Soraya Khoury

MEET SORAYA KHOURY! Soraya grew up in Chicago, moved to Napa Valley in her 20s to attend the Culinary Institute of America, worked with several well know chefs out west before landing here in Johns Creek at the end of 2017. She started in the restaurant industry at the age of 14 as a server before becoming a chef and now owns a fabulous breakfast restaurant in Johns Creek called Hen Mother Cookhouse. She loves the breakfast culture and was originally inspired by her phenomenal chef dad. She started cooking professionally in her 20s and always teaches the importance of hospitality to her staff. Soraya is an inspiring chef, coach and trainer who wants to share her expertise and passion for food to those eager to learn. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and daughter, especially during dinner (one of the perks of owning a breakfast restaurant). Soraya’s joy in her business comes from serving customers exceptional food coupled with first class customer service. If you have not dined at Hen Mother Cookhouse yet, you are truly missing out!

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Johns Creek?

A: I am a newer resident; we have lived here since the end of 2017.

Q:What is your favorite restaurant in Johns Creek, and what do you love there?

A: Honestly, since I am here at the restaurant most of the time, I take pleasure in cooking at home (when I have the energy and time).

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Johns Creek?

A: I meet so many interesting customers, I really could not choose just one.

Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?

A: A few years ago, I lived in Napa Valley with my husband and daughter (who was one and a half at the time).  I am a Persian and people assume I cook Persian food but I don’t. Because of this, I was approached by Rumi’s Kitchen (a Persian restaurant concept). They were opening up their Sandy Springs location and offered me a position but I turned it down. When they were opening their Avalon location in Alpharetta, they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. While looking for a place to live, I met our Realtor for coffee here at my restaurant’s location when it was a different concept. Once we moved here, my husband and I came here on my days off and I told him that this is the best spot for breakfast. My sister offered to partner with my husband and me; we approached the owner (a Doctor with a practice close by) who had envisioned the same things we had but he didn’t have the time or energy to invest. For all of us, Hen Mother Cookhouse has become a dream come true!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?  And why?

A: Paris, France…I just love everything about that city.

Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?

A: Pretty Woman and Something’s Got to Give.

Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?

A:

Q: Aside from travel, what is something on your bucket list?

A: Running a marathon has always been my dream.

Q: What is your favorite music/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?

A: Lauren Hill; I love a lot Hip Hop music.

Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why?  Where in Johns Creek would you have lunch?

A: Anthony Burnham, I probably want him to eat here at Hen Mother Cookhouse.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Johns Creek?

A: I love the diversity in Johns Creek.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A: I hope to have 2 more restaurants, similar in concept, but not a chain.

Q: What is something interesting that most people (including family and friends) don’t know about you?

A: I love to sing.

Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A: Comfort, Safety and  Food.

Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

A: Jack Nicholson, I love him.

Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?

Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

A: Definitely a Housekeeper.

 

 

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: