The Indigo Road Hospitality Group

🎙️ New episode of Say Grace with Steve Palmer just dropped with Chef Rob Rubba, founding partner of the Michelin-starred Oyster Oyster in Washington, D.C.
 In this conversation, Rob shares the lessons that shaped his career—from early kitchens where shouting and plate-throwing were the norm, to finding his own philosophy rooted in perseverance, self-determination, and respect.
 “I think I emulated what I saw early on—loud voices, pounding counters—but I realized quickly that wasn’t the way. You don’t get good results out of people with that kind of energy.”
 Today, Rob is a James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Chef (2023), a Food & Wine Best New Chef, and a leading voice in sustainable dining. His story is one of grit, growth, and a redefinition of what true hospitality looks like.
 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts—this is one you won’t want to miss.
 #saygracepodcast #robrubba #oysteroyster #hospitality #michelinstar

🎙️ New episode of Say Grace drops tomorrow where Steve Palmer sits down with Chef Rob Rubba, founding partner of the Michelin-starred Oyster Oyster in Washington, D.C.
 From his early days prepping duck on a pizza box with his uncle to training under legends like Gordon Ramsay, Guy Savoy, and Charlie Trotter, Rob’s path has been one of passion, persistence, and purpose.
 Today, he’s a James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Chef (2023), a Food & Wine Best New Chef, and the creative force behind one of America’s most celebrated sustainable restaurants. In this episode, Rob shares how a single ingredient first captured his imagination, and how that spark has grown into a culinary vision rooted in craftsmanship, sustainability, and hospitality that lasts.
 Tune in tomorrow—this is a story you won’t want to miss.
 #saygracepodcast #robrubba #oysteroyster #michelinstar #sustainablecooking

We’re hitting the road this fall, and we can’t wait to meet the next generation of hospitality leaders. Join The Indigo Road Hospitality Group at one of our upcoming Fall 2025 Career Fairs to connect with our chefs, managers, and HR team. Learn more about the exciting opportunities available across our restaurants, hotels, and home office—and see how you can grow your career with us. 📍 Here’s where you can find us: Charleston Southern University — September 10 Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte — September 17 The University of Georgia — September 29 College of Charleston — October 2 The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park — October 7 Stop by our table, say hello to Kate Lubin, and let’s talk about building a future in hospitality together. #theindigoroad #hospitalitycareers #fall2025 #careerfair

Check out this article featuring our own Director of Digital Experience, Sam Trotter.

Thank you to Nashville Interiors — we’re incredibly proud.

Today on Say Grace, Steve Palmer sits down with Debby Soo — CEO of OpenTable former CCO at KAYAK and one of the most influential leaders shaping the way we dine and travel.
 In this episode, Debby shares an unflinching look at leadership, transparency, and what it takes to turn setbacks into growth. She recalls an early board meeting at OpenTable where the numbers weren’t pretty — and the lesson she learned about the power of owning hard truths before you can move forward.
 From redefining digital hospitality to guiding teams through pivotal change, Debby’s story is one of resilience, clarity, and the courage to say: “We lost — so how do we win?”
 🎧 Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts. https://lnkd.in/eKx2UH6e

I had to share this brilliant post from Leslie Haas. It perfectly captures something I’ve seen firsthand in recruitment. The phrase "Gen Z is complicated" gets thrown around a lot, but I believe it misses the point. They aren't asking for anything different than any other generation—they just want to feel heard, understood, and like their work matters. The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, our people-first approach is the foundation of our success. When we lead with genuine respect, we’re not just recruiting candidates; we’re building a family. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. What’s one thing you've learned about leading or working with a generation different from your own?

I hear it often: “Gen Z is complicated to work with.” But in my experience, leading a social media team of 22 at The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (majority of them Gen Z), I’ve found they’re not so different from how we millennials were once perceived by the generation before us. We, too, were labeled “complicated”—when what we really wanted was to feel heard, understood, and valued. The truth is, Gen Z is asking for the same thing every generation asks for: respect, clarity, and the chance to contribute authentically. When we meet them with curiosity instead of criticism, we not only bridge the generational gap—we unlock new ideas, new energy, and a stronger culture. Leading across generations is never about resisting change. It’s about listening, adapting, and building the trust that makes teams thrive.

This Thursday on Say Grace, Steve Palmer sits down with Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable —a leader who stepped into the role in August 2020, at one of the most challenging moments in hospitality.
 In this clip, Debby recalls how she and her team rethought OpenTable’s pricing model: “The first thing was pricing. We were expensive. We had this one-size-fits-all model where every restaurant paid a dollar per cover since 1998. But not all restaurants are created the same… Why would we have one price when none of our restaurants are one type?”
 Debby shares how she’s guided OpenTable through transformation, the importance of transparency in leadership, and her vision for building a more adaptable and inclusive future in hospitality.
 🎧 Tune in this Thursday to hear her story—spanning Google, KAYAK, and now OpenTable—and her perspective on what it takes to lead with grit, humility, and trust. Special thanks to HOST on Howard for providing this space.
 #saygracepodcast #hospitalityleadership #opentable #debbysoo #stevepalmer