All this feedback, prompted a discussion at TabletopJournal HQ that we should, in fact, recognize some of the young talents in our business. After all, as the saying goes….they are our industry’s future. So, from time to time going forward, we will be recognizing some of our future leaders.
We start with Jack Eaton of Steelite USA. A 28 (soon to be 29) year old Region Sales Manager, based in Chicago, Jack spent 6 years in the restaurant business to help pay for college and has held a variety of positions starting with busboy.
Jack has also held several positions with Steelite and has been in his current position as Midwest Regional Sales Manager for 3 years now. In addition to being responsible for sales in the Midwest, Jack also manages various national accounts and is responsible for actively growing relationships between both distribution and end-users.
A: I started as a bus-boy in 2004 and pretty much instantly fell in love with the industry. During college I looked for any way I could immerse myself in all its different forms. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do but I knew it would involve restaurants. Joining Steelite was a lot of luck. John Miles, President of Steelite Americas, happened to be a regular guest of mine when I waited tables. Actually almost all of my professional opportunities came from people I met at the restaurant (Wine/Whiskey Festivals, RELISH Public relations, Boyd & Blair Vodka). Working at Lidia’s helped me in so many ways to grow professionally and personally. I think everyone should work in a restaurant at some point in their lives, at the very least it will teach you to tip well.
Q: You’ve held a couple of positions with Steelite….what do you enjoy most about your current job as Region Sales Manager?
A: As a Regional Sales Manager for Steelite, I get to travel and work with restaurants in many of the top culinary cities in the country. I also really love living in Chicago. My wife and I are city people and we couldn’t have found a better one to live in. I love that I get to see restaurants that are pushing boundaries and trying new things and am always excited to be part of that process. Restaurateurs are some of the most creative people out there and it is amazing some of the ideas they have brought to life. They have the ability to take us around the world without leaving their kitchen. Their creativity and passion is really a great energy to be around. 
A: It’s really a two-way street. She’s very into food, and I have always been interested in visual art, so we build off of each other. It’s funny how closely the two industries are related. Of course you can look at a chef as an artist but it goes beyond that. We recently attended an event where local artists were paired with local chefs and they collaborated to create a dish and an artwork that were inspired by one another. It was very cool.
Q: What is your biggest thrill with Steelite to date? And, what is it that you haven’t yet done, but is on your target list?
A: I would have to say spending time working in Italy with Bormioli Rocco and La Tavola. Both are great companies with great products, and we love working with them. Seeing a glass factory was pretty remarkable; glass production is really amazing. Next on my target list is Hong Kong!
Q: We are often asked how hospitality tabletop companies can attract more great young talent. Is being young in the hospitality tabletop business an asset? Or, a liability? And, why?
A: I’ve found it can be both. You definitely need to earn respect but I think that is the same for any industry. If you keep an open mind, understand that you do not have all the answers, and allow yourself to learn from your colleagues it is not hard to do, but takes time. One huge asset is the potential in the next 10 to 20 years. There are not many young people currently in the industry, so learning the ropes now will give you great opportunities as the next generation takes the reigns.
Q: As somebody who has done a lot at such an early age, what can we expect to see Jack Eaton being doing professionally in 2024, ten years from now?
A: There is a tremendous amount of potential at Steelite International for growth and development. Steelite is truly ahead of the curve in the tabletop industry and I’m very excited to see where it leads me.
Q: Ok….a little about the personal side of Jack Eaton. If we could listen in when Jack Eaton is alone in the car, what type of music would we hear you listening to?
A: Probably underground hip-hop (Atmosphere, Saul Williams, Talib Kweli…).
Q: We know you love working for Steelite, but in your “next” life….what would be your dream job?
A: I have always said that when I retire I want to open a restaurant. It would be very small, maybe 40 seats. I love to cook. I don’t want the restaurant “chaos” that comes with a large space, especially at that point in my life, and it wouldn’t be about making money. It would be about the food and the people and really just having a damn good time.
Know a Top Talent under the age of 30 in hospitality tabletop? Nominate them to be possibly featured in an upcoming edition of Top Young Tabletop Talent.
