New York City restaurateur Stratis Morfogen decided to hire older members of the Greek Orthodox community to work at his new restaurant, Diner 24. Drawing inspiration from his mother and her volunteer work making pastries, Morfogen sought out experienced individuals who knew how to make traditional Greek baked goods. The interviews for these positions were unique, with the youngest hire being 79 years old. One of the hires, Dinah, a 79-year-old grandmother, is excited to be back at work using her family recipes.
The menu at Diner 24 features a variety of traditional Greek treats beyond baklava, such as galaktoboureko croquettes and diples. Anna, an 86-year-old Queens resident, is also working at the restaurant and is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue doing what she loves at her age. The restaurant has taken over the space of the Lyric Diner, a local favorite that closed in 2016. Locals are happy to have a new greasy spoon in the neighborhood, with many praising the delicious food offered at Diner 24.
Morfogen, a native New Yorker, grew up running diners with his father and is enthusiastic about opening a 24-hour spot with Diner 24. He is proud to be reviving the tradition of 24-hour diners in New York City after many closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Morfogen, the most rewarding aspect of running Diner 24 is being able to provide paid jobs to the elderly members of the community and seeing how happy they are to come to work.
The church ladies hired by Morfogen bring a wealth of experience and passion to Diner 24. Dinah, the 79-year-old grandmother, enjoys cooking and helping others, while Anna, the 86-year-old baker, is grateful for the opportunity to continue doing what she loves. Both women declined to give their last names for privacy reasons but are excited to be back at work. Morfogen is pleased to have found these skilled individuals who can share their traditional recipes and expertise with the restaurant’s customers.
The community response to Diner 24 has been overwhelmingly positive, with locals expressing their delight at having a new diner in the neighborhood. One resident, a 68-year-old retired web developer, loves the baklava and galaktoboureko offered at the restaurant, describing them as delicious. Morfogen’s goal of bringing back a New York City institution with Diner 24 has been successful, and he is happy to be able to serve the community while providing seniors with the opportunity to work and feel fulfilled in their roles.
Overall, Diner 24 is a testament to the value of older individuals in the workforce and the importance of preserving culinary traditions. Morfogen’s decision to hire experienced bakers from the Greek community has not only brought authentic flavors to the restaurant but has also provided a sense of purpose and fulfillment to the elderly individuals he employed. The success of Diner 24 highlights the impact that older workers can have on a business and the community as a whole.
