Innovation is an instrument of entrepreneurship and one that Jed Sanford applies in all of his collaborations to create unique dining concepts and hospitality experiences. Launching numerous popular restaurants throughout the Beach Cities, Culver City and Downtown LA, Jed has harnessed his business knowledge and enthusiasm to build a successful restaurant empire. We look forward to learning from Jed’s experience and tips for success at this year’s South Bay Business Mavericks Gala & Grant Awards.

Look Who’s Speaking at South Bay Business Mavericks 2016:
Jed Sanford

Business:

Owner, Blackhouse Hospitality

Jed Sanford’s acumen for analyzing businesses’ growth opportunities combined with a passion for art serves as the foundation for his vibrantly successful restaurant empire, Blackhouse Hospitality. “With Blackhouse, I apply my natural, creative strengths in a way that’s focused and organized,” he explains. “By finding equally passionate chefs and team members, we can create innovative dining concepts that have a synergy of style and success.”

Although he loved art and sports as a child, Jed initially trained as a CPA at Coopers and Lybrand. As a PwC Scholar pursuing his MBA at USC, Jed studied management consulting and later worked in the management consulting division at PriceWaterhouse Coopers. After a few years of working closely with small to mid-size companies, he decided to form Blackhouse to pursue projects in which he had more interest. “Everyone involved with Blackhouse is hungry to grow,” he says. “We value passion and an excellent quality of life.”

Under Jed’s guidance, Blackhouse Hospitality chooses projects based not only on the enthusiasm of those involved, but the unique quality of each new concept.

Why we believe Jed is a Maverick:

Creating an empire takes grit and can push the boundaries of what you think is possible. Jed has applied this not only in the expansion of his businesses, but pushing the boundaries is also part of the fun for customers who like to experiment with good quality food and drinks at his restaurants.

Blackhouse Hospitality now operates Wildcraft in Culver City, Abigaile, The Brewery at Abigaile, Día de Campo and in Hermosa Beach, and two Little Sister restaurants in Manhattan Beach and Downtown Los Angeles. Both Abigaile and Little Sister owe much of their appeal to their original approach toward presentation and the storied histories of their venues. Abigaile is housed in a former rehearsal space for the legendary punk rock band Black Flag, while Little Sister’s seating is limited to 50 to create an intimate atmosphere that harkens back to late 19th-century Southeast Asia. Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Gold, among other renowned food critics, has praised Little Sister’s alluring ambiance and inspired menu by co-founder Chef Tin Vuong. Not content to bask in praise, Jed is poised to add at least two more restaurants to Blackhouse’s roster in 2016. In addition to the Blackhouse group of restaurants, he is also a co-founder and owner of the nightlife destinations Ocean Bar and Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach.

Inspiration & Community:
Jed and his team have brought some of the most creative and delicious culinary experiences to the Beach Cities, including Redondo Beach where Jed grew up, and Blackhouse Hospitality is well on its way to bringing their dining concepts to the Greater LA area and beyond. When he’s not creating award-winning hospitality experiences, Jed exercises at the CrossFit gym that he owns. He also enjoys being a “big family man,” spending time with his wife and three children.

We’re very honored to have Jed Sanford join us as a panelist at the 2016 South Bay Business Mavericks Gala & Grant Awards on October 19th. You don’t want to miss it!