Currently completing Radical Hospitality, a work of narrative nonfiction on food, faith, and vocation — forthcoming.
Chef · Author · Speaker · Baltimore, MD
Helping people find their place in — and out of — the kitchen
Jay Lampart speaks to faith communities, youth groups, and hospitality professionals about purpose, resilience, and what it really takes to build a life around your work.
Featured on NPRFeatured on PRXNotre Dame Certificate of InnovationPublished authorCo-founder, Balthasar Media
What people say
"Jay coached our hospitality staff through a major transition this past year, and was an incredible resource as we pivoted to a new way of operating our 250-guest retreat center."
— Amanda Z., Executive Director, Indiana
What Jay does
Speaking
Jay speaks to faith communities, youth groups, and professional audiences on purpose, vocation, career resilience, and what it means to build a life around your work.
A forthcoming guide for hospitality professionals navigating career transitions — written from inside the industry by someone who has lived every part of it.
Jay speaks from experience — as a chef, a business owner who failed and rebuilt, a father, and a person of faith. His talks are practical, honest, and grounded in the real world.
"Jay coached our hospitality staff through a major transition this past year, and was an incredible resource as we pivoted to a new way of operating our 250-guest retreat center."
— Amanda Z., Executive Director, Indiana
"After several setbacks, we needed immediate help getting our business up and running. Jay has been there for us every step of the way."
— Niousha R., Owner/Operator, Towson, Maryland
Stay connected
Navigating hospitality — a newsletter
Practical ideas for people in the food and hospitality industry — whether you're just starting out, building something, or figuring out what's next.
About
Jay Lampart
Chef, brewer, author, speaker, and founder of Whole Table — based in Baltimore County, Maryland.
Jay Lampart has spent most of his professional life in the hospitality industry — creating desserts, spinning ice creams, and brewing beer for a restaurant and corporate golf club. But his work has never been only about food.
In 2010, Jay founded Whole Table with a mission to help other entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. Drawing from personal experience in the hospitality industry, Jay understands the unique challenges faced by hospitality workers — long hours, limited pay, and the difficulty of pivoting into new opportunities. After navigating the closure of his first business in 2012, Jay channeled his resilience and passion into rebuilding Whole Table into a multifaceted business offering consultation, hospitality services, property management, and acquisitions.
At its core, Whole Table is about empowering others to adapt, grow, and thrive. Jay is especially dedicated to supporting hospitality professionals in finding innovative ways to pivot their careers and build sustainable futures. His work is driven by a passion for creating meaningful connections and helping others succeed.
Beyond Whole Table, Jay is a published author, freelance writer, and audio producer. In 2020, he earned a Certificate of Innovation from the University of Notre Dame, and co-founded Balthasar Media, Inc., a nonprofit organization that produced a docuseries on the intersection of race and religion in Baltimore City.
In his spare time, Jay enjoys playing music, fishing, tinkering with power tools, and spending time with his family. He lives with his wife and children in Baltimore County, Maryland.
Published author
Featured on NPR and PRX
Certificate of Innovation — University of Notre Dame, 2020
Co-founder, Balthasar Media, Inc.
Licensed home improvement contractor
Founder, Whole Table (est. 2010)
Speaking
Book Jay to speak
Jay brings real-world experience, honest storytelling, and genuine faith to every stage — from intimate youth gatherings to large conference audiences.
Who Jay speaks to
Faith communities
Jay speaks to Catholic and Christian audiences about faith formation, conversion, and what it means to integrate faith with the everyday demands of work and family life. His talks are personal, grounded, and never preachy.
Youth groups and schools
Jay connects with young people on questions of purpose and vocation — what do I do with my life, and how do I build something that matters? Drawing on his own winding path through failure and rebuilding, he speaks honestly about the hard parts.
Hospitality and professional audiences
Jay speaks to people in the food and hospitality industry about career resilience, entrepreneurship, and how to build a sustainable future in an industry that can grind people down. His message is practical and hopeful.
Speaking topics
Faith formation and conversion — a personal journey
Bridging the gap between faith and work life
Purpose and vocation for young people
Career resilience for hospitality workers
Entrepreneurship: failing forward and starting over
Evangelization and apologetics
What to expect
Jay's talks are conversational, honest, and rooted in real experience. He doesn't speak from a polished script — he speaks from a life that has included real failure, real rebuilding, and real faith. Audiences consistently describe his talks as refreshing, practical, and memorable.
Book Jay for your event
To check availability, discuss topics, or request references from past speaking engagements, fill out the form below.
What people say
"Jay coached our hospitality staff through a major transition this past year, and was an incredible resource as we pivoted to a new way of operating our 250-guest retreat center."
— Amanda Z., Executive Director, Indiana
Work with me
Work with Jay
Three ways Jay can help — hospitality consulting, property and facilities management, and audio production.
Hospitality consulting
Jay has spent over two decades in the food and hospitality industry — as a chef, a brewer, a business owner, and a consultant. Through Whole Table, he works with hospitality businesses navigating transitions, operational challenges, and growth.
Whether you're launching a new concept, pivoting your existing operation, or working through a difficult moment in your business, Jay brings practical, been-there experience to the conversation.
Best for: Restaurant owners, retreat center operators, hospitality managers, and food service entrepreneurs.
Jay holds a home improvement contractor's license and has experience directing facilities operations for a variety of properties and businesses. He works with property owners and operators on the practical, unglamorous work of keeping buildings and operations running well.
Jay is an independent audio producer specializing in scoring, content creation, and mastering of long-form narrative pieces. His work has been featured on NPR and PRX. He works with documentary producers, nonprofits, and independent creators on audio projects that require both technical skill and a storyteller's ear.
Jay's work has been featured in national and local media. Below is a selection of notable appearances and coverage.
Photo: Carroll County Times
NPR
Jay's audio work and community storytelling has been featured on National Public Radio. Add the specific segment title and description here when available.
Jay's long-form narrative audio production has been distributed through the Public Radio Exchange. Add the specific piece title and description here when available.
Jay was featured in the Carroll County Times in connection with his brewing work — a profile that captured his hands-on approach to the craft and his deep roots in the hospitality industry.
