Missy Robbins on the Leadership Behind Lasting Restaurants

Missy Robbins is the James Beard Award–winning chef behind Lilia and Misi, two of Brooklyn’s most admired restaurants, as well as the co-founder of Misi Pasta and Grovehouse Hospitality. Over her three-decade career, she has cooked in landmark kitchens, reimagined her relationship with Italian cuisine, rebuilt her life after burnout, and developed some of New York’s most intentional teams. In this episode, Robbins joins Matt Jennings and Carolyn Grillo to talk about leadership, mentorship, identity, personal evolution, and the discipline of trusting your instincts.TakeawaysPromote from within to strengthen culture and maintain continuityTrust your instincts when making major decisionsBuild spaces around authenticity rather than external validationTravel broadly to expand perspective and creativityGive responsibility early so teams have room to growHire for attitude and curiosity over résumé prestigeCreate businesses that reflect your values, not industry expectationsBe honest about burnout and give yourself space to resetLet people evolve into leadersInvest in coaching to develop communication, empathy, and partnershipMaintain high standards while learning when to let goLead by example, especially for women looking for representationWant 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 free access to the MAJC✨ Community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.