Ep 9 - All things of life within hospitality with guest Alex Harris
Ep 9 All things of life within hospitality with guest Alex Harris
Alex’ journey started in hospitality at Kenny Rogers when he was in high school and when he looks back, it all makes sense how he landed where he is today. He took a journey working at Merck helping create HIV vaccines - Alex ended up at Merk where he was on the team that was developing HIV vaccines - a chef in some ways but maybe not in the way we would all define it. Things got a little funky during his quarter life crisis and examined the things that really gave him joy. Alex thought back to his time at Kenny Rogers and got inspiration from former colleagues who also took a leap into hospitality and this is where his next love cycle began.
Alex’ community and support network are his reflection and his helpful safety next to make the leap into a chef’s role. Being prepared helps make the jump a little well informed versus it feeling reactive. Confidence is important and has to be a part of your foundation so you can move into the next space.
How do you create an operation, menu and culture that meets all the needs and the business at the same time as giving all the grace, patience and information that you would in a classroom environment. This is what makes Alex’ role very unique. This position really encouraged Alex to learn how to let go. He reminds us that we are not powerful enough to have control over all the aspects of a business because we are interacting with humans daily. Through this process, Alex teaches us all that it helps your entire community within your organization when you allow the space to give the experience to your staff so they can enrich the lives of the students or other team members. Alex asks himself regularly this one question: “Is that where your knowledge, talent and experience is best serving the business? This helped Alex learn to let go and step into the mental space to look at the larger vision of the organization and his role within it. Alex is the Culinary Director at Emma's Torch.
About Alex: Alexander Harris took a slightly different career path to become the chef that he is today. After graduating from the University of Delaware, he began his professional career in the pharmaceutical industry in the greater Philadelphia area. Growing up with a love for food, this gave him the means to travel and eat at many of the great restaurants in the area. This was all that it took for him to fall in love with cooking. So after several years at a large pharmaceutical company, he enrolled in the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. After graduation, Alexander’s love of French cuisine lead him to working with some of the great restaurants/groups in Philadelphia including Lacroix at the Rittenhouse Hotel, Jose Garces, and Stephen Starr.
Just like many others, Alexander had a goal of “making it” in New York City. As a chef in the City, he was able to obtain employment at some very influential groups, The Pierre Hotel and Union Square Hospitality Group, to advance his culinary career. Unexpectedly, what had also happened was that he began to find his place in the industry. The great amount of diversity in both the city and the workforce drew him closer to American culture/cuisine and led him to his current passion, building the next generation of great chefs. His goal is to use his 10+ years of experience to all aspects of the industry and to help empower the young aspiring chefs of today.
Book suggestion:Essentialism by Greg Mckoewn
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