Meet Your Staff — Debbie Schwaberow

Debbie Schwaberow in the kitchen.

​By Judy Shields & Debbie’s husband, David

Who doesn’t love a good homecooked meal? Look no further than Foothills Community Center.

Behind the scenes in the kitchen is a busy planner with a positive attitude. Debbie Schwaberow creates meals from products the Center purchases as well as donated items. I’ve seen the heavy boxes of food that she has lifted, and the buckets of dirty dish cloths that are sent to the laundry. It’s a back-breaking job, yet Debbie doesn’t complain. Instead, she loves the opportunity to serve.

She even creates her own recipes. Once when my friend asked for a recipe, Debbie said it wasn’t written down — it was all in her head, created from scratch.

Debbie and her siblings were born and raised in Leavenworth, WA on the McGill family farm. In 1977, she married David Schwaberow, and in 1987 had their daughter, Devin Amber. Debbie loved cooking for her family.

Then in 1989 the family moved to East Wenatchee where Debbie started waitressing and cooking at the Cozy Nook, AKA the Little Diner on Grant Road. There she was admired for her homestyle cooking and her early morning cinnamon rolls. Debbie also spread her cheer at the Wash-N-Go Expresso for 23 years.

Debbie befriended many customers with her genuine down-to-earth personality. She continues to do that at the Community Center that she joined in 2023. First, she joined the staff to help in the kitchen, but then moved up to become their main cook. Debbie tells her husband, “This is fun! All the people are so nice here.”

Her husband said, “She is encouraged to keep up the good work.” Debbie is admired by so many. Her work ethic is never of a sour attitude. And it’s quite a talent to know how to provide enough proportions for a crowd.

Foothills Community Center is delighted to have Debbie on staff. We are blessed to have such a great cook, and one with spunk, friendliness, and knowledge of how to create homestyle meals.