Drew Nieporent: Master of Hospitality
“Our job is anticipating the guests’ needs.”
Drew Nieporent, Founder of Myriad Restaurant Group
Drew Nieporent, founder of Myriad Restaurant Group including Nobu and Tribeca Grill, is the perfect matchmaker for the pairing of food and film. Just hours before joining Chef Jaime Laurita and me for a Kitchen Chat in the Middleby Residential Showroom, he hosted lunch for opening day of 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival. Many of his restaurants’ partners are celebrities including Robert De Niro and Bill Murray. Service is a key ingredient to success, especially in the restaurant industry. In 1982, Nieporent was general manager of 24 Fifth Avenue when James Beard walked into the restaurant and requested a Manhattan Neat. The next time Beard walked into the restaurant, Nieporent handed him a Manhattan Neat and will always remember the nod of approval from this culinary legend. Anticipating a guest’s need before being asked is truly the heart and art of hospitality.
Chef Nobu at Nobu Restaurant in Miami Beach
Drew Nieporent is a shining star in the culinary world. It was such a delight to meet him during the 2015 International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in Washington DC. We were all celebrating Chef Jacques Pepin’s 80th birthday. He is one of the kindest people in this industry. He has fond memories of Julia Child meeting Robin Williams. You will love hearing his Julia Child impression.
Here are Drew Nieporent’s top tips for people in the restaurant business:
- This business is a marathon and not a race. (Nieporent has owned restaurants since age 29).
- Come to work and be the same person you always are. If you come to work and you are a different person, it won’t work. Consistency causes success.
- Associate yourself with the best products and the best people.
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