Hospitality & Politics with Andrew Rigie

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...

In this episode, we’re joined by Bobbie Lloyd, the Chief Baking Officer and CEO of Magnolia Bakery. We get into Magnolia Bakery’s journey from its humble beginnings on a quiet street corner in the West Village to becoming a globally recognized brand. Bobbie shares how a 30-second feature on ‘Sex and the City’ catapulted the bakery to fame and discusses the intricacies of scaling and maintaining qu...

In this episode, we welcome Shaw-naé Dixon of Shaw-naé’s House. They discuss Shaw-naé's inspiring journey in the hospitality industry, her establishment's unique atmosphere, and the heartfelt hospitality that defines her restaurant. Shaw-naé shares her experiences with Pete Wells' New York Times review, the challenges and rewards of running a family-operated restaurant, and her rich fa...

In this episode, renown experts Robert and Max Bookman join us to break down the complexities of liquor licensing and outdoor dining regulations in New York City. They explore the legacy of Prohibition, the impact of zoning laws on dancing at bars and clubs, and the real-world challenges restaurant and nightlife operators face today. We dive into the 200- and 500-foot laws, navigating community bo...

Julie Coker, CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, joins Andrew to discuss how tourism drives New York City’s $79 billion economy and supports over 400,000 jobs. She outlines her strategy to keep NYC a top global destination through major initiatives like Restaurant Week, Broadway Week, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while addressing the critical need for increased tourism funding compared to other majo...

In this episode, Andrew sits down with renowned chef, restaurateur, and TV host Tom Colicchio. They discuss the evolving concept of his restaurant Craft, industry challenges, and the impact of inflation on menu pricing, tipping, and hunger relief. Colicchio shares the importance of staying relevant and the operational differences between New York City and Las Vegas. They also talk about the role o...

On this episode, we welcome Rosanna Scotto, anchor at Fox Five New York and co-owner of the family-run restaurant, Fresco by Scotto. We discuss history and evolution of Fresco by Scotto over 31 years, including the significant challenges faced during the pandemic and the ongoing adjustments in Midtown Manhattan's dynamic business environment. We also get into the impact of congestion pricing on sm...

In this episode of ‘Hospitality & Politics,’ powered by the New York City Hospitality Alliance, Andrew Rigie chats with Jeffrey Bank, CEO of the Alicart Restaurant Group (Carmines and Virgil’s), and Bill Bonbrest, former Chief Performance Officer at Tao Group and current president of the NYC Hospitality Alliance. The conversation covers the evolution of the restaurant industry, exploring chang...