Danny Meyer started Union Square Cafe when he was 27, with a good idea and scant experience. He is now the CEO of one of the world's most dynamic restaurant organizations that includes eleven unique dining establishments—and each is at the top of its game. How has he done it? How has he consistently beaten the odds in one of the toughest trades around?
In this landmark book, Danny shares the lessons he's learned while developing the winning recipe for doing business he calls "Enlightened Hospitality." This innovative business philosophy emphasizes putting the power of hospitality to work in a new and counterintuitive way: The first and most important application of hospitality is to the people who work for you, and, in descending order of priority, the guests, the community, suppliers, and investors. This way of setting priorities stands the more traditional business models on their head, but Danny considers it the foundation of every success he, and his restaurants, have had.
Full of behind-the-scenes history on the creation of Danny's most famous restaurants, and the anecdotes, advice and lessons he has accumulated on his long and ecstatic journey to the top of the American restaurant scene, Setting the Table is a treasure trove of innovative insights that are applicable to any business or organization.
Reviews
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Restaurateur Danny Meyer shares what he's learned in many years of starting successful eateries in New York City. He says you can apply these lessons to any enterprise. With a warm voice and an engaging manner he discusses his priorities (employees and guests first, stockholders last), his interviewing techniques, his desire to give any unpleasant situation a "good last act," his management philosophy, and much more. Jazz snippets are appropriate to the themes of some of his New York cafes and complement the upbeat presentation. Without overdoing it, Meyer is the best salesman for his own words, and, one suspects, for his restaurants as well. J.B.G. 2007 Audies Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
About the Author
Danny Meyer is the President of Union Square Hospitality Group, which includes Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Blue Smoke, Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 at New York City's Museum of Modern Art, and Hudson Yards Catering. Danny, his restaurants and chefs have earned an unprecedented 17 James Beard Awards. Danny co-authored the Union Square Cafe Cookbook (HarperCollins, 1994) and Second Helpings from Union Square Cafe (HarperCollins, 2001) with his partner, Chef Michael Romano. In October, 2006, HarperCollins will release Danny's latest book, Setting the Table, examining the power of hospitality in restaurants, business, and life. An active national leader in the fight against hunger, Danny has long served on the boards of Share Our Strength and City Harvest. He is equally active in civic affairs, serving on the executive committees of NYC & Co, Union Square Partnership, and the Madison Square Park Conservancy.
