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Excerpts from Interviews with the Baltimore Examiner and a free-lance travel writer from Miami,
Fl.
To be spoiled rotten is a rare thing these days. But that's what Ana and Jim Tuttle, Innkeepers at the Mount Dora
Historic Inn Bed and Breakfast do for their guests. The house on Fourth Ave. was built in 1886 and has been restored
to ensure guest comfort and tranquility.
Jim is a gourmet Chef, and Ana has a keen eye for detail and design. They use sense of humor, charm, and years
of experience in the corporate world in their small business venture.
Although Jim was a Physical Therapist, his love for food and cooking surpassed all of his other dreams. In fact,
Ana and Jim have never been happier. Jim became a gourmet Chef more than 20 years ago, and as he stated to me,
"I am honing my skills, and loving it!" Jim has really come into his own; of course, it was Ana's dream
that helped him to realize where he belonged--in the kitchen, working his magic! Now he boasts any number of soufflé`s,
Stratas, Crepe`s, 25 different fresh breads, eggs Benedict (to live for) stuffed omelets with Beur Blanc sauce,
and of course his renowned stuffed French Toast.
When asked "how do you and Ana split up the responsibilities?" This was their response, "We are
truly a great team, and we each have our strengths. Ana handles the financial aspects of the business, since she
is an accountant, and I run the culinary end of our business as I am a chef. We both split up the day to day chores
and we have developed a rhythm to our tasks. In terms of an assigned method of performing the vacuuming, dusting,
laundry and such, we really go to where the need is. If I need help with the vacuuming, then Ana jumps in and
gives me a hand, and vice a versa."
A sign on the front door of the historic structure says, "Come In", but the welcome starts at the front
sidewalk where bright flowers welcome their guests from the moment they lay eyes on their beautiful doll house--Ana
coined the term.
The door sticks a bit, as old wood sometimes does, but the view inside is smooth, pleasant, and uncluttered. Polished
wood, glistening glass and lace curtains give way to the waves of detail: Needlepoint chair seats and an elegantly
decorated antique hanging lamp light the way for many a wonderful feast. The minutia of this living museum stops
you in your tracks. You suddenly cannot remember what year it is.
The room is used as a sitting room and doubles as a dining room when the beautifully polished leafs of this antique
swing gate table opens to hold antique dishes and tea cups. Although this is a wonderful place to dine, Ana and
Jim do have plans to move the dining room to another area of this stunning inn, and restore the fireplace as an
added feature.
Two bedrooms downstairs, and two at the top of the polished wooden stairway with hand-painted walls make up their
entire income producing Bed and Breakfast. Word of mouth and repeats make up 60 % of their business.
Although Ana and Jim are supplementing their retirement with this venture (the two of them are in their early 40's
by the way), they told me they would do it for room and board. That is how much they love it! |
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