Ruth Fertel built a reputation on legendary food and legendary service. She placed a high priority on hiring passionate, hardworking people like herself. To this day, we are still committed to attracting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate.
Read stories from our Team Members to see how Ruth’s legacy continues in our restaurants today
From watching his grandmother cook in his hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to leading the culinary team as Executive Corporate Chef of Ruth’s Chris, Chef Abdiel Aleman knows that the right mix of determination, hard work, and caring for others are all key ingredients in the journey to success.
In the Spring of 2014, Melissa Gordon was tending bar when a group of Ruth’s Chris Team Members came in for happy hour and shared that Ruth’s Chris was hiring. Impressed by what she heard about the company from these Team Members, Melissa decided to take a leap and joined the Ruth’s Chris family as a bartender.
Yolanda “Yoli” Ruiz only planned on staying in the United States, from her native country El Salvador, for about two years. Fast forward 30 years later, she now serves as a key member of a female management team for Ruth’s Chris Hospitality Group leading as the Executive Chef of the downtown location in Washington, DC.
Kimberly Lewis’s hospitality spirit came into the spotlight back in college at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Inspired by growing up with big family Sunday dinners at home to “start the week off right,” she hosted a holiday meal in 1997 for 15 or so friends who did not have a chance to return home to celebrate.
A single, hard-working mother from New Orleans buys a restaurant with no previous experience, works every job within it to learn the ropes of an entrepreneur and builds a hospitality empire in the process.
Growing up in Bulgaria, every achievement (large or small, from birthdays to academic awards) was a cause for celebration in Aleks Kunov’s home. His family invited friends over and always made it a big deal. “I certainly felt special,” said Kunov.
Treating restaurant guests like friends in your home is a part of Gena Cadman’s upbringing. Gena grew up on a farm in Wisconsin where her father was a veterinarian and the family enjoyed big Sunday dinners after church. It was there Gena learned the importance of waiting on everyone to arrive to begin a special meal.
Carolyn Meyers’ decision to pursue a career with Ruth’s Chris was very deliberate. She had always loved the quality, the legendary service it offers to its Guests, and she wanted to be a part of an organization that she truly believed in.