Episode Details

In this episode with Cara Graham, we discuss:

• Trusting your gut/intuition.
• The value of working in corporate structure to learn the standards.
• The authentic personality of your servers coming out in front of your guest.
• Constantly putting yourself in uncomfortable positions in order to grow.
• Not being pretentious with your food and beverage knowledge.
• Learning by constantly taking on new responsibilities.
• The importance of educating your staff, so your staff can educate your guest.
• Being confident and sure as a leader.
• Working together as a team.
• Giving your people opportunities or risk losing them.
• Hiring people that mesh well with your team chemistry.
• How to maintain your cool when someone green is doing something totally stupid.
• Being open to learning from your staff.
• The importance of giving back to your community.

Hailing from Pegram, TN Cara Graham got her start in hospitality serving while in college. She instantly fell in love. Over the next 20 years she would progress by constantly challenging herself, and taking on tasks she wasn't accustomed to. She climbed the latter from server, to bar tender, to manager, and eventually to general manager at Eastland in Nashville. It was at Eastland where she met her future business partner, Chef Hal Holden Bache. In 2011, together, they opened Lockeland Table Community Kitchen and Bar.

"Follow your moral compass."

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1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Paying attention.
   • Constantly living in a place of growth.
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Worries too much.
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • Pay attention to body language.
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Work-life-balance.
     • She has overcome this by empowering her team.
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   1. Be kind.
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   1. Be yourself.
   2. Know your menu.
   3. Know the stories behind the food.
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
   • Feed the Resistance: Recipes + Ideas for Getting Involved
8. Share an online resource or tool.
   • Cherry Bomb Podcast.