B.J. Lieberman Finds Work-Life Balance in Columbus, Ohio

Why It Matters

Lieberman's candid approach to work‑life balance demonstrates that strategic closures and self‑care can safeguard staff morale and brand reputation, offering a replicable model for restaurateurs facing burnout.

Key Takeaways

• Lieberman closed Chapman's to avoid burnout and protect family.
• New restaurant Mets's offers wood‑fired, comfort‑focused Italian cuisine.
• Jazz lounge Ginger Rabbit creates synergy with Mets's via shared patrons.
• Proprietary reservation tools link dining and live‑music experiences.
• Emphasizing self‑care improves leadership and team morale in hospitality.

Summary

The Menu Talk episode spotlights chef B.J. Lieberman, who recently closed his flagship Chapman's Eat Market in Columbus and now runs the wood‑fired Italian restaurant Mets’s and the adjacent jazz lounge Ginger Rabbit. Lieberman explains that a five‑year lease renewal would have forced him into a 90‑hour workweek, jeopardizing his family and staff, so he chose a responsible shutdown rather than a prolonged grind.

Key insights include the strategic “double‑dip” model that encourages patrons to dine at Mets’s and then enjoy live music at Ginger Rabbit, supported by a proprietary reservation system that matches email data across venues. Lieberman also highlights the emotional impact of closing Chapman's on both staff and community, describing the final weeks as nightly house parties that reinforced the restaurant’s role as a personal and communal touchstone.

Memorable quotes underscore his philosophy: “Put your own oxygen mask on first,” a lesson from his former boss, and his admission that the closure was “selfish” but necessary for long‑term health. He recounts moving guests to tears as they shared stories of anniversaries and losses tied to Chapman's, illustrating the deep relational capital built over five years.

The conversation signals a shift in hospitality leadership toward sustainable work practices, data‑driven guest experiences, and integrated venue concepts. Restaurateurs can learn that intentional closures, when executed responsibly, preserve brand equity and staff loyalty while freeing leaders to innovate and prioritize personal well‑being.

Original Description

B.J. Lieberman grew up in Washington, D.C., and worked in restaurants up and down the East Coast before settling down in his wife’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

He had developed a reputation as a capable chef working at Husk in Charleston, S.C., under Sean Brock and running the kitchen at Rose’s Luxury in D.C. In Columbus, he opened Chapman’s Eat Market during the pandemic in 2020 and used the restrictions of the time to fine-tune his style.

The restaurant was a success, being named one of the Top 50 Restaurants in America by The New York Times and crowned best restaurant in Columbus three years in a row by Columbus Underground.

In 2022, Lieberman tried his hand at running a jazz lounge with the opening of Ginger Rabbit, contributing considerably to the nightlife scene in the city’s Short North Arts District. Last Summer he opened Metsi’s Wood-Fired Italian, also in the Short North, and shortly thereafter closed Chapman’s once its five-year lease expired.

Lieberman recently discussed his journey, his approach to cooking and his outlook on working while also raising a child and living his life.

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