How do you grow a business without losing your soul or your standards? Chef Sarah Grueneberg has answers.

From Top Chef finalist to James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Monteverde in Chicago, Grueneberg opens up about mentorship, retention, ownership, and accountability. In this episode, she shares her approach to training, internal leadership development, and the hard-earned wisdom that comes from nearly a decade of running a successful restaurant. With a second concept on the way, Sarah is redefining what growth looks like on her own terms.

Takeaways

• Investing in team culture is just as important as investing in design or equipment
• Upholding standards consistently helps prevent resentment and slippage
• Building a “new independent restaurant structure” requires rethinking HR and training
• Owning your real estate provides flexibility, equity, and long-term protection
• Mentorship includes letting go and empowering future leaders
• Growth can be an act of retention when done intentionally
• Fair, consistent PTO policies help avoid animosity among staff
• Positivity and accountability need be managed in real-time, not left for “tomorrow”
• Celebrity status can support a business, but values dictate its direction
• Partnering with the right nonprofit (like Southern Smoke) creates real industry impact

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