Building and retaining a strong culinary team is always challenging. Being secluded in a mountain setting away from major cities makes it even more challenging for us here at The Greenbrier Sporting Club (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va). When our Food and Beverage Director, Justin Moses, and I continued the tradition of maintaining the Greenbrier Sporting Club kitchens as learning environments, we were inspired by the “we” mentality fostered by our Director of Operations, Allen Wills. Our goal was to teach and retain talent and find unique ways to engage our team members beyond their daily tasks. One effective strategy we discovered was to focus on their outside work hobbies, which can pay dividends in the future for both our members and our team.
We have a young culinarian on our team, Riley Hedrick, who is passionate about beekeeping. Riley had been involved in beekeeping as a kid and was eager to get back into it, but he needed a suitable place to keep his honeybee hives. Given the Greenbrier Sporting Club’s location in the mountains, with frequent bear activity, it wasn’t the most ideal spot for this project. Fortunately, this was a hobby I had always wanted to explore myself, and my father graciously allowed Riley to set up the hives on our family farm, not too far from the club. This arrangement provided an ideal environment for the honeybees and created an opportunity for our entire team to learn and participate in this fascinating skill.
Although beekeeping has nothing to do with Riley’s day-to-day responsibilities at the club, it has everything to do with his overall growth and development. By allowing him to pursue this interest, Riley can see a project through from start to finish, teaching our team about beekeeping in the process. Moreover, the honey produced by the hives has found its way onto our menus in various forms, much to the delight of our members.
Empowering our team members’ hobbies is an overlooked aspect of training, retaining, and building their careers. By supporting their interests, we help them develop a sense of ownership and pride in their work, which translates into a more committed and enthusiastic team. This approach has fostered a collaborative and innovative culture within our kitchens, where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.
In addition to beekeeping, we encourage our team members to explore other hobbies and interests that can enrich their culinary skills and personal growth. Whether gardening, fermenting, or even brewing, these activities provide valuable learning experiences and creative inspiration that enhance our culinary offerings. By integrating these passions into their work, our team members bring fresh perspectives and unique flavors to our menus, continuously elevating the dining experience for our members and guests.
At the Greenbrier Sporting Club, we believe nurturing our team members’ passions is key to creating a thriving and dynamic culinary environment. By investing in their personal and professional growth, we enhance their skills and build a strong, cohesive team dedicated to excellence. As we continue to support and encourage their hobbies, we look forward to discovering new ways to delight our members.
The synergy between personal interests and professional development is a powerful tool in building a successful culinary team. By fostering a culture that values and supports the diverse passions of our team members, we create an environment where everyone can flourish and contribute their unique talents. This holistic approach to team building strengthens our kitchens and enriches our members’ overall experience.
