Restaurant Influencers

Lee Brian Schrager is Chief Communications Officer for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and founder of the South Beach and New York Wine & Food Festivals powered by the Food Network. Listen now to learn about the origins of SOBEWFF and the new FoodieCon, running large events, and adapting to social media trends. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc • OVATION - G...

Joy Stehney, co-founder of Joe's KC BBQ, exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurial grit and passion. The Stehney’s transformed a neighborhood gas station kitchen into a legendary barbecue destination known worldwide. Listen now to learn more about the restaurant journey, building a sustainable business, and offering to cater Taylor Swift’s wedding. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS:...

Dara Mirjahangiry is a hospitality veteran and founder of the popular New York City hotspot, Sei Less. Sei Less became an idea after a chance conversation between Mirjahangiry and then Brooklyn Nets player, Kevin Durant.  Listen now to learn about branding before and after social media, “white glove” service, and making waves in the media space. Sponsored by -  • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: h...

Chef Michael Mina stands out for his exceptional food and commitment to guests. His philosophy centers on the belief that every detail matters. This is evident to any customer that attends a MINA Group establishment. Listen now to learn about the importance of the guest experience, building a management company, and embracing new technology for the future. Sponsored by -  • TOAST - All-In-1 Restau...

Aman Narang is CEO, co-founder, and a director of Toast. In this in-depth interview, he shares stories about the origin of the point-of-sale company and explains how they maintain a culture of scrappiness. Watch now to learn about how Toast was founded, building tools to fix problems, and a look into the future of the Boston-based technology company. SPONSORS:   • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: ht...

Phyllis Williams-Strawder, affectionately known as the “Ghetto Country Brandmother,” is a visionary consultant with a mission to transform business branding practices. She shares her uncommon, yet caring approach, to brand building via books, social media, and the Brandma’s House Show. Listen now to learn about branding in the restaurant industry, empowering your business, and how to own your craz...

Chef Jennifer Sebasigari's culinary journey has been as unconventional as one could imagine.  From aspiring to be a celebrity chef to championing immigrant and refugee causes by founding the SEBAS Foundation, Sebasigari's story is one of transformation and empowerment. Listen now to learn more about pursuing celebrity chef dreams, leveraging social media, and the annual Live Fire Fest charity even...

William Connors, the Director of IT at Noble Restaurant Group, is helping lead a transformative journey in restaurant management by embracing and implementing cutting-edge technology solutions. Listen now to learn about how technology can improve business, revolutionizing the CRM, and implementing Toast into all tech stacks. Sponsored by - Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Lear...

Adam Ochstein, CEO of Fishbowl, is an advocate for the enduring power of email marketing. Through his insights and initiatives, Ochstein is reshaping the way restaurants connect with their customers’ data and leverage technology to drive brand awareness, customer acquisition, and loyalty. Listen now to learn about the introduction of Delightable, using email, and how a hotel chain helped shape his...

Chef Joe Gatto isn't your ordinary culinary master. He's also a filmmaker and producer who seamlessly blends his passions to create a one-of-a-kind experience in his food series, From Scratch.  Listen now to learn about creating your own cooking show, deep connections made through food, and believing in yourself. Sponsored by - Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc   Learn more abo...

At the heart of Philadelphia's culinary legacy stands Pat's King of Steaks, a landmark synonymous with the iconic Philly cheesesteak. Frank Olivieri, executive chef and owner, traces the origins of this beloved sandwich to a serendipitous moment when his Uncle Pat leaned into inspiration. Listen now to learn more about inventing the classic Philly Cheesesteak, making connections in business, and P...

Blake Sabatinelli is the CEO of Atmosphere, a leading streaming TV service for businesses. He wants to build the future of business television by creating an engaging out-of-home media experience tailored for brands of all types. Listen now to learn more about business television, creating the right atmosphere for your business, and how the company has grown and pivoted. Sponsored by - Toast All-I...

For Andy Husbands, the renowned Pitmaster, author, and owner of The Smoke Shop, the food path has been a lifelong pursuit fueled by passion. Since the 4th grade, he set his sights on becoming a chef, navigating a hard but rewarding journey. Listen now to learn about following early inspirations, making award-winning barbecue, and the benefits of switching to Toast. Sponsored by - Toast All-In-1 Re...

