Hospitality On The Rise

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , Chef Sarah Grueneberg, Chef and Co-Owner of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio in Chicago, shares her remarkable journey in the culinary world. From discovering her passion for cooking through the Food Network to becoming one of the youngest female sous chefs at Brennan's of Houston, Sarah has faced and embraced challenges that have shaped her l...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , Alice Cheng chats with Raj Vaidya, Founder and Private Wine Consultant at Raj Wine Consulting. With 25+ years in hospitality, Raj talks about his rise from quick-service restaurants to becoming a leader in the wine world as well as his time at DANIEL. He shares insights on mentorship, career growth, and the art of wine consulting. Tune in for Raj's...

On this episode, Caroline Glover, Chef and Co-Owner of Annette and Traveling Mercies, takes host Alice Cheng through her inspiring journey from working at Chili’s as a teenager to becoming a James Beard Award-winning chef in Colorado. Caroline opens up about the turning points that shaped her career, including dropping out of college to attend culinary school, finding farming as a source of inspir...

This week on Hospitality On The Rise , Sam Yoo, Chef-Owner of Golden Group Foods (Golden Diner and Golden Hof), takes Alice Cheng through his remarkable journey in the hospitality world, from growing up in a restaurant family to being named a James Beard semifinalist. Sam shares the lessons he learned from his early experiences at Dunkin' Donuts, his time working under renowned chefs including...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , Jordan Salcito, Founder & CEO of Drink RAMONA and author of Smart Mouth , recounts her inspiring journey from a young barista to a leading innovator in the wine industry. With a background that spans from working at Michelin-starred restaurants like Eleven Madison Park to launching her own premium organic beverage brand, Jordan shares how pivotal mo...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , Eli Sussman, Executive Chef & Partner at Gertrude's and mastermind behind The Sussmans on Instagram, takes Alice Cheng through his career shift from marketing to the high-energy kitchens of New York. Leaving a stable desk job in Los Angeles, Eli dove into the restaurant world, quickly moving from line cook to leading his own operations. He share...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng is joined by June Rodil, Master Sommelier, CEO and Partner of Goodnight Hospitality, and a 2026 James Beard Semifinalist. June shares how she went from serving at Olive Garden to pursuing law school, and eventually becoming one of just 29 women in the U.S. to earn the prestigious Master Sommelier credential. She opens up about her role...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng chats with Aldo Sohm, Wine Director at Le Bernardin and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, Winemaker at Sohm & Kracher, and author of Wine Simple and Wine Simple: Perfect Pairings . From discovering his passion for wine after an unexpected encounter to building a career that spans world-class restaurants and writing books, Aldo’s story is one of r...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng welcomes Cheetie Kumar. She is the Chef and Co-Owner of Ajja, Vice President of the Independent Restaurant Coalition and the Southern Foodways Alliance, and a 2026 James Beard Semifinalist. Cheetie reflects on teaching herself how to cook, opening music venues and bars, and eventually building restaurants of her own. She shares how trus...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng welcomes Tyler Akin, Founder of Form-Function Hospitality and Chef-Partner of Bastia and Caletta. From relentlessly pursuing a position at Komi to opening multiple successful ventures of his own, Tyler shares how his experiences in fine dining shaped his approach to leadership and culinary creativity. Tyler also reflects on the challeng...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng is joined by Elizabeth Murray, Chief Operating Officer of The Marlow Collective. Elizabeth reveals her unconventional path into the hospitality industry, which started with an economics background and a bold decision to leave graduate school. She recounts how a serendipitous encounter at a beach bar in Mexico led to her first restaurant...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng welcomes Andrew Black, Chief Culinary Officer of Counter Service. He reflects on how his experiences with chefs like Laurent Tourondel and Kevin Binkley, as well as his time as a Sous Chef at Eleven Madison Park, shaped his approach to food and entrepreneurship. Staying true to his passion for exceptional ingredients, Andrew shares his...

