Dine & Dish

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Distinguished Toastmaster Augusta Inniss, Program Quality Director of District 36 and incoming District Director for District 220  to talk about one of the most underrated skills in leadership—communication. From building confidence and finding your voice to leading teams and speaking with impact, Augusta shares practical insights on how strong communicatio...

This week, I’m joined by Noah Glass, Founder & CEO of Olo, for a powerful conversation about how technology is transforming the way restaurants operate, connect with guests, and drive revenue. As a pioneer in digital ordering, Noah has been ahead of the curve—long before online ordering, delivery, and guest data became essential to the industry. Today, Olo powers some of the biggest restaurant...

This week, I’m joined by Jeff and Matt from Restaurant 360 for a real, insightful conversation on what it actually takes to run a successful restaurant in today’s environment. From operations and financial performance to long-term growth, we break down how restaurant owners and operators can step back and truly see the full picture of their business. Jeff and Matt share their perspective on where...

This week, I'm joined by Richard Halsall, CEO of Exhale Fans, for a conversation that might completely change how you think about your restaurant or business. With a background as a Huey Cobra pilot in Vietnam and later an airline pilot, Richard brings a unique perspective on precision, systems, and leadership into the world of hospitality innovation. Now leading Exhale Fans, he's helping business...

This week, I'm joined by Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group, for a conversation every restaurant operator needs to hear. With over 20 years in hospitality and experience working with brands like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt, Geoff breaks down one of the biggest missed opportunities in our industry—your frontline team. We dive into how everyday guest interactions directly impact r...

I'm joined by Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of South Florida, a powerhouse in education, women's empowerment, and developing the next generation of leaders. Laurie has dedicated her career to shaping young minds, building confidence, and creating real-world opportunities for success. We talk about her journey to leadership, the challenges women still face at the top,...

On this episode of Dine & Dish , host Michele DiMeo sits down with the team from Project Resource Solutions (PRS) to discuss the critical role of execution, infrastructure, and technology in today's restaurant and franchise operations. With over 25 years of experience, PRS specializes in managing complex IT installations across multi-location environments—from POS systems and network infrastru...

On this special Oscars-themed episode of Dine & Dish , host Michele DiMeo rolls out the red carpet for media and PR powerhouse Christine Curran , founder of the Dining Diva Empire. In an industry where visibility matters just as much as great food and service, Christine shares how restaurants can build star power through strategic media exposure, storytelling, and brand positioning. From landi...

On this episode of Dine & Dish, host Michele DiMeo sits down with Greg Provance, restaurant growth advisor and published author, for a conversation focused on what it really takes to scale and sustain a successful restaurant business. Greg shares insights from years of working with restaurant operators across the country, helping them identify opportunities for growth, strengthen operations, a...

In this episode of Dine & Dish , host Michele DiMeo sits down with Michael Lassen to break down the art of franchising —what it really takes to scale a fast-casual brand the right way. From knowing when you're truly ready to franchise, to building the systems, culture, and unit economics that support long-term growth, Michael shares real-world insights, tips, and cautionary lessons every resta...

In this episode of Dine & Dish , we're diving deep into the world of food sourcing, quality, and profitability with Brian Saval , President of 1932 Specialty Produce & Meat and EVP of Saval Foodservice. Brian shares insider insights on navigating today's ever-changing restaurant landscape, from protecting margins without sacrificing quality, to building strong supplier-operator partnership...

This Valentine's Day, we're talking about a different kind of love story—the kind built in the trenches In our business. In this special Valentine's Edition episode, we sit down as a married couple, Michele and Gennaro DiMeo who have spent years building businesses, navigating pressure, chasing big dreams, and learning how to work together without losing each other. From laughter and late nights t...

What if the food we serve—and eat every day—could actually heal us? In this episode of Dine & Dish , host Michele DiMeo sits down with Jorgina Colyn , nutritional science expert and wellness advocate, for a powerful conversation on food as medicine and what it truly means for today's diners, operators, and hospitality leaders. Together, they explore the science behind nourishment, gut health,...

