Hospitality Heroes

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SW96n39_Ong   My guest, Doug Wood, is the visionary CEO of Tommy Bahama — the iconic lifestyle brand known around the world for its island-inspired fashion, restaurants, and, most recently, resorts. Under Doug’s leadership, Tommy Bahama has grown to over 160 stores globally, including 16 restaurant & bar locations, and in November 2023, launched the Tommy Bah...

Jeff Weaver is the founder of Quick Results Marketing, which offers a whole suite of low-cost, easy-to-use tech solutions, such as point systems, that help restaurants and coffee shops implement loyalty programs and generate higher profits and increase the lifetime value of their customers. Each of his solutions makes joining a loyalty program simple and easy. Demonstrating a keen understanding of...

In this episode, our hero is Brian Hellgeth, Head of Sales (North America) at Ardor Technologies. Business travel can be difficult. Last-minute schedule changes, new cities to visit, clients to support, etc. Wouldn't it be great for your travel partner to support you? Ardor Trip is a next-generation all-in-one business travel and expense management platform focused on business-to-business and agen...

Often, hospitality tech solutions are brought to market with the best of intentions – to help reduce inefficiencies, cut costs, or enhance guest experience. The problem is that many software engineers and tech executives lack an understanding of how the end-user will actually utilize their systems in a high-pressure restaurant environment. Todd Vahlsing understands both the tech and the inner work...

In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Salvador, Account Executive at UrVenue, to explore how their innovative technology is transforming the hospitality experience. Rebecca shares how UrVenue helps hotels connect guests with on-property amenities, restaurants, and events, while also offering tools like 3D renderings to design and optimize spaces. From streamlining operations to enhancing the g...

Simon Zatyrka is a seasoned chef with more than three decades of culinary expertise and the host of Culinary Mechanic, a podcast that explores the Food & Beverage and Hospitality industries to highlight the high performers who make these businesses thrive — from chefs and owner/operators to technology partners and innovators enhancing the industry. Today, Simon applies his deep knowledge as a...

Anton Osipov and Astrid Abrahamyan are the husband and wife duo behind @astanavista-without-baby , a YouTube channel documenting their journeys throughout Asia and beyond. So far, their YouTube channel has already amassed over 1900 subscribers at the time of this recording, from only 130 videos, and their channel continues to grow. Ex-Google employees who worked in Silicon Valley, Anton and Astrid...

Hospitality Hero, Chef Joe Murdocca, is the founder of Best Mozz, a catering business providing mozzarella cheese-making classes and mozzarella stations at weddings, private parties, and corporate events.  Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GPiS9iTzIIc   Learn more: https://www.bestmozz.com/   Mozzarella is widely considered the most popular cheese in the world due to its use in popular foods such...

What does it take to build cohesive teams and foster strong leadership in the fast-paced world of hospitality? In this episode, I’m joined by Noelle Labrie, a leadership development expert who knows firsthand the unique challenges restaurant operators face. From high turnover and inconsistent service to the struggle of developing managers while juggling daily operations, she’s seen it all—and she’...

On this podcast, hosts become the guests! We celebrate the unsung heroes of hospitality who go above and beyond to deliver unforgettable guest experiences. Not all heroes wear capes -- some wear aprons, suits, or ties. From hoteliers and restaurateurs to chefs, executives, and guest experience experts, we chat with the professionals who work while we play, showcasing their leadership across the ho...