#USA #Miami #Andrew Zimmern #MAJC #Culinary Council

MAJC Launches in Miami with All-Star Culinary Council

MAJC, a newly minted workforce engine tailored for the hospitality sector, has made its grand debut in Miami, aiming to enhance the hiring, training, and retention processes for restaurants, bars, and hotels. The initiative kicked off with the formation of the MAJC Culinary Council, comprising a plethora of notable chefs and industry experts who will lend their wisdom to the platform.

At the helm of this culinary powerhouse is Andrew Zimmern, a celebrated James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and television personality, joined by Sarah King, Chief People Officer of Darden Restaurants, a titan in the restaurant industry. Their role as national ambassadors is pivotal, as they collaborate with local chefs to amplify MAJC's visibility and operational guidance.

The Miami-based council showcases culinary talents such as Eileen Andrade, Alex Meyer, Luciana Giangrandi, Caroline Strauss, Scott Linquist, and Michelle Bernstein, all seasoned professionals dedicated to enriching the MAJC framework. They teamed up with MAJC co-founders, chef Matt Jennings and tech aficionado Andy Coughlin, boasting previous leadership at major tech firms like META and Microsoft, during the launch coinciding with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

"MAJC is fundamentally reshaping the hospitality industry by equipping leaders with essential tools and peer support to thrive," remarks Zimmern. He advocates that the platform is revolutionary, enabling operators to build sustainable businesses while boosting team morale and operational efficiency.

King echoes these sentiments, emphasizing MAJC's vision rooted in technology that complements the human aspect of hospitality. By merging artificial intelligence with expert community insights, MAJC aspires to democratize access to essential resources for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent — a crucial element to enhance profitability and industry strength.

In the context of South Florida, which boasts over 350,000 hospitality workers, the urgency for adaptable and technologically driven workforce solutions is increasingly evident. Inefficiencies in hiring processes reportedly cost hospitality operators billions each year, with estimates indicating that replacing a single hospitality worker could reach upwards of $6,000 when considering recruitment and productivity losses. This financial impact becomes staggering when small operators struggle against their larger counterparts, many of whom have extensive resources at their disposal.

To bridge these challenges, MAJC incorporates a comprehensive strategy to attract, develop, and support the workforce effectively. The Culinary Council plays a crucial role here, fostering connections through exclusive events, online guidance, and community accountability, ensuring the MAJC team stays attuned to the real-time needs of operators.

Chef Matt Jennings describes MAJC as a real-time workforce engine that aims to assist peers in overcoming the persistent challenges linked with staffing. He notes that while successful operators are few, many industry players seek a reliable community for support during difficult times. From legal counsel to staffing efficiency insights, MAJC is positioned to serve those who are committed to hardworking solutions.

Designed to streamline processes aimed at attracting and retaining talent, MAJC operates on three main pillars: MAJC Jobs, MAJC Academy, and MAJC Community.

1. MAJC Jobs: A revolutionary, AI-driven job matching platform tailored for the hospitality industry to replace traditional job boards. This streamlined approach enables operators to efficiently navigate through unqualified resumes, significantly decreasing hiring times.

2. MAJC Academy: Transcending conventional onboarding training, MAJC Academy offers plug-and-play courses developed by leading chefs and hospitality professionals. By simplifying the training process, the academy empowers restaurant operators to onboard new hires swiftly and effectively while minimizing costly mistakes.

3. MAJC Community: Recognizing the hospitality sector's isolating nature, this community enables industry professionals to connect, share advice, and attend offline gatherings. Resources span a range of topics, enhancing culture and retention across teams.

Since opening its doors on February 20, 2026, MAJC stands ready to support both workforce members and operators alike with its full suite of services. For those interested in further engagement or community involvement, MAJC encourages visits to its website at MAJC.ai or connecting on social platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

In summary, MAJC is set to tackle some of the most significant hurdles facing the hospitality sector today, with a community-focused, technologically-advanced approach that encourages growth, retention, and operational excellence.