Suncoast Rehabilitation Center Chef Brings More to the Table than Just Great Food

By: Derek A. Queener

“It has made my life complete to be doing something to help people and to feel so appreciated for doing it. I felt like there was something missing in my life and now it is filled.” – Diane Baker

When Diane Baker was 5 years old she had already learned from her mother what life was really all about. Like her mother, Diane felt that helping others was just the right thing to do and the right way to live her life. At the age of 5, Diane went door to door in her neighborhood with a pad and pencil taking sandwich orders for all that were hungry. The menu included B.L.T.’s, Grilled Cheese, or any other sandwich meat her mom had bought that week. These sandwiches were made to order down to the choice of crispy or soft bacon with chips and pickle on the side. I asked Diane how her mother felt about her giving all their food away to the neighbors and she replied,” My mom was always very supportive of what I did, I would give away clothes and food. Like her I was always a giver.”

At the age of 26, Diane was married with a young son when she began working as a hors d’oeuvres server for a high end catering company. As fate would have it, the Assistant Chef to Eduardo Del Gado did not show up for this particular event. Diane took it upon herself to set up trays and prepare food in the absence of the Assistant Chef. Chef Del Gado asked her what she was doing, as if to say, you are a server not a Chef! This was not at all what he meant. The tray display and preparation was so meticulous and thought out, he fired his Assistant and hired Diane the very next day. Her mentor passed away in 1999 and Diane still feels his presence and the high standards he instilled in her back then.  “He was VERY particular about his food and I think about that when I am cooking.”

Diane also remembered several things her father always told her, “If you are going to do something, do it well,” and, “I’ve always had faith in you and I always will.” The love and support her father gave her no matter what she wanted to do in her life is a large part of why she does what she does and why she does it so VERY well.

The road to Diane coming to Suncoast Rehab Center began with an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Diane and her mother were watching the episode with Unice and Maria Shriver regarding Unice and her husband’s decision to start The Special Olympics. The generosity of the Shrivers touched her so much that she began to cry. “It was at that very moment I decided I wanted to do something to help people.” From all of us at Suncoast Rehab Center, thanks Oprah!

When Diane came to Suncoast Rehab in Spring Hill, FL for an interview, she felt an instant connection to the clients as well as the staff and for the first time felt she would truly be able to help people.

I am not sure if Diane knew exactly how much she would change the people who sit down at her dinner table each day to enjoy her fabulous meals. “It’s like sitting down to eat at a different gourmet restaurant every night,” one client said. Diane remembers her first week at Suncoast Rehab when after making an amazing Sunday brunch; she came out of the kitchen into the dining room. “I walked out and the entire group was clapping and cheering for me; where else do you get a standing ovation for cooking breakfast?” She said she quickly turned and ran back in to the kitchen because she began to cry. (As I am jotting down the notes for this article, a student walks in and wraps her arms around Diane’s neck showing her how much she is loved here.) This affection for Diane happens daily from students and staff alike; if you were sitting here in my seat listening to this amazing person tell her story, you would understand why.

The type of person Diane Baker is now is just that type of person we at Suncoast Rehab work so hard to help our clients become. She is a caregiver to her husband’s ailing parents, she is a Chef and an Artist, and she is one of the kindest people I have ever met.

I asked Diane why she chose to work at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center instead of a 5 star restaurant making a 6 figure salary. She answered as those who know her would expect her to, “It has made my life complete to do something to help people, to do something with meaning. I feel that at Suncoast Rehab and I have never felt so complete and appreciated.”

After interviewing Diane I spoke with a few clients and staff members to get their feelings for the amazing Chef that makes each meal a reason for daily celebration. These are some of the things they had to say…

“She is just a wonderful person who is always happy. She prepares the best food I have ever had and I am honored to have met her.”J.P.

“Not only amazing in the kitchen, the love and care she puts into her food is the same love and care she displays for all of us.” R.R.

“Great asset to Suncoast Rehab, it’s not just her cooking, she genuinely cares about us and her amazing food is the least of her contributions, and that is saying a lot.” S.G.

“When you are away from your family, the food Diane cooks reminds you of the food your mom and grandmother makes.  It’s comfort food.” T.D.

Diane Baker has such a powerful, positive presence about her; the way the clients react when they see her is heartwarming to say the least. I watch them stand at the doorway of the kitchen and their faces get softer and their eyes get brighter just by talking to her. I watch everyone come up to her, hug after hug after hug, and sincerely say, “I Love You, Diane.”

I have written many articles about those who have become better people because of Suncoast Rehabilitation, this is the first time I have written about a person who has made such an impact on everyone blessed enough to meet her.

There are so many more amazing things I could write about Diane, but a dinner of Egg Plant Rolatini Parmagiana, Meatloaf stuffed with Ham and Cheese, Pasta Carbonara, Caesar Salad and Herb Crusted Garlic Bread is being served in the dining room. I hope you understand that I have to get in there before it’s gone!

From the bottom of our hearts, we the staff and clients and of Suncoast Rehab, love and thank Diane for the person she is and for helping make this particular substance abuse treatment experience an enjoyable and happy one.

For more information on Suncoast Rehabilitation Center, call us at 1-800-511-9403 or visit us at www.suncoastrehabcenter.com

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