Cafe is a breakfast through lunch place. If you show up after 4pm you’re out of luck. If you’re looking for a hearty traditional breakfast, or top-notch sandwiches and salads, this is your place! They also provide a catering service that has gotten some rave reviews!
So, I had been in town for an early morning checkup on my car. This put me at Jeremiah Cafe in that off-kilter time of the late morning known as brunch. They still had their breakfast items available, so I ordered the Grits Bowl, with bacon, scrambled eggs, and cheese. For this southerner, it was just what the doctor ordered! Accompanied by a large glass of OJ, I was revived and ready to face the rest of my day.
With great food, service, and a unique laid-back atmosphere, I will be back for lunch soon. To learn more about Jeremiah Cafe and their mission, you can visit their website at https://jeremiahcafe.com.
So go ahead and head down to 603 West Walnut Street in Johnson City and check them out. Give them a call to cater for your next event. When you eat at Jeremiah Cafe you are investing in a better future for us all.
