Culinary Director & Managing Partner at Co. Hospitality

Everyday is a lesson, but the one that always sticks with me is not so much a lesson I learned but something that is validated constantly. The people you surround yourself with are the ones that help you and make you grow! Treat them well... ALWAYS! There is no need to ever be an ass with anyone. Treat people like you want to be treated, this is not a place to seek revenge on that one chef who screamed at you.

You are only as good as your last dinner or last event. Always do your best!

Above all else, I look for drive. I will hire someone who is more inexperienced as long as they show me drive and motivation for learning whatever task at hand. I have a dishwasher who is now my head and a bartender/server who is now our CFO. It doesn't matter the position, drive will take you there.

Critical skills for this industry are patience, problem solving and positivity. When solving any sort of problem you are faced with in this industry you need to be positive that a solution is available and you need to have patience with its resolution. Don't drown on a glass of water with the small stuff.