Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Graham.
Bryan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
A southern California native, I grew up in Redlands on a large ranch near the San Bernardino mountains that grew avocados and citrus fruits. My parents had exposed me to the world of restaurants and fine dining at a very early age. As a young person, the nuance and meticulous attention to detail of a finely-honed restaurant experience was largely unappreciated but there was always an underlying sense that something magical was happening around us. That magic turned out to affect me more than I would realize.
Out of high school, my first “real job” was as a pantry cook at a large chain restaurant that was opening nearby. I wanted to be a server but I had no experience at the time. After a year, I took a job delivering pre-made foods in a large refrigerated truck to convenience stores. I hated that job. 6 am start times and long days weren’t balancing with my social life at the time. I decided to reach out to the best restaurant in my city, get a job and go back to school. My hospitality career truly started when I began working at a local Italian restaurant. I worked my way up the ladder as a busboy, then a food runner and finally a server. I learned so much about the execution and operation of a great restaurant.
However, I still didn’t realize it would be my career path. I would go on to get a degree in Biology from UCLA and after graduating I found myself returning to the hospitality industry. In 2015, I joined the Ocean Prime Beverly Hills family where I discovered my love for the energy and culture taking place at restaurants. Just four months in, my dedication to the company values and customer service did not go unnoticed and I was quickly promoted to a supervisory role and later, Dining Room Manager. This past summer I took on the role of General Manager.
You never know when opportunities will present themselves. All you can do is be as prepared as possible when they do. For me, the opportunity was in hospitality. Today, the magic of an extraordinary restaurant experience is still there for me much like it was as a child. It drives me every day. As a new restaurant manager, I was a sponge. Soaking up as much information as I could about operations. I remained very grounded and connected to my team. I am hands on and lead by example always. I believe that accountability and diligent work ethic combined with a positive attitude and the ability to manage stress are key components to being successful in my field. As General Manager of Ocean Prime Beverly Hills I am by default an operator but one of my biggest goals is to create a culture full of magic, inspiration, synergy and well-being for my team. It’s a challenge I look forward to every day!
Has it been a smooth road?
Our path is never clear. Maybe some more so than others but the important thing is to progress in one way or another. My path never seemed clear, then one day it was. Everyone’s time is different. The point is to stay positive and always work towards something. One day it will click!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
At Ocean Prime we have a philosophy: “Yes is the answer. What’s the question?” We go above and beyond for our guests and associates. We specialize in creating experiences that our guests can feel and connect with. Lavish décor, decadent food and impeccable service are the expectation, and we certainly deliver, but where we differ from others is genuine hospitality. We create lasting bonds with our guests through a genuine desire to serve and surpass expectations. What am I most proud of? Our team! The culture that exists among them and the opportunity it affords them to do what they love. They are special. It’s pretty incredible!
Contact Info:
- Address: 9595 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills 90212
- Website: https://www.ocean-prime.com/locations/beverly-hills
- Phone: (310) 859-4818
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceanprimebh/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/oceanprimecmr?lang=en
Image Credit:
Headshot + food + drink – JS2 PR, Interior – Ocean Prime Beverly Hills
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