Welcome to Morsels, your go-to newsletter from MAJC, breaking down hospitality insights into bite-sized chunks.
Running a restaurant takes clarity, consistency, and a team that sticks together. This week’s lineup focuses on the habits that make that possible, from building dignity into your culture to using sourcing and storytelling to keep guests coming back. Ari Weinzweig brings lessons in daily leadership, chef Michel Nischan shares how purpose drives profit, and The Burnt Chef Project offers a practical way to protect your crew from burnout.
Let’s dig in.
🎧 LISTEN: Chef Michel Nischan on Using Sourcing and Storytelling to Build Stronger Customer Bonds
Chef Michel Nischan has spent four decades connecting food, farmers, and communities. A four-time James Beard Award–winning chef, author, and food equity advocate, he joined Restaurant Ready to talk about what’s broken in our food system and what operators can do about it. He explained how sourcing, storytelling, and transparency can turn guests into loyal regulars.
Takeaways
- Build empathy by helping every team member experience every role
- Collaboration among chefs amplifies both purpose and profit
- Authenticity and generosity are the best marketing
📹 WATCH: Ari Weinzweig on How to Build a Culture of Dignity in Your Restaurant
In this Serving Success episode, Zingerman’s co-founder Ari Weinzweig shares six principles for weaving respect into everyday operations, from how you give feedback to how you make decisions. His approach proves that strong culture is built through daily habits.
Takeaways
- Honor the humanity of every team member
- Encourage authenticity without aggression
- Build systems that support equity, voice, and growth
📖 READ: Ari Weinzweig on the Habits That Make Great Hospitality Leaders
This article pulls together the best lessons from Ari Weinzweig’s full Serving Success season, exploring how consistency, humility, and clear communication shape strong leadership. It’s a reminder that the best leaders grow their people, not their egos.
Takeaways
- Lead by example in the smallest ways
- Write your vision and share it often
- Build systems that support your team
🔧 USE: The Burnt Chef Project Wellness Action Plan
This Wellness Action Plan is a practical framework that helps teams spot stress early and talk about what works before burnout sets in. Use it to open up conversations, set realistic expectations, and build trust across your crew. Healthy kitchens start with communication. This simple tool helps you make it part of the job.
How to Use
- Complete the plan together with each team member
- Identify early warning signs and preferred ways to respond
- Revisit quarterly during check-ins or reviews
Cheers,
Your Friends at MAJC
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