By CHRISTINA HARPER
Herald Writer
Close your eyes and inhale as you walk by Cajun Joy’s in Everett.
The aroma floating out onto Beverly Boulevard from Joy Promise’s modest store-front restaurant is as bewitching as the bayou.
Promise, 39, has always had what she calls a star in her eye about owning her own restaurant.
That star shines bright when Promise dishes up meals for diners who come from as far as Tacoma to indulge.
"If their plate comes back empty, oh man, it makes me so happy," Promise said.
Promise grew up in California and inherited her taste for cooking from her mother and grandmother, who were from Louisiana.
"Oh, my mom would taste her gumbo about 12 different times just to get it right," Promise said.
She worked in the high-tech environment in San Jose but soon realized that her heart was somewhere else. Memories of the women in her family cooking and the sight and smells of food helped form the dream of having her own restaurant one day.
"It kind of rubbed off on me," Promise said about her mother’s cooking. "And I just wanted to be the first one to eat."
After moving to Baton Rouge, La., and taking a job cooking at a country club, she found what she had been craving.
"I thought, ‘This is my love right here,’ " Promise said.
Pressure to make things perfect in the kitchen made her a better chef, Promise said of her time at the country club. She went on to work at other restaurants, gleaning management skills along the way.
In 1996 Promise moved to Snohomish County with just her son and her luggage. A victim of domestic violence, she sought solace and help at the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women in Everett.
"I was young, I was in love," Promise said. "All I could see was pleasing him."
Her move to Everett helped Promise claim herself from memories of her abuser and she began to put her life back together. During that time she never lost the star in her eyes, the hope of having her own restaurant.
Promise took jobs at grocery stores and restaurants. She said she knew that if she followed her heart, her dream would become a reality. If she hit pitfalls she’d pray and keep going.
"One monkey doesn’t stop a show," Promise told herself.
The tough experiences in her life were like climbing up a steep hill and gaining courage on the way.
"On the top of the hill you can close your eyes and see your vision," Promise said.
That vision became clear in April 1997 when Promise opened Cajun Joy’s, where she greets first-time customers and regulars with warmth and care and good Louisiana food.
"I say my prayers every day and thank God for the business he sent me," Promise said.
Cajun Joy’s keeps Promise busy but not so much that she can’t give back to the community. Taking an interest in those she serves means more to Promise than just feeding people. Every year Promise has "Kids Day" at Cajun Joy’s. She gives out school supplies and chili dogs and plays pin the tail on the donkey.
If customers come to the restaurant with a frown or a problem, Promise takes time to help them spiritually.
"I lock my doors and I pray for them," she said.
In her precious spare time Promise sits on the board of directors at the Center for Battered Women, is involved in Everett’s annual Nubian Jam and recently made what she calls a positive rap CD.
The star in her eyes, the dream of her own restaurant, has come true but there is still more for Promise to accomplish. The rest of her vision means going back to school and training to be a master chef. She believes she would be paying tribute to her mother and accomplishing something she remembers her mother telling her:
"She said, ‘Joy, whatever you do in life, don’t just do it. Master it.’"
Shrimp and Crab Etouffee
4large onions, chopped
2bell peppers, chopped
4stalks celery, chopped
6cloves garlic, minced
1/2cup oil
3pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
2pounds crab meat
1/2cup water
1/4cup parsley, chopped
1/4cup green onion tops, chopped
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
Saute onions, bell peppers, celery and garlic in oil until onions are transparent. Add shrimp and cook, about 10 minutes, on medium heat until shrimp are pink. Add crab meat and mix well.
Add water and cover. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Add salt, cayenne pepper, parsley and green onion tops. Serve over rice.
Makes 8 servings.
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