About
Betty Timko, a noted restaurateur in Northwest Ohio was known for her signature Betty’s Salad, Betty’s Dressing and for her compassion for not only the people that she worked with but the community as a whole. Betty Timko is also known for leaving her mark on the 20th-century food scene. Betty helped build and expand businesses that provided quality food service and enduring food products and taught innovative cooking concepts. She was a leader in the food industry at a time when women were not always major player.
History
Betty started her career in the food service industry in high school where she worked as a waitress and helped her mother in the kitchen of Islay Dairy Store in Tiffin, Ohio. Beginning 1955 to 1962 she served as a Church Hostess at Collingwood United Methodist Church in Toledo, Ohio where she was a member. In 1956, Betty won the Mrs. Toledo title in the Mrs. America Contest sponsored by the Young Matrons of the Y.W.C.A. After this award, she began catering in the homes and churches of different organizations, special people and events.
In 1962, Betty became the Club Manager of Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. It was while working here Betty created the famous spinach salad that has become widely known as “Betty’s Salad.”
Betty Timko, a noted restaurateur in Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan, is affiliated with the Holiday Inn restaurant entities and several free-standing restaurants. In 1967, when she joined Holiday Inn-Toledo-Perrysburg (now called the “French Quarter”) as a partner of Motor Inn of Perrysburg, Inc, she managed The Wooden Indian Restaurant and served as Food and Beverage Director for the company through 1976.
During her career, Betty received various top-honor awards. In 1971, she was named “Restaurant Manager of the Year” for all the Holiday Inns International System with approximately 1,300 Inns participating. She won the award again in 1973. In 1974, she was chosen as one of the Top Ten Managers for the Holiday Inn International System.
In 1975, Betty formed Timko’s Restaurants, Inc, and opened the first Timko’s Soup’n Such in Toledo, Ohio.
In 1977 Betty became Food and Beverage Consultant for Timko’s Soup’n Such in Toledo, Ohio as well as its other locations. Operation of this restaurant and its concepts were expanded to three locations.
During 1979, the restaurant located within the Holiday Inn in Perrysburg, Ohio off I-75 was converted to the second Timko’s Soup’n Such operation. It included a soup-and-salad bar with about ten entrees plus sandwiches.
In her association with the Northwestern Ohio Restaurant Association, Betty received the “President’s Award” in 1980.
In 1981, Betty received an “Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Service” from the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association.
In 1982, Betty formed Timko’s Enterprises, Inc. to produce Betty’s Salad Dressing for retail sale in supermarkets and food service companies including Kroger, Food Town, IGA, Chief and other independent supermarkets.
In 1982, Betty received the “Hospitality and Outstanding Past President Award for Dedicated Service” through the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association. Betty was President in 1976 and was a member of the Board for 14 years of the Northwestern Ohio Restaurant Association.
Opened Timko’s Soup and Such third location within Holiday Inn of Monroe, Michigan under Betty’s guidance.
Betty introduced four new dressing selections into the market.
The third generation of Timko’s: Betty’s grandsons Tim Timko and Ron Timko along with their wives Angie and Hollie become owners in 2017.
A Recipe for Betty Timko
Written by a loyal employee
Take: One Gracious Lady
Add: Hair of Gold, Eyes of Blue
Combine: With a jolly heart laced with a sprinkle of chuckles
Stir in: Love of people and desire to serve others
Blend in: One overflowing cup of wisdom, used in a special way to help us at the restaurant as we go on our way
Toss in: Warm helpings of friendship, served with a heart of kindness
Mix together: For the best ingredients, a lady will ever know --- Betty Timko!