One man with two unique roles: meet Bobby Ford, who is a Long Island chef by day, and by night he transforms into a police officer who protects the residents of Long Island.
Growing up as a New Yorker he wanted to serve the people in his community and by 2016 his dreams came true when he was working in two different industries.
He spent almost 10 years patrolling all five boroughs as a New York Police Department officer and then joined the Freeport Police Department on Long Island in 2005. And then after 10 years, he opened Bobby Q’s, a soul food and southern barbecue joint.
He said the pandemic year threw his aim of uniting people haywire, he says his “true purpose in life which is to bring people together and help them find common ground.” He says, “By day I’m chef Bobby, creating recipes, trying to become familiar with the neighborhood, interacting with the public, getting to know my customers, and establishing relationships,” he said
He uses food as a way of breaking down barriers and enabling people “from different walks of life to put their guards down and listen to each other while they’re breaking bread,” he said. And as a cop, he is “more aware of the crucial role” that he plays in his community.
He says, “The community sees me as a role model on several levels: as someone who is there to protect them, as their neighbor, and also as an entrepreneur from humble beginnings.” He adds, “I do feel that all we have is just that … a succession of moments to help others see what benevolence really means,” he said.