The primary foundation of the hospitality industry is built upon customer service, an element shared by each segment of the hospitality business. And those within the hospitality industry wear many hats and have many faces. They are restaurant managers, bartenders, chefs, servers and more. And they are also a community. Sometimes even a family, of sorts. Few exude this sense of community and family quite like GBOD Hospitality Group.
While GBOD Hospitality Group may appear to be “new” to the San Diego hospitality scene, having been established in 2017, together GBOD has more than 20 years of service industry experience. Founded by Raymond and Patrick Davoudi, Joe Santos and Aleko Achtipes, their flagship restaurant, Meze Greek Fusion, opened in December of 2014. Quickly building on the success of Meze, GBOD took over operations of Prohibition, an underground speakeasy, in February 2017, followed by the opening El Chingon in March, Saganaki by Meze at Liberty Public Market in June, and Havana 1920 in September.
With five restaurants and a silk-screening company, Gaslamp Print, now under its umbrella, and with no sign of slowing down, you might think that GBOD Group has little time for anything else. However, in addition to opening new restaurants and businesses, GBOD Group has also taken the time to develop meaningful relationships. From these relationships, that feeling of community and family has emerged. And with it the desire to give back, to pay it forward.
The connection between hospitality and giving back is surprisingly close. Each focuses on providing a service to others, and strive to create positive experiences for those they serve. For GBOD Hospitality Group, service is at the core of everything they do, and this includes giving back. So far 2017 has been a particularly turbulent year - between natural disasters, shootings, political uncertainty, and the turmoil of everyday life - many of us are wondering how we can make things better. This year, GBOD has done more than wonder how they can help, they have put their passion for service and community to work in many wonderful and philanthropic ways.
Meze Greek Fusion has played host to several fundraising events - including a charity Casino Night, fundraising dinners and brunches, toy drives and more - often donating a portion of sales to local, San Diego nonprofits. Gaslamp Print has donated silk-screened t-shirts to local child-based nonprofits. After the destruction of Hurricanes Maria and Irma and the earthquake in Central Mexico, both El Chingon and Havana 1920 have committed to donating a portion of food, drink and merchandise sales to hurricane and earthquake disaster relief. Additionally, each of the venues has donated gift baskets to many nonprofit auctions and raffles. Their staff often volunteers their time by helping at fundraisers. And this is all in addition to GBOD Group sponsoring - and giving their time - to several local fundraising events.
On Saturday, October 21st, GBOD Hospitality Group is the title sponsor of Include Autism’s 3rd Annual Birdies and Barrels Golf Tournament and Beer Garden. Held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, the day starts out with a four-person scramble Golf Tournament. Along the way, players are invited to try their hands at raffles and various challenges at each hole. As the Golf Tournament gets underway, the first hole is transformed into a beer garden, featuring tastes from some of San Diego’s most exciting craft breweries. Guests can enjoy an unlimited number of tastes while they play lawn games and dance to live music. As the tournament ends and the beer garden closes, guests will be ushered to a Luau dinner, where they will discover which golf team takes home the gold! Include Autism empowers individuals with autism by providing community access and meaningful skill-building programs while engaging the community through outreach and education. All proceeds from Birdies and Barrels will go toward Include Autism’s programs for local kids, teens, and young adults on the autism spectrum.
Be part of Birdies and Barrels on October 21st. Click here to buy tickets!
Havana 1920 will be featuring opportunities to help with Caribbean Hurricane Relief through the month of October. Make a dinner reservation, and help Havana 1920 pay it forward!
This October, El Chingon is featuring a specialty #BadAss Earthquake Relief Drink Menu + proceeds from #FortyTwosdays and "Making Mexican Great Again" t-shirts will be donated to Central Mexico Earthquake Relief. Visit El Chingon in person and make a difference!
By: Erin McLaughlin
Photo banner photographed by Brevin Blach for Pacific Magazine.
GBOD Group is a valued client of Gaslamp District Media.