Hospitality On The Rise

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...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng features Noah Glass, Founder and CEO of Olo, Board Director of Portillo’s, Board Director at Share Our Strength, and Board Trustee of the Culinary Institute of America. Noah reflects on his unconventional path from delivering pizzas in high school to founding one of the leading digital ordering and delivery solutions for restaurants. He...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng welcomes Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Co-Owner and Chef of Birdie’s, the acclaimed Austin restaurant recognized by Food & Wine and Bon Appétit. Recently listed as one of the 2025 TIME100 Next Rising Stars, Tracy shares her unique journey from sports and music to the kitchen, highlighting the pivotal moments and mentors that shaped her ca...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng speaks with Sean Feeney, Co-Founder of Grovehouse Hospitality, which includes celebrated restaurants like Lilia, Misi, MISIPASTA, and Fini Pizza. Before entering the restaurant industry, Sean built a successful career in finance. In this conversation, he reflects on how his journey led him to hospitality, the importance of understanding...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng chats with Victoria James—Partner and Executive Director of Beverage at Gracious Hospitality Management (COTE, COQODAQ), author of Wine Girl and Drink Pink, and Co-Founder of Wine Empowered. From a greasy spoon diner in New Jersey to the youngest sommelier in the U.S. and now a leader shaping world-class wine programs, Victoria’s story i...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , Chef Jonathan Benno—Culinary Director at Four Twenty Five (Restaurants by Jean-Georges) and the first American-born and trained chef to earn three Michelin stars during his time at Per Se—shares his remarkable career journey with host Alice Cheng. From his start washing dishes in Connecticut, to formative years at The French Laundry, Gramercy Tavern, an...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson—Co-Founder of Verve Wine (NYC, San Francisco, Chicago), Co-Founder of Apres Cru, and featured star of the acclaimed documentary SOMM—connects with host Alice Cheng to share his remarkable path through hospitality and wine. From his early days waiting tables to his rise at Eleven Madison Park, to taking the leap into entrepr...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , Chef Missy Robbins—restaurateur, author, James Beard Award winner, and Co-Founder of Grovehouse Hospitality Group (Lilia, Misi, MISIPASTA)—joins host Alice Cheng to share her remarkable journey. From her first nights on the line in Washington, D.C., to pivotal years at Spiaggia in Chicago, to building her own celebrated restaurants in New York, Missy re...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , Chef Erling Wu-Bower shares his journey from growing up in a food-obsessed family to becoming a three-time James Beard Award finalist and co-founder of Maxwells Trading. He opens up about knowing when the time is right for new ventures, the lessons learned in shifting from the kitchen to the dining room, and why identifying talent and mastering manageme...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng welcomes Arjav Ezekiel, 2025 James Beard Foundation Award Winner and Co-Owner and Beverage Director of Birdie’s in Austin—a restaurant redefining what fine dining can look like. Arjav shares his journey from growing up in a food-loving Indian household to honing his craft in acclaimed kitchens in D.C. and New York, before launching Bird...

On this episode of  Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng sits down with the renowned Chef Michael Anthony, Executive Chef and Partner at Gramercy Tavern, for a rich and reflective conversation that spans continents, cultures, and decades. Known for his deep commitment to seasonal cooking and thoughtful leadership, Chef Mike opens up about his unconventional path—from writing a cold letter to...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng is joined by hospitality powerhouse Jeff Benjamin—a key architect of Philadelphia’s rise as a culinary destination, and the guiding force behind beloved brands like Vetri and Federal Donuts. From bussing tables as a teenager to scaling restaurant empires and writing from the heart, Jeff shares the pivotal moments, surprising turns, and...

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise , host Alice Cheng is joined by Dominique Ansel—James Beard Award-winning pastry chef, inventor of the Cronut®️, and founder of celebrated bakeries around the world—whose path from a modest upbringing in France to international acclaim is a testament to vision, determination, and reinvention. From learning to cook at sixteen out of necessity to crafting c...