Meet Kristina Hagemann (GM) Jessica Earick (Chef) | Owner/General Manager – Owner/Executive Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristina Hagemann (GM) Jessica Earick (Chef) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristina Hagemann (GM), what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
That’s a great question and a fairly simple answer. We were tired of not feeling valued or appreciated in our, then, current roles. The restaurant industry is brutal enough as it is, but furthermore it lacks compassion and understanding for its employees. We wanted to be different. We wanted to be better. So with that being said, our first thought was to create our Vision and Philosophy around those exact sentiments. When we finished we had come up with a recipe for success.

Our Philosophy and Vision
“Eggmann’s is a place that values and supports our customers and each other like family. It is bolstered by a fun working environment, promotes empathy and compassion to all, encourages daily laughter and inspires one another to become our best selves at work and at home through positive reinforcement, showing genuine appreciation in our words and our actions and practicing servant leadership so we can deliver exceptional service and thoughtful food to our guest”.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What we are most proud of is the cultural that we have not only created within our staff but throughout the entire dining experience. When we set out in 2019 and started dreaming of our restaurant, we had a clear vision of what type of environment we wanted to create. We knew we wanted “Eggmann’s will be a place that values and supports our customers and each other like family. A place that is fed by a fun working environment, a sense of empathy for all and compassion for one another through daily laughter and encouragement to become our best
selves. We wanted to be a place where people from all walks of life could come together and bond over a thoughtful meal amongst friends”. We believe we’ve held true to this mission and it shows in the relationships with how team and guests alike.

Was it easy starting a restaurant in the middle of a pandemic with no money?
LOL, no it was definitely not easy, but we live by a motto . . . “If its the easy thing to do, it probably isn’t the right thing to do”!
We spent relentless hours testing recipes, finding vendors, designing menus, searching free ways to market, working from sun up to sun down and of course hitting up every garage sale we could find to purchase all of our eclectic mugs and plate ware. All of that happened in the 2 months before we opened our doors and served our first guests. After that there were plenty of hurdles to overcome. Prep coolers going down, dryer fires, equipment delays, food shortages, staffing issues, and those are just the ones we can remember! With each challenge there were tears and frustrations, but we have always been able to help each other take a step back, breathe, and fight the challenge head on together.

The lesson we learned is as long as we stick together we can overcome whatever is thrown away!
Teamwork makes our Dreamwork

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ohio is such a beautiful place! From the highest point in Bellefontaine (our hometown) to the geographical center (Centerburg, where Eggmann’s Eatery is located) there is plenty to see and do. Whether its hiking Mohican State Park or kayaking on Alum Creek, enjoying the heart of Ohio bike trail or boating on Indian Lake, visiting Amish country or exploring the State capital, there is something for everyone.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Kristina – There are so many people who have touched our lives, helped us out, cheered us on, and provided relentless support over the years.
First and foremost, our family. We would not be where we are today if it wasn’t for their love and encouragement! They lift us up when we are down and celebrate with us when we win. They are the foundation we built on business on.
My husband, Josh, and daughter, Skylar are my daily inspiration to keep pushing forward. They make me a better human.
Next would be our website designer and business coach, Dave Saliarius of Saliarius Consulting . Dave has been instrumental in our success from designing our beautiful website to coaching us on how to set SMART goals, hire the best staff for us and build a business from the ground up. His knowledge and skillset are immeasurable and greatly appreciated.
Another bright light in my career was my mentor, Howard Solomon owner of The Pastrami Guy at The Pastrami Stand in San Diego. That man fought for me at every turn, gave me the tools to be a thoughtful yet direct General Manager and provided me with encouragement on the darkest of days. He is the truest definition of servant leadership and I will be forever grateful for the positive impact he has had on my life.

Jessica –
Like Kristina said, our family is a huge part of our success. Our parents have always supported our dreams, even when they thought we were crazy! Like when we decided to start a restaurant during a pandemic in the “middle of nowhere” Ohio with only our unemployment money, a hope and an insane dream.
Next I would have to say, San Diego Restaurateur and Chef, Lance Repp. He is the person who initially inspired me to become a chef. He is a mountain of a man who made the most beautifully delicate foods I had ever seen. His attention to detail made every dish come to life from the first whiff to the final bite.
Then there is Chef Victor Jimenez and Jon Weber of Cowboy Star. Chef Jimenez taught me patience and refinement. Working next to him in an open kitchen was like putting on a show for our guests every night. He showed me how to create a “dining experience” from an Amuse Bouche to dessert and everything in between. Chef Jimenez’s plating was exceptional and something I try to mimic in every dish I plate for our guests. Jon helped mold my vision on how to create a memorable experience for every guest. His depth of understanding this industry is a testament to why his restaurant has won “Best Fine Dining Steak House” 15 years running, and is why I value and share his story anytime I can.

Website: www.eggmannseatery.com

Facebook: facebook.com/EggmannsEatery