Chef Fritz Reiter, proprietor of Hamilton's famous `The Lobster Pot and Boathouse Bar' located on Bermudiana Road, Hamilton, only needs an introduction to newcomers. The man and the restaurant are legendary to our Island. And on April 6 of this year they celebrated 25 years of service.

The story began unfolding about 42 years ago, when as a young man Mr. Reiter knew he wanted to become a restaurateur. He had a dream, made goals and worked hard to be the best in the business.

Mr. Reiter trained in Europe as an apprentice chef during 1956 in Germany. For three years he participated in practical restaurant application at a very nice restaurant and made a cook's apprentice.

For the following year and a half Mr. Reiter was employed at a four-star European hotel learning the hotel industry. And after that he reverted to further training for another year and a half in a restaurant.

During the next five years Mr. Reiter attended Hotel Management School in Germany and Switzerland where he worked through the ranks as a cook.

As a result of his hard work and experience as a skilled chef, being a star student in the hospitality and food industry was `a piece of cake.' He said: "I was a driven person and I always had a passion for this line of work.'' In 1965 Mr. Reiter came to Bermuda and worked at the Bermudiana Hotel as a Sous Chef/Gardemanger. From there he moved to the Hog Penny Pub and Guinea Discotheque and to Golden Sovereign Restaurant.

Thereafter, he moved to Hoppin' John on Front Street and on April 6, 1973 Fritz and his wife, Joan, opened The Lobster Pot and Boathouse Bar. "It was the first authentic seafood restaurant in Hamilton, '' he said.

Mr. Reiter met his attractive and beautiful lady at a social event and he recalled: "The moment I saw her I fell in love and I was overwhelmed. She was sophisticated, intelligent, smart and beautiful. We were married in 1974.'' Joan owned a beauty parlour called, "Mayfair'' which she continued to operate and own until 1997. She owned the business for 44 years.

There were two children from a previous marriage, Lynn and Gillian. As the girls matured, Lynn chose to stay with the family business and Gillian took to real estate.

In those early years mostly everyone who knew Mr. Reiter called him by his first name.

Fritz is the type of person who naturally makes those around him feel special.

His staff say he is "a kind and lovable person with a big heart, a warm smile and a grand sense of humour.'' After the Reiters opened the doors of the Lobster Pot, Joan would tend the cashiering and make sure the money was collected. Joan knew most of the local clientele. After the initial dinner opening each of the 40 guests from that event has referred over the years at least 20 other guests.

The Reiters were quick to recognise that Bermuda is surrounded by some of the cleanest, clearest, most beautiful ocean in the world and the fish that abound these waters are delicious and healthy.

Today, as in past years, the Lobster Pot features lobster, fish chowder, Rockfish, and many other seafood dishes such as stuffed and baked Hog Fish and guinea chicks. Also available are various meat dishes.

The Lobster Pot's history During 1973 one could order onion soup with cheese crackers or Bermuda fish chowder for $1.50 followed with a fish dinner of Red Snapper, Yellow Tail, Red Hind, Grouper for $6.75.

Prior to the Lobster Pot another restaurant occupied the premises called, "Tam O'Shanter Pub'' believed to be Scottish.

The Reiters changed the decor to a nautical theme. There is an array of interesting items such as lobster pots hanging from the ceiling, oars and a Bermuda Fitted Dinghy. Open cedar beams support the tray ceiling.

The aquariums create a calm aura and help customers relax. Lobsters swim around in one of the tanks. One is easily lured into an enchanting experience of food and drink.

When Fritz was asked what accounted for the success of the Lobster Pot all these years he responded: "Firstly, we always consider the customer to be number one (Kings and Queens)! When they come here we aim to not only to please but delight the customer in little subtle ways. The staff get to know the repeat customers by name and learn their likes and dislikes. They listen to their customers and are attentive to their needs.'' "My staff are wonderful people and keep the customers coming back. They are dedicated and experienced. Many of my staff have been with me from the beginning.'' "Our bartender manager, "Chicken'' Edwin Robinson has served for 24 years.'' Long-term staff at Lobster Pot "Edith Packwood-Phillips and May Riley have served as wait staff for 25 years, our daughter Lynn has worked here for 23 years. Eleanor Simmons has worked 24 years and is still going strong. Anita Butterfield has been with us 14 years. Some of my pot washers, Henry Robinson and Ricky Darrell, have worked 14 and 20 years respectively. Eddie Bardgett has been a manager for 16 years. I've had the same night cashier for 25 years, Sylvia DeSilva.

