672: Will Pacio on Preparation and Opportunity

672: Will Pacio on Preparation and Opportunity

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee December 2, 2019 Duration: 1:02:47

After graduating from Stanford, Will decided to go to culinary school instead of medical school. From there he went on to join the opening team of Thomas Keller's Per Se in New York City.

Following NYC he would come back to California to cook at The French Laundry in Yountville. Eventually, Thomas Keller saw Will's talent for tech and asked him to run all of IT for the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group.

After learning from the best, Will pursued his dream and opened his own chain of fast-casual restaurants as founder and CEO of Spice Kit restaurants in 2007 which scaled to multiple locations in the Bay Area.

Today, Will serves as founder and CEO of Pared, a leading hospitality and restaurant network with over 100,000 members.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity."

In today's episode with Will Pacio we will discuss:

  • Setting yourself up for opportunity
  • Passion for food
  • Taking risks
  • Working for free in order to learn
  • What you do and don't learn in culinary school
  • Collaboration
  • Establishing good culture
  • The culture of Per Se
  • Cooking for a food critic
  • How a good review affects business
  • What is Pared?
  • How clients changed the direction of Pared
  • Labor issues today

 


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
400: Staying Humble with Chef Jason Alley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:37
In this episode with Chef Jason Alley, we discuss working for the best- even if it means taking a lower ranked or position, getting experience to find your voice, doing work that fulfils you, finding your business partne…
397: Shareing your best move with Michael and Heather Harrell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:52
In this episode with Michael and Heather Harrell, we discuss how Michael and Heather got there start in the industry, why they love the work they do, having a well balanced partnership, staying in your lane, having a dai…
396: Keeping it simple stupid with David Fafara [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:16
In this episode with David Fafara, we discuss keeping it simple stupid, giving back to the community, being a hustler, starting small and scaling up, giving before you get, continuous learning, doing one thing really wel…
395: Keeping your restaurant harassment free with Rudy Miick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:37
In this episode, we're joined by business, leadership, and culture consultant, Rudy Miick. We're discussing harassment- what it is, why you can't afford it, how to prevent it from happening, and what to do when it does h…
394: Strengthening connections with Jenée Libby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:38
In this episode with Jenée Libby we discuss, why she started her podcast (edacious), how to get out of your own head when starting a scary project, your brand as an extension of who you are, using technology to bring peo…
393: Becoming emotionally sound with Kyle Lee Mcknight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:15
In this episode, we discuss how Chef Kyle Lee Mcknight got his start in the industry, why he does the work he does, when getting started- how cooking was a vehicle for travel, how cooking to make people change has change…
392: Fan Mail Friday #2 with Bruce Irving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:29
In this episode we invite Bruce Irving back on the shout to answer some Listener questions. The questions answered: Should you let your Facebook followers know when it is not you who is responding on your business page..…
391: How to become a great listener with Howard Solomon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:24
In this episode with Howard Solomon, we discuss what made him fall in love with hospitality, the impact of great culture in your business, the "all for one mentality", paying attention to the details, the importance of l…