Meet Jerry Prendergast of Culver City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Prendergast.

Hi Jerry, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I studied at University of Rochester in business and finance, but also spent spare time auditing classes at the Culinary Institute of America, where I further developed his culinary skills.
Throughout college and graduate school in upstate NY, I worked in every area of the restaurant industry
I went on to work extensively in Manhattan at numerous fine dining restaurants. I worked with renowned restaurant designer Sam Lopata on Café Seiyoken, Safari Grill, and Auntie Yuan, and assembled the opening staff for Scampi and Metropolis. Before moving to Los Angeles in 1990, I had a long association with NY Restaurant Group, owners of Smith & Wollensky and the Post House.
In affiliation with Disney Imagineering, I oversaw the opening of Encounter, the centerpiece restaurant at Los Angeles International Airport. I have consulted on the development of nightclubs and restaurants now in multiple states and countries. I opened my own consulting group, Prendergast & Associates, and have consulted on every type of restaurant project, from creative mall food courts and restaurants to high profile, large budget restaurant operations around the world. I personally oversee projects from development through build-out and opening, and have developed a reputation for bringing to life the concepts of some of the finest operators and world-class chefs in the world.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh no. Business as in life is an up and down path. The economy always has a big influence on how many projects and the size of them that comes my way. Some years I have 5 -8 projects to work on and some years 1c or 2. I can also see where there is business. Am i working in CA or somewhere else in the country . Or, are we working outside the country. Thirty five years has seen ups, down and a lot of change. In California I judge the health of the economy on the price of a liquor license.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in START-UP hospitality projects. I started with restaurants. The first time chef opening their first location. The first time manager branching out into ownership. I try to start getting them the right attorney, accountant. and real estate person involved. Then we proceed to designer, architect, contractor and a full team. And as we do that we build their buisness plan and investment structure with their legal team.
It is the NEW project that I am known for. I have grown though to work for developers and landlords to help bring in new concepts that will diferentiate their property.
I am proud of concepts that are still open 30 years later. Ones that have received critical claim and michelin stars.
I am proud to have given designers their first projects and seen them grow to win worldwide acclaim.
I am not just an operational consultant who worries about food cost or can we create something that fits in. I want to work on what will change perception. What will make a property special. What will make chef special. .

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I moved from NY City. I grew up just outside of it and loved it. I still do. But LA has such a cultural blend. It has great theater.. I am a subscriber to the Aamanson and the Taper.. I love the opera and the wonderful museums that have amazing collections.
I also love that I can bike the Ballona Creek path to the ocean and ride 35 miles round trip.. or 50 miles. I can find gravel and MTB paths not far from home. And the weather lets me breath the outdoors what I love.
And the food scene is beyond creative. I that given birth to movements around the world. I can get the best Chinese.. the best Persian or incredible French or Italian.. .
And what is worst thing about LA.. the Traffic… and the lack of respect by drivers for cyclists… NYC was better about that. We are treated terribly on the road.. And LA is the center of the HIT AND RUN.. I know I have been hit and they ran.
The New Metro has helped.. and will moving forward.. but Bike lanes are needed…

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Other: https://RestaurantProducer.com