Big news from Copenhagen this week: I admit freely to an unabashed chef crush on Rene Redzepi. In the process of collaborating on a contemporary iteration of Nordic cuisine, he has broadened the landscape from which as chefs we may draw inspiration from. Rene Redzepi is an innovator and a leader. He was one of …
Required Reading: The Culture of the Kitchen: Iliana Regan
Yup, it's Bloodshirt Friday! I'd previously posted 2 other articles in this series from Lucky Peach authored by Rene Redzepi and David Chang. Here is the third in the series by Chicago chef Iliana Regan. Personally, what Iliana is saying resonated with me- the bits about unresponsive young chefs, stating "I’m not responsible for their …
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Bloodshirt
"Here. You're overdue," a familiar voice said. I turned to be hit in the face with a black t-shirt tossed across the office by Chef. Soft, 100% spun cotton, black, xxl. Sweet- I got my Bloodshirt. On the back, the familiar stamp "Cuisine Commandos." On the front, the famous insignia of Slightly North of Broad. …
Required Reading: Fantasies of a Happier Kitchen
In a July 5 Post and Courier article titled "Short Staffing Endangers Charleston Restaurants," Hanna Raskin detailed the many challenges to staffing food and beverage positions in Charleston. She is not alone. Chefs all over the country worldwide have spent the last several months lamenting the situation. The latest to enter the discussion is René …
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Wellness in Charleston’s Hospitality Industry
Just a brief note today. Put your team first! This was ingrained in me during my tenure at Gaylord Opryland. By putting our teams first, it allows them the tools they need and frees them up to more fully engage with guests. This is a core value to me, and to how I lead my team …
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Implementing Innovation
Breaking down the line last week, my phone buzzed with an alert. Rene Redzepi was streaming live from Noma on Periscope. Four times listed as "The Best Restaurant in the World" (2010,2011, 2012 & 2014), Copenhagen's Noma is famous for its modernist take on Nordic cuisine. In restaurant circles, Rene is also famous for his …