We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anne Boninsegna & Jen Lindsey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anne Boninsegna below.

Anne and Jen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

We found that having an in-house social media manager is the best fit for our business. This approach allows us to capture the dynamic nature of our daily operations, events, and atmosphere in real time. When we outsourced social media and general marketing management in the past, we noticed a disconnect between what was being posted and what was actually happening in our space, which impacted authenticity. Having someone on-site ensures that our story is being told accurately and efficiently. Plus, it saves time, as there’s no need to constantly relay information to a third party—our manager is already in our team meetings and immersed in our daily flow.

Since making this switch, we’ve seen a notable increase in event bookings and ticket sales for our public events. The communication and turnaround for posts are faster, allowing us to engage more effectively with our audience. For business owners considering outsourcing, use it as a learning opportunity. If you choose to outsource those services, ensure that you build strong relationships with the outsourced teams and treat them as an extension of your business. This mindset helps ensure alignment and results that feel more connected to your brand.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Anne and Jen are passionate about creating memorable experiences centered around food. Together, they co-founded The Kitchen, a unique dining experience and event venue in the heart of Columbus, Ohio. Our mission is to bring people together through food in ways that feel personal and engaging, whether it’s a private celebration or one of our many public community events.

At The Kitchen, we offer two versatile spaces for hosting events: our main venue and The Studio, which provides a more intimate setting. What truly sets us apart is our signature Participatory Dining Events—the first full-scale, collaborative meal experiences in Ohio. These events allow guests to actively participate in creating their meal, with as much or as little involvement as they prefer, guided by our expert team. This hands-on approach makes every event memorable and unique, giving guests a sense of ownership and connection. Our menus feature locally sourced vendors, and we can accommodate a wide variety of floor plans and dining experiences. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or a casual gathering, we work closely with clients to tailor each event to their vision and needs.

In 2018, we expanded our offerings with The Studio at The Kitchen, a more intimate venue that still provides access to our renowned culinary options and hospitality. Our commitment to supporting local organizations and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere is something we’re incredibly proud of.

At the end of the day, our guests become part of our family. We believe that the best memories are made around food, and we strive to make every event, no matter how big or small, a reflection of that. So come celebrate with us—because all the best parties happen in The Kitchen!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Our reputation was built by consistently delivering exceptional food and a memorable guest experience. From the very beginning, when Anne and Jen launched The Kitchen with a Kickstarter event, the focus has always been on the quality of the food. Guests regularly leave our events saying, ‘Wow, that food was amazing,’ which sets us apart in an industry where event venue food is often considered an afterthought.

We believe that great food is the foundation of any memorable event, which is why we invest in high-quality ingredients and proudly support local businesses. We take special care to accommodate dietary needs, ensuring every guest feels included and cared for.

What also helps build our reputation is the deep sense of responsibility we feel when people choose to celebrate their most important life events—whether it’s a wedding, birthday, or anniversary—with us. Anne and Jen’s team of professionals make it a priority to create an experience that feels personal, thoughtful, and exceptional. Our commitment to guest satisfaction, from the food to the atmosphere, is what has earned us trust and respect in the market.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Our most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been fostering strong, immediate relationships with prospects from the very first interaction. Responding quickly and attentively sets the tone for the client experience, showing them that we are committed to executing a successful event right from the start. We make it a priority to follow up consistently and remain available to address any questions or concerns throughout the planning process.

Having a dedicated team to manage incoming inquiries in a timely manner is crucial. It ensures that no opportunity is missed and that clients feel supported and confident in our ability to deliver. We also focus on being flexible and solution-oriented, always striving to find a way to say ‘yes’ to client requests. This level of personalized service makes clients feel valued and reassured, which has helped us build long-lasting relationships and grow our clientele through word of mouth and referrals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thekitchencolumbus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekitchencolumbus/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKitchen231/
• Linkedin: The Kitchen Columbus

Image Credits

Autumn Theodore Photography, Megan Leigh Barnard Photography