this is not a generic leadership course. This is the real thing.
ABOUT JUSTIN KENNON
20+ Years. Real kitchens. Real teams. Real results.
THE STORY
I DIDN’T LEARN LEADERSHIP IN A CLASSROOM.
I learned it on a Friday night with 200 covers, two no-shows, and a line cook who just walked out.
I'm Justin Kennon - The Leadership Chef. Over 20 years I built and led teams of 5 to over 300 people across some of the most recognized brands in hospitality. Disney. Marriott. Chick-fil-A. Sodexo. Aramark. Compass Group.
I've been the guy who thought working harder than everyone else was enough. It wasn't. I've hired wrong. Promoted wrong. Lost good people because I didn't know what I didn't know.
And I've rebuilt - from the ground up - after culture completely broke down. That's where the real education happened.
I built The Leadership Chef because this industry deserves better than generic advice from people who've never worked a line.
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
20+ 300+ $25M+ 5
Years in Hospitality Team Members Led Dining Programs World-Class Brands
Disney · Marriott · Chick-fil-A · Sodexo · Aramark · Compass Group
CERTIFIED & LICENSED THROUGH
Certified Maxwell Leadership coach. Maxwell DISC consultant. Licensed facilitator — including materials developed by my mentor, Paul Martinelli.
Maxwell Leadership
Certified Coach
Maxwell DISC
Certified Consultant
Blueprint for Success
Licensed Facilitator
American Culinary Federation
Certified Chef de Cusine
Empowered Living
Licensed Facilitator
“Most kitchens don’t have a food problem. They have a leadership problem.”
HOW I CAN HELP YOU
Every program is built on real hospitality experience. No fluff. No theory. Just leadership tools you can use on your very next shift.
FREE MONTHLY WEBINAR
15 Laws of Growth
Lunch & Learn One law. One hour. Every month. Join hospitality professionals from across the industry for a free virtual lunch and learn built around John Maxwell's 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. Accountability, community, and real momentum — at no cost.
Coming Soon →
ASSESMENT + COACHING
Maxwell DISC
Understand how you're wired. How your team is wired. Close the communication gap.
5-DAY ONLINE CHALLENGE
RESET
Clear your mental clutter. Rebuild your habits. Enter this year with a plan that actually works. One action per day for 5 days — 10 minutes a day is all it takes.
Free Coming soon
Your Team Is Waiting
for a Leader.
Book a free discovery call. No pitch. No pressure. Just a real conversation.
No obligation - 30 minutes - Real talk