Meet Christine DeVita | CEO DeVita & Hancock Hospitality Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christine DeVita and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When my partner Keith and I were building out business plan we wanted to be different than the other Hospitality Recruiting firms. We took our experiences of being Candidates searching for positions and also as Clients. We wanted to take a more holistic, intimate approach to the business. Meaning we didn’t want to be a resume dumping machine that just mass emailed resumes to clients when a position needed to be filled. We understood as restaurant operators the demand that we faced. Theres nothing worse than opening up your email to find 10 to 15 emails filled with resumes and told to choose. So we took the approach that we would take all the white noise out of recruiting for our clients and put it on ourselves and our recruiters. Forming relationships if very important to us with who we do business with

When it came to our clients we choose very carefully who we partner up with. We have the mindset that we need to align with who we work with.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I would say what sets me apart form others is that I don’t let business politics get in the way of my day to day business decisions. I take a very practical approach to our business. I would say I am a bit old school when it comes to this industry. How did I get to where I am today professionally? I can tell you it wasn’t easy being a female in this industry. I had to prove myself 10x’s harder than anyone else. I worked sometimes 80 hours a week, and missed key moments with my family. There were many obstacles in my career path, Working with people who were overly competitive, didn’t take me seriously because I was a female. I had to work harder and longer, I dont regret any of it. It just showed me that no matter the gender in business everyone gets treated equally. We all have something to contribute.

Our Brand Story:
We want to “OWN” the US in 2023. Become the leaders amongst the leaders of all recruiting firms that service the restaurant and hospitality industry. Pioneering a new standard for how recruitment will operate; we will “OWN” the major players who need our services this year. Along with that we will break through the glass ceiling and catapult into the hotel side of what we do. As we expand it will align with our vision to set sail across the Atlantic and take on the UK in 2023

We are a Restaurant Recruitment and Consulting firm applying a modern holistic approach to a craft dating back for decades. Hoping to have the opportunity to invite you to experience a new style of help for your business. Embodying a true passion for helping our clients improve their operations, making all decisions with the complete intention of long-term growth. We apply an exclusive approach tailored to the individual needs of each client. We do not have blanket forms and scripts. We realize that we are no longer in a one size fits all industry.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many to give credit to. I would want to start off when I was an hourly employee at TGI Friday’s back in the 90’s. My shoutout there would go to Mary Curtin who was my Kitchen Manager. She was probably one of the best Managers I have ever worked with. Mary was a constant mentor to me without even knowing it. I remember the day I quit as a Line Cook because they wouldn’t give me a chance at a managerial position. I was hungry and eager to get into that side of the business. A week after I quit I remember I called her up and told her I had an interview with Boulder Creek Steakhouse for a KM position. Even though I quit she took the time to coach me through the interview process. Without her and her guidance I am certain I wouldnt have aced the interview. She ensured I was thoroughly prepared. Throughout my career with Boulder Creek, she was my go-to. She hands down was 1 of 3 people who helped shape my Restaurant career.

Tony Scotto is another incredible individual who helped shape my career, and someone else who I owe my success to. As an owner of a large brand, he was hands on, and constantly provided feedback on a weekly basis. He was open, honest and very clear of what his expectations were of me. I had the great opportunity of working side by side with him.

My 3rd and most important are my parents who are the most supportive people that I could have in my life. Both are successful executives.

I grew up around and watched my mom form her own consulting business and saw how successful she became, and her sense of business and no BS attitude. I remeber standing in the kitchen one day and listening to her on the phone talking with clients and vendors and saying to myself, that’s what I want to do, I want to be as successful as my mother. In that one moment I knew what I wanted to be when I had enough experience under my belt.

My last shout out goes out to my partner Keith Hancock, without him DeVita & Hancock wouldnt be possible., He is my calming voice of reason, a source of humor when our days are hectic, and inspires me on a daily bases. We met working together at Pret a Manger.

Website: www.dhhospitalitygroup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devita_hancock_hospitality

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/devita-hancock-hospitality

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4EE3UtEtFpphAgUYKGkNCw