As the bustling holiday season came to an end at The Standard restaurant in Toledo, the owners decided to treat their dedicated staff to an incredible three-day cruise to the Bahamas.
Recognizing that their team of cooks, servers, and hosts represents the “lifeblood” of the establishment, Chef Jeff Dinnebeil and his wife, co-owner Megan Lingsweiler, were inspired to reward their employees after enjoying a memorable cruise vacation with their children last year.
The couple even invited a few loyal customers and former team members to join them on the Royal Caribbean cruise, which made stops at the beautiful islands of Nassau and Bimini.
Andrew Jackson, one of the restaurant’s cooks, shared that, “Everybody went on there as employees, and when we left and went back home, everybody was like family.” This cruise was particularly special for Jackson, who had never flown or sailed on an ocean boat before, marking it as a transformative experience. Server Allison Latta echoed his sentiments, stating that the trip brought the team closer together. “I had been on cruises before, but this alone was probably my top vacation,” she shared. “It was just such a unique experience getting to see 60 of your co-workers around the boat.”
With a focus on upscale American cuisine, especially surf and turf, The Standard has become a beloved dining destination on Monroe Street in northwest Toledo.
Dinnebeil and Lingsweiler attribute their restaurant’s success to their exceptional team, who not only received Christmas bonuses but also enjoyed the cruise getaway. To ensure that all employees could partake in the fun, the restaurant closed its doors during the trip.
The adventure was filled with delightful activities, including visits to stunning islands, Karaoke nights, scavenger hunts, large catered dinners, and a friendly basketball competition.
It’s heartwarming to see such generosity in business, proving that when people come first, everyone can thrive together!
