Chef Tom Matterface | Supporting Others Through Respect and Understanding
As Pride Month comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the everyday actions that help people feel welcomed and supported. For Chef Tom Matterface, director of operations with Eurest at Compass Group headquarters in Charlotte, those values have guided both his personal and professional journey throughout his 26 years with our organization.
One of the things Tom enjoys most about his work is the opportunity to teach associates about culinary and hospitality. Over the years, helping others grow and achieve their potential has proved its own reward.
“I have learned that supporting people is quite simple,” he shared. “It’s about listening, being engaging, and just being respectful.”
Respect is the foundation of all his relationships: respecting people, their views, and their values, and showing up for others during both the highs and the lows. He also emphasizes the importance of taking the first step to engage, even when conversations may be difficult.
Perhaps most importantly, Tom has discovered that support does not always mean solving problems.
“Listening, showing empathy, and understanding people’s thoughts is more important to them than being Mr. Fix It,” he explained.
That philosophy also informs Tom’s perspective on Pride Month.
“Pride Month is a time to celebrate people being their true selves,” he said. “It’s a time that I can drive home the message that everyone should be celebrated, respected, supported and loved for who they are and not what others think they should be.”
It’s a message Tom strives to reinforce throughout the year – at home with his children, at work with his team, and in interactions with guests.
“I think that’s one of the reasons why Café 24Hundred at Compass HQ is a special place for so many people,” he noted, “because of the love and respect that is shown to all.”
Creating welcoming environments often begins with simple actions: listening, showing respect, and supporting one another with empathy and understanding. It’s who Tom is as a person, and it’s what allyship looks like .
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Thank you to Victor, Anna, Brandon, and Chef Tom for sharing their stories and perspectives during Pride Month. Though each experience is unique, together they underscore the importance of understanding, respect, and community. From personal journeys to acts of allyship, they remind us that we all thrive when we feel welcomed, valued, and supported.