Alex Barnett is the managing partner of Cut & Taste, a Las Vegas-based catering company. “We specialize in what we call ‘experiential catering.’ By that, we mean the utilization of custom stations, elevated ways of displaying food, customized menus, and first-class service.” Learn about Alex Barnett…
Follow at: @cutandtastefood
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
First job: Sadly, my first job is no longer in business, but it was a small family Italian restaurant in Twinsburg, OH, when I was 14. I started off as a dishwasher, then moved on to prep-cook and eventually ran the pizza station. As a kid I had a lot of energy, and I think working in a restaurant let me burn that fuel.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in NV: Always enjoy a good day out on the golf course and hanging out with close friends.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: About three years into starting our company, we were awarded the opportunity to cater an event for 18,000 people. On paper, we didn’t have the experience to handle a job of that scale—our largest event to date had been for 1,800 guests. We might have stretched the truth a bit when presenting our credentials to the client, but we were determined to rise to the challenge, no matter what it took. My partners and I, still relatively young and inexperienced, poured everything we had into the project, including a 48-hour shift leading up to the event. In the end, the event was a success, and we’ve continued to work with that client ever since, even after coming clean about our initial exaggeration.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: One of our biggest challenges was navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve always seen every employee as part of our family, so ensuring their well-being while keeping the business afloat was our top priority. It was tough, but we were committed to finding creative solutions to support our team and keep the lights on during those challenging months.
Someone who inspires you and why: Going to have to say my wife, Stephanie. She is pretty much exceptional at whatever she aims to accomplish. The level of grit she has is just admirable to say the least.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: You shouldn’t be focused on selling yourself to the masses. You should focus on selling yourself to the people who sell to the masses.
Favorite quote: “To do what ought to be done, but would not have been done unless I did it, I thought to be my duty.” —Robert Morrison
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I am at my most peace when I am cooking for my family.
What makes someone fabulous: Someone’s ability to know how to effectively communicate to different people. Having a strong EQ is something I appreciate most in others. That makes them fabulous to me.