We recently connected with Dennis Rodgers and have shared our conversation below.

Dennis , appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

In my opinion to be successful you have to have an uncanny ability to always reinvent yourself in ways that you stand out amongst others, you have to constantly develop those around you to operate in excellence always, and never compromise the integrity of your brand. Stand on your key values and never be afraid to go against the grain, its good trust your gut feelings and just jump into go mode, sometimes you just have to start and build as you go. Starting is the most important part of being successful, not starting will only guarantee that you wont be successful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Our mission here at D. Rodg World Class Catering is to make your culinary vision a reality. Exceeding expectations with flavorful cuisine that is made with the highest quality ingredients and paired with impeccable service is our goal. Whether buffet style or table side we will make your catered event special.

Executive Chef and Owner of D. Rodg World Class Catering is a native of East Saint Louis, Illinois and a self-taught chef with over 20 plus years of experience in the culinary field. He started his company in 2007, with the sole premise that D. Rodg World Class Catering isn’t just a name but an experience. He turns every event into an experience made deliciously unforgettable. Anyone can provide you with food, however Chef Dennis Rodgers employs a team of well-trained individuals who take pride in the gold standard of being world class. This is done by managing every event with impeccable style from beginning to end.

Whether you’re thinking of entertaining a few friends or hosting hundreds of guests for a lavish gala, we’d love the opportunity to earn your business. World Class Catering, St. Louis Missouri and the surrounding Metropolitan Area.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

The best advice that I could give for managing a team and keeping morale high is to always keep your own head space at a calm. Have you ever heard the term the team is only as good as its leader? That’s the philosophy that I go by with my team, a good leader knows how to build trust, and maximizes on the collective strengths and weaknesses of the team. If your own head space is in chaos you can’t effectively lead your team into success. a famous quote from Alexander the Great about leadership goes like this. ” I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. ”

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Just as recent as December 2022, I made the decision to leave a well paying job to fully invest into myself and my own business. I have been in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry my entire working career, and had reach the pinnacle of those industries through hard work and dedication to those crafts. I have been a Sous Chef, Executive Chef, Regional Executive Chef, Restaurant Manager, Restaurant General Manager, Assistant Food & Beverage Director, Food & Beverage Director, Hotel Assistant General Manager not mention all the front line service jobs I had along the way, all of which I see now was my training for running my own successful Catering Business. Over the years, I have enjoyed serving many of you through my part-time catering services. I am thrilled to take this step to fully commit to my passion for cooking and serving you on a truly world-class level.

Pursuing your dream can be challenging, and there will be setbacks and obstacles along the way. But it’s important to stay focused on your goal and remember why you started in the first place. I hope this reminds you to pursue that next step in your life’s journey.

I look forward to catering the party when you’re ready to celebrate your accomplishments! In the meantime, if you or anyone you know is looking for catering, please reach out; we’ll be happy to serve you.
chefdrodgcatering.com/

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chefdrodgcatering.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefdrodg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRodgWorldClassCatering
• Twitter: @Dennis_Rodgers3
• Youtube: @chefdennisrodgers

Image Credits
Evan Butler Dennis Rodgers