When a fire destroyed one of his most meaningful spaces, chef and restaurateur Will Gilson had two choices: mourn or move. He chose both.

In this deeply personal episode, Will Gilson opens up about the fire that devastated his family’s Herb Lyceum just days before peak wedding season—and how his team rallied to keep going. He talks about grief, resilience, and the hard lessons of scaling a multi-concept restaurant group. From community partnerships and guest recovery to burnout, compensation, and legacy, Will Gilson shares what it means to rebuild with purpose—again and again.

Takeaways

• Restaurants are never just restaurants—they hold memories, identity, and community.
• Leadership during a crisis means staying human, but staying in motion.
• Strong teams reflect shared values, not just operational skills.
• Scaling hospitality requires trust, tech systems, and letting go of control.
• Community and guest trust are built—and rebuilt—through communication.
• Tragedy can become an opportunity when resilience is systematized.
• Menu changes, compensation models, and growth all require constant reevaluation.
• Technology can empower teams when implemented with intention.

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest?
MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.