Serving One Another
F&M is certainly a place that serves food and drink, but it also more than that. It is a place where people connect.
Part of our mission at Field & Main is to clear away the everyday distractions and make room for people to relate to one another. I have been struck recently by how this is working and would like to share a couple of examples with you.
I attended a micro-nutrition conference a couple of weeks ago on how diet and gut health contribute to overall wellness, which was hosted by Steiner Labs, run by Eric Steiner who is a frequent guest of F&M.
Presenting at the conference was Dr. Mark Cucuzzella. Some of you may recall that Dr. Mark conducted a running clinic and discussion at the restaurant back in May. It was a great program, one that was attended by Mr. Steiner. He was interested in the running aspect, but found Dr. Mark’s work on diet to be of paramount interest to his work with Steiner Labs. Steiner Labs is the U.S. distributor for a range of European based supplements called Phytoquant. They are helping people to optimize health and in particular deal with Lyme disease and other ailments through the use of micro-nutrient supplementation. I sat in the room listening to Dr. Mark, interested in the subject and particularly pleased that I was there because of a connection that was created thanks to F&M.
Anne Michael Green is a realtor in Marshall and has been for years. She runs the Washington Fine Properties office on Main Street. Recently she hosted a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception on the patio for a number of her past clients. Anne Michael wanted to thank them for their business, but also wanted to introduce them to other businesses on Main Street and to one another.
Her aim was to build community and to make connections. Once again, I was delighted to see F&M as the place where this happens. To celebrate these connections, she is donating $100 to charity for each referral that comes from her tribe. What a great idea! By helping others we help ourselves.
About a year and a half ago, we started the Hestia Guild. This is a membership organization that rewards members with dining credits and savings on wine and events. But these are just the tangible benefits. The purpose of starting The Guild grew out of the interest in getting certain guests to meet other guests whom we could tell had similar interests.
Recently, we hosted thirty-two members at our semi-annual gathering. We sabered sparkling wine, ate and drank and connected. We knew certain guests would enjoy getting to know others. Watching this play out in real time was a true high.
Connection is part of the human experience. In a time when we amass digital connections with the tap of a button or a swipe of a finger, true person to person relating is all the more meaningful.
I hope you will take some time to connect in person with someone that is important to you. If you find yourself desiring this type of interaction, come visit us at the restaurant.
Pull up a stool at the bar or the counter and visit with us. We would love to connect with you.
Cheers,
Neal