Owner and chef of Harmony Café in downtown Muncie, has no prior culinary experience. But, this doesn’t stop David Fennig from serving up ethnic foods in his cozy café on Jackson Street.
“I took a job at a coffee shop and a wood-fired pizza place for about three or four months as a cook and that was the sum total of my professional culinary experience before I opened my own restaurant.” Fennig said.
Fennig’s focuses on Cuban-inspired food and international cuisine. He also makes his own recipes with ingredients from India, Italy and Middle East and other areas.
Fennig has traveled to over 10 countries ever since he was a child. It started when his parents were missionaries in southern Africa. He’s also done a great deal of traveling on his own.
The first Harmony Café opened in Portland, Indiana in 2015. This business is not the same as the Muncie location because it is mainly used for catering. Fennig is also a dance instructor and has studios in Portland and Muncie.
Lucas Rodden frequently visits Harmony Café because of the atmosphere and flavor combinations.
“The favorite thing [for me] is the Island Pork. That’s the most popular sandwich here, so I know I’m boring, but it’s popular for a reason. It’s got avocado and mango chutney and roasted pork. It’s really good,” Rodden said.
Fennig owns another business with his father. It is called Fire and Brimstone Pizza, which is a food truck that runs in the summers.
“He and I have a very close relationship for a very long time and he taught me how to cook,” Fennig said.
Fennig says he and his dad never really clash when it comes to decision making and he enjoys being in business with his father.
Fennig doesn’t know exactly what he will do in the future, but he could see himself going overseas to work on economic development. For now, he is sticking with the restaurant industry.
The café is located at 113 Jackson Street in Muncie. It is open on Sunday through Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