This episode of Dine & Dish is all about design that works as hard as you do. Host Michele DiMeo sits down with Vanessa DeLeon, internationally recognized interior designer, TV personality, and founder of Vanessa DeLeon Associates, to talk about the powerful role design plays in restaurants, hospitality spaces, and brand experience. From feng shui and flow to creating spaces that drive guest c...

Branding isn't just a logo — it's how people feel when they hear your name. In this episode of Dine & Dish , we sit down with Michelle Soudry , founder and owner of The Gab Group , to talk all things branding, social media, and what it really takes to stand out in today's crowded marketplace.

Opening a restaurant is exciting—but building it can make or break your business. In this episode of Dine & Dish , Restaurant Diva host Michele DiMeo sits down with seasoned general contractor and managing partner of Madison Construction Steve DiPietro to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a restaurant the right way—from planning and budgeting to timelines, permits, and avo...

Before the menu, before the build-out, before the doors open—there's the lease . In this episode of Dine & Dish , host Michele DiMeo sits down with Paul Stanton , commercial real estate and legal expert, to unpack the legal realities every restaurant owner needs to understand before signing on the dotted line. From hidden lease clauses and CAM charges to personal guarantees, build-out responsi...

Opening a restaurant isn't just about great food—it's about strategy, capital, leadership, and resilience. In this must-listen episode of Dine & Dish , host Michele DiMeo sits down with Gennaro DiMeo , seasoned restaurateur and operator, and Stephen DesLauriers , restaurant systems and operational support, to break down what it actually takes to open a restaurant from the ground up. From conce...

Ring in the New Year with Restaurant Diva host Michele DiMeo, her husband and business partner Gennaro DiMeo, and special guest Aviva (Vivi) for a lighthearted, feel-good episode full of laughs, honesty, and family perspective. From New Year's resolutions (and reality checks) to food, fitness, goals, and what growth really looks like at every age, this episode proves that fresh starts don't have t...

Food allergies are no longer a side conversation in restaurants—they're a business, legal, and brand imperative. In this episode of Dine and Dish, Restaurant Diva host Michele DiMeo sits down with Betsy Craig , Founder and CEO of MenuTrinfo , to unpack the real state of allergen management in today's restaurant industry. From menu labeling and staff training to legal exposure, guest trust, and eme...

In this episode of Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva , host Michele DiMeo sits down with industry expert John Opdahl to break down the real economics behind restaurant purchasing. From buying power and food contracts to rebates, distributor negotiations, and protecting margins , John pulls back the curtain on where restaurants lose money—and how smart operators keep it. Whether you're a single-...

In this essential year-end episode, host Michele DiMeo sits down with finance/ tax and business systems expert Jill Risbon to break down everything owners and operators need to know before closing out 2025 and gearing up for a smooth, profitable start to 2026. From bookkeeping mistakes and tax-saving strategies to tip credit compliance, payroll prep, and avoiding costly audits, this episode is you...

This week, Michele sits down with Carl Griffenkranz, a seasoned professional staffing recruiter, to break down the biggest challenges and smartest strategies for hiring and staffing during the holiday rush . From understanding the current hiring market to attracting the right candidates, speeding up the interview process, training seasonal employees, and retaining top performers—this episode deliv...

In this special Thanksgiving episode , host Michele DiMeo with guest Gennaro DiMeo —serve up a candid look at what the holiday season really feels like in the restaurant world. From the chaos of holiday menu planning and take-home orders to the pressure of delivering flawless service, this husband-wife dynamic duo shares real stories, industry insights, and heartfelt gratitude. Warm, funny, and fu...

Technology is transforming the guest experience—but is it elevating hospitality or eroding the personal touch? In this episode, Michele and guest Stephen DesLauriers dive into the rising wave of QR codes, handheld ordering devices, AI-driven waitlists, automated kiosks, and all the gadgets reshaping front-of-house operations and some BOH mentions.   We break down what tech genuinely improves effic...