Executive MBA Student's Soul Food Eatery Wins James Beard America’s Classics Award | USC Marshall

Why It Matters

The accolade spotlights a local, family‑owned restaurant on a national stage, and shows how targeted MBA training can translate into tangible operational improvements and growth opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• Serving Spoon wins 2026 James Beard America’s Classics award.
• Exec MBA student leveraged coursework to improve restaurant costing.
• Family-owned soul‑food spot expands via ghost kitchen in Mid‑City.
• USC Marshall’s network and hands‑on classes boosted entrepreneurial growth.
• International study trip to Korea highlighted program’s global perspective.

Summary

The video spotlights Justin Johnson, co‑owner of Englewood’s Serving Spoon, as the 2026 recipient of the James Beard America’s Classics award. Johnson, an executive MBA candidate at USC Marshall, celebrates the honor while reflecting on his family’s three‑generation soul‑food legacy.

Johnson credits Marshall’s curriculum—particularly an activity‑based costing class with Professor Mark Young—for dissecting recipe expenses, labor, and overhead, enabling data‑driven pricing decisions. He also outlines the restaurant’s next phase: launching a ghost‑kitchen “Serving School” in Mid‑City and scaling catering, online, and take‑out services.

Memorable moments include a shout‑out to class mother Deborah Ono, a camaraderie‑building Korea export trip, and the public presentation of his costing analysis before peers. These anecdotes illustrate the program’s blend of community, mentorship, and global exposure.

The award elevates Englewood’s culinary reputation, while the MBA experience demonstrates how academic rigor can accelerate small‑business growth, offering a template for other family‑run enterprises seeking modernization and market expansion.