What Happens When a Chef Stops Chasing Stars?

Dear Pros,

I'm Matt Jennings, a chef, writer, lifelong entrepreneur, hospitality coach, and industry veteran. I've spent my life building some awesome restaurant brands, operating numerous establishments of my own, and cultivating an amazing community of friends, colleagues, and peers along the way. Now, I'm up to something new.

My whole life, I've been driven to create a unique place for hospitality professionals to learn, share, and celebrate each other. The vision has come together and I'm excited to announce the launch of MAJC (pronounced 'magic'), which is a digital platform built on the belief that an unforgettable experience in hospitality is truly magical. Too many of us have had to learn the hard way, without one central place to share what works, what doesn't, and how to get better — together. This is why Andy Coughlin and I built MAJC, and it aligns with what I've shared in some recent stories for Food & Wine Pro.

In "Why Your Favorite Server Quit — the Real Cost of Hospitality Burnout," I get deep in the weeds of why post-pandemic service might feel more strained for both guests and restaurant workers — and some practical solutions for stemming the tide of people leaving the industry.

My story "Food Tastes So Much Better When the Chef Has Gotten Some Sleep — Here's Why" delves into the mindset shift that many of us need to make to deprioritize the pursuit of accolades and remind ourselves of why we chose restaurant work as our vocation.

We're entering a new era in hospitality where we actually talk about these issues, and it's long overdue. This industry is built on hard work, trust, and a deep commitment to people. But for too long, we've operated without the tools, support, and community we deserve. That's where MAJC comes in.

This isn't a trend. It's a system-wide shift toward smarter workflows, better training, stronger connections, and real community. Whether you're on the floor, standing at the pass, or managing the big picture, MAJC is designed to meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go. Our free membership includes access to on-demand training, playbooks, a digital resource library focused on HR, finance, wellness, leadership, and career development, discussion boards, direct access to an active professional network, and so much more.

Go to MAJC.ai to see what we have to offer, and I hope you'll join the movement.

Keep it delicious,
Matt Jennings