RECLAIMING HOSPITALITY>>
Many elements of hospitality and food service that we take for granted are rooted in systemic racism and marginalization. Historically, hospitality has often been reduced to nothing more than a commodity and food service work assigned to folks for inadequate, exploitative, wages. In order to reclaim the welcoming power of authentic hospitality, we must acknowledge the unacceptable parts of our industry’s history and replace them with spaces of mutuality where workers and those they welcome are respected as equals, where professional training and skills are acknowledged and compensated equitably.
We believe hospitality is the act of sharing space and resources from a place of mutuality. This kind of intentional transaction has the power to conjure genuine connections and the most memorable experiences of food and drink — it’s transformational.
Read more about the kind of hospitality that our company strives to cultivate:
Historically, hospitality work has been organized around a nonsense proposition that the “customer is always right” meaning money and power equal the right to determine reality for yourself as well as those around you. Transformational hospitality welcomes guests into spaces created with intention and love by professionals who are there to facilitate the experience of carefully crafted products.
Historically, hospitality workers have been valued for conduct like discretion, flexibility, congeniality, obedience — all qualities reinforcing deference and subjugation to those with power. Transformational hospitality values workers who are trained and talented professionals equal to those they welcome. They boldly share their knowledge and ideas. They have professional agency and the power to follow their moral code.
Historically, hospitality jobs have been offered discriminately and worker’s needs or life experiences considered irrelevant and secondary to their scheduled hours or a client’s needs. Transformational hospitality workers are hired according to transparent job openings and job descriptions. Their needs and responsibilities outside of work are respected, accommodated and supported wherever possible.
Historically, hospitality uniforms have been dress codes differentiating the hierarchy of people in a space for the purpose of efficiently assigning work and identifying those in service. Transformational hospitality uniforms are designed to support the professional needs and tools of workers -- adapted and embellished to celebrate their identity.
Historically, hospitality work has been compensated by tipping, a legacy of slavery that rewards performing to the whims of a customer with arbitrary amounts of money. Transformational hospitality replaces tipping with product and service pricing that supports equitable worker wages and hours. Training and professional advancement are available to all workers and wages grow to acknowledge these skill sets.
