Welcome to Morsels, your go-to newsletter from MAJC, breaking down hospitality insights into bite-sized chunks.
Behind every service, there are several people carrying the weight of it. The pace and the pressure add up. October is World Mental Health Month, a reminder that the health of this industry depends on the health of the people in it.
This week, we focus on what it means to protect your energy and lead with care. Chef Hugh Acheson shares how mentorship and simplicity sustain him, The Owner’s Survival Guide explores real ways to prevent burnout, and The Burnt Chef Project joins our Expert Session for a live discussion on making mental health a leadership priority.
🎧 LISTEN: Chef Hugh Acheson on Keeping the Fire for Food Alive Without Letting the Pressure Win
The James Beard Award–winning chef, author, and community advocate joins us to reflect on his evolution from fine-dining restaurateur to private chef, mentor, and nonprofit founder. Acheson opens up about walking away from traditional restaurant ownership, why profitability is harder than ever, and how simplicity, mentorship, and staying true to your values can drive lasting success.
Takeaways:
- Profitability is increasingly difficult in traditional restaurant models
- Community work should be authentic, not performative
- Mentorship is one of the most lasting forms of legacy
- Independent restaurants need new tools and new math to survive
📖 READ: The Owner’s Survival Guide: Protecting Your Energy in a Business That Never Stops
Learning how to protect your energy is not just personal self-care. It is one of the most important leadership skills in hospitality. Here’s how chefs and operators protect their energy, prevent burnout, and build healthier, more sustainable teams.
Takeaways
- Treat rest as a business strategy
- Build small rituals that keep you grounded and consistent
- Stay connected to the creative work you love
- Protect your people by protecting yourself
🔧 USE: Team Motivation Map
People are more motivated and engaged when they feel three key things: autonomy (ownership over their work), competence (confidence in their skills), and community (connection to others and the mission). Use this worksheet to check in on each team member and identify small ways to better support their growth and motivation.
How to Use
- Use this worksheet during one-on-ones, team reviews, or manager huddles
- For each team member, reflect on the three core motivation drivers
- Spot gaps or friction points and plan one action you can take
- Revisit monthly to track progress and morale
📹 LEARN: Expert Session with The Burnt Chef Project
MAJC co-founder and chef Matt Jennings will be joined by chef Ryan Bissell and restauranteur Patrick Lingle, ambassadors for The Burnt Chef Project, a global nonprofit working to end the stigma around mental health in hospitality.
This session will cover:
- How to respond when someone struggles mid-shift
- Language that helps managers lead with confidence
- Systems that protect both well-being and performance
Bring your own questions and experiences to the conversation. This is a chance to talk openly about what real mental health leadership looks like inside hospitality.
🗓 Wednesday, October 15, 12 pm ET
Hospitality is built on care, and that care starts with us. Whether you’re showing up for your team, checking in on a friend, or setting new boundaries for yourself, you’re helping redefine what leadership looks like in this industry.
Cheers,
Your Friends at MAJC
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