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442: Bourbon & Leadership: Lessons From A Chef Turned GM w/ Kevin Rice
Manage episode 483699376 series 3442904
What do bourbon, mentorship, and kitchen chaos have in common? Kevin Rice.
In this episode, we chat with Kevin Rice— ormer chef, current GM of Lexington Country Club, and certified executive bourbon steward—to talk about leading with flavor. They dive into what it takes to train young staff (even when they can’t legally taste the wine), how bourbon tastings became a secret weapon for member engagement, and why the best leaders don’t bark orders—they teach.
From redesigning kitchens to managing multi-million-dollar capital projects, Kevin blends people-first leadership with straight-up bourbon wisdom.
If you’ve ever wondered how to run a private club like a Michelin-starred operation—with a little Kentucky charm—this one’s for you.
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Chapters
1. Welcome to Private Club Radio Show (00:00:00)
2. From Chef to GM: Career Evolution (00:04:49)
3. Teaching vs. Micromanaging Staff (00:08:39)
4. Training Young Servers on Wine (00:12:34)
5. F&B Philosophy in Private Clubs (00:16:56)
6. Executive Bourbon Steward Expertise (00:19:36)
7. Building a Club Bourbon Program (00:25:01)
8. Top Bourbon Recommendations (00:32:41)
9. Episode Wrap-Up (00:35:21)
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