Takeaways – Life. Lessons. Learned.
Richard Camarota
Richard Camarota has been cooking nearly his whole life. In the post-COVID era, he’s gone from the back of the kitchen to the front of the house, opening a line of high-end restaurants that’s shaken up the Vegas scene. He’s the Operations Director and Managing Partner for McClain Kamarota Hospitality, alongside James Beard and award-winning Chef Shawn McClain. Some of their restaurants include Bala inside The Sahara, Libertine Social inside the Mandalay Bay, Wineaux with Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel, and more.
Culinary adventure of a lifetime
Cooking has always just made sense to Richard, so he decided to keep doing it after his first high school job, cooking in a restaurant. From Michigan to Belgium and Italy, his post-Culinary School time in Europe shaped his career as a Chef, and gave him the chops that it takes to just go for it.
He fell in love with ingredients and was surrounded by people with a passion for hospitality. He was the youngest Chef de Cuisine at Spiaggia in Chicago, and he moved to Las Vegas in 2009 to be the Executive Chef of Sage inside the Aria Resort and Casino. This move launched him and his good friend and mentor Shawn into the world of taking new risks in culinary, and they earned the rare distinction of opening three new restaurants on time and on budget.
The essence of hospitality
For Richard Camarota, the heart of hospitality isn’t just about table settings or perfectly placed bread plates. While those details are important, they’re just mechanics. True hospitality is about creating an experience that resonates emotionally with guests. Richard believes it’s the feeling you leave people with that matters most, and he instills this ethos within his teams. For him, hospitality is a culture built on warmth, attentiveness, and connection.
Growing up with parents who modeled stability and integrity, Richard developed a natural sense of leadership. This foundation, paired with his adventurous spirit and willingness to make bold moves, has been key to his success. For Richard, hospitality isn’t just a job—it’s a passion that drives him forward every day.
Takeaways From This Episode
- Maintain high standards and keep a culture of passion
- “Just the Tip” has a nice ring to it
- Trust yourself and put in the effort
- Building a culture of warmth and connection
Watch the full Podcast episode to learn how to develop hospitality like Richard Camarota. Thank you for listening! Please subscribe to “Takeaways,” rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts.
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