Zelinda: Tell us about your career path. How did you get your start?
Cameron: Before Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar, I got my start in the restaurant industry by forging somewhat of a unique path. After graduating from the University of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in professional accounting, I first worked as a senior accountant in Deloitte and Touche’s Dallas office on the financial statement audits of, among companies in other business sectors, restaurant corporations. I then moved to Houston where I honed my front-of-house skills working for my cousin Grant Cooper (Ibiza, Brasserie 19, Coppa, Punk’s, Salt Air, & The Dunlavy) at the critically acclaimed Catalan Food & Wine Bar where Chris Shepard (Underbelly) headed the kitchen.
Zelinda: How and why did you open Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar?
Cameron: I love Italian food and food from all over the Mediterranean, and six years ago there wasn’t a neighborhood trattoria or Italian wine bar here on the Burnet corridor of north-central Austin.
Zelinda: What has been your greatest professional success?
Cameron: We’ve had several Italian wine makers visit the restaurant recently who have been genuinely and sincerely taken back by how authentic and true (not to mention tasty!) the Italian spirit our food has been. They are surprised to find out that I didn’t grow up in Italy! It means a lot to hear their compliments.
I’m hoping to be able to scale our passion and success at Gusto to be able to reach more guests!
Zelinda: What are your day-to-day responsibilities as a restaurant owner and manager?
Cameron: Most days I’m at the restaurant working during lunch and dinner as the maître d'. In between meals, I’m usually planning catering jobs for our many clients, conducting interviews, and brainstorming new menu ideas with our chef, among 1,000 other things that keep small business owners thriving.
Zelinda: What’s your secret to keeping customers coming back?
Cameron: At Gusto, we never use the phrase “the customer is always right.” Why? Because they’re not. We make mistakes, too, so we’re not always right either. And, it’s not about who’s right or wrong. ( continue next page)
nterview with Cameron
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