I have absolutely loved every single conversation so far in Season 2, but with this latest episode, I have to say it was truly special to connect with Val Badon.  Val is the original pastry chef when Cooper’s Hawk opened over 13 years ago in Orland Park, and for the past 6 years, she has been our Executive Kitchen Manager at the same location. As a mother of two small children, Maddie and Charlie, Val continues to WOW us all with her poise and grace in heading up the busiest restaurant in our company. Our conversation truly helps explain why she is so successful and it was truly an honor to have her as my guest. Enjoy!

In his 4 short years with CH, Eric Fox has made a significant impact on many team members and guests as he genuinely commits to growing an engaged community in Wheeling. He has found an effective formula in balancing his mission to be a great husband, father, and leader that starts with the ultimate positive mindset. He truly understands that success is today! I had the pleasure of catching up with Eric earlier this year to connect and share. Enjoy!

Catching up with Kara was very rewarding as we shared a conversation focused on how important understanding and appreciating your “why” can be toward excelling in your career and in life. As a Tasting Room Attendant/Host/EC Assistant/Trainer at our Cooper’s Hawk in South Barrington, Kara makes the most of every day with confidence and positivity, always connecting her performance to her “why” in life. Her love for CH is contagious and I am excited to share our conversation with all of you!

As a career hospitality veteran, Matteo started at CH 8 years ago as a General Manager in South Barrington. He was then promoted to Area Culinary Manager before moving into his current role as an Area Director. Matteo and I caught up over the holidays for a spirited conversation about his personal story as a son of Italian immigrants, growing up with strong role models that afforded him a true understanding of what it was going to take to excel in hospitality and honestly appreciate everyone’s perspective.

Theresa has been with Cooper’s Hawk since Day 1 in South Barrington. Over these past 10 years with CH, Theresa has taken on the extra responsibilities as SB’s LRT, as well as committing to 4 different CH openings as a NROT, all while being a proud mother of 15-year-old twins with her husband of 20 years, Guy. I recently had the chance to sit down with Theresa to share her CH story and her personal commitments to a life in hospitality. 

Kelsey has had an impact on every Cooper’s Hawk in the state of Virginia over the past 3 years. She opened our Ashburn location as a bartender, was then promoted to RM in Richmond, then opened Reston where she was promoted to Senior RM. Kelsey is currently SRM for our newest restaurant in Virginia Beach where I had a chance to connect and talk story with her.

Linda is currently a Tasting Room Attendant and Server in Waterford Lakes and has participated in our last three restaurant openings as an NROT. She started with CH 3 years ago as an opening team member in Jacksonville, Florida. I caught up with Linda in Orange, Ohio while we were opening our 34th Cooper’s Hawk.

To wrap up the first season of “Off the Cuff,” John is once again joined by Emily Wines to talk about her role as a mentor to 12 Cooper’s Hawk Team Members who recently passed the Level 1 Introductory Sommelier exam and to talk about the importance of mentorship in our professional and personal lives.  “Off the Cuff” will return with new episodes in January!

Blessings and burdens are not mutually exclusive.  In this week’s episode, John talks about how we can appreciate the adversity we face as a company and use these opportunities to learn, grow, and turn these burdens into blessings.

It can be hard receiving feedback, especially if it’s something you don’t want to hear!  But it can be equally hard to give feedback, and in this week’s episode, John talks about the power of feedback and the need for two-way communication.