Roots Restaurant, located within the scenic Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits, California, draws diners in with its unique farm-to-fork concept. Those within and out of the hospital look forward to savoring its seasonal menu, which is centered around produce freshly gathered from the five-acre Commonwealth Garden situated on the hospital grounds.
The Commonwealth Garden was established with the primary goal of growing food specifically for the hospital, a unique partnership that has led to numerous positive outcomes. It shapes every scrumptious dish at Roots Restaurant, steering chefs towards creating seasonal, nutrient-rich foods that promote community health.
Mark Maples, the Food Service Director (FSD) and a registered dietitian, is the driving force behind the concept of Roots. He understands the importance of a balanced combination of healthy foods that not only fulfill nutritional needs but also trigger happiness by tasting good. The concept is to provide both – healthy and delicious food – which has attracted the Adventist Health Howard Memorial community as well as locals.
Surprisingly, given its location inside a hospital, Roots has managed to establish a reputation in the community comparable to any local eatery, creating a “hotspot” attraction within the hospital. Root’s menu is full of fresh, daily specials with a variety of plant-forward dishes that cater to both non-processed meat and vegetarian/vegan preferences. Think Thai tofu bowls, delicious tomato basil soup, warm cozy pumpkin muffins, hearty beef curry with mixed vegetables, and a Tuscan chicken salad that will heal anybody’s soul.
One of the restaurant’s major drawcards is its bountiful salad bar, which is heavily concentrated with garden-supplied produce. To its credit, Roots received a Blue Zones Project Approved designation last year, an initiative that certifies restaurants offering “smarter choices.”
This innovative restaurant owes its success to the harmonious kitchen-garden partnership. It’s a fine-tuned system that depends on regular communication and collaboration. Maples explains the system began by including the garden team in their monthly meetings, and gradually, it expanded to closer collaboration even at the operational level.
Garden supervisor Melissa Bouley and her staff are crucial participants in this process, planning the garden’s plantings around what the kitchen staff will require. The garden team provides daily updates on the produce and the quantities available for use. This close-knit tie creates a highly efficient system where everyone understands their role and works together for mutual success.
Effective communication is at the heart of this success, and Maples considers it his top tip for others wanting to improve collaboration within their team. Quality conversation lays the foundation for all improved procedures, systems, or operations. Nevertheless, while communication is key, Maples advocates against forcing unnecessary meetings or micromanaging relationships. He believes in creating a culture where collaboration is not only expected but celebrated, allowing connections to grow organically.
The restaurant also stands out due to its team’s dedication and pride in their work. Root’s excellent reputation within the small town of Willits gives the staff a sense of accomplishment, fostering a culture of motivation to deliver a great product. For them, ensuring patients receive delicious meals, superior customer service, and the healthiest food is a source of pride.
Looking ahead, the Roots team is focused on continuous improvement. In the coming year, rather than focusing merely on increasing volume, the aim is to enhance customer experience through improving quality and variety. Plans also include training and educating staff further, which Maples believes benefits not just the department but the individual as well.
Evolving from merely a hospital cafeteria to a recognized restaurant, Roots continues to push boundaries in the culinary sector, transforming a garden-to-kitchen partnership into a delicious, healthy, and successful gastronomic attraction.
