Hospitality & Politics with Andrew Rigie

Kevol and Ria Graham, the husband-and-wife team behind the authentic Caribbean and Jamaican restaurant Kokomo in Brooklyn. They join the show to discuss the state of the Caribbean restaurant scene in NYC, opening at the onset of the pandemic, and balancing their family and personal lives with running the business. In this conversation, we explore their Caribbean roots and exciting menu, how they u...

Paulie and Mary Ann Gee, the husband-and-wife team behind the acclaimed Paulie Gee's pizzerias, started with no professional restaurant experience and built one of New York City's most beloved pizza brands. They join the show to discuss the leap of faith that led them to open their first shop, what it's like running a business as partners in both life and work, and how they've main...

From dishwasher to hospitality icon, Jimmy Rodriguez has spent more than three decades shaping New York City's restaurant and nightlife scene. The Bronx-born entrepreneur joins Andrew Rigie to discuss building legendary venues, creating unforgettable guest experiences, hosting everyone from celebrities to world leaders, and navigating the challenges facing restaurants and nightlife today. Alon...

Terrence Meck is the President and CEO of God’s Love We Deliver, the New York based nonprofit that improves the health and wellbeing of people affected by serious illness by ensuring access to medically tailored meals and comprehensive nutrition care. He joins the show to discuss the mission of God’s Love We Deliver, his background working in the restaurant industry, and how he manages an organiza...

Kira O’Brien is the Chief Impact Officer at Emma’s Torch, where she leads the organization’s culinary training program and social ventures. She joins the show to discuss the mission of Emma’s Torch, the success stories of her students, and how everyone can support immigrants in this current political climate. In this conversation we explore the data and demographics behind Emma’s Torch, the skills...

James Shrum is a bartender at Blue Ribbon Brasserie and the recent recipient of the NYC Hospitality Alliance’s Bartender of the Year Award. He joins the show to discuss the challenges of running a bar in New York City, the lessons he’s learned over his years at Blue Ribbon, and the importance of creating an environment that makes both patrons and employees want to stick around. In this conversatio...

John Wang is a former lawyer turned food entrepreneur and advocate when he founded the Queens Night Market in 2015. He joins the show to discuss the challenges of putting together New York’s first Night Market, how the diversity of Queens has helped serve up a robust and unique offering of food and vendors, and how his “bad business model” has ultimately led to the night market’s success. In this...

Terence Tubridy is a founder of IGC Hospitality. He joins the show to discuss the evolution of a local empire, pulling back the curtain on his journey from running a neighborhood bar at 26 to managing a portfolio of 18 diverse concepts, including the groundbreaking Rockaway Hotel. In this conversation, we dive deep into the "H4" framework—the four pillars that guide every business decisi...

Megan Rickerson is the owner of Someday Bar in Brooklyn. In this conversation, we discuss Megan’s experience bartending in New York, the trends and changes she is seeing in what customers are drinking, and the opportunities and challenges she has experienced since opening Someday Bar right before the pandemic. Megan explores the importance of properly training her staff, advocating for fellow bar...

Grace Young is a cookbook author, culinary historian, filmmaker, and advocate for America’s historic Chinatowns. Grace is the recipient of the James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, a USA Today Women of the Year honoree for her work to save America’s Chinatowns and has been dubbed the “accidental voice for Chinatown”. In this conversation, we discuss her viral ‘Wok Therapist’ vid...

Melba Wilson is a chef, restaurateur, entrepreneur, and the owner of Melba’s Restaurant, a beloved Harlem comfort food and soul food institution. In this conversation, she shares her journey from humble beginnings in Harlem to becoming one of New York City’s most celebrated restaurant owners. We discuss lessons learned at iconic restaurants like Sylvia’s, Rosa Mexicano, and Windows on the World, n...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeffrey LeFrancois, Executive Director of the Meatpacking District Management Association, to explore the transformation of NYC’s Meatpacking District—from an industrial hub to a global destination for culture, nightlife, fashion, hospitality, and the arts. Jeffrey explains the role of Business Improvement Districts in city planning, how public–private partnership...

Tracy Nieporent is a Partner and Director of Marketing at the Myriad Restaurant Group. In this conversation, Tracy shares insights into marketing some of the city’s most iconic restaurants, the vital role of tourism, the history of Restaurant Week, and reflections on more than 30 years of Tribeca Grill. We explore the parallels between restaurateurs and professional athletes, the challenge of rebu...

