Dine & Dish

Welcome to Restaurant Diva's Dine & Dish Podcast, where hospitality leaders, restaurant executives, chefs, entrepreneurs, and innovators share ideas shaping the future of the restaurant and hospitality industry. In this episode, Michele DiMeo, The Restaurant Diva, sits down with David Page, creator and original executive producer of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and host of the Culinary Characte...

Welcome to  Restaurant Diva's Dine & Dish Podcast , where hospitality leaders, restaurant executives, entrepreneurs, chefs, and innovators share ideas shaping the future of the restaurant and hospitality industry. In this episode, Michele DiMeo,  The Restaurant Diva , sits down with  Lindsay Cunningham , co-founder of  RollinGreens , to discuss how  plant-based protein, food innovation, sustai...

Welcome to Restaurant Diva's Dine & Dish Podcast, where hospitality leaders, restaurant executives, entrepreneurs, and innovators share insights shaping the future of hospitality and guest experience. In this episode, Michele DiMeo, The Restaurant Diva, sits down with Jonathan Oringdulph, a retired military leader with more than 25 years of service in the Air Force and Navy, including two tour...

Welcome to this week's episode of  Dine & Dish  featuring  Joey Cioffi, Founder & CEO of Salad House . Joey's journey is a true American Dream story. Growing up in his family's deli in Springfield, New Jersey, Joey learned hospitality from the ground up. Inspired by his father's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to quality service, he launched the first Salad House location in 2011 wit...

Welcome to this week's episode of Dine & Dish featuring Ami Alexander, Managing Partner at Barrel Aged Hospitality. Most hospitality conversations focus on concept development, branding, design, and positioning. But the reality is that concepts rarely fail on paper—they fail after opening, when operations, leadership, team culture, and execution determine whether a business succeeds or quietly...

This week on my podcast, I’m joined by Jess Olmeda for an honest and empowering conversation about women’s health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness after 40. We dive into the real changes women experience as they age—from hormones and metabolism to energy, stress, sleep, and confidence—and how to create sustainable habits that actually work in real life. Jess shares practical advice on exercise, n...

This week, I’m joined by Tia Plunkett-McQueen, Vice President of Human Resources, for a powerful conversation on one of the biggest challenges facing hospitality today—people. We dive into what’s really happening in today’s hiring landscape, why attracting and retaining talent has become more complex, and what leaders need to understand about building a sustainable workforce. Tia shares her expert...

This week, I’m joined by Dani Peleva, Founder & CEO of Franchise Fame and Amazon best-selling author of Franchise Fame , for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to scale a brand the right way. Dani specializes in national franchise marketing and helping established brands grow with clarity, consistency, and strategy. We dive into the biggest challenges franchise systems face when e...

This week, I’m joined by Kyle Savage, event planner extraordinaire, author, and motivational speaker, for a conversation all about what it takes to create unforgettable experiences. From high-level event planning and managing guest expectations to the power of organization, attention to detail, and leadership under pressure, Kyle shares the behind-the-scenes reality of building events that leave a...

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...