
Episode #36
How to Stop Bleeding Profits in Your Restaurant | Shane Stephen Stagg | Ex Private Chef | Founders Mindset Unfiltered
Follow Shane Stephen Stagg Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shanestagg/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-stephen-stagg-502911314/ Culinary Systems Global Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culinary.systems.global/ Website: https://www.culinarysystemsglobal.com/ More about Culinary Systems Global Below In this episode of Founders Mindset Unfiltered , host Albert sits down with Shane Stephen Stagg, culinary consultant and founder of Culinary Systems Global. With over a decade of experience in high-pressure kitchen environments from Hilton Hotels to managing culinary operations for Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) families, Shane breaks down the operational flaws, profit leaks, and management mistakes that plague the hospitality industry. Shane shares how turning a blind eye to food wastage, poor procurement systems, and weak portion control can wipe out thousands in revenue each month. He breaks down how structured culinary systems, clear leadership, and smarter operational strategies can improve efficiency, protect margins, and set up hospitality businesses for sustainable, long-term success. Key Topics Covered: - Reality vs. Hollywood tropes in professional kitchens (Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, The Bear). - Navigating kitchen hierarchy, high-pressure environments, and mental health in hospitality. - How a 900kg carrot ordering blunder taught Shane the ultimate lesson in operational management. - The hidden cost of food wastage, voids, and broken procurement systems. - Practical strategies to fix inventory depletion, manage portion control, and boost profit margins. - Transitioning from a professional chef to cooking for UHNW families and yacht owners. - Financial mindset shifts: moving from high spending to reinvesting and building long-term wealth. - How Culinary Systems Global helps restaurants eliminate waste and optimize back-of-house operations. About Culinary Systems Global Protecting Profit. Strengthening Systems. Building Better Food Businesses. CSG specialises in helping food businesses identify operational inefficiencies, improve stock and costing systems, strengthen financial control and uncover opportunities to protect and maximise profit. Follow us on Socials: Instagram: / foundersmindsetunfiltered Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jaATPG... TikTok: / foundermindsetpodcast Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:13 - Behind the Scenes: Pressure & Culture in Professional Kitchens 00:02:37 - Starting at Age 15: The Hilton Apprenticeship & Early Regrets 00:06:33 - Debunking Kitchen Tropes: The Reality of TV vs. Real Life 00:09:23 - Managing Pressure, Efficiency, and Knowing Which Corners to Cut 00:11:03 - Shifting Pressure: From Busy Saturday Services to Solopreneurship 00:13:33 - Diversity, Camaraderie, and Hierarchy Behind the Scenes 00:15:04 - The 1,000kg Carrot Ordering Mistake & Key Operational Lessons 00:17:48 - The Best Advice: Be a Sponge, Listen, and Absorb Everything 00:18:50 - The Hidden Cost of Food Wastage and Voids in Hospitality 00:20:47 - Step-by-Step Solutions: Procurement Systems & Portion Control 00:24:40 - Great Chef vs. Good Business Owner: Balancing Passion & Strategy 00:26:13 - Lessons Learned from Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) Clients 00:27:41 - The Truth About Cooking for Billionaires, Celebrities & Yacht Owners 00:29:33 - High Earnings & Financial Mindset Shifts: Spending vs. Saving 00:31:10 - Founding Culinary Systems Global: Solving Back-of-House Inefficiencies 00:34:33 - Why Relying on Systems is Better Than Relying on One Person 00:35:49 - Rapid Fire Round: Scares, Working Hours & Biggest Wins 00:39:56 - Expanding Internationally & Outro






