In The Weeds with Ben Randall

Today we're talking Robot McDonald's, exploding chocolate factories, hiring, firing and counseling, cheese curd festivals and temp agencies. Spoilers, temp agencies for hospitality SUCK. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 inthew...

Today on our show: Red States want to make your kids work in meat packing plants! Also, Chicago restaurants are now required to give you PTO, and Ben has a new computer. Plus, taxes. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweeds...

Today's topics: kitchen robots, White Castle, weather and hey, did you know that the National Restaurant Association is lobbying AGAINST student loan forgiveness? For shame! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @...

Today we're sitting down with Jensen Cummings to discuss the best of all possible futures for our industry. Fingers crossed! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter) https://www.redbubble.com/p...

Weird, rambling episode today with Steve live in studio! We talk donuts, mountain oysters & turkey fries, child labor and meat packing. Also, what band would YOU like to see headline a Testicle Festival in an unpronounceable Michigan town? As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us...

Today we're talking Mafia Hitmen running French pizza joints, school foodservice managers stealing chicken wings and wildin' out over Black History Month, and Is The Customer *Really* Always Right? As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id86952...

Today we're talking ongoing service industry staffing issues, Canadian Super Pigs, Mario Batali (also a Super Pig?), listener mail about The Menu and how long can a steak stay on your shoe and still be edible? As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-ran...

Today we're talking about adding egg whites to sourdough, the rising cost of eggs, health inspections and the bombshell that ServSafe is funding the NRA's lobbying to keep restaurant wages down. For shame, ServSafe! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-b...

Ladies & Gentlemen, we watched The Menu. If you have not watched it, and would like to see it spoiler-free, then don't listen to this first. We're spoiling (in a good way) the heck out of this movie. Also, Noma's closing after finding out that it's "unsustainable" to actually pay their staff. Sadface. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagra...

Tonight we're talking dreams, the state of the world, thunderstorms and selfishness. But, you know, in a nice way. (Originally Released 8/24/21)

Today we're talking Culinary Artistry (the book), we're pitching shows to the Food Network (call us!), we have a pound of ground kangaroo to do *something* with and we ate some amazing sausages. Also, we look back at 2022 and forward to 2023. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/...

How do your want your story to be told? Well, first you have to figure out what your story is, then stick to it. (Originally released 2/15/2021)

Today we're talking tomato seeds, 'Mayor Sauce', Arby's Garbage and for heaven's sake, guys, get a sexual harassment policy. Post it. Post it everywhere. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter...

There's more than one kind of injury. (Originally released 11/8/2020)

It's worth looking at what the long-term consequences of your addictive behaviors might be. Also, it's ok to check in on folks. (Originally released 8/31/2020)

Today, we talk about the (predictable) closing of Willows Inn at Lummi Island, a Thanksgiving recap, purple tomatoes (that we name incorrectly) and the ongoing short-staffing issues in hospitality. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id86952...

I hate the phrase 'new normal', but here's how I'm handling shelter-in-place. Take care of yourselves; take care of each other. (Originally released 6/10/2020)

Tonight we have a guest! Joining us is Jeff Stevens, founder of WellBeing Brewing ( wellbeingbrewing.com ). WellBeing makes craft non-alcoholic beers, for the discerning sober beer aficionado. Jeff generously gave up time to talk to us about the story behind his business and who his market is and really, why he does what he does. Also, please be careful out there. Coronavirus has a LOT of us out o...

Today we're starting a book club. First up, I read "Say Grace" by Steve Palmer. My recommendation: read this book. Read it minimum twice. This book was written for restaurant folk. It was written for us. (If you need a copy, I have extras.) (Originally released 2/20/2020)

Today we're talking Thanksgiving (obviously), GFS outlet stores, Imperfect Foods and child labor! (Not accusing Imperfect Foods of using child labor.) As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter) h...

You don't have to do it all at once, and you don't have to do it alone. (Originally released 1/14/2020)

On this very special episode, we have a guest! Today we're talking to Peter Cacace, owner and sole employee of A Crooked Barn Charcuterie out of West Rupert Vermont. We get into his winding path to business ownership, what it takes to make your way in the world of niche sausages, and what work/life balance really means. Find Peter here: https://www.acrookedbarncharcuterie.com/ https://www.instagra...

Get ready for the holidays, folks, and remember to take care of yourselves. (Originally released 11/24/2019)

Today we're talking Starbuck's Special K, trick-or-treating Idaho style, the US's Strategic Hotdog Reserve and Buddy Cianci's takeover of the Providence school menus. And there's a meat heist. Because if course there is. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-w...

Today we're talking Amish Cracker Barrel, TikTok restaurant reviews, avian flu & the price of eggs, food trucks and more hiring processes. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter) https://w...