Restaurant Ready

Award-winning chef Kevin Gillespie discusses his background, accomplishments, and approach to running restaurants. 

He emphasizes the importance of recruiting the right team and creating a supportive and diverse work environment. Gillespie also shares his leadership style, which involves leading by example and fostering self-motivation and accountability. He acknowledges the challenges of the industry, such as rising costs and changing workplace dynamics, but remains committed to striving for excellence. Kevin Gillespie emphasizes the importance of balancing business needs with the well-being of employees. He discusses the practicality of making decisions that may not align with personal preferences but are necessary for the survival of the business. 

Gillespie believes in transparency and open communication with his team, sharing the performance of the business and involving them in decision-making. He creates a supportive and collaborative work environment where the lines between front and back of the house are blurred, and everyone works together as a team. Gillespie also prioritizes the mental and physical health of his employees, implementing a four-day work week and providing dedicated closures for vacations.

Takeaways
  • Recruiting the right team is crucial for the success of a restaurant.
  • Creating a supportive and diverse work environment fosters creativity and collaboration.
  • Leading by example and promoting self-motivation and accountability are effective leadership strategies.
  • The restaurant industry faces challenges such as rising costs and changing workplace dynamics. 
  • Balancing business needs with employee well-being is crucial for long-term success.
  • Transparency and open communication foster trust and understanding within the team.
  • Creating a supportive and collaborative work environment leads to a stronger team dynamic.
  • Prioritizing the mental and physical health of employees improves overall well-being and productivity.
  • Implementing work-life balance initiatives, such as a four-day work week, can contribute to a happier and healthier team.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
08:00 Recruiting the Right Team
11:54 Fostering a Supportive and Diverse Work Environment
13:22 Leading by Example and Promoting Self-Motivation
16:12 Navigating Challenges in the Restaurant Industry
19:15 Balancing Business Needs and Employee Well-being
20:39 Transparency and Open Communication in the Workplace
22:47 Creating a Supportive and Collaborative Work Environment
29:44 Prioritizing Mental and Physical Health
35:11 Work-Life Balance: The Four-Day Work Week

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built an community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC Community, visit majc.ai.

What is Restaurant Ready?

RESTAURANT READY: THE BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Restaurant Ready is your backstage pass to the inner workings of the hospitality industry’s brightest stars. This podcast promises authentic discussions with the most influential chefs, restaurateurs, and food media experts. Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Matt Jennings, along with the MAJC team, helm this weekly podcast.

In each episode, industry veterans sit down for candid conversations revealing the honest stories behind their achievements, exploring the strategies, philosophies, and lessons learned along the way that shaped their path to success. Learn from the guests’ unique formula for creating consistent positive results in their business and personal lives.
Restaurant Ready delivers unparalleled value for restaurant owners, chefs, and managers looking to elevate their careers and businesses.

Listen in for a unique, no-holds-barred exploration of what it takes to thrive in the competitive world of hospitality. With each episode, we will discuss the state of the industry, the challenges we face and how to approach them, and ideas from the experts on how to best prepare yourself for success. You'll walk away with new ideas, and inspiration, as well as a greater sense of community and support as you drive your own success story.