Daily Inspiration: Meet Cay Diffin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cay Diffin

Hi Cay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Savor started back in May of 2019 in a 720 sqft house in Metro Detroit. I collaborated with a few locals in the industry to offer a dining experience unlike any other. After a few hiccups & falling off track of the core purpose of Savor, I branched off on my own & moved Savor to Mackinac Island in 2021. Relocating was everything Savor needed to grow into the truest form of hospitality. Since relocating, my sous chef & I have been fortunate to serve the Mackinac Island community some of the most unique dishes & provide the best services offered. The amount of love & support we’ve received is overwhelming.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It defiantly hasn’t been the easiest or smoothest road. From collaborating with the wrong people & seeing how it can entirely dismantle the momentum to the logistical nightmare that comes with living on an island; every dinner has had its challenges. Branching out on my own & relocating was the most challenging thing I’ve had to do, but seeing Savor take off & grow the way it did —I wouldn’t change a single moment.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Savor is an experience unlike any other. When you come to the table you will feel as though the entire evening was curated & created just for you. Which it has. This isn’t your average dining experience. This isn’t a chef’s table, this isn’t a tasting menu, this is a celebratory feast put on for you, our guest. From the music playing, to the foliage decorating the table, to the water glasses you drink out of, every aspect has been prepared with the mindset of, “how can I honor my guests, how can I thank them for sitting at my table & joining me for an evening”. That mentality echos throughout everything we do.
It isn’t an experience you can find anywhere else.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
There has been a few things I’ve learned while adapting after the Covid-19 crisis. Arguably the most important one has been compassion. We all had to live through this. We all had to readjust. What people sought out from a dining experience before may not be the same now. Every guest is different. Every guest has different needs. If I’ve gotten anything out of this experience it’s how to listen to people’s needs & not judge them if they happen to be different than mine. Just like a palate, everyone’s needs are beautifully unique. If you take the time to see your guests as humans & not another dollar in your pocket you can connect with them & truly give them a hospitable experience that will resonate through the years.

Pricing:

• All dinners are donation based.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_savor_?igsh=MTNkN2Mya2lkNWx6Zw==