b'JILLIANS ITALIAN GIRL &WUNDERKINDS omewhere mid-course of an interview with Prairie Dunes Food & Beverage Director Calloway Kocher, she talks about trading up the tray. This tableside subtlety, among others well talk about later, is an apt metaphor for the way Kocher is elevating the operation she leads. A quick aside, much has been written about the subtleties between kind and nice. Calloway is refreshingly transparent, approachable and direct; she is breezily nice.First taste: Jillians Italian Girl. Born and raised in Hutchinson, Its no wonder she builds the kind of esprit de corps withCalloway completedher undergraduate degree in health the PD family that would cause a member to greet herservice management and community development at Wichita with Hey, Titleist. But nice is pleasant always and kind isState University. Drawn by what she could earn serving, she actively generous and considerate, in pursuit of another,went to work at Jillians and fell in love. I loved being around and Kocher is, to a tee, kind. people; it gave me energy. But the girl on a path to save money for a doctorate program faced a course correction in COVID. A BANQUET LIFE FOR HERLets get the name out of the way. Neither of CallowaysThe restaurant closed and an event coordinator position parents play golf. When Reeves Callaway (1947-2023),popped up in August 2022 at the Dunes. I knew many legendary Formula Vee champion driver and firstbornmembers from Jillians, and they helped make it a smooth son of the founder of Callaway Golf, launched Callawaytransition. My responsibilities grew. I realized I didnt want Cars, Calloways dad, a huge car fan, asked his expectantto go back to school. I had fallen in love with the hospitality wife what she thought of the name Calloway (missing theindustry. Its rewarding and fun, and rewarding is the goal. distinction of the second vowel). The name is not lost,She would soon learn that rewarding has a price. either, on the youngest at Prairie Dunes. Per a members son, Beckham Barnes: thats my dogs name! STAINLESS STEEL BACKBONEShe admits to thinking, Jillians had events. How hard could Growing up, a mostly latchkey child with her siblings in theit be to organize an event?split households of parents with frustrating jobs, she got her first taste of being in charge and the higher marching orderAs event coordinator, Calloway focused exclusively on that would govern her life. My dad challenged me with this:members, covering, often uncovering, the line of their I want you to do something you find joy in, and I want youneeds, learning to ask the umbrella questions: What is the to learn to be the best at it. inspiration for your stay? How can we make it unique? 5'