Rachel Pirard
Madison Square Park, Manhattan
Borgo, Andrew Tarlo’s first Manhattan restaurant, has generated a lot of buzz, and for good reason. When a restaurant group with a strong Brooklyn identity decides to make the leap across the river, it is no easy feat. The Borgo team secured a big and beautiful space by Madison Square Park. The mix of wood booths, white tablecloths, and an open kitchen gives a quintessentially New York York feel. Plus, a chic backyard, a rarity in Manhattan. Rachel Pirard is Borgo’s guest relations manager - she handles all things people. We were lucky enough to interview her about what drew her to the world of hospitality and how she grew to love it.
Full name, age, where are you from?
Rachel Pirard, 27, Chicago IL
What is your title and where do you work?
Guest Relations Manager at Borgo
What inspired you to work in the food industry?
I actually experienced memory loss as a child, and my mom and I bonded through food. There’s an abundance of hidden education in cooking—reading, math, and science are all at play. The kitchen became my lifeline to connect with friends and family. In many ways, working in hospitality is my way of paying it forward.
What is your biggest customer pet peeve?
Not saying hello to the Maitre 'D!
What is your most blissful food moment?
I spent about a year in Paris studying theater, cooking in test kitchens, and teaching kids English through food. One chilly spring day, I took a day trip to Marseille and opted for a minimal waterside fishmonger stand instead of a cozy café. If I had tried oysters, squid, and shrimp before, I chose to blur that memory from existence. I sat on a cloudy gray beach, at peace with the fresh salinity and sweetness of the sea.
What dish do you want to perfect in the kitchen?
For me, it’s home cooking! Nostalgia is a huge undercurrent for both chefs and diners. Many people choose dishes that their beloved family members used to cook after school or on Sundays. If you can perfect a dish that honors someone's identity, you’ve truly succeeded.
If you could shout out a colleague or friend in the industry who would it be and why?
Forever and always, Chef James Kent. A true testament to love and grace, Chef James was an enormous advocate for mental health in the food industry. Kelly Kent is carrying on his legacy, and as an avid runner, she has brought fitness culture to the forefront of New York hospitality.
What is the best food city?
There are too many to count! However, I’m a glutton for carbs with Nick and Sons, Peter Pan Donuts, and L’Industria Pizza in weekly rotation.
How do you relax outside of work?
I’m always relaxed but never truly resting. As a mom of three, I love spending my time outside of work taking the kids to parks and restaurants, making ceramics, practicing yoga and meditation, and reading. I find memoirs and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) especially interesting!
What is your astrology sign (including moon and rising)?
Libra. Let’s explore a chart together!
