S3 - Episode 6 - Bradley Knebel

A “We Can Transfer That” episode happens at least once a season on Maître d’ Diaries. These episodes are designed to highlight the many transferable skills one can hone working the door and floor of a restaurant. It's sort of a "how did you get from there to here" interview that showcases the incredibly satisfying and multi-faceted careers that sometimes get their start when someone becomes a server, a host, or a busser.

One of the best things about the hospitality business–and this podcast–is the people we get to meet. This year at Will Guidara’s wonderful Welcome Conference, Erica had the thoroughly joyful experience of meeting Bradley Knebel of Empowered Hospitality. Bradley was studying Mathematics at Georgia Tech when he got a job as a server and fell in love with hospitality. He turned his passion into a career, moved to New York City, and began working for Union Square Hospitality Group where worked in a variety of roles–which we elaborate on during our chat.

Bradley is an impressively well-rounded F&B guy. He’s earned his Level 2 Sommelier Certification, taught classes at Murray’s Cheese, and in 2022 he was the opening general manager of Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, which earned a 3-star review in the New York Times, and two years in a row topped Pete Wells’ list of best restaurants in New York City.

Listen in to hear about:

~ What it was like to be involved in the Hospitality Included movement at USHG

~ Bradley’s thoughts on the pay disparity between front and back of the house workers

~ What working in HR can teach you about running a business

~ What an independent HR company can offer smaller operators

~ Why Bradley thinks that egos are the biggest killer of restaurants

~ How it all sort of started for him at Longhorn Steakhouse

~ How to help people become better leaders and how satisfying that can be

~ The power of mentorship on both sides of the relationship