628: Kim Alter on Pushing Harder to Be Better
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Release Date: 07/01/2019
651: Tanya Sanchez on Leading By Example
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Albuquerque native, Tanya Sanchez, developed a passion for food at a young age while cooking with her father. Her dreams of becoming a restaurant owner began to bubble up during her years as a college student working in both corporate and independent restaurant settings. Fast forward through 10 years in marketing, design, and as a small landscaping business owner, and it was time for Sanchez to take action on her dreams of being a restaurant owner. In 2015 the process leading into what would become Brixens started. It's been nearly a 5 years uphill battle for Sanchez, overcoming one hurdle...
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650: Damien Watel on Partnerships and Humility
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
French-born Damien Watel got his start in the restaurant industry at the age of 25 working for his uncle's two Dallas restaurants. In 1999 Chef Watel opened Bistro Vatel, which had an 18-year run and earned Watel recognition as one of the great chefs in the nation, before closing in 2017. Chef Watel's most recent project, Bistr09, is the ninth restaurant project Chef Damien Watel has undertaken in the collaboration of his wife, Chef Lisa Astorga-Watel. In addition, The Watels own and operate Bite in Southtown. Show notes… Favorite success quote or mantra: "It's not about...
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649: Lisa Astorga-Watel on Taking Chances, Networking, and Presence.
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Chef/Owner Lisa Astorga-Watel grew up in Santiago, Chile, before moving to Houston, Texas where she attended The Culinary Art Institute. Astorga-Watel's ambition started early wit the opening of her own catering business to cover her expenses while in school. Following her formal training, she served as a private chef for celebrity, Tommy Lee Jones. It was during this time in her career she was able to travel the world developing her pallet and culinary repertoire. It was also during this time she met her future husband and business partner Chef Damien Watel. Together the couple owns Bite and...
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648: Scott Roberts on Persistence and Hard Work
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
The Salt Lick has a story that dates back to the 1830s when Scott Robert's ancestors came to TX with Steven F Austin and moved to Driftwood, TX in the 1870s. Over the next 100 years, BBQ techniques were developed by Roberts family that would eventually be used in the original Salt Licks, which was established in 1967, by Scott Roberts' parents, Thurman and Hisako Roberts. In 1985 the Business was passed from parents to son. In the proceeding 30 years, Scott has scaled the original footprint and has opened an additional 3 locations. Today The Salt Lick is continuously recognized as one of the...
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647: Ben Poremba on Transforming Communities One Block at a Time
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Israeli native, Ben Poremba moved to St. Louis to earn a BA in philosophy from the University of Missouri. He also attended University of Gastronomic Studies in Parma, Italy. Today Poremba is Chef/Owner of Bengelina Hospitality Group, the St. Louis-based, award-winning operator of Nixta and Bar Limón, Elaia, Olio, La Patisserie Chouquette, and The Benevolent King. Poremba is a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist in the category of Best Chef-Midwest, and he continues taking the St. Louis dining scene by storm. Show notes… Favorite success quote or mantra: “Food of love for...
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646: Nick Bogacz on Guerilla Marketing Tactics
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
After 16 years of working in the pizza biz from delivery driver to store manager, Nick Bogacz built the confidence to open his own pizza place in 2012. Today, Bogacz is the President and Founder of Caliente Pizza & Drafthouse. An inspiring leader and team builder, he has grown his company to nearly 200 employees and 5 locations in 7 years. Show notes… Favorite success quote or mantra: "Make it happen." In this episode with Nick Bogacz we will discuss: Becoming a leader early in life Learning leadership from coaching sports Natural leadership inclination Doing everything in your job...
