Restaurant Influencers

As owner of Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole knows the value of attention. Her authenticity and genuine connection with audiences have been instrumental to Slutty Vegan's success. She believes that people aren't just buying her meatless burgers — they're buying into her story, her personality, and her mission Listen now to learn about leaning into failure, going from TV producer to the restaurant business...

Victor Lugger, co-founder of the restaurant group Big Mamma and the tech platform sunday, is no stranger to building memorable experiences that transcend mere dining. For Lugger, restaurants should be spaces filled with joy and emotion, encouraging guests to savor each moment.  Listen now to learn about building the Big Mamma Group, lessons learned through disaster and creating the sunday app for...

Bill Oakley wrote some of the most memorable episodes of The Simpsons. Now he’s an influencer who is building a brand centered around his love of food.  Before posting food content online, Bill Oakley had dozens of people following him on Instagram. Now he has 42,000+. Over on X he has more than 60,000.  Listen now to learn about his Steamed Hams Society, writing for The Simpsons, and the future o...

Alison Roman is an author, chef, and digital creator known for her unfiltered, honest approach to food, lifestyle, and storytelling. She has carved her own path in a media landscape that often favors formulaic approaches, taking the helm of her content, and connecting deeply with her audience.  Listen now to learn about how Alison empowered herself through YouTube, the challenges of podcasting, an...

Chef Vikas Khanna's life story is a profound journey of resilience, humility, and purpose. Born with a congenital foot defect in India and facing discrimination and hardship, he defied expectations to become one of the most celebrated Indian American chefs in the world.  Listen now to learn about turning failure to triumph, hosting MasterChef India, and becoming an award winning filmmaker. Sponsor...

Brett Berish, the dynamic CEO of Sovereign Brands, comes from a family with a long history in the wine and spirits industry. Yet he forged his own path, building a brand empire through creativity, resilience, and a passion for authenticity.  Listen now to learn about embracing authenticity, learning from “failures”, and partnering with Rick Ross, Jay-Z and more music icons. Sponsored by:  • TOAST...

For Celebrity Chef Marc Murphy, food is more than a career — it's a way to take care of others. Having built a name for himself through restaurants and TV appearances on shows like Food Network's Chopped, Murphy is driven by the gratification that comes from supporting his team. Listen now to learn about being on the Food Network, operating a pop-up restaurant, and the gratification that comes wit...

MìLà was founded by Jennifer and Caleb Liao and provides restaurant-quality dishes for people to eat at home. From food to how it intertwines with culture, the modern Chinese food brand uses design, videos, influencers, and more, to help tell a story that honors heritage while taking it into the future. Listen now to learn about learning to start a food business, amplifying modern Chinese food, an...

Michael Palmer, CEO of McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams since 2012, stepped into his role leading the legacy brand with a mission to breathe new life into an institution that had been delighting ice cream lovers since 1949 — without losing its cool factor.  Listen now to learn about revitalizing McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, rethinking social media strategies, and keeping it simple. Sponsored by:  • TOA...

CEO Scott Snyder's journey with Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii began as a mission to help the brand regain its footing, but it quickly evolved into a larger vision. Brought in initially to assist with turning operations around, he soon saw the incredible potential the brand held.  Listen now to learn more about revamping Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, building an experiential brand, and marketing to a divers...

After a prolific 20 year NBA career that saw Shaquille O’Neal also release platinum-selling music and star in box office smash movies, he brings his championship mentality and larger-than-life persona to new heights with Big Chicken. Listen now to learn about being resourceful in marketing, Shaq’s social media strategy, and becoming a part of the Big Chicken team. Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1...

Taylor Mason, CEO/founder of Taylor's Tacos, is on a mission to create the “In-N-Out of Tacos”. She’s transforming her beloved taco concept into a streamlined experience that caters to the modern customer’s craving for convenience. Listen now to learn about growing a restaurant business, using community resources to build a business, and the Good Morning America effect. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - Al...

