From CPA to Michelin Stars: Leadership Lessons with Ignacio Garcia-Menocal

01/21/25 • 40 min

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , Ignacio Garcia-Menocal, Co-Founder and CEO of World Bay Hospitality Group, shares his remarkable journey from a CPA to leading a Michelin-starred restaurant group. Discover how he balances core values, innovation, and trust to build successful concepts like Stubborn Seed and navigate challenges in the restaurant industry. Ignacio dives into leadership strategies, scaling businesses, and the importance of branding and financial health for restaurateurs. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting, this episode is packed with actionable insights for restaurant leaders.

Connect with our guest:
📚 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-garcia-menocal-71aa5814/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iggygarciamenocal/
🌐 Website: https://www.grovebaygroup.com

#RestaurantLeadership #HospitalityInsights #LeadershipPodcast #RestaurateurJourney

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

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#RestaurantLeadership #HospitalityInsights #LeadershipPodcast #RestaurateurJourney

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

Balancing Passion and Leadership in the Restaurant Industry with Christy LoPresto

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , host Sebastian Stahl chats with Christy LoPresto, a dynamic restaurateur and wellness entrepreneur redefining leadership in the hospitality industry. Christy takes us on a journey through her 20+ years in the restaurant business, sharing her evolution from server to owner of several acclaimed New York City eateries, including Kin, a fast-casual Thai concept, and Babbalucci, a Harlem favorite.

Dive into her experiences of navigating challenges like the pandemic, creating a thriving team culture, and balancing multiple ventures, including her wellness brand, Soakwell. Discover how Christy’s focus on mental health and self-care fuels her ability to lead with empathy, inspire her teams, and deliver exceptional dining experiences.

This episode is packed with actionable insights on scaling a business, embracing change, and building a strong community—perfect for seasoned restaurateurs and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.

Connect with Christy LoPresto:

Instagram: @christy_lopresto728
Restaurants and Brands:
- Kin NYC: @eatkinn.nyc | Website
- Soakwell: @soakwell | Website

Get inspired by Christy’s passion for culinary innovation, wellness, and the art of leadership. Tune in to discover the recipe for success in today’s restaurant landscape!

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

Master Restaurant Profitability with Kasey Anton of Spark Business Consulting

Are you ready to transform your restaurant's financial health? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , we sit down with Kasey Anton, founder of Spark Business Consulting and author of Profit First for Restaurants . Kasey shares her journey from restaurateur to financial consultant, revealing the strategies behind her Profit First system that have helped countless restaurants thrive.

Learn how to:
✔️ Build a business that runs without you
✔️ Manage food, labor, and operating costs effectively
✔️ Turn financial struggles into sustainable profit
✔️ Uncover hidden expenses and reinvest in growth

From practical tips to inspiring success stories, this episode is packed with actionable insights for restaurateurs who want to thrive, not just survive.

Connect with Kasey Anton:
🌟 Book: Profit First for Restaurants
🌟 Instagram: @kaseyanton
🌟 Website: https://sparkbusinessconsulting.com/

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 - From CPA to Michelin Stars: Leadership Lessons with Ignacio Garcia-Menocal

Transcript

(0:00 - 0:13)

Core values really aren't just when times are good. I mean, core values really matter when things are tough and that's really shows who you are when things are tough. So we went ahead and paid everybody to stay home at the risk of not knowing whether we had enough money to reopen.

(0:13 - 0:23)

Right. But at the time that was the right thing to do. He and I always joke, my partner and I, that that was th