BigHead sits down with Cory Harwell, President of Eleven Hospitality Group, co-founder of Carson Kitchen, and owner of Butcher & Thief. From lying about his age to land a dishwashing job to helping build one of Las Vegas’ most beloved restaurants, Cory shares the lessons that shaped his career and why hospitality is about far more than just great food.
We dive into what makes a restaurant stand out more than a decade after opening, how Cory hires and leads his team, why guest experience starts long before the food hits the table, and even how an agave farm found its way into his portfolio.
We get into:
- How Cory got his start by lying about his age
- Why starting at the bottom made him a better leader
- The biggest misconceptions about owning a restaurant
- How Kerry Simon lives on through Carson Kitchen and his impact on Cory
- Cory’s newest venture (Butcher & Thief)
- Steakhouse pricing and what Cory is doing differently
- Creating memorable guest experiences
- How storytelling is an important part of a menu
- Why passion matters more than experience
- The business of opening and growing restaurants in Las Vegas
- Cory and his wife’s agave farm and tequila venture in Mexico
- His thoughts on the future of Las Vegas dining and hospitality
- Why he believes Vegas is headed for a pricing correction
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The Hey BigHead Show is proud to be a Vegas Local podcast.
