Good Works: Building Success Through Relationships

What does success look like? Robert Adamson, trained in culinary school under one of only 12 Master Chefs in the U.S., worked as an executive chef for 20 years in some of Cincinnati’s premier restaurants, including The Precinct and Jeff Ruby’s Waterfront. But it wasn’t until Adamson gave it all up for work centered on relationships that he found true fulfillment and success.

Raised in a close Christian family, Adamson grew up understanding the importance of service to others. Although he worked long hours, he always made time outside his regular chef duties to volunteer at soup kitchens or work in youth ministry. But he never felt it was enough. When he helped at a soup kitchen that had to enforce a time limit for diners, Adamson felt frustrated that those served received only food and not the love and relationships they desperately needed.

Using his talent to provide healthy, affordable meals, his heart to reach out to people in need, and his experience in volunteer ministry, in 2012 Adamson opened a community café in Miamisburg where one in three children go to bed hungry every night. ONE (Our Neighbors Eat) Bistro offers an open door and healthy, fresh, affordable food to all comers, regardless of ability to pay.

Paying customers are encouraged to pay it forward to support the ministry; those who cannot pay give their time in restaurant work in exchange for a meal. Besides two chefs and a business manager, all work in One Bistro is done by volunteers. It’s a place where those in need of help and those with help to give come together to enjoy a good meal and good company and develop real relationships.

Some of those relationships have even led to new lives for some customers. With encouragement and support from One Bistro, several customers who were out of work now run small faith-based businesses on the premises, including a bakery, a barber shop and a car repair business. It’s another way Adamson is making a difference through his work.

"We provide a hopeful, healing sanctuary environment—this is how the people we serve describe it to me," says Adamson. "To be involved in building God-centered relationships is awesome. I’m blessed every day in this place."

When Adamson gave up society’s idea of success to embrace his life purpose, he found real success and fulfillment.

One Bistro serves brunch food Wednesday through Saturday at its Miamiville location on 110 S. Second Street and from its mobile food truck at 2367 Germantown Pike in Germantown. Both locations also serve a Wednesday night community meal. Check them out online at onebistro.org.

Chuck Proudfit is the Founder and President of SkillSource, a business consultancy; Director of At Work on Purpose, a ministry to working Christians; and, Executive Board Member of Self Sustaining Enterprises, a global innovator of social enterprise.