South Bend Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Networking at Lunch event Dec. 3.
The chamber will welcome Kurt Janowsky, founder of South Bend-based Navarre Hospitality Group, as guest speaker.
Janowsky will speak about experience in the restaurant industry. Navarre Hospitality Group is behind restaurants like Café Navarre, Artisan, Rocky River and others, and event spaces such as The Armory, Matterhorn Conference Center and St. Joe Farm.
Janowky’s career in the restaurant industry began at age 14. He took a job as a dishwasher at a local pancake house to help support his mother and siblings. At 15 he became a cook at the Moonraker restaurant in downtown South Bend. At 17, Janowsky served as an apprentice chef at Boca West Club and Resort in Boca Raton, Florida.
Janowksy returned to South Bend at 18 and became the executive chef at Knollwood Country Club. At 20 years old, using a credit card for a cash advance down payment, he purchased his first restaurant, The Loft, in downtown South Bend,
Today, Janowky owns almost 20 restaurants and bars in the Michiana area, including a catering company and venues such as Palais Royale at Morris Civic Theatre and Crystal Ballroom at The Lerner in Elkhart.
The event will take place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at The Cascade in South Bend. Networking begins at 11:30. Learn more here.
Established in 1909, the South Bend Chamber of Commerce serves South Bend, Mishawaka, Notre Dame, New Carlisle, North Liberty, Granger, Lakeville and all of St. Joseph County. The chamber promotes business growth and expansion. It offers programs, resources and events aimed at creating a pro-business climate.
