Hospitality Bites

In this episode of  Hospitality Bites , host  Colleen Silk  sits down with  Jeff Boland , a hospitality leader whose story of addiction, recovery, and reinvention is both powerful and deeply human. Jeff shares how his journey through sobriety has shaped his leadership style, inspired his writing, and strengthened his advocacy within and beyond the industry. From managing multi-...

In this episode of  Hospitality Bites , host  Colleen Silk  sits down with  Carolyn Grillo , a seasoned culinary professional whose career spans from the precision of baking to the storytelling world of food media. Carolyn opens up about the  science behind baking , the  importance of continuous learning , and her personal journey with  sobriety  in an indus...

Disclaimer: This conversation discusses the topic of suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Crisis and Prevention hotline 988 In this episode of  Hospitality Bites , host  Colleen Silk  sits down with  Sean Finter , a hospitality leader whose story challenges the way we define succ...

In this episode of Hospitality Bites, host Colleen Silk welcomes Chef Nick Barrington, Executive Chef at East Lake Golf Club and President of the U.S. Culinary Open. With over two decades of experience, Chef Nick shares his inspiring journey—from cooking for presidents to mentoring the next generation of chefs. He opens up about creating the U.S. Culinary Open as a celebration of the craft, commun...

 In this  Extended Episode  of  Hospitality Bites , host  Colleen Silk  welcomes back Chef  Brian Duffy  — chef, consultant, TV personality, and unapologetic lover of bold flavors and transparent dining.   From his passion for educating others about food to his work with  Lower Family Foods,   YumCrunch , Brian brings his signature energy...

In this mid-season recap of  Hospitality Bites,  host  Colleen Silk  reflects on the journey so far and the powerful stories shared by her guests. From chefs and entrepreneurs to advocates and storytellers, each conversation highlights  courage, resilience, and community  within the hospitality industry. Colleen also opens up about her personal advocacy work—her role...

In this episode of  Hospitality Bites , host  Colleen Silk  sits down with  Sarah Perkins , Cherry Bombe member, founder of  Perkins Creative Consulting , and host of the  Perfect Bite Podcast . Sarah shares her journey from working as the “phone girl” at a pizzeria to building a career rooted in storytelling, creativity, and entrepreneurship. From being ahead of...

Episode Summary In this episode of Hospitality Bites, host Colleen Silk interviews Kastle Sorensen—mompreneur, Cupcake Wars Champion, and founder of Kastle’s Kreations. From teacher hopeful to baking sensation, Kastle turned her passion into a career that continues to evolve in unexpected ways. She opens up about balancing single motherhood with business ownership, her innovative creation of lacta...

In this episode of Hospitality Bites, host Colleen Silk sits down with Brad Nugent, a hospitality veteran and innovative beverage strategist, to discuss his journey from washing dishes at the age of 15 to becoming a beverage director and the founder of  Innovative Beverage Strategies . They explore the art of performance in hospitality, the importance of sales training, and the challenges cur...

In this episode of Hospitality Bites, host Colleen Silk speaks with Lo Tibbets about her journey in the hospitality industry, the importance of prioritizing wellness, and the impact of community support.  Lo shares how she is carrying forward her late business partner, Ryan Ennis, mission through Beyond the Bar—a program that helps hospitality professionals focus on physical wellness and self...

In this episode of  Hospitality Bites , host Colleen Silk sits down with  Imrun Texeira , a chef whose  culinary journey  spans from washing dishes to shaping the future of the  hospitality industry . With a rich blend of personal stories and industry insights, Imrunn opens up about the influence of  family experiences , his  cultural diversity , and how these el...

With Guest Amy Racine, Beverage Director & Partner at JF Restaurants, Advanced Sommelier, and Philanthropist Episode Summary In this episode of Hospitality Bites, host Colleen Silk talks with  Amy Racine , a superstar in the beverage world and one of the youngest women to achieve Advanced Sommelier status. From her early days in hospitality to her current role as  Beverage Director a...

In this episode, Colleen Silk sits down with Ben Moore, a fourth-generation farmer and the founder of The Ugly Company—a purpose-driven brand redefining what’s “ugly” in food. From military service to peach orchards, Ben’s journey is anything but traditional. Inspired by his grandmother’s passion for preserving food and his own calling to serve, Ben transformed rejected fruit into a powerful brand...

In this deeply inspiring episode, host Colleen Silk welcomes Chef Ciji Castro, a culinary entrepreneur, endometriosis advocate, and powerhouse Latina chef. From studying criminal justice to becoming a clean food crusader, Ciji shares how chronic pain, motherhood, and cultural pride shaped her mission and her business. She opens up about her long battle with endometriosis, the fight to be heard in...

In this episode, host Colleen Silk welcomes  Mike Messeroff,  a longtime hospitality professional turned personal freedom coach, to explore the intersection of hospitality, leadership, and mental health. Mike shares his powerful journey from the high-pressure world of bartending to building a career rooted in coaching, mindfulness, and personal growth. Together, we discussed what it trul...

In this episode, I sit down with  Aly Romero  — private chef, food blogger, cookbook author, and  one-woman grilling powerhouse  — to explore her unconventional (and wildly inspiring) path into the culinary world. Aly didn’t start in a restaurant or culinary school — she started at home, cooking for the people she loved. What began as a second chapter in life quickly turned int...

The primary focus of this podcast episode revolves around the imperative of planning and execution in the hospitality industry, as articulated by our esteemed guest, Carl Fiadini, the founder of Walk-In Talk Media, and host of Walk-In Talk Podcast. He emphasizes the necessity of establishing a clear vision, outlining actionable steps, and, crucially, surrounding oneself with a supportive team to r...