652: Steve Redzikowski on Learning from the Best

652: Steve Redzikowski on Learning from the Best

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee September 23, 2019 Duration: 1:45:56

Chef Steve Redzikoski caught the industry bug slinging pies in New York's Long Island. After graduating from culinary school, Redzikoski got to work in some of NYC's best restaurants before making the move west for an opportunity at Little Nell, in Aspen, CO.

He spent the next 4 years further refining his skills at Frasca Food & Wine in Boulder, CO, as well as Cyrus Restaurant, in Napa Valley, CA, before returning back to Little Nell in 2010, but this time as the Executive Sous Chef.

In 2010 Redzikowski joined forces with Bryan Dayton to open Oak in Boulder, CO. Oak was followed in 2015 with Acorn, located in Denver, CO, and not long after Brider opened, also located in Denver, CO.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • "Treat it like it's yours and someday it will be."

In today's episode with Steve Redzikowski we will discuss:

  • Do it right the first time
  • Staying organized
  • Ambition
  • Surround yourself with the best
  • Make mistakes once and never again
  • Learning standards
  • Learning for the best early on in your career
  • Doing stages
  • Networking
  • Standards
  • Teaching
  • Scaling
  • Partnerships
  • Insurance

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant's website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

 

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

 

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Determination
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Technology
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Great attitude
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Finding people with the great attitude
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Lead by example
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Respecting each other in the workplace
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
  8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
    • Don't spend enough time with their employees
  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
  10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    • Treat people with respect
    • Treat other how you want to be treated
    • Lead by example

Contact info:

Email: steven@oakatfourteenth.com

Instagram: @steverino1234

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Steve Redzikowski for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!r

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
640: Jason Sabala on Culture and Soul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:30
Once upon a time Austin, TX hometowner, Jason Sabala, had aspirations of becoming an elementary school teacher, until one day, when Sabala broke up a fight at Austin's well-known night club, Emo's. This experience took h…
639: David Scott Peters on 7 Steps for Creating Great Managers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:12
In this episode David Scott Peters joins Eric Cacciatore on the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast to discuss how to develop your managers. David Scott Peters is the founder of TheRestaurantExpert.com, a company specializing…
638: Larry & Jessica Delgado on Consistency and Enthusiasm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:36
Combined, the Delgado's have over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. In 2008 the couple moved to McAllen, TX and opened house. wine. & bistro., a refined New American bistro in McAllen, TX. The Delgado's…
637: Kasey Anton & Mike Michalowicz on Taking Your Profit, First [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:52
Today we're going to talk about why you need to pay yourself, FIRST! We're also diving into how. Joining us for the conversation are two of the best qualified: Kasey Anton and Mike Michalowicz. Mike Michalowicz is the au…
636: Kaiser Lashkari on The Best Ingredients [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:00
Originating from Pakistan, Chef Kaiser Lashkari had early aspirations of becoming a doctor until he had a run-in with some goat meat and a spice rack. This experience sparked a new dream of moving to America to open a re…
635: Tracy Vaught on Good Service Starts With Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:41
Tracy Vaught may be an "accidental restaurateur, but 35 years later she is now one of the most respected in the field. The geologist-turned-restaurateur owns/operates H Town Restaurant Group which includes four of Housto…
634: Chef Justin Yu on Humility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:19
Houstonian, Justin Yu, is a graduate of Houston University and the Culinary Insitute of America, Hyde Park. Yu returned to Houston upon graduation before heading to the West Coast and Europe to stage and further refine h…
633: Emil Jättne and Joe Santos on Goosebump Moments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:07
In 2010 and in kinship with the craftspeople who embody the Brooklyn Spirit, Emil Jättne and Joe Santos set out to make a high-quality small-batch American gin by hand, on their own terms. Brooklyn Gin was born. Since th…
632: Nick Marsh on Partnerships as the Model for the Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:13
Graduate of Princeton University, Nick Marsh, opened his first food and beverage operation, Xando Coffee and Bar in 1994 with four friends and his brother. 10 years later he parted ways and stumbled on Chopt, a quick-ser…
631: Julian Medina on Living the American Dream [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:19
Raised in Mexico City, Julian Medina's inspiration was his father's and grandfather's authentic home cooking. Training professionally in Mexico City, Julian was brought to New York City to be Chef de Cuisine at Maya, whi…