Four Roses Cafe

Plainwell, MI

In an industry often driven by expansion and constant change, Chef/Owner Tom Rose has taken a more grounded approach. At Four Roses Cafe, the focus isn’t on growth for the sake of it—it’s on consistency, community, and doing things the right way.

Tom’s path into the industry started in Plainwell, where he worked his way up from dishwasher. A formative stretch at Arie’s Café, a scratch-made restaurant, helped shape his foundation—learning French techniques adapted for Midwestern tastes. It was also where he met his wife, Jan. After years in restaurants, Tom transitioned into foodservice management roles with companies like Kellogg’s and Eden Corp while raising a young family. The move offered something rare in the industry: time at home. But the pull of the kitchen remained. About 15 years ago, the opportunity to purchase the building came along, so Tom and Jan decided to go for it and start Four Roses Cafe.