Unreasonable Hospitality

The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect

By: Will Guidara

Narrated by: Will Guidara

Brought to you by Penguin.

Essential lessons in hospitality for every business, from the former co-owner of legendary restaurant Eleven Madison Park.

Will Guidara was twenty-six when he took the helm of Eleven Madison Park, a struggling two-star brasserie that had never quite lived up to its majestic room. Eleven years later, EMP was named the best restaurant in the world.

How did Guidara pull off this unprecedented transformation? Radical reinvention, a true partnership between the kitchen and the dining room—and memorable, over-the-top, bespoke hospitality. Guidara’s team surprised a family who had never seen snow with a magical sledding trip to Central Park after their dinner; they filled a private dining room with sand, complete with mai-tais and beach chairs, to console a couple with a cancelled vacation. And his hospitality extended beyond those dining at the restaurant to his own team, who learned to deliver praise and criticism with intention; why the answer to some of the most pernicious business dilemmas is to give more—not less; and the magic that can happen when a busser starts thinking like an owner.

Today, every business can choose to be a hospitality business—and we can all transform ordinary transactions into extraordinary experiences. Featuring sparkling stories of his journey through restaurants, with the industry’s most famous players like Daniel Boulud and Danny Meyer, Guidara urges us all to find the magic in what we do—for ourselves, the people we work with, and the people we serve.

©2024 Will Guidara (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Eye opening

Every industry has an opportunity for unreasonable hospitality and unique experiences that’s drive excellence in service.

Service industry blueprint

Hailing from the medical and scuba diving industry and loving coffee shops and dining out, this book was such a pleasure to listen to. It was loaded with so many business and leadership nuggets.

Outstanding lessons for all

I have always believed that a well run restaurant is the epitome of any well run enterprise. Will Guidara proves this and provides many life jewels along the way.

The best book I have ever listened/read

Its not great because of the lessons or stories. They only support, it’s great because of the vision and purpose! I have never been this inspired to serve after any other book. Heres to creating moments of wonder.

Loved it!

I normally read every day., after finishing Unreasonable Hospitality I can’t start a new book, just because I don’t believe there is any book exists which can make me feel same emotions!