Built with Love: Our Family Kitchen Project

Last August, we broke ground on what would become the most meaningful project of my life— transforming a spider-filled 16x19 storage space in our backyard into Twisted Roots' commercial kitchen. Nearly a year later, as I write this in early July with the last aesthetic touches still to come, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible family and friends who made this dream a reality. What started as necessity became something so much more beautiful: a true labor of love built by the hands and hearts of the people who matter most to me.

Three Generations, One Vision

From day one, this was a family affair. My partner Terry brought decades of expertise from the commercial refrigeration company his family has run for over 50 years—a business started by his grandfather and father, then passed down to him when his dad Dave retired last year. But Dave wasn't ready to step away completely; he joined us in this new venture, creating an incredible convergence of three generations of craftsmanship.

Watching Terry's innovation merge with Dave's decades of refrigeration experience and my dad Ben's lifetime in construction felt like witnessing magic in real time. Ben had retired three years earlier after a career building other people's dreams, but he threw himself into building ours with the same dedication he'd shown throughout his working life. Whether tackling framing, wiring, plumbing, or the countless other tasks that transform an empty space into something extraordinary, he approached each challenge with the patience and skill that only comes from decades of knowing how to make things right.

The moment that will stay with me forever was watching Dave's face when he saw what Terry had accomplished. The pride in his eyes—not just for the beautiful work, but for seeing his son carry forward everything he'd taught him—that's the kind of moment that reminds you what really matters in life.

The Concrete Moment

If I had to pick the single moment when this whole project shifted from overwhelming dream to achievable reality, it was watching that concrete floor get poured and finished. There's something about seeing a proper foundation take shape that fills you with hope. All those months of planning, digging trenches for water lines, and laying groundwork suddenly crystallized into something real and permanent. Standing on that smooth, level surface, I could finally envision the kitchen that would grow from it.

The Village That Built Our Kitchen

While the men tackled the heavy construction, my mom Vicky and my mother-in-law Deb dove into every project with enthusiasm and attention to detail. From painting walls to assembling equipment, they brought not just helping hands but the kind of care that turns a building into a home for our business. Watching these two incredible women work side by side, laughing and problem-solving together, added so much joy to what could have been a stressful process.

And then there's my stepson Max, who probably moved more rocks than anyone thought possible. Every job site needs someone willing to do the unglamorous work that makes everything else possible, and Max embraced that role with the kind of work ethic that makes you proud to call him family. Those rocks weren't just obstacles—they were opportunities for him to contribute to something bigger than himself.

The Hardest Part (And Why It Was Worth It)

I won't lie—there were moments when I wondered if we'd bitten off more than we could chew. The FRP installation was probably our biggest challenge, trying to get that plastic-like wall covering perfectly positioned for easy cleaning while working around all our equipment and fixtures. But even in the most frustrating moments, having family by your side changes everything. What could have been arguments became problem-solving sessions. What could have been stress became shared determination.

More Than a Kitchen

Today, what was once home to countless spiders is now home to a 6-burner Wolf range, a flat grill, two prep areas, a dishwasher, an ice machine, and Terry and Dave's custom-built walk-in cooler—the crown jewel of the space and a testament to three generations of refrigeration expertise. Every piece of equipment, every carefully planned workflow, every detail reflects not just what Twisted Roots needed to grow, but the love and skill of the people who made it possible. This kitchen is my Taj Mahal—not built for a lost love, but built to honor the love that surrounds me every day. The love of a partner who used his family's expertise to create something extraordinary. The love of parents who spent their retirement helping their kids chase dreams. The love of a stepson who picked up rocks without complaint because he knew it mattered to us.

Gratitude Beyond Words

As I prep meals in this beautiful space, I'm constantly reminded that Twisted Roots isn't just my business —it's a family legacy in the making. Every time I open that walk-in cooler, I think of Dave teaching Terry everything he knew, and Terry using that knowledge to build something perfect for our needs. Every time I walk across that concrete floor, I remember the hope I felt watching it take shape under Ben's expert guidance. Every time I see those perfectly painted walls, I remember Vicky and Deb's laughter echoing through the space as they brought color and warmth to our workspace. To Terry, Dave, Ben, Vicky, Deb, and Max—and to all the friends who stopped by with encouragement, extra hands, and moral support—thank you doesn't begin to cover it. You didn't just help me build a kitchen. You helped me build a foundation for everything Twisted Roots will become. This space isn't just where I cook. It's where love becomes food, where family becomes legacy, and where dreams become delicious reality.

From all of us at Twisted Roots, thank you for being part of our journey. Every meal we create in this beautiful, family-built kitchen carries the love and craftsmanship that went into making it possible.