01/10/2026
In the restaurant industry, we often ask where to find staff. I believe it is equally important to ask what reasons we give people to stay.
My experience has taught me that a strong sense of responsibility can keep us giving, even when our contribution receives little recognition. We make ourselves more available, take on additional duties, and hope our commitment will eventually build trust.
But a working relationship requires mutual commitment.
Valuing people means giving them clear responsibilities, listening to their observations, recognizing their contributions, and providing the conditions they need to succeed: fair pay, thoughtful scheduling, respect for time off, and opportunities to grow.
It also means knowing how to correct a mistake without humiliating the person who made it.
This takes effort on both sides. Team members must bring professionalism, competence, and a willingness to improve. Leaders must create an environment where that effort can produce meaningful results.
The challenges facing our industry have many causes. Costs, margins, training, and staffing all deserve attention. How we lead people is one responsibility we can act on every day.
When a team member leaves, we must rebuild skills, trust, and the working relationships that hold a team together. That is why listening should be a daily practice, long before a resignation letter arrives.
The quality of hospitality depends on the quality of the relationships behind the scenes. Every conversation, every decision, and every response to a mistake helps shape the environment we ask people to work in.
How can we make our restaurants places where people can build a professional future?
— Chef Costantino Cammarano
You’ll find more reflections on leadership, respect, and building a team where people feel valued in my book, Behind the Kitchen Door.
👉 Get your copy: https://a.co/d/03Kt4haf