"The chef is exceptional. The Head Chef, Ben Jewett an Englishman, has been with us four years. We have four cooks and one Bermudian trainee. They prepare fresh, delicious, quality food.

"We work together as a family and my staff are an extension of my family. At work I feel like the responsible Papa taking care of his children. If they have a problem, I have a problem and I will try to help resolve it.

"We try to be competitive and give a fair price for our food and drink.

Working a restaurant to make a profit is a hard business with long hours. You have expensive overheads such as insurance, taxes, electricity, repairs, and wages.

"It was easier to make money in the '70s and '80s than today. The restaurants in Hamilton have tripled and tourism is down. Additionally, folks don't drink as much as they used to. The laws on drinking and driving are strictly enforced today and we as restaurateurs strictly adhere.'' Fritz recalls the 70s as a prosperous time when the executives from the exempt companies would come to the Lobster Pot have four martinis and a pleasant, unhurried lunch. "Bermuda was at a different pace then. It has changed now.

Men and women are working harder for the big bucks that go with the big positions. There's not enough time for leisurely lunches ,'' said Fritz.

Sports has always played a big part in Fritz's life and has helped him in the restaurant business.

Fritz was an avid soccer player in his native Germany, prior to Bermuda, and was well known in the heyday's of Hotels International as a goalkeeper.

He left his mark on the power boat scene when he teamed up with Eddie Roque as team mates of the Lobster Pot Racing Team. "We won all the races for ten consecutive years,'' remarked Fritz.

Fishing was a great past time for Fritz and he was friends with many Island fishermen.

Fritz said that later in life he was (forced) to play golf by his wife, Joan.

"Joan and her daughter, Gillian would play golf several hours every Sunday when I was going fishing. Joan would play golf and afterward invite her golfing friends for dinner.'' Eventually, Fritz changed his lifestyle and became heavily involved with golf.

In fact there is a photograph above the Lobster Pot fireplace showing Fritz in the winners circle of the Reiter Cup 1991 at the Castle Harbour Golf Club on March 24.

Fritz and wife with the help of their good friend, John Mason of Fairway Management and Consulting Co., have sponsored the well known Lobster Pot Pro Am Invitational for 15 years.

Overseas guests (200) are invited to play for a week tournament each year during February. "It gives a boost to tourism and stimulates the economy during a slow time,'' explained Fritz.

Fritz has also sponsored many events for the Bermuda Professional Golf Association and is very instrumental for the New England and Bermuda Challenge Matches held every other year in Bermuda or the United States.

In conclusion Fritz was asked what he enjoyed most about his work. He responded: "I have always enjoyed being a host. Making people happy pleases me. We meet a variety of people and many friendships have developed over the years.'' The Lobster Pot Restaurant and Boathouse Bar is located on Bermudiana Road in Hamilton. Reservations are essential. Telephone 809-292-6898. Fax is 809-292-6191.

THE LOBSTER POT FAMILY-- Back row, left to right: Eddie Bardgett, Lynn Bardgett, John Campbell, Alex Grunewald, Henry Robinson, Clement Gomez, Ivan D'Costa, Scott Rego, Fritz Reiter.

Front row, left to right: Richard Oliver, Jean Cannonier, Edwin "Chicken'' Robinson, May Riley, Veronica Place, Warren Stevens, Carol Fondelianakis, Freddy Hackl, Ben Jewettt and Edith Packwood-Robinson.

Not pictured: Eleanora Simmons, Anita Butterfield, Betty Tucker, Michelle Berkley, Sylvia DeSilva, Ricky Darrell, Ed Swan and Sherry Chadwick.

DYNAMIC DUO -- Fritz Reiter and his wife Joan.