Bret Csencsitz
Owner/Managing Partner of Gotham Restaurants LLC
“It is ok to be wrong, admit it and correct. Make mistakes, they will teach you everything.„
EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
There is a solution to every problem.
Creativity is key.
The original partner of Gotham, Jerry Kretchmer, still tells me to "Keep Pedaling," and it has always served me well to just keep going, keep searching for answers, solutions and finding a way to get stuff done. It helps me when I don’t know the answer to something or when I am not sure what is next, I just keep going to make it happen.
Diversity is the lifeblood of NYC, it is what created this city, it keeps it evolving. Restaurants and hospitality by definition embrace all cultures. I love the diversity you find in just about every NYC restaurant, where customers and staff form relationships that bridge any differences of culture, background, or upbringing between people who share a passion for dining and food.
Positive attitude, curiosity, enthusiasm and passion are what I look for when hiring aspiring professionals.
Communication skills and analytical skills are the most important for much of what I do, backed up by creativity.
I love to hear people laugh, so I look for any opportunity for humor and encourage a sense of camaraderie that I hope inspires teamwork and breaks down barriers.
Beauty inspires me to continue to work and excel in this industry. I find beauty in numbers, in the product we create, in how we talk about ourselves, the experiences we offer – the extra step to find the beauty in something is always worth it, whether it is the way a dish is plated or the way an accounting sheet is set up, if you seek beauty it will lead you somewhere special. Chase beauty.
The first 3-Star NY Times review under my purview at Gotham was a validation of my effort to build a new team and new vision for our operations. It was the work of over 100 people working together. It was four years after I started at Gotham and we managed to reinvigorate the whole staff and it was just amazing to see the restaurant shine anew.
I incorporate my life in my work. The work/life balance is easier in our industry perhaps because it’s social, it is creative, and at Gotham it involves many sides of culture from art to literature to education to farming to craft. Even at home I find cooking with my kids is one of the more joyful and relaxing moments for me. My life is centered around mealtimes, at home and work.
Tim Ferris and Seth Godin are my go-to podcasters.
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