The opening of Michael Mina’s Pub 1842 at the MGM Grand gave me my first experience launching something brand new under pressure. The restaurant combined elevated pub food with one of the Strip’s strongest beer programs, attracting everyone from VIPs to fight-night fans. As part of the opening team, I had to learn quickly, adapt to unpredictable guest traffic, and help deliver a polished experience in the middle of the excitement and chaos of a Mina grand opening.

Grand openings are always dynamic, but the challenge at Pub 1842 was amplified by its location inside the MGM Grand. Guest traffic surged with concerts, fights, pool weekends, and holidays, creating unpredictable swings between steady weekday service and overwhelming rushes. Through it all, the expectation never wavered: every plate and every interaction had to meet the standard of a Michael Mina restaurant.

In that environment, I leaned on skills that echo the ones I use now as a project manager. I learned the menu and prep details quickly to anticipate needs. I paid close attention to guest patterns, noticing how pool guests preferred sharable plates while VIPs or fight-night crowds had entirely different demands. I built trust across both kitchen and floor staff, understanding that communication was the only way to keep service steady. And no matter how hectic it became, I focused on protecting the guest experience — sending out food that created memorable moments. I’ll never forget how the Peanut Butter Crunch Burger became a signature hit, embodying the playful yet elevated spirit of the concept.

The outcome was more than just a successful launch. I helped stabilize routines during those critical first weeks, supported both everyday diners and VIPs in enjoying a consistent experience, and developed early habits in adaptability, logistics, and teamwork. Those lessons became the foundation of my approach to program management: that launching something new is rarely neat, but with structure, flexibility, and collaboration, chaos can be transformed into flow.