“While my sense of humor may be South Park-ian, I am a dead serious hospitality guy. I wish all humans had to pass a course on the subject. The process of realizing and relishing the infinite range of customer needs, and developing the desire, empathy and ability to satisfy customer expectations is a gift that improves all relationships. I've seen hospitality enhance many celebrations and heal many wounds. Hospitality rocks!” — Brian Fast
Well said, Brian.
Read our interview with Brian Fast of Waff-N-Roll, Part One.
And now, on to Part Two . . .
What's your favorite childhood memory?
So many to choose from, but the one that comes to mind is seeing Peter Frampton open for Black Sabbath in 1974. I definitely need therapy.
When you're not in the kitchen, what are you doing?
Anything that keeps me from doing the accounting for both of my food concepts.
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Who is Arthur (as in Arthur's Coffee Shop)?
Arthur is my father, Arthur Fast. My twin brother Greg and I started mopping floors in his Downey coffee shop at age 13. At age 84, his is quintessential old school– still tells 'distasteful' jokes and raises hell at that Downey restaurant on a daily basis. He's a great man. . . but large restaurant chains aren't bidding to use him as their 'Huggable Grandpa' image guy.
Last song playing on your radio:
Jack White's Blunderbuss.
What would you be doing if you weren't in this business?
Stand-up comedy (probably more of the starving artist part).
Hardest lesson you've learned.
Other people make mistakes.
Last book read or movie watched; how was it?
Book: Setting the Table by Danny Meyer – outrageous.
Movie: Netflix – U2 Rattle N Hum. Movie title reminded me of a food truck. Loved the timeless rock.
Strangest place you've ever parked.
OC Weekly parking lot. There's not a lot I don't know about you people.
Last thing you looked up online:
How to spell 'coq au vin'.
Do you have any skills that are non-food related?
Several . . .but my wife would kill me if I disclosed them here.
Learn more about Waff-N-Roll here.
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A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.