Team spirit in the hospitality industry
At the Jeunes Restaurateurs Austria Service Day 2026 at Genussgut Krispel in Styria’s Vulkanland, the focus was on team spirit, leadership and the future of the hospitality industry. With inspiring insights from Viktoria Schnaderbeck, practical workshops and high-calibre discussions, JRE impressively demonstrated why strong teams are the decisive factor for success in the hospitality and hotel sectors today.
Under the motto “Team & Team Spirit”, staff from JRE establishments came together to exchange ideas, learn from one another and gain fresh inspiration for collaboration on an equal footing. An initiative that demonstrates: anyone wishing to achieve long-term success in the hospitality industry must continuously develop themselves – professionally, personally and organisationally.
Teamwork is not a soft skill, but a key to success
“I would be nothing without my team.” Few phrases sum up the reality of the catering and hospitality industry more aptly. After all, excellence is never achieved alone. It is the result of trust, mutual respect, clear communication and a shared vision. Viktoria Schnaderbeck also made it clear in her keynote speech that strong teams achieve far more than the sum of their individual members. The former captain of the Austrian national team summed it up succinctly: “You don’t recognise strong teams by how they act when everything is going well, but by how they deal with mistakes, crises and change.” This ability is crucial, particularly in an industry characterised by staff shortages, rising demands and growing competitive pressure.
Learning from the best
The JRE Service Day is specifically aimed at employees of all ages and levels of experience: from trainees to long-serving specialists. The aim is to share knowledge, strengthen networks and open up new perspectives. Host Stefan Krispel impressively demonstrated that the venue could hardly have been better chosen. At Genussgut Krispel, teamwork is practised every day. He articulates his understanding of leadership clearly: “As the boss, I must always be part of the team and treat everyone as an equal.” This attitude exemplifies a modern corporate culture in which leadership is characterised not by distance, but by presence and appreciation.
Appreciation as the key to staff retention
Eva-Maria Pürmayer from the Genießerhotel Bergergut demonstrated just how much a respectful approach strengthens the working atmosphere. She spoke of a ritual that sends a powerful message even when an employee leaves: “We nurture our relationships with our staff through rituals. At the end, there is a ‘shower of appreciation’, during which we say what we will remember most positively about that person.” Such gestures create an emotional bond and demonstrate that modern people management goes far beyond salary considerations.
Team spirit doesn’t stop at your own front door
Cooperation across business boundaries also plays a central role within the Jeunes Restaurateurs. Stefan Eder of Der WILDe EDER put it aptly: “Envy is a foreign concept at JRE. Here, we support one another, even across national borders.” This open exchange is a key reason why JRE has for years seen itself as a dynamic network that does not stand still, but is constantly reinventing itself.
Just how seriously JRE takes the issue of securing the future was already evident in 2025 at the ‘Alles für den GAST’ trade fair in Salzburg. There, the organisation sent a clear signal to the next generation of restaurateurs with a strong presence. The Service Day 2026 builds seamlessly on this. It highlights that talent development does not consist of individual measures, but of a continuous process of learning, developing and growing together.
Growing together, succeeding together
Alongside talks and discussions, four workshops offered practical insights into communication, sensory analysis and terroir. Whether it was a masterclass with Willi Schlögl, communication exercises with Bastian Kaltenböck or sensory training sessions with partners such as Segafredo and Stay Spiced, participants were given valuable tools for their day-to-day work.
The JRE Service Day 2026 highlights the importance of formats that combine specialist knowledge, inspiration and personal development. At a time when skilled staff are among a company’s most valuable resources, initiatives such as this are far more than just an industry event. They are a strategic investment in the future. After all, successful hospitality thrives where people feel valued, take responsibility and work together towards a common goal. Or, as the spirit of the Jeunes Restaurateurs puts it: excellence always begins with the team.
About Alexandra Gorsche
Alexandra Gorsche is an Austrian food journalist, moderator, speaker, consultant and culinary voice with a strong focus on fine dining, hospitality and contemporary restaurant culture. She is editor-in-chief of Genusspunkt, responsible for the culinary direction of stayinart and contributes to renowned publishers and media brands such as Callwey Verlag. Her work explores the intersection of gastronomy, culture, design, travel and entrepreneurship from Michelin-starred restaurants to emerging food trends, chefs and hospitality concepts.
© Rene Strasser
