Kayla Pfeiffer
Chef/Owner of Bicyclette Cookshop, Thank You Kindly, and Heyday Cookshop
“Hospitality is really about people. The food matters, but creating environments where people feel connected, challenged, supported, and inspired matters even more.„
EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
I find inspiration through travel, conversations, music, Florida’s ecosystems, local farms and fisheries, old memories, and honestly paying attention to small things people overlook.
I'm still learning to manage burnout. Owning restaurants makes balance difficult, but spending time outside, going for runs, listening to music, traveling, and disconnecting from service, even for short moments, helps reset me.
I keep my team motivated by creating an environment where curiosity is encouraged. I want people to ask questions, share ideas, make mistakes, and feel ownership over what they do. Treat it like your own, and one day it mentally will be.
Stop thinking you have to prove yourself through exhaustion alone. Working hard matters, but learning how to build sustainable systems and relationships matters too.
Lead with intention and transparency. The industry is changing, and people want honesty, growth, and connection, not just hierarchy.
Disclaimer: Individuals featured in the Inspirational Career Timelines section have been nominated by peers, colleagues and/or other members of the hospitality industry. It is to the best of our knowledge that each individual has demonstrated leadership and acted as a positive role model for others.
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