Gourmet Foods, founder/CEO of Cookie Jar Bakery, and creator of gourmet Nigerian restaurants, including iLÉ EROS. Listen now to learn about becoming “The Billionaire Chef”, his collaboration with Michael B. Jordan and Chase Sapphire, and the differences between West Africa and the US. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc • WALMART BUSINESS: https://business.walm...

Celebrity Chef Eddie Jackson, known for his appearances on the Food Network, has successfully transitioned his culinary talents into a thriving business model that blends creativity, mentorship, and efficient operations. Listen now to learn about the advantage of food trucks, being mentored by Bobby Flay, and streamlining operations with restaurant technology like Toast. Sponsored by: • TOAST - Al...

Sam Oches, editorial director at Informa Connect’s Restaurant & Food Group, shares insights into the role new media plays in the restaurant industry in this interview live from the 2024 National Restaurant Show. As the largest event management company in the world, Informa has become an invaluable host of major industry happenings and content. Listen now to learn about hosting the National Restaur...

If there’s one commonality among restaurant operators, it’s that there is just too much to do with too little time. That’s why Popmenu is using AI and other new technologies to help restaurants get back more of life’s most precious resource: hours in the day. Listen now to this interview with Popmenu co-founders Brendan Sweeney and Tony Roy about buying into restaurant tech, the benefits of indust...

San Pedro Fish Market became famous thanks to storytelling. Michael Ungaro and Henry Ungaro Jr. from the fish market are guests on this episode to talk about how the family business has persisted across multiple generations and leaned into video content to grow their brand. Listen now to learn about creating the Kings of Fish reality show on Amazon Prime Video, going viral, and running a profitabl...

Sebastien Silvestri's journey is a testament to the power of experience and effort. The Dinex Group CEO received formal education in finance and P&L management. Still, Silvestri attributes his most significant learning to his time in Las Vegas. Listen now to learn about development in the restaurant industry, diversification in business, and true hospitality. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Rest...

Kelly Esten, Chief Marketing Officer at Toast, has a customer-centric marketing approach. She believes in the importance of understanding and engaging with customers to ensure that marketing efforts are not only impactful, but also authentic. Listen now to learn about her marketing journey, the importance of mentors, and the launch of the popular Toast Now app. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Re...

Sulhee Jessica Woo — known as the Bento Box Queen — catapulted to viral fame by sharing her simple, yet beautifully crafted, DIY bento-style lunches on TikTok, capturing the hearts of millions with her loving and creative touch. Listen now to learn about creating content with her children, using TikTok, and building a community in the creator economy. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant P...

7shifts is a scheduling, payroll, and employee retention app designed to improve performance for restaurants. Founded in the back office of a sandwich shop in 2014, 7shifts was born out of CEO Jordan Boesch's desire to create simple solutions for complex team management challenges. Listen now to learn about engaging employees, simplifying product development, and why now is the best time to be a r...

Chef Joe Flamm is the culinary director of Day Off Group, which runs popular Chicago restaurants Rose Mary and BLVD Steakhouse. He is also the winner of Top Chef. Early on, he learned the importance of telling stories whether on TV or social media. Listen now to learn about becoming a celebrity chef, perfecting Balkan cuisine, and keeping it real on social media. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1...

Mayim Bialik was an actor on classic shows like "Blossom" and "The Big Bang Theory," as well as a host of Jeopardy!. She has crafted a unique space with the podcast Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown and her popular YouTube channel — where she shares her authentic self. Listen now to learn about the mental health journey, starting a podcast, and the power of authenticity.  Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1...

Rosanna Scotto, known for her Emmy- winning presence on Good Day New York and her daughter, Jenna Ruggerio are co-owners of Fresco by Scott. Marion Scotto (affectionately known as “Mama Scotto”) sparked the duo’s ambition to carve out a culinary haven. Listen now to learn about their very first food review, leveraging social media, and philanthropic efforts. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Resta...

Anthony Mangieri is founder of legendary NYC pizzeria Una Pizza Napoletana. Now with a frozen pizza line (Genio Della Pizza) he’s bringing big ideas to the industry with relentless hard work, authenticity, and strategic growth.   Listen now to learn about an unorthodox approach to building a business, remaining true to goals, and building a scalable CPG brand. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Res...