August 09, 2010
Leslie Phillips, Director of Business Development & Client Relations

Each summer we have our company meeting – a couple-day gathering of our Directors, Executive Chefs, Managers to share, celebrate, problem-solve, renew.  The timing is because so many of our partners are schools, and the meeting represents a kick-off of the new year.

Last week was our 2010 meeting (held in beautiful Staunton, VA).   Still celebrating our 25th anniversary, our theme for this year is Culture.  In Rie Godsey’s words, “Culture that fosters hospitalitarians; engages in personal and professional growth; promotes wellness; and supports a balance of all.”

July 20, 2010
Leslie Phillips, Director of Business Development & Client Relations

A really good read each Sunday is The New York Times, Corner Office.  Adam Bryant interviews business leaders from all kinds of industries.  Invariably, there are great takeaways from each one.

Of interest to us, though, is the number of executives that have worked in food service early in their careers.  Maybe that fact has as much to do with sheer statistics than anything else (according to Bureau of Labor Statistics, 7.7 million people work in food services and historically this number has been high).  But, it also tells us how much people learn about life and leadership from working in our industry.  Two recent interviews from the Corner Office illustrate this point.