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Goodness Gracious Kitchen & Cupboard | Carmel
Interview with owner: Tobi Mares
What inspired you to start this business, and how does it reflect your cultural background or culinary passion?
I’ve been inspired by a collection of recipes and stories from anyone willing to share, including my own family. I’m most inspired by the stories behind the food… the people behind the restaurant, the mom in the kitchen on Easter, the grandma picking beans in the field. Variations of traditions among us and the things that connect us the most.

Why did you decide to open your business in Hamilton County?
I live in Carmel and I love where I live. This is the perfect community to feel supported.
What’s the can’t-miss item on your menu?
Crawls (the CROWN JEWEL of breakfast at Goodness Gracious! Homemade dough fried & served with a butter-based syrup) and the groundabouts (a Carmel original sandwich made from ground beef simmered in seasonings served on a brioche bun).
How does community come together around food or drink? What does “Around the Table” mean to you?
If we are sharing a meal at home, with friends or family, we always have an opportunity to connect. Being present is not always easy, but those are the moments we might miss the most after those days have passed. I think we all come together around food and drink, but it’s how we take advantage of those moments. It’s really about having gratitude at the forefront of our thoughts.
In my restaurant, I am trying to create a space that is not only about the food, but it’s also about the connections. People always seem a little gentler and kinder and more talkative when they come into my restaurant.
How does your business contribute to the overall culinary scene in Hamilton County? How does your business promote diversity in our community?
I come from a socioeconomic and culturally diverse upbringing. I know what food scarcity feels like. I learned to cook within the confines of poverty. I have immersed myself in different cultures through amazing connections in my life. Some of the kitchens I found myself in were the gifts that developed my universal citizenship. I’ve taken all those moments and the love of food and people to evolve from hardship and celebrate the human experience. We are all humans.
What makes your business different from others?
My menu is not the norm. We are always moving things around or I am changing my mind about a product. The goal is to always improve. I don’t want anyone to get bored with our food. I certainly feel that my choices are led by my own unique sense of creation.



