C+RC’s Editor, Joanna DeChellis, shares the “why” behind C+RB’s new Top Ranked Culinary Experiences program.
I have mixed feelings about sharing the results of our new Top Ranked Culinary Experiences program.
The purpose of Top Ranked is to highlight the various aspects of the private-club industry that drive membership and retention, while providing an industry benchmarking tool that supports capital expenditures to deliver exceptional member experiences and captures best practices from club to club.
As I worked on this project, I was concerned chefs would feel like I was picking favorites. I was worried some might be mad at me for their club’s ranking. This is the last thing in the world I would want to happen.
To that end, we developed a point system with an independent group of chef judges (no one judged their own club) that would deliver a level playing field for evaluating submissions.
Well, the results are in and I think we have the beginning of a program that will drive our industry further and allow us to continue to learn, share and grow together.
I’ve spent my career trying to support this industry and build club chefs up, helping connect you with your peers and shine the brightest spotlight on chefs, programs and initiatives. I consider myself lucky. I love what I do.
I’m never one to pass judgment on any one culinary program. However, through Top Ranked we can collectively measure the data behind the culinary programs, to help foster a baseline for better understanding of how we can improve and continue to grow our value to our members.
The more I worked through Top Ranked, the more excited I became about the data and how it can be used to improve the industry. This is a great start.
As you comb through the rankings, remember it’s less about where you fall on the list and more about giving you information and data points to benchmark against.
Every single club that participated submitted photos, menus and data that I plan to use in the coming year to inspire, connect and showcase those of you who were bold enough to participate in our first-ever ranking program.
The program will get better.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions, both good and bad.
