Family Meal: My dream job
Rachael Lombardy, Director of Social Media and Guest Relations
Rachael is the Director of Social Media and Guest Relations for Grovehouse. She hails from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a very small town northeast of Cleveland. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in photography, she moved to Bushwick, spent a few years working in the art world, then was hired as a host at Lilia, eventually becoming a maître d’—first at Lilia, then at Misi—and taking on social media responsibilities for Grovehouse.
When I started my job as a host at Lilia four years ago, I had no idea how a restaurant truly operated, and yet there I was, working at one of the most esteemed restaurants in NYC. At the door, you learn a lot about a guest; who they are, what they do, what they like and dislike. Most importantly, I got a front-row seat to the inner workings of the restaurant.
What inspires me? The restaurant industry. The hardworking, thoughtful, and kind individuals who I’ve worked beside throughout my journey with Grovehouse. The lovely, eager guests who I have had the pleasure of getting to know and taking care of. Seeing people smile, receiving a hug from someone I just met, saying hello to a familiar face; that’s what I consider to be a good day and that’s why I fell in love with my job. I love making peoples’ days better. What’s better than that?
After two years at Lilia, I moved to Misi to become the maître d’. There, I was also tasked with running our Instagram handle. I didn’t know what that would look like, but I knew I had to say yes. After all, I had a background in photography, and this was an opportunity that would open more doors. That chance paid off. After a year at Misi, I ended up with my dream job: managing all social media and guest relations at Grovehouse.
Over the years, my relationship with Sean and Missy grew. I have gotten to know them on a personal level, and they have inspired me to be better. They have always said, “We want you to be happy.” This has always been true. They’ve seen me cry countless times at the door, they’ve watched me make mistakes along the way, and yet they never gave up on me. Instead, they guided me to make better decisions. I’m proud to be part of this restaurant family and I’m ready to be back together!