How Baba’s Mediterranean Kitchen Builds Community and Loyalty Through Authentic Cuisine and Employee Growth
As a key member of the Federal Hill community, Baba’s Mediterranean Kitchen (or more commonly referred to as “Baba’s”) is the place to go for delicious authentic cuisine and a large helping of neighborly love. During a recent visit, I discovered that we share a lot more than just taste in food.
Upon a normal stop to get a bite to eat I struck up a conversation at the register with the owner, Farid Bishara Salloum, and asked him how business was going in his new location. He candidly shared that he started the second location predominantly to support the growth of his loyal employees who had been with him for over 10 years and were yearning for a new opportunity.
Surprised and thinking I had misunderstood him at first, I asked him to explain further.
Me: “Wait a second… so you started a whole new location to help your staff grow?”
Farid: “Yes – they earned it and deserved the chance to see what was possible. My guys are loyal and this was the least that I could do to support the development of their careers.”
This interview was sparked by that brief but powerful exchange at the register. I knew I needed to learn more from this Chief Falafel Officer (Farid’s REAL title) and here’s how that conversation went…
Tell me about how you got started and what you hope to accomplish. I never knew I was a food guy until I opened a restaurant. I was a chemical engineer I went into high-tech marketing for 20 years. On paper, I’m pretty smart, if degrees mean anything. I worked for GE, Anheiser Bush, a lot of small companies too. I never really enjoyed it because I never felt comfortable. It was just a job and that’s what a lot of people do. It’s a job because you make money, but it doesn’t have significance.
Now I’m 57 and I regularly work 10 – 12 hours a day, but it’s valuable. I don’t so much value creating wealth as I do creating something that transcends it: generating jobs, great food, value, and of course connecting to my middle eastern heritage. It’s also fun to see how much food is a medium that inspires relationships. Strangers ask about each other’s dishes, and all of the sudden a connection is made.
Contributing to the fabric of a neighborhood is an added bonus. This neighborhood is full of locally owned and operated businesses like mine (I live three blocks away) that people on the streets are familiar with, and embrace. It’s why so many love the neighborhood we’re in. People should know each other, talk to each other, commune. It’s really cool to greet regulars. It’s one of the main elements of the neighborhood.
What’s an example of something that makes your connection to the community unique?
This funny thing happened a few years ago, while on vacation. We snapped a photo of my business card against the backdrop of a beach sunset in Jamaica. Customers saw it, and through their own initiative, created an extraordinary display of wanderlust and adventure. Our customers literally get excited to take a picture of our card on their trips, often in the remotest areas of the world (like while scuba diving in Indonesia). The Baba’s card has now been to over 100 countries, and the slideshow is on display at the counter.
Tell me about your team. Billy and Ryan both came on board in a recession and I was fortunate to have gotten them; we believe in the same values as far as food quality, customer service, and commitment to your vocation. They are both world class in their commitment to food and the customer experience, and I trust them and empower them accordingly. None of us is above getting down on our hands and knees and scrubbing the floor if it needs it. Their impact on Baba’s and its image has been profound.
I then flipped the script to talk to Farid’s two head teammates, Billy Bryan + Ryan Scalfari. I wanted to hear from their perspective on the culture at Baba’s…
What’s kept you here so long? “Honestly, it’s Farid and the environment that he has created. He treats us like people and not just his workers who make him money. A lot of restaurant owners are in it for the money, it’s rare that you see someone who thoroughly enjoys the customer service aspect and the relationships that it can create. At Baba’s it’s more like we are in our own home and we are cooking for people who are visiting.” – Ryan
Tell me about the culture. “I love being a part of the Babas family. The food is so good and opened my eyes to not only food that tastes good but is good for you. The customers are amazing and really appreciative of what we do here. And then there is my boss Farid- I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again he’s the best person I’ve ever worked for, period.” – Billy
“Being Italian, I especially appreciate and value the family-like, kind environment. We treat with respect, dignity, and appreciation. It’s good to look around and see what you are providing to the community and also the value of the interpersonal relationships you have at work. Baba’s has helped me to grow and figure out my own path in life. From the start I felt like Farid and I had a connection and we share a lot of the same personal values and beliefs in and out of the workplace. He has let me have the freedom and honor to add some of my own dishes to the menu as well as help with major decisions regarding the business. We have learned from each other in this journey. ” – Ryan
Clearly, Farid and his team are leading a culture of connection, community and loyalty through their decisions and behaviors each day. Upon my final question to Farid, it became clear that his legacy is already in action each day his doors open.
What do you want to be known for? I would hope that 20 years from now that people will remember us glowingly. There’s the experience and then there’s how you reflect on it. I can only hope that our patrons who will bring up Baba’s and talk about the special moments we created in their lives.
The “Culture Keeper Feature” blog series highlights individuals and companies who are leading the way in crafting healthy, intentional and authentic workplace cultures. “Culture Keeper” is a SparkVision term used to describe the people who lead and maintain the positive aspects of their organization’s environment & values.