Read our other Women in Hospitality installments.
Hannah Hopkins is the co-owner of the restaurants Yampa Valley Kitchen, Bésame and Mambo Italiano in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The restaurants are known for their creative and inspired cuisine, high-quality sustainable food, impeccable service, and fiercely loyal following. They also feature a staff that's 80% women.
Hopkins' journey has brought her from line cook to Chopped contestant to executive chef to operator and owner. We caught up with her to discuss trends, challenges, and how women can build a career in the restaurant industry.
Read the full Q&A, below!
Bar & Restaurant News: The hospitality industry has always been about service and the guest experience. With factors like the labor shortage, that’s become harder to provide. Any advice for ensuring you are providing the best hospitality to your guests?
Hannah Hopkins: Not only is there a continued labor shortage, there is a lack of skilled applicants, unfortunately. Couple that with ever-increasing state employer compliance, and we find ourselves stretching to cover shifts with skilled, positive co-workers. A restaurant is only as good as the dishwasher. As such, we foster a hard-working, positive workplace with room for advancement, where everyone is treated with respect. These great working relationships across back and front-of-house is step one for a great guest experience.
Any recent food/restaurant trends you’ve observed?
Zero-proof cocktails are definitely trending along with high protein, lower carb dishes. Our restaurants are in a ski town, and we have noticed this season that increased costs of travel have resulted in visitors splashing out less on reserve wine and liquor.
What are some of the hurdles you’ve experienced as a woman in the kitchen?
Raising a family while working long hours is the most challenging hurdle. The nature of the work makes finding a balance extremely difficult, but it can be done.
How do you advocate for women in the industry, and how can other women do so as well?
I advocate for women in the industry by providing strong leadership. This took years of experience to learn, and there is no short cut. As a woman, there are times when you feel like you need to work harder than everyone else. However, your drive should be for excellence in your role and to always be looking for opportunities to learn and advance your career.
How can women build careers in the restaurant industry?
Regardless of the role, learn everything you can from experienced co-workers across the restaurant. A restaurant is a system. Learn the components of the system whether it is food, service, equipment, HR, or financial reporting and budgeting. Be a critical thinker and a problem solver.
Any advice for other women in the industry?
Don’t be intimidated to take on new tasks or roles. Learn everything that you can. Stay authentic, positive, and true to yourself. There’s no need to worry about what others are doing, be excellent at what you are doing.
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