Centibillionaire Jeff Bezos, worth $249 billion according to Forbes, is a man who has achieved countless milestones. His most recent accomplishment was the successful launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket on its first test flight on January 16. The 320-foot rocket carried an experimental platform designed to host satellites or release them into orbit. This achievement, years in the making, was a heavily funded labor of love by the Amazon founder.
Bezos took part in the action from Mission Control, and Blue Origin employees erupted in cheers as the craft successfully reached orbit just 13 minutes after liftoff. His fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, marked the occasion with a heartfelt post on Instagram, captioned: “Thinking about these moments at the launch. From intense focus, to pure joy, to that incredible moment New Glenn lit up the sky. Congratulations to the entire Blue team… What a first launch!”
Interestingly, the world’s second-richest man celebrated the milestone in a surprisingly humble way. Bezos, Sanchez, and members of his Blue Origin team headed to a local restaurant for a celebratory lunch.
On the afternoon of January 16, the group dined at Country Cookin’ Diner in Port St. John, where they enjoyed hearty meals in a casual setting. Bezos was served pancakes, over-medium eggs, and a sausage patty by waitress Pam Pollock, who was stunned by the encounter.
In her 20 years in the restaurant industry, Pollock had never met such a high-profile guest, let alone someone as influential as Jeff Bezos. Celebrity encounters are always memorable, but when paired with grace and kindness, they become extraordinary. “He was very nice and gracious, no different from any of our wonderful customers. The only difference was perhaps the entourage of security he had with him,” Pollock told News 6.
As expected, Bezos left a generous tip, though the exact amount remains disclosed. One can imagine that, on such a meaningful day, he made someone else’s day just as special. Bezos also posed for selfies with the staff and spread cheer throughout the restaurant.
Meanwhile, the diner, Country Cookin’ Diner, owned by Jim and Debby Broome and has been serving appetizing homestyle meals across the Space Coast since 2009. For those inspired to try Jeff Bezos’s meal, the restaurant is known for its lip-smacking dishes like crispy bacon, perfectly cooked eggs, and golden French toast.
