With a shovel in hand, Chef Britany Vinson broke ground on the new location for her business Tomé Catering and a new venue called The Silo Monday afternoon on Groesbeck Ave. near downtown Lufkin.
“I remember this started seven years ago, and many times I wanted to quit and say, ‘Why this, why now?’ Now I see why,” Vinson said. “We have an opportunity to feed people, bless people with the food; I feel like God has blessed me with the talent to be able to do so. I thank my team, I couldn’t do it by myself; I’m truly blessed.”
With an opening day set in July, Vinson said The Silo “will be different than anything else we have in town.” The venue will be a modern-meets-industrial style of venue, the chef described. It will be connected to the commercial kitchen that is being built to host the on-goings of Tomé.
In a year from now, Vinson said she wants to see business “booming.”
“I want to see business going on; I want to see growth in job opportunities, that I’ll be able to hire more people and also equip them to be better people,” she said. “I want to see more people in Lufkin eating healthier. …Also, I want to see the venue packed and booked all year long.”
Mark Hicks, President of Hicks Operating Company, participated in Monday’s ground breaking, He said he was “excited to have the opportunity to work with Britany” in constructing the commercial kitchen and new venue.
“It’s so great to see so many out here supporting small business,” Hicks said. “She has a fine business and a growing business, and that is important to Lufkin. …I admire you; someone that has slowly built their business. You’ve got a great business. We’re excited to be a part of this.”
For more information on Tomé Catering, visit its website at tomecatering.com.
