430: Turning Low Attendance into High Impact Experiences w/ Chef Andrew Haapala

What happens when the turnout is low, the plan isn’t working, and canceling the event feels like the easiest option?

If you’re Chef Andrew Haapala, you pivot. You turn the dining room into a chef’s table. You bring the members into the kitchen. And you make it an experience they’ll never forget.

In this episode, Andrew, Executive Chef at The Country Club of Virginia, shares how one slow night became an unexpected win—not just for the members, but for his team.

We talk about:

• How creative thinking turns a problem into an opportunity
• Why showing up for the few can mean more than serving the many
• The importance of having a team that’s ready to adapt on the fly
• What leadership looks like behind the line—especially when plans change

Andrew’s leadership style is thoughtful, real, and rooted in trust. This episode is a great listen for chefs, F&B pros, and any club leader who knows that the best experiences sometimes come from the least expected moments.

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