Nashville Restaurant Radio

Cait Madry was so gracious to come on the show and talk about her journey with sobriety. I am a guy who came to sobriety through the rock bottom, and she has a different approach to her sobriety, and I’m here for it. She doesn’t like to label not drinking, and it’s ok to stop for any reason. There are so many people who don’t know where to start and I think in this conversation, we outline many wa...

Laura shares with Kala exactly what it’s like to be a bartender at the intimate and endearing Fox Bar & Cocktail Club. She talks cocktail and menu creation with her team and what it looks like to be part of this community.

We are proud to introduce Chef Aniello Turko to Nashville! In his first interview since arriving one month ago, he explains what he has been up to, and where he comes from. Chef “Nello” earned a Michelin Star while at Mio in Beijing at Four Seasons. He hopes to do it again here in Nashville with the all new Mimo at Four Seasons. He is super kind, and full of energy! I’m so excited to see what he b...

Founded by Imran Sheikh, Milkshake Concepts is an experiential hospitality group redefining the industry with multifaceted restaurants and nightlife, looking to expand into new untapped markets throughout the South. Impressively growing the brand even amidst the pandemic, they currently operate seven successful locales in Dallas – Stirr, Vidorra, Citizen, Serious Pizza, Dirty Bones, Harper’s, and...

Kala gets into it with longtime bar-mate and friend Brandon Thomason-Maraschiello. What does it take to make a program that stands out? It may surprise you to hear it ain’t the drinks! Brandon, head bartender of Oak Steakhouse, talks about his experience revitalizing the bar program after the many changes our industry has seen over the years.

Jamie and Ben joined the show and on the intro I asked them about their titles.. Oh, you guys own the joint?? Cool... One of the benefits of a good PR company is getting them on the show.. (Thanks Roar!!) I love a good show where I am literally meeting people for the first time on air. I could not be more excited to share this conversation with my two new friends, who are just incredible! We talk...

Sandy Gennaro is the Author of the book “Beat the odds” in business and life. He is a speaker, mentor, and certified rock star. No, seriously. He previously was the drummer for Cindy Lauper, Joan Jett, and the Monkees! In this episode we discuss what he has learned from his experience being the backbeat to so many great musicians. Kindness, generosity, and a positive attitude will take you very fa...

Episode 4- Jennifer Jackson- Drusie & Darr. This episode Kala and Jen get into the joys and woes of the bar world. They individually prove that mental health is a serious topic, but we can have fun with the conversation! Beware of bugs and “things-coming-out-of-things” this episode! Cheers!

Buds and Brews is Tennessee's first Cannabis restaurant and bar! Today we talk with the GM, Chef, and Owner. If you are curious about how they are doing this legally, so was I, and they answer all the questions. If you are curious about cannabis, hopefully they can answer your questions and we can all learn. They have a steep hill to climb as the first of it's kind. They are open today in Germanto...

Episode 3- Tuyen Nguyen- Head Bartender at Oku Kala and Nguyen have been working close together for the last 3 years. They laugh over all the ups and downs that come from earning each others trust behind the bar. Tuyen shares her experience getting into the bar world and shares her love of the game. Being a bartender isn't east, but no one can say it isn't fun.

I am back from vacation with my family, and man is it good to be back! In this episode I talk about our new 64 team bracket of Mexican restaurants that we are partnering with NetChex on. I also discuss the vacation. We go back to March of 2021 when I spoke to Rich Wolowski, the CEO of GFS. I had lunch with him at The Green Hills Grille, and I asked him to come on the show and he said yes! This was...

Preston and Kala get into some basic realities of bar life: The challenges of living up to your own past cocktail creations, the world of financing and budgeting when your income changes every week, and how to make space for other bartenders working their way up in this world.

Max and his wife own the bagel shop, how they got there is the topic of conversation today. Max and his wife started making bagels out of their home, and selling them. Then they opened the bagel shop, now they are working on bagel shop #2. Listen in as he tells the whole story, while I interrupt to ask silly detail questions. This was a fun interview! I wish them all the success in the world! Bran...

I’m the first of 6 “pop up” podcasts. Kala Ellis talks with Robert Chambers, who is the Sommelier at The Oak Steakhouse, about all things bar. They discuss wine, service, hospitality, tell stories, and genuinely have a great time. Join Kala every Wednesday for the next 6 weeks with all new episodes with Bartenders, and people in the cocktail business for her “Gospel of Cocktail” podcast! #cheers

Chef Bryan makes his 4th appearance on the podcast!!! This is his second full interview and first one in studio! We talk about how he creates a new dish, his new restaurant which is still to be named, and he gives us an update on East Nashville over two years after the tornado, and the pandemic. He is one of the kindest, and sincere Chef/Owners I've had the pleasure of talking to. He is also one o...

Jen has taken a break from the podcast, and today she joins as a guest to talk about it.  This episode is powered by Gordon FoodService, Charpiers Bakery, GoTab, and Maintain IQ

In March of 2020, when this podcast started, I only hoped and dreamed that I would be able to have conversations like this one today. These guys are hilarious, and just awesome guys. They were (are) both musicians who have travelled the world, and both have a mutual love of the Smash Burger. (I think that type of burger is the best kind in SmashVille, but I digress) Listen in as they tell their st...

I have known Jeff for over 20 years, he is a very generous, kind, and smart friend. He is one of those people who is always into something new, in some other field, and he is usually killing it. Today, he is the largest bourbon broker in the business. What is a bourbon broker? I had that same question, and if you take a chance on this interview from a guy you probably don't know, you will learn a...

Mikey and Brian from The Mockingbird join us in studio to catch up. We talk about business, hiring, getting hit by cars, unfortunate names, and Pride month! Join in this conversation with two super awesome guys! The episode brought to you by Gordon FoodService, SuperSource, The Compost Co, What Chefs Want, Charpiers Bakery, Netchex, and Robins Insurance Co.

Mackensy joins us in studio for a fun conversation about her story, and her profession. I am always interested in people who are in constant search for the next interesting person, or project. Today she talks about her culinary career, moving all around the country, what life is like being a writer, and so much more. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Mackensy Lunsford. Cheers!

Part 2 of the interview with Benjamin and Max Goldberg brings Jordan Farrell into the show. We depart from Part 1 and go in depth on their individual roles, and whats next for Strategic.  This episode is powered by Gordon FoodService, Robins Insurance, Supersource, Charpiers, and What Chefs Want.

This episode is somewhat of a management back to basics. Many of you will listen and know exactly what I am talking about, and it's harder than I make it sound. Crafting a great, motivational lineup is a work of art, not to mention getting past your insecurities to publicly speak all the time. So what do we do after we deliver a masterpiece? That and so much more is what I'm prophesizing about tod...

In our never-ending quest to bring you new technology to help you operate in a more efficient and profitable manner, we introduce you to Maintain IQ. Maintain IQ is your solution to health dept checklists, line checks, maintenance work orders, and every single checklist you can dream of inside your business. This is so easy to use, and it will help you manage all the details that drive you crazy....

Benjamin and Max Goldberg join this very special episode of NRR to talk about their restaurants and what makes each one of them special. Thay also reveal some of their favorite things to do and places to eat when they are off the clock. Stay tuned to the end of the show where we announce the all new #Nashvillehotlist. This month we are featuring fine dining in Nashville. These are 5 places that yo...

While I think Tim is an amazing guy, and he has some great stories, this episode is made for the restaurant operator. Tim joins us to talk about GoTab, his amazing suite of technology that will help you increase profitability immediately by helping you use your data intentionally. Think about your guests interaction with your restaurant when we are able to use algorithms to help them make a select...