JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Regina Triche is known as the Waffle Lady in Jacksonville and beyond.
What You Need To Know
Regina Triche, the Waffle Lady, works in the kitchen at Hampton Inn and Suites in Jacksonville
She makes over 140 different waffle creations for her guests
Her breakfast is on Visit NC's list of top 10 breakfast places in Jacksonville
Her dream is to open her very own waffle food truck
Triche has worked in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. This cook has put the Hampton Inn and Suites in Jacksonville on the map and made it a must visit for people all across the state.
It all started as a Hampton Inn contest for who could make the best waffles. Now, she has 140 different waffle recipes that can be ready in a moment's notice.
“The concept of the waffles is we're not supposed to use anything we don't already have,” Triche said.
Triche didn't win the competition, but it was only the beginning of her creations. Although she can't eat the waffles she makes because of her diabetes, she says she's never at a loss for volunteers to try her new creations.
“This is how I spend my time with my customers,” Triche said. “And they know who I am, and they come back year after year.”
She's come to realize that her passion is waffles.
“This is not like coming to work for me,” Triche said. “This is like playtime for me.”
She's been nicknamed the Waffle Lady, and her work has become well-known all across the state. Her passion for waffles follows her everywhere. Even at home, she will host waffle parties for her grandkids. But even more important is making her guests feel special.
“I feel like I offer a piece of myself when I can make something for somebody, make them happy in the morning before they leave here,” Triche said. “Because some people don't wake up on the right side of the bed. When they leave here they're on the right side of the bed.”
Triche's waffles have even made Visit NC's list of top 10 breakfast spots in the state.
But Triche says she has other dreams too. Her goal is to open up her very own waffle truck in the future.
How to make Triche's strawberry cheesecake waffle in a hotel breakfast bar:
- Mix a cream cheese packet with crushed up graham crackers and fresh pressed strawberries
- Add Hampton Inn's vanilla pancake batter and cook it up in the waffle iron
- Top it off with whipped cream, strawberry drizzle and some extra graham cracker crumbs