On this episode of  Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng is joined by Shuai Wang, Owner and Chef of Jackrabbit Filly & King BBQ, and runner-up on the 22nd season of Bravo's Top Chef. Shuai reflects on his journey from growing up in Beijing surrounded by incredible food to discovering his passion for cooking through a high school culinary program. He talks about how his experiences le...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng is joined by Steve Palmer, Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Vision Officer of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, Co-Founder of Ben's Friends, and host of Say Grace Podcast. Steve reflects on his remarkable journey from washing dishes at 13 to becoming the leader of one of the Southeast's most successful restaurant groups. H...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng welcomes Amy Racine. She is the Beverage Director and Partner at JF Restaurants, a Wine Consultant for Tatiana at Lincoln Center, and Wine Enthusiast’s 2024 Beverage Director of the Year. Amy reflects on her journey from growing up in a family that loved to entertain to becoming a prominent voice in the beverage world. She shares how he...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng is joined by Stefano Secchi, Chef-Owner of Fai Bravo Hospitality and the acclaimed restaurants Rezdôra and Massara. Stefano traces his path from growing up in a restaurant family to sharpening his craft in Italy and ultimately opening his own renowned kitchens in New York. He discusses learning from master chefs, honoring regional Itali...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng speaks with Jack McGarry, Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Dead Rabbit Group. Recently named one of The Spirits Business's Global Bar Luminaries, Jack reflects on his career. He discusses his early days in the Belfast bar scene, becoming the youngest recipient of the International Bartender of the Year Award, and building one...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng speaks with Ti Martin, Co-Proprietor of the iconic Commander's Palace, Le Petit Bleu, and Picnic Provisions & Whiskey. Ti reflects on growing up in the restaurant industry and eventually taking the helm of her family’s business. She discusses the lessons learned from her experiences in real estate, commercial work, and time spen...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng is joined by David Nayfeld, acclaimed Chef and Co-Owner of Back Home Hospitality (Che Fico, Che Fico Parco Menlo, and Via Aurelia). He details his remarkable career trajectory, from being a 13-year-old dishwasher to mastering fine dining kitchens like Eleven Madison Park and training across Europe. David also recounts the challenging, s...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng welcomes Amanda Signorelli, CEO and Co-Owner of Golden Steer, a staple in Las Vegas dining. Amanda recounts her unexpected journey into hospitality after transitioning from tech and consulting, reflecting on her entrepreneurial experiences in both industries. She shares valuable insights on leadership and the innovative strategies that...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, Chef Kyle Knall, Chef and Co-Owner of Birch and Cassis—recognized by Forbes, Conde Nast, and the New York Times—reflects on his journey from early mentorship under culinary legends like Frank Stitt, Mike Anthony, and Stephen Starr to building a hospitality-driven community of his own in Milwaukee. From fine dining in New York to farm-to-table leadership...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, Chef Diane Moua, Chef-Owner of Diane’s Place, opens up about her remarkable journey from first-generation Hmong roots to earning national recognition as one of America’s best chefs. Recently named on The New York Times list of the Best Restaurants in America, Food & Wine’s Restaurant of the Year, and The Minnesota Star Tribune's inaugural Culinar...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , Kevin Garry, Managing Partner and Owner of L’Artusi, b’artusi, Via Porta, and L’Artusi Supper Club, takes us through his journey from washing dishes at his uncle’s restaurant to building a thriving restaurant group in New York City. Kevin reflects on his evolution from a young worker in the kitchen to becoming a key player in some of NYC’s most beloved...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , Stephanie Castellucci, Co-Owner and Director of Human Resources at Castellucci Hospitality Group, shares her family’s deep-rooted passion for hospitality and her journey in growing a restaurant empire across the Southeast. From working the line in her family’s restaurants to overseeing HR for an expanding group, Stephanie reflects on the importance of b...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng speaks with Cherif Mbodji, Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Bludorn Hospitality Group (Bludorn, Bar Bludorn, Navy Blue, and Perseid). Cherif reflects on his journey from Senegal, where hospitality is a cultural way of life, to New York, where he honed his skills working with Chef Daniel Boulud. He shares how his time at Café Boulu...