Rod CornishWe're Really All Just the Same
Illustrator: Wilson, Autumn
Rod Cornish is a native of New London, Connecticut born on May 21, 1965. He is a father to his son Roen Hendrix, and for the last 15 years has owned and operated a local favorite restaurant, Hot Rod Cafe, known for its award-winning chicken wings and fun atmosphere.Prior to owning a restaurant and writing this book, Rod's background was almost the complete opposite. Rod earned his Master of Business Administration from The University of Michigan School of Business Administration and went on to work in Finance and Human Resources at several well-known firms in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York City including General Foods, GE Capital, and Merrill Lynch.In 2001 after the tragic events of 9/11, Rod decided to take a year off and left the corporate world to travel and learn. He returned from New York City to his hometown of New London, CT, and then traveled for around three months in Europe, mainly Sevilla, Spain. While abroad, the decision was made to not return to the corporate life and to pursue opening a bar/restaurant.He enrolled in a local adult education program in Culinary Arts at Grasso Tech, where he learned cooking skills and was taken under the wing of Chef Mario Longo who believed in his dream to open his own place. After finishing the program, Rod delved into the business of learning the industry by working for others for several years bartending and working in kitchens and waitering. Finally, in December of 2005, Rod opened Hot Rod Cafe, which quickly became known for having great wings, beer, and atmosphere. About a year later, Chef Carlos Paucar joined the team and brought the menu up to a new level, winning many awards for Hot Rod Cafe including a trophy in the National Buffalo Wing Competition!In 2014, Rod became a dad to Roen Hendrix Cornish, the inspiration for this book. A handsome and inquisitive boy who is a perfect combination of his African American Father and Lithuanian Mother.One day when Roen was four years old, while in New York City for a modeling gig, (Roen modeled from 4 months old to 5 years old when he announced his retirement to his mother and father) Roen made a statement that became the inspiration for this book.He looked at his father and said, "Dad, your skin is darker and mine is lighter." Rod thought to himself, "Oh boy, wasn't expecting to have the race conversation this soon." Then without missing a beat Roen said, "It's ok, we're really the same." I was so happy and proud of his insight that shortly after that conversation, I began this book. I hope you all enjoy it. We really are all the same and the sooner more folks realize that simple fact, the better off we will all be.
