The must-read, bestselling book on service and leadership from the former co-owner of legendary restaurant Eleven Madison Park. THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AS SEEN ON THE HIT TV SHOW 'THE BEAR' The must-read, bestselling book on service and leadership from the former co-owner of legendary restaurant Eleven Madison Park. 'Any organization would benefit from his thinking' Simon Sinek, bestselling author of Start With Why 'One of the five best management books I have ever read. Plus, it is the most engaging and entertaining' Roger Martin, bestselling author of Playing to Win At just twenty-six years old, Will Guidara took charge of Eleven Madison Park: a struggling New York City two-star brasserie that had never lived up to its breathtaking room. Eleven years later, it was named the best restaurant in the world. How did Guidara pull off this unprecedented transformation? Through unreasonable hospitality: Radical reinvention, a true partnership between the kitchen and the dining room - and a belief that extraordinary experiences are created by going far beyond what's expected. 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 holiday. But the most lasting impact was felt behind the scenes. Guidara's leadership philosophy empowered his team to think and act differently, learning: How to deliver praise and criticism with intention Why the solution to the toughest business challenges is often to give more, not less How real magic happens when every employee starts thinking like an owner Now in Unreasonable Hospitality, Guidara shows us that any business can choose to be a hospitality business - and how we can all transform ordinary transactions into extraordinary experiences. Packed with vivid stories from the world's most celebrated restaurants, and featuring industry icons such as Daniel Boulud and Danny Meyer, Unreasonable Hospitality is an essential read for anyone who wants to lead with generosity, build exceptional teams, and create work that truly matters.

Details

ISBN13: 9781529146837
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 288
Edition:
Publication Date: 04 Aug 2026
Publisher: Ebury Publishing
Publication City, Country: United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 19.7(H)x12.8(L)x1.9(W)210
Weight (gm): 210

Author Biography

Will Guidara is the author of the New York Times bestseller Unreasonable Hospitality, which chronicles the lessons in service and leadership he has learned over the course of his career in restaurants. He is the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, which under his leadership was named the Best Restaurant in the World. He is the host of the Welcome Conference, a co-producer of the Emmy Award-winning series The Bear, and a recipient of the Wall Street Journal Innovator Award. He lives in New York with his wife, Christina, and their two children, Frankie and Sonny.

Reviews

Working alongside Will Guidara is the ultimate masterclass in how to thoughtfully improve the lives of those around you. He is now sharing his truly remarkable gift with the world in this keenly observant and heartfelt must-read, for anyone looking to stand out from the pack. * Dan Levy, Emmy® award winning writer, actor, director, and producer of Schitt’s Creek *
Any organization would benefit from his thinking. * Simon Sinek, author of multi-million-copy global bestseller Start With Why *
Will Guidara weaves heartfelt stories and keen observations to illustrate how purposeful, no-holds-barred hospitality satisfies our essential need to belong. An exceptional book for anyone or any organization aiming to excel at human connection. * Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and author of Setting the Table *
One of the five best management books I have ever read. Plus, it is the most engaging and entertaining – by a wide margin. This is, flat out, not a book to miss. * Roger Martin, writer, strategy advisor and management thinker *
Will Guidara is one of the very best in the hospitality business, but this book is for everyone. His insights on how to be a great entrepreneur cut through the noise. * David Chang, chef and founder of Momofuku, and host of Ugly Delicious *