“I was originally hired to do coffee,” Kamdem said. “Learning was easy for me, and the owner gave me more opportunities. I became the manager and did some catering.”
After working for the creperie for eight years, he was considering starting his own business. While visiting his wife’s family in Texas, he sought guidance.
“I said, ‘God, if you think this is the right place, give me a sign.’ I missed my flight to go back to Maryland, so that was it,” he said. “That was the first time I’ve ever missed a flight.”
He moved to Texas, and in March 2019, he started a crepe business and was a vendor at local farmers markets.
In October 2021, he and his wife, Salomay Fayorsey, opened Salomay in McKinney.
Together, the couple designed the menu. Kamdem said his wife came up with all the names for the menu items, such as Sugar High, Wakeup Call, McKinney Brunch Special and more.
He said he created the recipes drawing from his experience, and he also found flavor inspiration from memories he had of eating crepes while growing up in Cameroon. In addition to a wide variety of crepe choices, including 13 sweet, six savory and five breakfast options, the eatery also serves French toast, bagels, English muffins and more.
Customers will find a diverse selection of drink options, such as macchiatos, cappuccinos, cold and hot specialty lattes, teas, frappes, smoothies, and lemonades.
As he looks to the future, Kamdem has set goals of becoming a vendor at the State Fair of Texas and opening a second location by 2024.
Reflecting on his situation, he said he is happy to have a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
“It was always a dream of mine to have a coffee shop with crepes, because that is what I’ve been doing for a long time,” he said. “I’m excited every day.”
Business information:
Salomay, 5121 Collin McKinney Parkway, Ste. 100, McKinney.
469-617-7159. www.salomays.com.
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
