SAULT STE. MARIE — A Sault Ste. Marie man hung up his apron for the last time as head cook at a popular local restaurant.
Gary Rogers prepared his last meals for around two dozen customers Friday morning at Frank’s Place.
The 70-year-old started cooking in 1969 at a restaurant in Manistique and eventually became head cook at Frank’s nearly 20 years ago. Rogers started his day around 1 a.m. and ended in the early afternoon.
Staff, family and regulars gave him a well-deserved send-off with hugs and laughs, but it was still a working day for him
“I woke up this morning and I thought it would be different. But I came to work, I just did my job and it’s done. So, tomorrow morning, they’ll take my key away. I’m locked out and they won’t let me in,” he joked.
After this week, he and his wife plan to head to Florida to spend time with family.