Written by Seth Stutman
Photos by Seth Stutman

Sponsored by East Village Place

Published in Longmeadow Neighbors (November 2022)

There’s a good chance that when you walk into The Kitchen, you’ll see Bobby Barkett, dish towel slung over his shoulder or tucked into his apron, and a smile on his face. Moreover, he’ll probably know you, or your order, or your neighbors.  If most towns have a local burger joint or a watering hole - a “Cheers''-type situation - then The Kitchen is Longmeadow’s, and that makes Barkett our resident Sam Malone.

“Having grown up here in town, and having a place where I can be accessible and visit with my friends in town, and the folks I grew up with, and the folks I serve has been remarkable,” said Barkett.  “What’s even greater is meeting new people who live in town and who are raising their kids in town - blending those old friends and new friends has been awesome.  Cheer’s has that vibe, old regulars blend in with new families, I am so happy that we can be one of the epicenters for that.”

Barkett grew up in town, and graduated from Longmeadow High School in 1983, and earned his business degree from Springfield College a few years later, but did not have the instinct to run from town that many local graduates have.   “I didn’t have that yearning that I had to leave town… I always wanted to explore different places, but I didn’t have that (stereotypical) need to leave town,” he said.

Barkett and his wife Tracy have two children, Alec and Olivia, who both graduated from Longmeadow High School and went onto graduate college - and watching them grow up in town is one of Barkett’s favorite memories.  

“Raising our kids here was incredible - it was the same town I grew up in, but it’s so different because I’m wearing a different lens. To be able to share memories with them as they're playing in the same schools and on the same fields and (sometimes) enjoying the same teachers as I did -  that is so cool!”

After spending his formative years in Longmeadow, Barkett wanted to help ensure the future of Longmeadow’s youth, and began his formal service in 2004.  Barkett spent more than a decade in service, three years on the Select Board (including a stint as vice-chair) and four years on the high school building committee, during the time of the construction of a beautiful, new High School. 

 “I loved serving in town - being able to work with teachers and a district that I was familiar with, and during difficult economic times and with our new town charter was amazing,” he said.  “It  was a transitional time for the town and figuring out many new roles, and the merger of some departments. I wanted to see the town be successful.  As an EMT [in the 90’s] I got to know these guys, and have respect for the DPW and other first responders and town professionals.  Our teachers are phenomenal and I am so happy to have been able to serve in the town that I grew up in and that I love so much.”  

Barkett, however, might be best known for his current role, as the President of The Kitchen, which traces back to another kitchen, and another simple, similar burger. In 1939, Edward J. Barkett helped to open White Hut in West Springfield.  In the 1970’s, Barkett’s father took over the classic burger joint - and Bobby took to working at the West Springfield location in his High School years.  “Restaurants were all I knew, and it was great working there.  White Hut was a landmark, and the new owners want it to be a landmark too,” he said.

White Hut expanded to locations in Amherst and Longmeadow that were managed by Bobby and his brother E.J.  In 2015, Bobby made the choice to rebrand to “The Kitchen'' and while almost everything has changed, the recipe for the award-winning burgers (with the sauteed onions) hasn’t changed.

When COVID-19 struck, Barkett’s resolve was tested, but Longmeadow propped him up - and he helped to prop up the Pioneer Valley.  “We were crushed, having to lay people off for the first time ever was difficult.  We had never had to do that before,” he said.

“We were essential, and we stayed open, and tried to create some normalcy for families by creating family meals.  We were blessed because people came in to check on us and to donate money for meals for front line workers.  We delivered nearly 4,000 discounted meals  (in about eight weeks) to the community with organizations like Rachel’s Table, Baystate Hospital, and others.”

Barkett also viewed the pandemic with a different lens - he was an EMT for nearly five years and understood the toll that COVID-19  was taking on his current and former industry as he survived three shutdowns.  “The exposure and the consistent professionalism displayed by our first responders was incredible, and them putting their lives on the line - the least we could do was cook for them.”

“When we rebounded from COVID-19, we were able to do more and more things (like graduation parties) … having been on the School Board, being able to do these events has been amazing.   Seeing these students grow up and graduate … and seeing the look on their faces, and on the faces of the parents and teachers - it’s a blessing to watch.”

These days, The Kitchen has a full liquor license, and Barkett is working towards creating a space that features entertainment, drinks, increased catering, and an atmosphere “where everybody knows your name.”  Moreover, Barkett is constantly out in the community, grilling up burgers and dogs at fundraisers and community events like Longmeadow Pride.  Barkett gets what it means to be a part of a community like Longmeadow.

“Longmeadow is a unique space in Massachusetts.  To have the proximity to services, the green space, the safety that we enjoy here … to have this community of business owners who care, schools that care about the students that they’re teaching, our public safety staff … this unique balance to maintain our quality of life here, should be cherished.”