People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
– Maya Angelou
I first met Barry Waitte ten years ago, in the early autumn of 2012. At that time, I was the general manager and wine director of a wonderful Napa restaurant, Cuvee. Landing a position connecting to food and wine in America’s food and wine capitol had been a dream come true, and I relished every moment of the experience.
One aspect of Barry’s successful business model has always been to patronize restaurants throughout the valley, and of course introduce his wines. Cuvee was no exception, and the Deux Cheveaux Cabernet and Dijon Clone Chardonnay he brought that night so impressed the Executive Chef Jordan Mackey and me that they immediately went on our wine list.
On the first night Barry visited, Cuvee was firing on all cylinders. The dining room and patio were full, we had a large group in our function space, and a lively crowd filled the bar and lounge. Guests milled around the host stand, expectantly waiting to be seated. From the firelit patio, one could see the line of chefs sautéing and grilling in the kitchen while calling out orders.
While engaging him in conversation, Barry asked me, “How do you do it? Holding this all together?” My response was simple.
“I throw a dinner party every single night. Why not make it the best it can be?”
The statement stuck with Barry and resurfaced ten years later during our conversation about my becoming the Hospitality Director at Tamber Bey.
Throughout my career in hospitality, I have always been sustained by the response my guests exhibit to a memorable experience. It stays with them. Excellent hospitality is unforgettable and providing it a rewarding service.
Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is in the service of others.” I have made a career of that, and the journey has been an exciting and rewarding one.
At Tamber Bey, our team’s goal is to create memorable experiences. There is abundant excellent wine in Napa and discerning customers. Over and over, I have seen that a personal connection to the wine, the winery, and the people who bring it to the world are the deciding factor that keeps our guests returning, year after year.
Sharing our unique story, hearing the stories of our guests, and seeing the look on people’s faces when they connect to the place and the wine, is worth all the hours our team energetically invests into making that happen. Cheers.
— Morgan Craft, Director of Hospitality