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645: Ben Berg on Assuming Nothing While Anticipating Everything
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Born in New York City, Ben Berg has been in the restaurant business for over 17 years working for upscale steakhouses in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and his hometown. Prior to his career in restaurants, Berg received a Master of Hospitality Management from Cornell University and a B.A. in Art History from Tulane University. Berg would go on to work for The Point, a luxury hotel company voted the #1 small hotel in the country at the time. In 2015 Berg opened B.B. Butchers and Restaurant in Houston, TX. 3 years after the original B.B. Butcher, the Berg Hospitality Group was formed and has scaled to...
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644: Charles Clark and Grant Cooper on True Restaurant Etiquette
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Clark Cooper Concepts, lead by Chef Charles Clark and Grant Cooper, is the group behind Ibiza, Brasserie 19, Coppa Osteria, Punk’s Simple Southern Food, and The Dunlavy, was brought to life in 2001, when they decided to share their passion for food and the dining experience. The driven duo constantly strives to be at the forefront of the Houston restaurant industry with concepts that are chic, sophisticated, and provide customers with an experience of undeniable excellence and spirit. Show notes… Favorite success quote or mantra: Grant: "Everything is derived from passion." Charles: "Do...
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643: Damian Mandola on Attention to Detail
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Damian's 40+ years of experience started with "Damian's Fine Italian Food"- a restaurant he started as a college senior in 1975. Damian's experience took him from his first restaurant to becoming a fixture in the Houston restaurant scene, first with D'Amico's, then Damian's Cucina Italiana, then to the national scene with Carrabba's; a restaurant he founded with nephew Johnny Carrabba. Moving to the Austin area, the Mandola's have promoted Italian culture and cuisine in Texas by opening Mandola's Italian Kitchen and Trattoria Lisina, totaling 4 locations. Show notes… Favorite success quote...
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642: Johnny Carrabba on Community, Family, and Enthusiasm
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
After attending college at St. Thomas University in Houston, Johnny began working in the local restaurants owned by members of his family. In 1986 he opened Carrabba's with his uncle, Damian Mandola. In 1993 they entered a partnership with Outback Steakhouse Inc., now Bloomin' Brands. At one point the partnership grew the brand to 247 locations Carrabba currently owns 3 Mia’s Table and Grace’s on Kirby as well as the two local locations of Carrabba’s The Original. Show notes… Favorite success quote or mantra: "Give for the sake of giving, not for the sake of gaining." In...
info_outlineGrowing up in Laguna Beach, CA, Chef Kim Alter is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She went on to work in some of the Bay Area’s most notable restaurant kitchens before joining the Daniel Patterson Group where she served as Executive Chef for Haven and Plum in Oakland, CA. Today, Kim Alter is the chef/owner of Nightbird and the adjoining cocktail concept, Linden Room, in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley.
Show notes…
Favorite success quote or mantra:
- "Success isn't just about what you've accomplished, it's about what you've inspired other people to do."
In this episode with Kim Alter we will discuss:
- You inspire others around you positively
- Using food to make people happy
- Food as acceptance
- Creating impactful “food memories”
- Mental health in the restaurant industry
- Tell your staff that they’re doing a good job
- The hard work angle
- Ego
- Mentors
- Learning something new every single day
- Constantly improve your business
- Experiencing failure
- Fear of failure
- The inevitability of doing something wrong
- Thoughts on awards
- The importance of non-transactional relationships in the kitchen
- Money and waste management in the kitchen
- Diffusing angry guests
- Supporting the restaurants in your community
- Tasting menus
- Acquiring permits
- The importance of respect
- Women in the industry
- Culture v. Systems
- Working with your life partner
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Knowledge bombs
- Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
- Being humble
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Too much time in the kitchen and not enough promoting
- What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
- Personality, goals, how do they treat the dishwasher?
- What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
- Issues with the city impeding customer flow
- Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team
- Treat each other with respect
- What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
- BOH and FOH are one in the same
- What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
- The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz
- Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
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- What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
- Social media
- If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
- Put your head down and work hard
- Treat people with respect
Contact info:
Instagram: @kimalter @nightbirdsf
Thanks for listening!
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Huge thanks to Kim Alter for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!