Christian J. Fischer, an author, culinary coach, and stalwart in the hospitality industry, emphasizes the gravity of hospitality in his life. For the chef, hospitality is not just a profession. It’s ingrained in him through his upbringing in Austrian culture.  Listen now to learn about hospitality being in your blood, helping chefs become authors, and how to give back to your industry. #entreprene...

With a family legacy steeped in courage, Dawn Kelly becoming an entrepreneur was almost inevitable. As the founder of The Nourish Spot, a smoothie and health food shop in New York City, Kelly's small business journey began with big dreams.  Listen now to learn about her entrepreneurship journey, how the past informs the future, and building community through sharing on social media. #entrepreneur...

Acclaimed Chef Jesse Ito and Owner of Royal Izakaya, Jesse Ito, carries a legacy of excellence and rich tradition. Jesse embarked on an apprenticeship at the tender age of 14 at his family’s Japanese restaurant, before immersing himself in the intricate world of restaurant ownership and high-end sushi.  Listen now to learn about the power of learning on the job, following in his father’s footsteps...

Chef Maneet Chauhan is a celebrated culinary artist, cookbook author, philanthropist, and restaurateur. The Food Network star and founding partner of Morph Hospitality Group traces her culinary inspiration to the vibrant streets of India. “I really want to be the voice of Indian food throughout America,” she says. Listen now to learn about the essence of being a chef, sharing stories online, and b...

Aspire Tour cofounders Eddie Wilson and Andrew Cordle dig into the importance of events and how the “Stage Theory” can help you spread influence. They created Aspire to showcase the world's most powerful business minds in a fun concert-like setting. Listen now to learn about the future of the Aspire Tour, the transformative power of live, and how to work with top speakers like Jesse Itzler, Kendra...

Kooking with Kelli’s Kelli Ferrell is a distinct personality in the restaurant space. As the founder of Nana's Chicken-N-Waffles she is a dynamic individual who weaves together her roles as a mother, content creator, entrepreneur, and self-taught chef.  Listen now to learn about allowing fans a glimpse of regular life, building a personal brand, and selling 24 Karat Magik Gold Flaked Maple Syrup a...

Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen founders Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan were intentional in creating a mission-driven space. The Hilltop team (including entrepreneur/entertainer Issa Rae) consistently exceeds guest expectations with welcoming community spaces and family-like hospitality. Listen now to learn about creating a place for the community, why to use new restaurant technology, and how coffee is a r...

Troy Guard, the Founder of TAG Restaurant Group, encountered a number of challenges during his transitioning from top chef to business owner but has learned, endured, and expanded TAG Restaurant Group into an industry powerhouse. Listen now to learn about transforming from chef to owner, asking for what you want, and the power of storytelling. Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://b...

For restaurateur Lien Ta, events are not just a way to make more money. Hosting unique gatherings (like the Food Trivia Night) at her establishments is a creative outlet, a catalyst for joy, and yet another way that her All Day Baby restaurant cultivates its loyal fanbase. Listen now to learn about hosting successful events at your business, empowering women in the food and beverage industry, and...

Restaurants can think OUTSIDE the box by putting their products INSIDE a box. Tiago Carneiro and his Novo Brazil Brewing Co. have tapped into new revenue streams by bringing their food and drink brands to customers — whether that’s at a grocery store, local sporting events, or in a traditional restaurant setting. Listen to learn about expanding your business model, selling packaged goods, and havi...

Justin Nedelman went from real estate to restaurants. It’s not a traditional path, but the CEO of Pressed prides himself on moving upward even in the face of mountains. As a health and fitness enthusiast, Justin is also helping Pressed branch out into new categories to increase revenue and reach.  Listen to learn about the business of plant-based foods, discovering new ways to reach consumers, and...

Jack Gibbons, CEO of FB Society, is a restaurant industry leader who puts his creative mind to work helping to build and grow experiential dining concepts into huge brands. Based out of Texas, Jack challenges conventional wisdom by boldly declaring, "Profit is not a four-letter word." Listen now to learn about the relationship between profit and expansion, scaling multi-million dollar restaurants,...