Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennipher Hager.
Hi jennipher, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Key and Cleaver is the realization of a shared dream of Chris and Jenn. Like many career hospitality workers, they aspired to one day own their own restaurant. Key and Cleaver represents the culmination of decades of experience in the industry, a deep understanding of food sourcing, and the genuine desire to provide an exceptional dining experience.
We met while managing a large chain restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard. Our love story wasn’t exactly love at first sight – Jenn initially thought Chris was a jerk! – but it eventually blossomed into a globetrotting adventure. We got married and moved to London, where we gained a profound appreciation for additive-free food, the importance of knowing where your food comes from, and the simple joy of saying “Cheers.”
After a few years, we returned to San Diego. Jenn managed several restaurants and formed a crucial partnership with Rancher Kevin from Perennial Pastures, our source for the best beef. Chris managed San Diego’s “Best Beach Bar” and learned the power of owning your own establishment.
With our combined experiences and a clear goal in mind, Key and Cleaver took shape. We are committed to sourcing local, additive-free ingredients as much as possible, taking care of our guests, employees, and community, and providing a truly memorable dining experience.
Cheers!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We received keys to the building and fences went up! Construction started on an 18 month project on University Ave. We started slower than expected, the building has been closed for 2 years so getting people in the door was a challenge. We tried multiple different marketing options, social media, flyers on cars, hand written envelopes with discount cards in them and we didn’t see much ROI. With the road closure and being such a new concept we were worried it wasn’t going to work for us.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We want people to be more aware of what they put in their bodies. Understanding that you can eat amazing food that is nutritional for you and also is good for the environment. Partnering with Perennial Pastures has been such an amazing experience, knowing the beef we source is of such high quality and our cows are living their best life until their one bad day is a great feeling. Sourcing as much local as we do is something to be proud of!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Doing the right thing. Providing great nutritional food for our guests as well as exceptional hospitality
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.keyandcleaver.com
- Instagram: KeyandCleaver
- Facebook: KeyandCleaver
- Yelp: Key and Cleaver
