I recently published an article about a new restaurant that opened in the Kingfield neighborhood of Minneapolis in the midst of the pandemic, as restaurants had to tuck in their chairs, elementary school style. Below is a quick blurb, but the full article can be found at Minnesota Monthly (no pay wall).
Is a restaurant with a palatable work culture even possible? Chef Jorge Guzmán and company are attempting to make it so at Petite León, a new restaurant where Mexican comfort food meets fine dining.
The past year was rocky for many, particularly the 230,000-plus restaurant and foodservice workers in Minnesota. More than half lost their jobs by April due to shutdowns and lack of business. Though some jobs returned, questions remain about health care, a safety net, and opportunities for advancement, particularly for people of color and women. After confronting his own pitfalls in the industry, Guzmán is attempting a renaissance.
