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Entrepreneurial desires are solely far-fetched till they arrive true. This proved true for Assume Greek, a family-owned Greek restaurant in Port St. Lucie, Florida, that began as a meals truck and has since received “Finest Chunk” on Meals Community’s Finest Chunk in City. Normal supervisor Rosanne Leo attributes the restaurant’s success to specializing in offering genuine Greek recipes and a particular Greek fusion menu.
“We’re first-generation Greek People, so we knew after we began the meals truck in 2014 that’s what we needed to do,” she says. “However we did not wish to [just] do common Greek meals. We needed to include a fusion menu, developing with completely different objects that individuals have not heard of earlier than.”
When South Seaside Wine & Meals Competition requested Assume Greek to take part in 2020, the staff instantly knew their authentic fusion menu merchandise, Gyropitakia (Greek wontons), could be successful. Their hunch was right, they usually received the title of “Finest Chunk on the Seaside.” Take heed to the episode beneath to listen to straight from Leo.
“It was simply an unimaginable feeling as a result of that is one thing that we got here up with,” Leo says. “It wasn’t anyone else’s recipe. It was [us] brainstorming in the future on the meals truck.”
The next 12 months, Assume Greek returned and received once more, serving to it solidify its fame for tastiness and consistency.
Earlier this 12 months, Assume Greek participated in one other cooking present, however the stakes had been even larger this time. Meals Community contacted Leo to be on the primary season of Finest Chunk in City, a spin-off of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with superstar chef Man Fieri.
“This was our dream to be on Meals Community, however extra particularly, we needed to be on Triple D… I used to be so excited,” Leo shared.
Associated: Man Fieri, Cable’s Highest-Paid Chef, Hopes to Save His Business With ‘Restaurant Reboot’
The present’s premise concerned Fieri sending three individuals to a city to strive two dishes from six completely different native eating places, in the end selecting one “Finest Chunk” in that city. The dishes had been judged primarily based on functionality, presentation and style. Assume Greek received “Finest Chunk” of Port St. Lucie after which went on to win “Finest Chunk in City” through the present’s finale with its Gyropitakia.
The judges defined that they’d by no means eaten something like Gyropitakia earlier than, resulting in Assume Greek’s win. The dish’s novelty and creativity set the native restaurant aside, an enormous testomony to the family-owned enterprise’s efforts.
“That actually made us really feel all of the onerous work, power, brainstorming and all the pieces is working and is paying off,” Leo says. “Typically, as a family-owned enterprise and as a mom-and-pop, you get neglected just a little bit, and it is disheartening. However to listen to that our efforts will not be being ignored actually does give us that power to maintain working.”
Associated: Man Fieri Is Insanely Busy. Here is How He Will get It All Carried out.
With new consideration from the TV present and elevated media visibility got here many feedback from prospects and viewers. Leo says that scrolling social media to see the most recent suggestions generally turns into overwhelming. She determined to take it day-to-day and maintain house for each optimistic and significant opinions.
“You’ll be able to’t please everyone, and that is okay. Some feedback are lower than good, and that is fantastic,” Leo says. “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. All I do know is that we’re making an attempt our greatest, and we’re placing out the meals the way in which we put out our meals.”
Leo’s willingness to take dangers and seize huge alternatives, corresponding to being featured on a TV present, has elevated Assume Greek’s model. Over time, her persistence helped set up the restaurant’s optimistic fame.
Her recommendation for enterprise homeowners looking for this type of success is to remain in step with their artistic efforts and values and use social media to interact their audiences and uncover suggestions for bettering operations. She additionally encourages enterprise homeowners to consider in themselves and what they’ll obtain.
”Typically I am similar to, wow, I am unable to consider it,” she says. “However individuals ought to by no means say by no means. Something is feasible. Some days, you wish to hand over, however preserve going as a result of that is your child. That is your dream. That is your alternative to indicate what you are manufactured from.”
For over a decade, Assume Greek has stood by these easy — however essential — instruments for achievement:
- Seize alternatives as they arrive. Attending native festivals and competitions can result in gaining extra visibility, which may snowball into bigger alternatives sooner or later. Being open to making an attempt new issues can springboard what you are promoting into recent and thrilling arenas.
- Embrace innovation to set your self aside. Innovating your services or products can distinguish a enterprise and appeal to prospects looking for novel experiences. Creating your personal area of interest will help prospects select you over opponents.
- Worth suggestions, however do not let negativity deter you. Receiving criticism will be difficult and requires resilience. Recognizing it is inconceivable to please everybody permits you to deal with giving your greatest effort to the issues you realize you are able to do nicely and even enhance.
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Editorial contributions by Angela Lee and Kristi Lindahl
This text is a part of our ongoing America’s Favourite Mother & Pop Retailers™ collection highlighting family-owned and operated companies.