Ben Max is  a veteran journalist, host of ‘Max Politics’ and Executive Editor and Program Director at the Center for New York City and State Law. In this conversation, we discuss the political landscape at the end of 2025 as New York City prepares for new mayor Zohran Mamdani. We get into the dynamics between the mayor’s office and city council, small business regulations, housing, childcare, publ...

Drew Nieporent, founder of the Myriad Restaurant Group, and is the author of the book “I’m Not Trying To Be Difficult: Stories from the Restaurant Trenches”. this conversation, we discuss Drew’s mutli-decade career establishing iconic Michelin star and beloved restaurants like Nobu, Tribeca Grill, Bâtard, and Montrachet. We get to hear a ton of old New York City stories, how Drew built these legen...

Jimmy Rizvi and Chef Vikas Khanna are the restaurateurs behind Bungalow, the New York City Indian restaurant that earned three stars from The New York Times. In this episode, they share the personal journey behind creating Bungalow, the whirlwind of its explosive popularity, and the unique dynamic between front-of-house and back-of-house operations. They open up about the pressures of living up to...

Jonathan Forgash is the founder of Queens Together. In this conversation, we discuss how the organization formed, its work during the pandemic from his kitchen table and how they eventually helped feed over 500,000 people in Queens. We get into the evolution into advocacy and support for small businesses, the importance of strong community ties, the must-visit restaurants in Queens, the Internatio...

Pamela Silvestri is the Food Editor for the Staten Island Advance and SI Live. In this episode, we discuss the current state of Staten Island's restaurant scene, challenges faced by restaurateurs, notable dining spots on the island, the significance of consumer feedback, and the evolving demographic in Staten Island's food landscape. Pamela shares insights from her background in the restau...

Matt Jozwiak is the Founder & CEO of Rethink Food, a non-profit organization founded in 2017 that tackles food insecurity by funding restaurants to prepare meals for community centers. In this conversation, we discuss how Matt serves the community with Rethink, raising millions of dollars and working with restaurants like Eleven Madison Park and Beatstro to support businesses before, during an...

Elizabeth Murray is the Chief Operating Officer at Marlow Collective (a group of restaurants by Andrew Tarlow that include, Diner, Borgo, Roman’s, She Wolf Bakery among others) and a co-founder of Women in Hospitality United, a non-profit organization dedicated to reimagining the hospitality industry. In this conversation, we discuss the evolution of the Marlow Collective, growing community, elimi...

Jeffrey Garcia is the Executive Director of the New York City’s Office of Nightlife. In this episode, we discuss the importance of the Office of Nightlife, working as a liaison between the nightlife industry and the city government and the current state of nightlife. We highlight various initiatives such as the Narcan Behind Every Bar campaign and establishing the CURE campaign aimed at improving...

Cortney Bond is the owner of The Bond Group. In this conversation, we discuss Cortney’s journey from growing up in a true hospitality family in Las Vegas to becoming a celebrated entrepreneur and “speakeasy queen” in New York City. We get into the stories behind her venues (UES, Not a Speakeasy, Champagne Problems) and her unique approach to nightlife, design, and community. Cortney discusses NYC...

Ben Gollan is a sandwich connoisseur & New York tour guide. In this episode, we discuss Ben’s journey from being a lawyer in Australia to becoming a sandwich aficionado in New York City. We get into the debate over what qualifies as a sandwich, and the best sandwich spots in New York, what makes a perfect sandwich & the importance of family-run establishments. We also get his insights over...

On this episode, we’re joined by Loycent Gordon. We discuss the rich history of the nearly 200-year-old tavern, including its role during the Civil War, its transformation over the decades, and its feature in the movie ‘Goodfellas.’ Gordon shares his personal journey from an FDNY firefighter to a community-focused savior of the tavern. He explains the ‘Community Conquers All’ philosophy, focusing...

Roger Clark is a journalist at Spectrum News NY1. In this episode, Roger shares insights about his unique job, his favorite places in New York City, and the changes brought about by the pandemic. They also delve into the rich food culture across the five boroughs that you won’t find anywhere else! https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Welcome...