Small Business Highlight: Chez Genése

Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Kathryn Hubert, owner of an amazing Greensboro restaurant, Chez Genése!

Kathryn, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us about the story and heart behind Chez Genése! Why don’t you introduce yourself for those who might not know you?

My name is Kathryn Hubert and I have loved food for as long as I can remember. The kitchen became my playground in high-school and a way for me to be creative and express myself. It also became a tangible way that I could show my friends and family that I cared about them as well as a practical way to satisfy the fact that I love to eat!! I went to community college for culinary, and worked in fine dining while I was in school. After graduation, I moved to France for a year, and then from France, I moved to Greensboro to study hospitality at UNC-Greensboro.

In addition to training and working in the culinary world, I have also worked with the Autism Society of NC and in special education in the Guilford County school system.  Greensboro captured my heart somewhere along the way, and has become home. 

How long have you been in business and how did Chez Genése come about?

I have been in the restaurant industry off and on for about 12 years now, but Chez Genèse has only been open for 6 months. 

The restaurant has been in the making for at least 6 years and combines several different personal life experiences into one concept. It started out though as a day-dream. I was exploring the idea of “if I could have any job in the world what would it be?” and the thought, “I would open a restaurant that gave people a first chance or second opportunity” came to mind almost instantly. I have three cousins with Autism, who have rocked my world in the best way and inspired my heart. They are the biggest factor in honing our mission to specifically working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but it took years of pursuing the skills I thought I would need to make this dream a reality before I formally stepped out to do it! And, it certainly wouldn’t have happened without the support and encouragement of a huge community of people that believed in the idea!

Your heart for your work is so beautiful. What would you say is your favorite part of your business and mission?

It was my hope and heart to create a space that both met a need in the Greensboro community, but that also honored my team. I want my team to be so proud of where they work and to know that they are valued and worthy because they are!! I wanted to give them the very best. Seeing the impact that valuing and respecting someone for who they are has been the biggest blessing of this journey so far!

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What has been the highlight of your experience in business thus far?

Getting to share it with other people! It was scary at first to share something that was so deeply personal, but now I can’t imagine doing it without everyone who has come on board. It’s been so exciting and rewarding to see a vision and idea be caught by an incredible team and community and multiply!  

Visit Chez Genése at 616 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27406 or follow along on Instagram or their website!

Photography by Barrier Photography & Vanderveen Photographers