#5: Staying the Course: Chef Jaime Pesaque’s Journey Through Challenges to the World’s 50 Best

08/30/24 • 36 min

Journey to Culinary Excellence: Jaime Pesaque's Road to the World's 50 Best

This episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged Podcast features Jaime Pesaque, renowned Peruvian chef and restaurateur. Host Sebastian Stahl delves into Jaime's 25-year journey in the culinary world, beginning with his education at Le Cordon Bleu, his training in Europe, and the eventual founding of his flagship restaurant, Mayta. Jaime discusses the challenges he faced in the early years, the importance of patience and consistency, and the crucial balance between creativity and entrepreneurship. He also shares the significant milestone of Mayta being recognized among the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Emphasizing the preservation and promotion of Peruvian culture through his cuisine, Jaime highlights the role of PR and marketing in his success and the value of teamwork and leadership. He offers insights on family life, managing stress, and the importance of enjoying the journey. The episode concludes with his aspirations for the future, focusing on forming new chefs and continuing to elevate Peruvian cuisine on the global stage.

00:00 The Early Struggles and Determination

00:24 Introduction to the Podcast

01:05 Jaime's Culinary Journey

03:05 Opening Mayta and Other Ventures

06:38 The Unique Concept of Mayta

10:18 The Role of PR and Marketing

11:34 Partnerships and Collaborations

24:36 Balancing Family and Career

28:38 Handling Stress and Learning from Mistakes

33:12 Future Goals and Legacy

35:44 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other restaurant leaders find us!

Journey to Culinary Excellence: Jaime Pesaque's Road to the World's 50 Best

00:00 The Early Struggles and Determination

00:24 Introduction to the Podcast

01:05 Jaime's Culinary Journey

03:05 Opening Mayta and Other Ventures

06:38 The Unique Concept of Mayta

10:18 The Role of PR and Marketing

11:34 Partnerships and Collaborations

24:36 Balancing Family and Career

28:38 Handling Stress and Learning from Mistakes

33:12 Future Goals and Legacy

35:44 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other restaurant leaders find us!

Previous Episode

#3: Legacy and Innovation: Laura Padrino's Journey with Padrino's Restaurants

From Generation to Generation: Lauri's Journey in the Family Restaurant Business

In this episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged podcast, Lauri shares her journey and deep-rooted passion for the hospitality industry. Growing up in a family-run restaurant, her transition from marketing to hospitality was a natural fit. She discusses the multi-generational evolution of their business, the impact of her family's values, and the significant challenges they faced, including the 2020 pandemic. The conversation shifts to marketing strategies, operational adjustments, maintaining consistency across multiple locations, and balancing personal and professional life. Lauri emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks, self-awareness in leadership, and shares advice for aspiring restaurant owners. Tune in for a comprehensive look at sustaining a successful family-run restaurant through dedication and adaptive strategies.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:18 Lauri's Background in Hospitality

02:02 Joining the Family Business

05:39 Values and Culture at Padrinos

09:43 Challenges and Overcoming Adversity

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other restaurant leaders find us!

Next Episode

#4 The Rise of Larks Entertainment: How Curt Skallerup is Revolutionizing Family Fun

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Curt Skallerup, a leader in the family entertainment industry and the visionary behind Larks Entertainment. Curt’s transition from the corporate world to opening and managing over 100 entertainment centers across the U.S. is packed with lessons for aspiring business owners and seasoned entrepreneurs alike.

Join us as Curt discusses:

His journey from corporate boardrooms to expanding multiple franchise concepts.
The key to selecting the right franchise partners for long-term success.
Why focusing on customer experience and volume can drive substantial business growth.
Insights on leadership and how he motivates his team while scaling operations.
The story behind Larks Entertainment, a modular franchise concept tailored to bring affordable family fun to communities nationwide.

Curt's experience in franchising, team leadership, and maintaining growth amidst challenges makes this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to expand their business. Learn from Curt’s approach to growth, leadership, and the future of family entertainment in this insightful conversation!

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other restaurant leaders find us!

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged - #5: Staying the Course: Chef Jaime Pesaque’s Journey Through Challenges to the World’s 50 Best

Transcript

The first three years, I was thinking on closing, but there was something in me that I didn't want to do that. No, let's keep going. Let's keep going. Let's keep going. We have a market that is very traditional, but that's going to change a bit in the time. So let's do it. Let's do it. Let's do it. And after six years, um, everything changed a bit.

And after 10 years. The things change even more. Welcome to the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged Podcast, where real ta