Inside Leon 1909: Fire, Flavor & Hospitality on New York's Shelter Island
Join Claudia Saric and Spencer Michiel as they sit down with Valerie Minchin, first-time restaurateur, and Armand Joseph, Detroit-born Palestinian-American chef, to explore the story behind Leon 1909, New York's Shelter Island’s must-visit destination restaurant.
From flipping homes in the Hamptons to opening a live-fire culinary hotspot, Valerie shares the highs, lows, and unexpected lessons of launching a restaurant in a seasonal, island community. Armand gives an insider look at cooking over a 14-foot open hearth, sourcing local fish and ingredients, preserving seasonal flavors, and building a kitchen culture rooted in mentorship and empathy.
Discover:
- The journey from a Capital One bank to a stunning restaurant space.
- How live-fire cooking shapes every dish at Leon 1909.
- Challenges of running a year-round restaurant in a seasonal town.
- Innovative staffing solutions, including J1 students and staff housing.
- The importance of empathy, mentorship, and leadership in the kitchen.
- Tips for aspiring chefs and restaurateurs looking to make their mark.
- Why Eastern Long Island is an underrated culinary region.
- Thoughts on industry trends, sustainable wages, and local sourcing.
Whether you’re dreaming of opening your own restaurant, love culinary stories, or just want a taste of Shelter Island’s vibrant food scene, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at Leon 1909.
Timestamps:
0:52 – Introduction to Leon 1909
1:01 – Meet Valerie Minchin & Armand Joseph
2:00 – Valerie’s journey from psychology to restaurateur
3:17 – Transforming a former bank into a live-fire restaurant
4:10 – Life and inspiration on Shelter Island
5:18 – Honoring family legacy through the restaurant’s name
6:01 – Cooking over live fire: challenges and techniques
8:10 – Using local, foraged, and preserved ingredients
11:17 – Managing a seasonal business & staffing challenges
15:27 – Building a family-like team and mentorship culture
22:03 – Advice for young chefs and leadership lessons
25:05 – Hard realities of owning a restaurant
27:17 – Spotlight on underrated East End ingredients
28:41 – Why you need to visit Leon 1909
29:08 – Industry trends that need to change
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⭐ Connect with the Podcast
Full Episodes: https://linktr.ee/soyouwanttorunarestaurant
Follow Claudia: @claudia.saric
Follow Spencer: @restaurantspenny
⭐ Learn more about Leon 1909
https://www.leon1909.com/about
