EP #9: Balancing Profit and Values, a Conversation with Ben Bebenroth

Ben Bebenroth is a respected chef, restaurant owner, farmer and businessman who has reemerged from the pandemic with a new vision for his life and restaurant. After closing Spice, his flagship restaurant in Gordon Square, Ben took some time to reevaluate what he wanted out of life for himself, his family and his legion of customers and fans. In addition to being one of Cleveland's most beloved and respected chefs, his farm-to-table restaurant Spice, and his family farm Spice Acres, have been featured in national media including CBS This Morning, the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. It was, by all accounts, a success story. But as the needs and desires of the community changed, and the tenuous economics of restaurant operations became more pronounced, Ben knew he needed to make some pivotal changes. Ben offers insight into the thought processes that prompted a revolution in the way he does business, and shares the realities of running a truly authentic farm-to-table restaurant and catering company.