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ORAL HISTORY
Goren Avery
Highlands Bar & Grill
Goren “Red Dog” Avery, born in 1953, has worked as a waiter at Highlands Bar & Grill since the restaurant opened on November 22, 1982. A Birmingham native, he began his career in the early 1970s as a waiter and captain at The Relay House, a private club in downtown, Birmingham. In 1975, he took a waiter job at Hugo’s Rotisserie, a fine-dining restaurant at the Hyatt Regency hotel. While there, he worked alongside Frank Stitt, who was the food and beverage manager. At Hugo’s, Avery polished his skills and worked his way up to captain, serving tableside dishes like Steak Diane and Baked Alaska.
When Stitt returned to Birmingham to found Highlands, Avery joined the staff as a waiter. Avery is very popular with regular guests, who value his bright personality and social skills. He brings a wealth of knowledge to each table. Longtime customers often put themselves in his hands, knowing that a menu Avery chooses will show the kitchen off best.