LRA Showcase: Cooking Demo-Gen Z at the Table: Managing and Motivating the Next Generation of Restaurant Talent

Description

NOTE: Registration to this event is free and available to LRA restaurant members as part of their showcase registration. Non LRA restaurant members who register for this event will have to register for the showcase and pay the price of admission.

Please follow the link below to register for the LRA Showcase before registering for the session.

LRA Showcase - Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase 2025

Generation Z is redefining the restaurant workforce. They’re tech-savvy, socially conscious, and value work-life balance — yet they’re spending less time in restaurants and are often hesitant to work in them. So how can operators attract, engage, and retain this critical demographic? 

This panel will explore how to effectively manage Gen Z in today’s hospitality landscape, covering what motivates them, how they prefer to communicate, and what workplace culture looks like through their lens. From recruitment and training to retention and team dynamics, you’ll gain practical strategies to lead this generation with confidence. 

Panelists: 

• Jasmine Lair, HR Director, BRG Hospitality 
• Chef Taralyn Stephens, Instructor, New Orleans Career Center 
• Ricky Castro, General Manager, Ruby Slipper Café – Canal Street
• Andrew Cambre, Pit Master/Sous Chef, Salty Joe's BBQ