432: Pushing through it with Brian Pekarcik

432: Pushing through it with Brian Pekarcik

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee January 29, 2018 Duration: 1:07:12

 

In this episode with Chef Brian Pekarcik, we discuss:

  • How the team dynamic of a kitchen filled the void after Pekarcik's baseball dreams ended.
  • Making your employees feel valued.
  • If you want to be the best you need to work for the best.
  • Taking a step back in position, if it means being on a better team.
  • Planning each day out to increase productivity.
  • Being the standard you want your team to live up to.
  • How working under a corporate umbrella can limit the creative freedom of a chef.
  • Using your experience, knowledge, and expertise as leverage when finding partners.
  • Taking time to get to know your partners and to create the SAME visions.
  • The dynamics of Chef Pekarcik and Rick Stern partnership.
  • Pushing through your fear.
  • Building a team of strong mangers around you by teaching them how to think.
  • Why now it is more important than every to not burn bridges in this industry.
  • Dialing back scheduled hours to 50-55 a week.

Raised in Pittsburgh, Chef Brian Pekarcik is a graduate of John Carroll University in 1997. Pekarcik then moved out to, CA to fine tune his craft while working in some of the most well know kitchen at the time. In 2007 he moved back to PA and would eventually team up with Rick Stern in 2009 to open S + P Restaurant Group. To S+P restaurant Group consist of Spoon, Brgr, G&G Noodle Bar and Willow.


Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Podcast Episodes
928: Katie Dixon Head Chef/Owner Birdhouse Cafe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:17
Chef Katie Dixon is the Head Chef and owner at Birdhouse Cafe in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. When she was a kid, Katie was served "love on a plate" by her grandmother at large family gatherings where food was always the ce…
926: Neal Bodenheimer Founder of Cure Co. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32:48
Get Neal's book Cure: New Orleans Drinks and How To Mix 'Em launching on October 25th! Check out Drunk by Edward Slingerland as recommended in today's episode. Check out America Walks Into A Bar by Christine Sismondo as…
925: Brandon Landry Founder and CEO of Walk-On's [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:42
Brandon Landry is the Founder and CEO of Walk-On's, which had its first store open in Baton Rouge, LA. Today, there are 70 Walk-On's locations. Brandon attended LSU where he was a "walk-on" for their basketball team. He…
924: Susan Spicer Chef/Owner of Bayona, Mondo, and Rosedale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59:14
Susan Spicer is the Chef/Owner of Bayona, Mondo, and Rosedale in New Orleans. She is a highly respected figure and chef in NOLA, and nationwide. Susan got her start in 1979 at the age of 26 as a cook, and soon after that…
923: Chef Brendan Vesey Owner of Botanica Restaurant and Gin Bar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:08
Brendan Vesey is the Chef/Owner of Botanica Restaurant and Gin Bar. Upon Graduating the University of Virginia Chef Brendan Vesey found himself serving as an officer in the US Navy. Since finishing service in 2005, his n…
922: Sam Silverman Founder of Bagelfest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:51
Sam Silverman is the Founder of Bagelfest. Sam has always had a passion for bagels, as a kid, he practically lived off bagels! When this Worchester, MA native moved to Brooklyn and discovered there was no bagel fest... t…
920: Getting Personal with Eric Cacciatore and Jared Parisi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:29
Check out RestaurantSystemsPro as mentioned in today's episode! Restaurant Unstoppable hasn't published an episode since late August. Here we are in September with a brand new episode. Eric Cacciatore is the Founder and…
919: Dan Sidner and Joe Muench Co-Founders Black Shoe Hospitality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:44
Joe Muench "started making pizzas at age 17 and hasn't stopped since." After culinary school, Joe Muench worked at Milwaukee's premier fine dining restaurant, The Grenedier Restaurant, from 1990-1994. He was later recrui…