#United States #San Francisco #OpenTable #Hospitality Leaders #Restaurant Ambassador

OpenTable's Restaurant Ambassador Council Makes its Debut

OpenTable has taken a significant step towards engaging with the restaurant community by launching its inaugural U.S. Restaurant Ambassador Council. This initiative is designed to gather insights from a diverse group of industry leaders, including chefs and operators, who can share valuable real-world experiences. The main goal is to refine OpenTable's strategies and product offerings in alignment with the industry's evolving landscape.

The first cohort of the Restaurant Ambassador Council features 20 distinguished hospitality professionals representing 17 cities across the United States. This includes chefs renowned for their culinary innovations as well as operators from various types of establishments, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the industry's breadth. From culinary powerhouses like San Francisco and New York to emerging dining regions, the council reflects both the challenges and opportunities facing restaurants today.

The Council members will actively collaborate with OpenTable's executive team to discuss critical industry trends, offer feedback on the company’s product developments, and help shape both short and long-term initiatives that can provide tangible benefits to restaurants and their patrons. This new collaborative effort aims to deepen the relationship between OpenTable and the restaurant community, ensuring that the voices of these professionals are heard and factored into strategic decisions.

Amy Wei, Chief Operating Officer of OpenTable, emphasizes the importance of this initiative by stating, “Restaurants are at the center of everything we do at OpenTable, and our Ambassador Council creates a new two-way connection to ensure they are seen and heard as both the company and the industry rapidly evolve.” This focus on partnership reinforces OpenTable's long-standing commitment to serving the restaurant community.

Elizabeth DePalmer, one of the council members and Managing Partner of Atomic Workshop, expressed her enthusiasm: “Participating in the OpenTable Ambassador Council is a truly wonderful opportunity to learn, share, and be inspired.” DePalmer's sentiments underscore the collective aim of the council to foster collaboration and exchange of ideas among industry leaders.

Here’s a closer look at some of the 2026 OpenTable Ambassador Council members:

• - Effie Richardson, Managing Director, Dakar NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• - Ann Kim, Chef and Owner, Pizzeria Lola & Hello Pizza (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
• - Ashley Christensen, Chef Proprietor, Poole's Diner & Death & Taxes (Raleigh, North Carolina)
• - Biplaw Rai, Owner, Comfort Kitchen & Ama at The Atlas (Boston, Massachusetts)
• - Caroline Styne, Co-Owner & Wine Director, Lucques Hospitality Group (Los Angeles, California)
• - Earl Ninsom, Chef, Founder & Co-Owner, Langbaan (Portland, Oregon)
• - Jordan Rubin, Chef & Owner, Mr. Tuna (Portland, Maine)
• - Kevin Tien, Chef & Owner, Moon Rabbit (Washington D.C.)
• - Rachel Kornafel, Chief Brand Officer, Union Square Hospitality Group (New York, New York)

For more details on the Ambassador Council and its members, visit the OpenTable website.

In summary, the establishment of the U.S. Restaurant Ambassador Council is a bold move by OpenTable to forge stronger ties with the restaurant community. With the combined effort of industry experts, OpenTable aims to create innovative solutions that not only address current challenges but also anticipate future trends in the dining landscape, reaffirming its role as a leader in restaurant technology and customer service. This initiative could pave the way for a more dynamic and responsive dining experience for both restaurateurs and diners alike.