Welcome to Morsels, your go-to newsletter from MAJC, breaking down hospitality insights into bite-sized chunks.
December demands focus and steady leadership, and the choices you make in these next few weeks set the tone for January and beyond. Our theme this month is simple: win today, plan for tomorrow. Every episode and tool in this week’s newsletter is designed to support your team now and set up a stronger 2026 at the same time.
Here is what we are listening to, watching, and using to finish the year with clarity and confidence.
🎧 LISTEN: Karen Akunowicz on How Mundane Systems Help Restaurants Thrive
We are revisiting this episode during our break between Seasons 1 and 2 of Restaurant Ready because it continues to resonate with operators. Chef Karen Akunowicz of Boston shares how she opened and scaled her restaurants with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose. She covers team building, recruiting in a post-COVID world, and staying focused on the long game. This episode is filled with takeaways you can use now and in 2026.
Takeaways
• Build a team that reflects your values
• Strengthen recruiting through personal connections
• Treat setbacks as part of growth
• Revisit your vision often to stay aligned
📹 WATCH: Katie Flannery on How to Turn Vendor Relationships into Brand Storytelling
This is the final week we are dropping Katie Flannery’s Serving Success episodes into the MAJC Community, so if you have not watched them yet, now is the time. Flannery is a third generation butcher and the COO of Flannery Beef, and she shares how her family’s approach to sourcing, transparency, and education can become a real advantage for operators. In this episode, she explains how strong vendor partnerships can elevate today’s service and strengthen your strategy for 2026.
Takeaways
• Integrate vendor stories into staff training and service rituals
• Empower teams with product knowledge and enthusiasm
• Use sourcing transparency to deepen authenticity and guest engagement
📖 USE: Quality Definition Worksheet
This worksheet helps your team get aligned on what “great” looks like across food, service, sourcing, and culture. It is one of the simplest ways to cut confusion during your busiest weeks and reset expectations before the new year. Use it now to sharpen December performance and start 2026 with a shared standard.
💡 LEARN: HR Office Hours with the team from Hopdov on December 10
This month’s Office Hours brings our partners from Hopdov into the MAJC Community for a deeper dive into real HR challenges. The format mirrors our Expert Sessions: Matt leads the conversation, followed by live Q&A. This is a strong way to stabilize your people practices before the new year.
Cheers,
Your Friends at MAJC
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