Restaurant Leaders Unplugged

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , we dive into the inspiring journey of Henry Roberts, founder of Two Hands, a thriving café and restaurant brand that started in New York City and has since expanded across the U.S. Henry shares the origins of his career in hospitality, driven by a love for community, culture, and high-quality, accessible food. Listen as Henry discusses the strategi...

In this episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged Podcast, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Katie Rooney, co-owner of Sushi Lounge in San Diego. Katie shares her inspiring journey, from starting in the hospitality industry as a teenager to building a thriving sushi restaurant brand. She opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of community involvement, and the leaders...

In this episode, Sebastian Stahl sits down with Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palette America and the driving force behind Pepper Lunch’s expansion in North America. With 30 years in hospitality, Troy shares his hard-earned insights on what it really takes to build successful restaurant brands. From transforming distressed assets to leading high-growth franchises, Troy breaks down his approach to leader...

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, join Sebastian Stahl as he interviews Eric Fenster, co-founder of Gather Restaurant in Berkeley, CA. Eric shares his journey from outdoor education to sustainable dining, discussing Gather's unique 50/50 vegan-omnivore menu balance, their award-winning vegan charcuterie, and navigating the challenges of the pandemic.  Learn how Gather's co...

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Curt Skallerup, a leader in the family entertainment industry and the visionary behind Larks Entertainment. Curt’s transition from the corporate world to opening and managing over 100 entertainment centers across the U.S. is packed with lessons for aspiring business owners and seasoned entrepreneurs alike. Join u...

Journey to Culinary Excellence: Jaime Pesaque's Road to the World's 50 Best This episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged Podcast features Jaime Pesaque, renowned Peruvian chef and restaurateur. Host Sebastian Stahl delves into Jaime's 25-year journey in the culinary world, beginning with his education at Le Cordon Bleu, his training in Europe, and the eventual founding of his fl...

From Generation to Generation: Lauri's Journey in the Family Restaurant Business In this episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged podcast, Lauri shares her journey and deep-rooted passion for the hospitality industry. Growing up in a family-run restaurant, her transition from marketing to hospitality was a natural fit. She discusses the multi-generational evolution of their business, the i...

Navigating Change and Innovation in the Restaurant Industry: A Conversation with Andrei from Suviche Hospitality In this episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged podcast, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Andrei from Suviche Hospitality to discuss the evolution and current challenges of the restaurant industry. They delve into the impact of reducing menu complexity, the importance of meticulo...

Mastering the Restaurant Game: Insights from Ryan Egozi | Restaurant Leaders Unplugged Dive into the dynamic world of restaurant management with Ryan Egozi, a seasoned expert from Toast and former leader at Suviche Hospitality Group, as he shares invaluable insights on thriving in the modern restaurant industry. In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Ryan discusses the transition from ha...

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , we sit down with Matias Pesce, the CEO of V&E Hospitality Group, to explore his unique journey from the oil and gas industry to leading one of the most dynamic hospitality groups in the United States. Matias shares how his background in corporate governance and strategy enabled him to transform V&E from a family-run restaurant group into a...