With Owner of Century Old Restaurant as He Wears James Beard Medallion
With 17+ years in the trenches of the restaurant industry - including serving as General Manager of Gaido's Seafood Restaurant, a James Beard Award-winning 116-year-old establishment - I know that a restaurant's soul is in its food, but its survival is in its margins.
Most bookkeepers just see the numbers. But I don't just balance your books, I provide operations-grounded insight from experience. From the dish pit to a James Beard GM chair - I provide bookkeeping insight that understands the heat of the kitchen and the reality of the margins.
I worked every position in restaurant operations throughout my 17-year career. I began as a dishwasher at 14 years old (with parental consent, of course!) and then as a bus boy cleaning tables. I enjoyed leaving the tables pristine for the next customer, and jumping in the back to help the dishwasher get ahead as I cleared the dining floor.
I then branched out to the expo line, and this became my favorite position. I first worked as expo at Fish Tales, a Tilman Fertitta (owner of Landry's and NBA team Houston Rockets) concept in Galveston, TX, and then at The Spot, owned by Dennis Byrd, who became the owner of a burger-joint & bar, but then (in my time there) took the 2-venue company to 8 venues...now several more! At The Spot, I went from bus boy to cook, expo, bar back, then supervisor. Eventually, I became "Team Builder," a manager position, and had the privilege of seeing Dennis Byrd make his vision a reality. Now, he's grown his hospitality company to include hotels, a restaurant location in League City, and one at Hobby Airport, Houston.
After The Spot I took a leap of faith and resigned to focus on my education at the College of Biblical Studies to earn a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership & Biblical Studies. During this time, I began working at Gaido's Seafood Restaurant where I went from server to manager, and finally, General Manager.
James Beard Awards 2025 Post Ceremony Celebration at Union Station, Chicago
With these incredible people! I was blessed to have worked with Nick Gaido, who taught me timeless business principles that established Gaido's as a staple in Gulf Seafood, and one of the most iconic restaurants in America. From Nick Gaido I learned what it takes to survive challenging external business circumstances, how to stay singularly focused on the daily mission, and the art of delighting the customer.
Whereas I saw other business owners build and scale, I saw Nick Gaido carry a legacy beyond 100 years - he taught me what matters most in a business: to keep your customers happy, enforce high standards without compromise, and do what the business does best, and to do so every day with warmth, professionalism, and a smile!
With my Wife - a.k.a my Entrepreneurial Coach!
At Lyric Opera of Chicago
In my life journey, my wife instilled an entrepreneurial spirit and encouraged us to begin our own practice. She spent many years in the industry, too, and always exhibited a heart of service for every customer. With a world of experience in hospitality, Abet Bookkeeping is ready to serve its restaurant clients and help owners gain clarity in their financials & fuel profitability.
My name is Kevin Aceituno, & I am from Galveston, TX, a small beach town south of Houston. My wonderful wife Christina is B.O.I. like me (born on the island), & we've been married 8 years. My wife & I are passionate about the restaurant industry. Before Abet Bookkeeping, we would always talk about small businesses not just staying afloat, but that they should thrive by adopting professional standards, scaling strategically, being smart + healthy, by valuing their team, & by seeking transformational leadership!
I graduated from the College of Biblical Studies, Houston, with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership & Biblical Studies. Here, I gained a foundational understanding that every entity thrives when its leaders possess character & competence. Character deals with the heart, & competence is the skill-set to lead effectively.