In this episode, I’m talking to Will Guidara. He’s the man responsible for turning New York’s Eleven Madison Park into the number one restaurant in the world. Guidara put his passion onto paper with the publishing of his book Unreasonable Hospitality.You’ll hear about his commitment to “radical hospitality” and hear real world examples of how he has applied it, as well as how he has inspired and empowered his team to do the same. He explains the principle of his 95- 5 Rule ,and why it’s so important to show hospitality to your staff in the same way you extend it to your guests.

What you'll learn from Will Guidara

The biggest takeaways from Will Guidara's new book 2:48What motivated him to keep writing 3:44The person who has had the most significant impact on his life 5:56How to measure your leadership principles 8:40Advice about persisting when you fear failure 9:57The life experience that introduced Will Guidara to the art of hospitality 10:50Why greatness starts with leadership 13:20The core of his hospitality principles 15:37An example of going the extra mile 17:55The disconnect between authority and the people on the ground 20:27Why the principles of the book apply to every business 22:26The best place to spend your marketing energy 23:47Securing a long-term business legacy 24:58How to spend as a restaurant owner 27:30Extending hospitality perks to your team 29:47The power of gift-giving 31:21Recruiting the right people to be on your team 32:20How Will Guidara activated the concept of “radical reinvention” 33:58Getting people on board with change 35:14Why the table should be held as a sacred space 36:37What he noticed as a customer in his own restaurant 37:27The role of empathy in hospitality 39:37A new way to see workplace tension 40:28The benefits of having an “optimists memory” 41:39Writers who have inspired him 42:41Applying radical hospitality to your life 44:39An experience that impressed Will Guidara 45:56

I'd like to share a potential educational resource, "Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door", my new book that features dialogues with accomplished culinary leaders from various backgrounds and cultures. It delves into the future of culinary creativity and the hospitality industry, drawing from insights of a restaurant-industry-focused podcast, ‘flavors unknown”. It includes perspectives from renowned chefs and local professionals, making it a valuable resource for those interested in building a career in the culinary industry.Get the book here!

Links to episodes with top chefs (click on any picture to listen to the episode)

Chef Jacques Pepin

Chef Maneet Chauhan

Chef Joe Sasto by @josephcweaver

Chef Tiffany Derry

Click to tweet from Will Guidara

In the same way that a chef writes a cookbook because they have recipes and techniques that they want to share, I felt I had a lot of ideas around service and leadership that I wanted to pass forward.

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The best leadership principles are evergreen. Wherever you go those same rules will apply.

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Any dollar spent on generosity to the people you work with, or the people you serve has much more impact than any dollar spent on traditional marketing.

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Links mentioned in this episode

Unreasonable Hospitality websiteWill Guidara Ted TalkBuy the book