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The Golfer's Journal Podcast

Mind Game: Nick Kokonas, "Know What Good Is"

Jan 30, 2025
Nick Kokonas, co-founder of the three-Michelin-star restaurant Alinea, shares his thrilling journey from trading to transforming the culinary scene. He discusses risk-taking strategies and his insights on the intertwined worlds of fine dining and golf. With humor, he dives into the importance of embracing discomfort for growth, explores creativity in restaurants versus sports, and offers ideas to reenergize the PGA Tour. Kokonas also reflects on psychological barriers in competitive environments, emphasizing the need for personal growth and accountability.
01:37:24

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Nick Kokonas highlights his entrepreneurial journey by revealing how his critical thinking and independence transformed the dining experience at Alinea.
  • Kokonas emphasizes the significance of shared experiences and relationships in golf, illustrating that camaraderie enhances the sport beyond just competition.

Deep dives

The Journey of Nick Kokonas

Nick Kokonas is recognized as a co-founder of Alinea, a renowned Michelin-star restaurant in Chicago that has transformed dining experiences. He has a rich background including being a philosophy major, former trader, and self-publisher of various books. His inquisitive nature drives him to question established norms in the restaurant industry, like the conventional approach to reservations and dining etiquette. After selling his stake in the Alinea group, Kokonas now dedicates more time to his passions, including golf, while still maintaining interests in creativity, entrepreneurship, and decision-making.

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