Valerie Mnuchin & Chef Armond Joseph: So You Want to Run A Seasonal Restaurant All Year Round?

Inside Leon 1909: Fire, Flavor & Hospitality on New York's Shelter IslandJoin Claudia Saric and Spencer Michiel as they sit down with Valerie Minchin, first-time restaurateur, and Armand Joseph, Detroit-born Palestinian-American chef, to explore the story behind Leon 1909, New York's Shelter Island’s must-visit destination restaurant.From flipping homes in the Hamptons to opening a live-fire culinary hotspot, Valerie shares the highs, lows, and unexpected lessons of launching a restaurant in a seasonal, island community. Armand gives an insider look at cooking over a 14-foot open hearth, sourcing local fish and ingredients, preserving seasonal flavors, and building a kitchen culture rooted in mentorship and empathy.Discover:The journey from a Capital One bank to a stunning restaurant space.How live-fire cooking shapes every dish at Leon 1909.Challenges of running a year-round restaurant in a seasonal town.Innovative staffing solutions, including J1 students and staff housing.The importance of empathy, mentorship, and leadership in the kitchen.Tips for aspiring chefs and restaurateurs looking to make their mark.Why Eastern Long Island is an underrated culinary region.Thoughts on industry trends, sustainable wages, and local sourcing.Whether you’re dreaming of opening your own restaurant, love culinary stories, or just want a taste of Shelter Island’s vibrant food scene, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at Leon 1909.Timestamps:0:52 – Introduction to Leon 19091:01 – Meet Valerie Minchin & Armand Joseph2:00 – Valerie’s journey from psychology to restaurateur3:17 – Transforming a former bank into a live-fire restaurant4:10 – Life and inspiration on Shelter Island5:18 – Honoring family legacy through the restaurant’s name6:01 – Cooking over live fire: challenges and techniques8:10 – Using local, foraged, and preserved ingredients11:17 – Managing a seasonal business & staffing challenges15:27 – Building a family-like team and mentorship culture22:03 – Advice for young chefs and leadership lessons25:05 – Hard realities of owning a restaurant27:17 – Spotlight on underrated East End ingredients28:41 – Why you need to visit Leon 190929:08 – Industry trends that need to change⭐ Brought to you by Back of HouseYour most trusted resource for restaurant tech. Stop guessing and start making data-driven decisions for your business.Learn more at: https://backofhouse.io/⭐ Proudly Sponsored by:RestauRentThe no-fee booking platform helping restaurants and venues book private events.Try it risk-free (3 months free): https://bit.ly/soyouwanttorestaurentScience on CallOffering 2/47/365 restaurant tech support.Sign up at https://bit.ly/scienceoncall⭐ Connect with the PodcastFull Episodes: https://linktr.ee/soyouwanttorunarestaurantFollow Claudia: @claudia.saricFollow Spencer: @restaurantspenny⭐ Learn more about Leon 1909https://www.leon1909.com/about