STEVE
PALMER
Founder
Best-selling author, TedX speaker, James Beard semifinalist, industry leader, mental health advocate, restaurateur, and more, Steve Palmer is founder, managing partner and most significantly, chief vision officer, of the nationally recognized Indigo Road Hospitality Group. The Charleston-based hospitality company has thoughtfully grown from one restaurant to more than twenty throughout the country, along with a growing portfolio of independent hotels.
Palmer attributes the company’s successful growth to his loyal and dedicated team. He maintains the philosophy that great service starts with well cared for employees. By promoting from within and continuing to create new opportunities for his staff, Palmer has developed a strong company culture that is reflected within the walls of each of his concepts, resulting in an unwavering level of hospitality experienced by guests and patrons.
Beginning as a dishwasher at the age of 13, Palmer’s hospitality career has guided him from the kitchens of Atlanta to F&B Director roles, to consulting in award-winning destinations, and courting guests with his unmistakable charm when working the floor.
With numerous wins under his belt, along with a few learning lessons, Palmer launched what would become his proudest accomplishment in 2016 when he co-founded Ben’s Friends with friend Mickey Bakst. The food and beverage industry support group offering hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction. He has been recognized by The New York Times, Forbes, NPR, Food & Wine, and more.
An avid proponent of supporting people and communities, Palmer is active on industry boards, leads annual fund-raising events and continues to ask how he can help.
Say Grace Podcast
Say Grace: Food for Thought in Hospitality is a soulful exploration of the hospitality industry through the eyes of celebrated restaurateur and author Steve Palmer. Combining the richness of grace—a pre-meal tradition in the South, a gift freely given, and a timeless virtue—with the transformative journey of hospitality, this podcast dives deep into the stories behind the industry. With heartfelt conversations, Palmer uncovers personal journeys of resilience, mental health breakthroughs, and sources of inspiration, showcasing how lives are shaped and changed by the world of service. Say Grace is a place to reflect, connect, and savor thoughtful narratives. Pull up a chair, and join the dialogue about food, people, and the grace that sustains them both.
Say Grace
How the Restaurant Business Saved My Life
Say Grace is an unflinching look at the modern restaurant industry. Through his deeply personal stories, Steve Palmer paints a picture that will be familiar to anyone who has worked in the food and beverage industry. His dissection of how he arrived at his addiction, and how he found his way out, is a beacon to the struggling.
Proceeds from Say Grace benefit Ben’s Friends.
Prominent Press Features
Steve Palmer and The Indigo Road have been featured in prominent publications for their work in hospitality, sobriety advocacy, and more. Explore the stories below:
- Food & Wine | How to Help Your Fellow Hospitality Workers Stay Alive
- OpenTable | Americans aim to eat healthier and drink less, OpenTable data reveals
- The New York Times | "A Sobering Challenge for Restaurants"
- The New York Times | "A Teacher, an Artist, a Scientist and More. They’re All Visionaries."
- The New York Times | "The Hard-Knocks Restaurant World Discovers Wellness."
- NPR: "Ben's Friends | A Support Group For Restaurant Workers Battling Addiction"
- Forbes | "How One Restaurateur Is Helping Others In The Industry Battle Addiction"
- Food & Wine | "How One Restaurateur Is Helping Chefs and Servers Get Sober"
- Southern Living | "How One Southern Restaurateur Is Helping Industry Workers Battle Addiction"
- Atlanta Magazine | "Ben's Friends Offers Support to Restaurant Workers Struggling with Addiction"
- Charleston Magazine | "Restaurateur Steve Palmer Recounts His Journey from Addiction to Recovery"
- The Post and Courier | "Charleston Restaurateur Steve Palmer Named a James Beard Semifinalist"
LEADERSHIP TEAM
STEVE
PALMER
Founder
Jennifer
Dailey
Accounting
Kevin
Krapp
Atlanta Region Operations
KATHARINE
AMES
PR & Marketing
JENNIFER
KRAPP
Front of House Operations
CHRIS
AMATO
Culture
TRAVIS
KIRKLEY
Charlotte Culinary
Alex
White
People
Jeremiah
Bacon
Chef and Culinary Purchasing
Kimball
brienza
O-Ku Operations
Christa
Polinksy
Events & Catering
Cullen
Wyatt
Restaurant Development
ANNE
WHITE
Pastry
HANNAH
WILSON
Admin
GABRIEL PEREZ
Hotel Operations
Samy
Eltoukhy
Finance
Vonda
Freeman
Wine Programs
SAM
TROTTER
Digital Experience
Justin
Shoener
Restaurant Financial Operations
KEVIN
GETZEWICH
Lodging Culinary Concepts
MASA HAMAYA
Japanese Culinary Concepts
Josh Begley
Italian Culinary Concepts