Today we’d like to introduce you to Rowena Mason.
Hi Rowena, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
How did we get started?
Santa Paula Airport has owned the restaurant building on the airport since 2013, leasing the space to restaurant operators over the years. The restaurant has had its ups and downs under previous operators, but our dream was always to create something truly special—not only for the aviation community, but for our local community as well.
We envisioned a gathering place that felt inviting and friendly. A place serving good, wholesome food where people could come, relax, and spend the afternoon. Eventually, we realized that to truly create the place we envisioned, we needed to be personally involved.
We began a collaboration with Shannon, who helped bring together our core team. With her vision and gifts in the culinary field, the talents of the team she assembled, and my drive to renovate the building and reopen it as a completely new space, The Flying Spoon was born.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. We have faced many challenges as a startup restaurant operating in a very large and unique space. One of our biggest struggles has been learning how to balance what we dreamed of creating with the realities we face day to day.
Staffing has been a major challenge, along with working out the kinks in how we serve our customers. The Flying Spoon is really several concepts operating under one roof—a merchandise area, coffee and pastry shop, full dining room, outdoor patio, and bar. Finding a way to meld all of those experiences together smoothly has probably been our biggest challenge.
We are still learning, adjusting, and improving. I think that is simply part of building something from the ground up.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is walking into The Flying Spoon and seeing customers enjoying the space and marveling at the quality of the food. I love hearing people comment on how different and wonderful the restaurant feels and how delicious the food is.
We set out to create a welcoming gathering place serving wholesome, delicious food, and seeing that vision come to life makes me incredibly happy.
One of my favorite things is sitting at the bar in the late afternoon or evening and talking with pilots who have flown in for the first time. I love watching them discover the restaurant, marvel at the quality of the food, and take in the beautiful view outside the bar windows while airplanes fly by. The lively conversations, the stories, and watching people genuinely enjoy being there—that makes me happy.
The Flying Spoon has a very bright future. Come by and see us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theflyingspooncafe.com
- Instagram: theflyingspoonszp
- Facebook: theflyingspoon
