Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

AS SEEN ON THE HIT TV SHOW ‘THE BEAR’

‘Any organization would benefit from his thinking’ Simon Sinek, bestselling author of Start With Why

‘One of the five best management books I have ever read. Plus, it is the most engaging and entertaining’ Roger Martin, bestselling author of Playing to Win

The inspiring, bestselling guide to the essential lessons in service and leadership from the former co-owner of legendary restaurant Eleven Madison Park.

At just twenty-six years old, Will Guidara took charge of Eleven Madison Park: a struggling New York City two-star brasserie that had never lived up to its breathtaking room. Eleven years later, it was named the best restaurant in the world.

How did Guidara pull off this unprecedented transformation?

Radical reinvention, a true partnership between the kitchen and the dining room – and memorable, over-the-top, bespoke hospitality.

Guidara’s team surprised a family who had never seen snow with a magical sledding trip to Central Park after their dinner; they filled a private dining room with sand, complete with mai-tais and beach chairs, to console a couple with a cancelled vacation.
But the most lasting impact was felt behind the scenes. Guidara’s leadership philosophy empowered his team to think and act differently, learning:

• How to deliver praise and criticism with intention
• Why the solution to the toughest business challenges is often to give more, not less
• How real magic happens when every employee starts thinking like an owner

Now in Unreasonable Hospitality, Guidara shows us that every business can choose to be a hospitality business – and how we can all transform ordinary transactions into extraordinary experiences.

Packed with vivid stories from the world’s most celebrated restaurants, and featuring industry icons such as Daniel Boulud and Danny Meyer, Unreasonable Hospitality is an essential read for anyone who wants to lead with generosity, build exceptional teams, and create work that truly matters.