CulinaryServiceOffice & Admin
Steve Palmer
Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Vision Officer | The Indigo Road Hospitality Group
Experience
2025 - Present
Host
Say Grace: Food for Thought in Hospitality (Podcast)
2019 - 2019
Author
Say Grace: How the Restaurant Business Saved My Life
2009 - Present
Founder & Chief Vision Officer
The Indigo Road Hospitality GroupCharleston, SC + Southeast U.S.
2003 - 2009
VP of Food & Beverage
Ginn ResortsSoutheast U.S. + Carribean
2001 - 2001
General Manager
Peninsula GrillCharleston, SC
Education
Advice from Steve Palmer
Quotes about career path, skills, and teamwork from an industry leader.
Lead with your heart.
Danny Meyer and of course Will Guidara have both so eloquently reminded us, “service is the transaction, hospitality is how we make you feel about it.” That's true of your employees' experience. The work is the transaction, it's how you make them feel about it.
Ben's Friends is a community.
You're not alone, so don't struggle alone. Life is not meant to be done alone. Sobriety, depression, mental health, don't do it alone. Go for a walk, get outside, get some sunshine. If you're struggling, this community is filled with generous souls. Hospitality is generous.
Advice I would tell my younger self:
don't worry, it's going to be so much better than you possibly could imagine.
Work really hard on your culture and your employees, When you see somebody that the light bulb comes on for, and they're like, “Wow, this is what I’m meant to do," that's the most rewarding thing there is.
When you see somebody thriving, I just love that. That trumps pretty much everything.
In order for your guests to have a great experience, your employees have to have a great experience.
Success should be measured in creating opportunities for other people, creating growth opportunities, and creating a place where you say, "If this is your career, you don't have to leave. There's lots for you to do."
If you're willing to work hard and be a part of a team, there's a place for you in hospitality.
Not just a place, there's somewhere that you can thrive, and I love that.
I've always loved that our world is so beautifully diverse, and it's all walks of life.
So you end up with this really this interesting perspective about our differences and how fun that can be.
Roles in Culinary
Check out the newest job opportunities in your area and level up your career.
