The Industry
A Discussion with People Who Have Made A Career of Working In The Service Industry.
4 years ago

E46 Erik Rooker

From The Back Of House To The Front Of House

Erik Rooker joins the show this week. A long time main stay of Ethel’s Lounge in Waterloo, Ontario, Erik grew up in Grimsby, Ontario. Erik got his first start in the Industry as a young teen working at a truck stop. From there, Erik worked many different back of house jobs while working his way through high school. Towards the end of the decade in the 90’s, Erik moved to Kitchener-Waterloo to pursue his post secondary education at Wilfrid Laurier University. It was while he was in university that Erik decided to continue working in the industry by getting a job at East Side Marios in the kitchen in order to help pay for school. Eventually moving up to Supervisor and Assistant Manager, Erik moved to the front of house and hasn’t looked back since. Erik wound up working at multiple bars and restaurants on the main drag in Kitchener-Waterloo and has spent the last 10 plus years working at Ethel's Lounge.

Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah @zak.hannah