Grit #228 Co-Founder Alinea & Tock: Selling Experience
13 snips
Feb 3, 2025 
Nick Kokonas, co-founder of the Alinea Group and former CEO of Tock, shares his innovative culinary journey. He discusses his transition from a Michelin-starred restaurant to exploring a new restaurant concept that combines dining with magical experiences. Nick reflects on personal challenges, including a family member's cancer diagnosis, and how fear has driven his entrepreneurial choices. He emphasizes the importance of creating memorable moments for diners while revealing insights into effective communication and the complexities of running a unique business.
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Alinea Group's Start
- Nick Kokonas faced skepticism when starting the Alinea Group, with many people questioning his decision.
- Despite this, he embraced fear as motivation, meticulously planning and analyzing the venture before diving in.
Alinea's Opening Night
- Opening night at Alinea was chaotic, with unexpected guests from The New York Times and challenges in managing a new team.
- Kokonas realized the immense workload and continuous nature of restaurant operations, contrasting with his initial assumptions.
Grant Achatz's Cancer Diagnosis
- Eighteen months after Alinea's opening, Kokonas's partner, Grant Achatz, was diagnosed with stage four tongue cancer.
- Kokonas actively sought alternative treatments, leading to Achatz's participation in a successful clinical trial at the University of Chicago.
