Michelin Inspired Team Dinner '25
A Night of Inspiration: How Fine Dining Fuels Our Culture at Chef Joann & Co.
Collaborate
The Experience
Some meals stay with you—not just for the flavor, but for the way they make you think, feel, and see the world a little differently. Our recent team dinner at 31ThirtyOne, Chef Drew Deckman’s intimate chef’s counter experience, was one of those nights.
It wasn’t a “staff outing.” It wasn’t a perk. It was a glimpse into Chef Joann’s philosophy: the belief that great food connects people, shapes culture, and can be a powerful teacher.
Why This Night Mattered
Joann has traveled the world many times over— these experiences didn’t just sharpen her palate; they shaped her approach to hospitality. They taught her how food can tell a story, honor a place, and carry a point of view.
Yet one day, she realized something important:
Many of the talented people on our team hadn’t experienced fine dining themselves.
They’d cooked it.They’d served it. They’d helped create it for clients.
But they’d never been on the other side of the table—where a dish arrives like a work of art, where the pacing of a meal pulls you into the moment, where hospitality feels intentional and generous.
And because Joann believes deeply in elevating what’s possible—for our clients and our crew—she decided to change that.
Experiencing Excellence Together
So she gathered the team and took them to 31ThirtyOne—an extraordinary, 12-seat chef’s counter located in North Park, run by Michelin-starred Chef Drew Deckman. It's a space rooted in Baja’s agricultural richness, where thoughtfully sourced ingredients, regional craft, and world-class technique come together.
Watching the staff—our staff—light up as each course arrived was remarkable.
There were flavors we’d never tasted.
Textures we didn’t expect.
Techniques that sparked questions, ideas, and a whole lot of “we need to try something like this.”
It wasn’t just educating the palate. It was expanding the imagination.
Empowerment Starts With Exposure
Joann has always believed that people do their best work when they feel seen, supported, and inspired. Giving the team access to experiences like this is part of that mission.
It’s one thing to train someone how to plate a dish.
It’s another to show them how a world-renowned chef conceptualizes one.
That shift changes everything.
It builds confidence.
It stirs ambition.
It reinforces the idea that craft matters—even in the smallest details.
And because we're a woman-owned business, investing in growth and opportunity—especially in an industry where women are still fighting for representation—is more than a value. It’s a responsibility.
Connection Around the Table
Of course, the food was unforgettable. But the best part of the night wasn’t on the plate—it was around the table.
Laughing together.
Sharing first impressions.
Trading memories and stories. Learning more about each other in a single evening than we sometimes do in a month of busy events.
These moments strengthen us as a team. They make us more intuitive, more collaborative, more aligned with the heart of what we do.
Honoring Local Craft & Community
Choosing 31ThirtyOne was also intentional. Chef Deckman is a champion of regenerative agriculture, slow food principles, and local Baja growers. Supporting businesses like his is part of our commitment to uplifting the culinary community here in Southern California and just beyond the border.
Good food is always a collaboration—between farmers, chefs, artisans, and the people who gather to enjoy it. We’re proud to be part of that ecosystem.
The Impact We Bring Back to Our Clients
Nights like this aren’t just memorable—they make us better at what we do.
They help us rethink flavor combinations.
They influence how we design menus.
They inspire the way we plate, serve, and create atmospheres for our clients.
Because when we’re moved, our work moves people too.
A Culture Built on Curiosity, Care & Craft
At Chef Joann & Co, culture isn’t a poster on a wall. It’s a living practice—shaped by shared experiences, continuous learning, and the belief that hospitality is at its best when it comes from the heart.
This night at 31ThirtyOne reminded us why we do what we do:
To create elevated experiences that bring people together.
To uplift our team through exposure, education, and opportunity.
And to honor the craft of cooking—in every form it takes.
Here’s to more good food, more inspiration, and more moments that remind us why we love this work.
See More
Explore some of our past events where we transformed ordinary moments into lasting memories.
Create your next unforgetable experience with us.
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