The Oprah Podcast Oprah & Will Guidara, The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
Nov 4, 2025
Oprah chats with Will Guidara, a renowned restaurateur known for elevating Eleven Madison Park and author of 'Unreasonable Hospitality.' They discuss the transformative power of exceptional service, starting with Will’s journey from disappointment to a people-centered approach. Will shares memorable stories like the heartfelt 'hot dog moment' and his father's influence on his hospitality philosophy. They explore how intentional gestures can create lasting impacts, not only in restaurants but in all walks of life.
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Impact Trumps Technical Perfection
- Being technically excellent isn't enough; top restaurants make an impact by creating human connection that changes guests' lives.
- Will reframed 'unreasonable' from product obsession to relentless pursuit of people feeling seen and cared for.
Turn Disappointment Into A Clear Goal
- After placing last in the World's 50 Best, Will set a clear goal: become number one by being unreasonable in pursuit of people rather than product.
- He turned disappointment into strategy by focusing on making guests feel seen and cared for.
Hot Dog That Outshone Fine Dining
- Will bought a New York hot dog from a street cart and convinced his chef to plate it for a table of foodies as a surprise course.
- The guests reacted more strongly to that hot dog than to any expensive dish Will had ever served, showing the power of thoughtful gestures.
