Crossroads Café Brings Singapore to the Mountain

by Pagie Wilson C’14, Messenger Intern

“Sewanee is a crossroads,” according to Irene and Richard Emory, owners of the new Crossroads Café that features Singapore cuisine. 

“Singapore is a crossroads, too,” Irene said, describing one of the places where she and Richard have lived. 

Many Asian countries, including China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and the Philippines, shape the food and culture in Singapore. Crossroads Café incorporates these influences in its food as well as in its décor, combining furniture and artwork that Richard and Irene have collected. 

The Emorys want Crossroads Café to become a comfortable meeting place with accessible food. 

"People enjoy being here so much, they just stay on,” Irene said. “That’s what we want.” They designed Crossroads Café with an open and inviting atmosphere to accommodate this. Irene and Richard believe that building relationships with their customers is just as important as the food. 

“Food is a celebration, and it should be shared with others,” Irene said. 

Crossroads Café is bringing different flavors to the Mountain, but Irene said she is paying close attention to the wants and taste buds of the local community. Irene cycles through different recipes to better understand her customers by learning what dishes they like and dislike. This allows her to bring out the traditional Singapore taste without having to strip her recipes of traditional ingredients, and she encourages customers to tell her what they like.

“We understand that it is important to make the food affordable and we want the Sewanee Community to enjoy our food,” said Irene. “We are very blessed to be in a small community that is kind, accommodating and patient.

Irene’s menu items are derived from recipes her family would use to cook for festivals and events in Singapore. While some of the ingredients have been difficult to find, Irene has been able to work with area farmers to obtain many ingredients.

Irene and Richard have traveled and lived around the world since 1999, moving eight times and living in six different countries for Richard’s job as an architect. 

Settling in Sewanee for their son’s education at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School and to be close to Richard’s family in Knoxville, Irene and Richard have both put their talents to work by opening Crossroads Café.

Crossroads Café is open 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 38 Ball Park Rd., Sewanee, adjacent to IvyWild.