998: Gavin Kaysen Chef and Founder of Soigné Hospitality Group

Gavin Kaysen is the award-winning chef and founder of Soigné Hospitality Group in Minneapolis known for his nationally renowned restaurants and cafés in the Twin Cities as well as his leadership in the culinary profession. He opened his first restaurant in 2014 and now opens over 5 concepts in various culinary and hospitality verticals.

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Favorite success quote/mantra:

• "Man [is the most surprising thing about humanity] because he sacrifices his health in order to make money, then sacrifices his money to recuperate his health, then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future, he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies never having really lived."

In this episode with Gavin Kaysen we will discuss:

• Culinary school
• Self-auditing
• Fine dining
• Mentors
• The true definition of hospitality

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which “it factor” habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Discipline
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Ego
3. What's one thing you ask or look for when interviewing/growing your team?
   • Why?
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Continuing to manage multiple different partners and businesses at the highest level
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Understand the job fully, more awareness and self-auditing
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Comp items to guests if they will appreciate it
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
   • opsi
9. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
   • Share our successes and failures with each other
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?
    • Stay curious
    • Allow yourself to fail
    • Relish in your success

Contact:

Instagram: @gavinkaysen

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Gavin Kaysen for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

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