Co-Founder of Grovehouse and Chairperson of Food Education Fund

In hospitality, we can do the things that we love to do together through more collaboration & more connectivity. I think it is a community that exists to make everyone feel seen and have a better day. And what the pandemic showed us was that it was the first time where we were really able to talk honestly together, the challenges, obstacles we faced, how we were being vulnerable with each other. I think it was a really powerful moment.

Every time you feel stagnant, frustrated, questioning why you're even doing something... understand when you're feeling that and don't make a rash decision. Take that energy that you're feeling and move it towards growth.

You can't go through something alone. Nobody should ever do that. But that's hard; opening up to others is not easy, but it always helps you. I also think you could do it yourself too, but you just have to sit in it and really be thoughtful when you have this feeling.

I'm just so grateful that I was able to find the Food Education Fund. These kids are going to all the best restaurants, every restaurant in our city now–the best ones, the most popular ones, the most special places that we have in New York City–these high school students are a part of that. It's truly working, and I'm excited to continue building it.

Hospitality is the most exciting profession, the most noble profession, and anybody can do it. There should never be a barrier to entry into this industry, because you're simply trying to make someone feel better. That's it.