Staying Hungry

In this episode of 'Staying Hungry,' hosts Michael D'Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with Joey Cioffi, the visionary behind Salad House.  Joey shares his inspiring journey from working in his family's deli to founding a rapidly growing healthy eating franchise. Learn how his Italian immigrant parents' pursuit of the American dream influenced Joey's business philosophy...

In this episode of Staying Hungry, hosts Mike and Vinny sit down with Mark Boccia, a seasoned restaurateur and real estate developer with over 30 years of experience in the Bayside, Queens community.  Known for his popular establishments such as Bourbon Street, Austin’s Ale House, and One Station Plaza, Mark shares his inspiring journey from bussing tables as a teenager to owning multiple successf...

Welcome to another soul-stirring episode of Staying Hungry, where legacy meets lunch and grit gets deep-fried. In Episode 107, hosts Vinny and Mike sit down with the incredible Merrill Zorn, third-generation owner of Zorn’s of Bethpage - a Long Island institution that’s been feeding families (and their nostalgia) for over 85 years. This isn’t just a story about rotisserie chicken. It’s a meditatio...

Welcome to Staying Hungry, the podcast where fire-tested entrepreneurs pull back the curtain on what it really takes to survive, thrive, and stay hungry in today's world. In Episode 106: "30 Years of Steak, Sweat, and Straight Talk," we sit down with Willie Degel - the no-BS restaurant mogul, former TV host, and founder of the iconic Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse - for a raw and unfiltered conversation...

Welcome back to Staying Hungry - where stories of grit, flavor, and the real work behind the hustle come to life. In this episode, Mike and Vinny sit down with Martin Butera, the chef-owner and entrepreneur behind the beloved Long Island staple, Butera’s. From flipping pizzas in the '70s to selling over 30 million chicken meatballs across supermarkets today, Martin unpacks the journey of building...

Step into a world where restaurants aren’t just places to eat, they’re reflections of culture, ambition, and the chaos of creativity. In this episode of Staying Hungry, Mike & Vin sit down with Matthew McBride, Managing Partner at The Parlay Group—the force behind some of Long Island’s most talked-about spots, including Mesita, Salt, ITA Kitchen, The Ainsworth, and Sparrow Kitchen & Cockta...

Welcome back to Staying Hungry, the podcast where ambition meets execution. In this episode, we sit down with a guy who went from selling slices to scaling a brand - Paul Saccoccio, co-founder of The Pizzeria. From a single pizzeria inside a mall at the height of COVID to a multi-location empire with a bar at the center of the experience, Paul shares the gritty realities of building a business fro...

Welcome back to Staying Hungry, where we dive deep into the real, raw business of running a restaurant.  In this episode, Bobby from Vincent’s Clam Bar joins Vinny Pappalardo & Michael D’Onofrio to share the legendary history of Vincent’s, his personal journey from busboy to owner, and the high-stakes reality of keeping a 120-year-old brand thriving. In this episode, we cover: 🍽️ The intensity...

Welcome to the first episode of Staying Hungry, the podcast that takes you behind the swinging doors of the restaurant industry! Think running a restaurant is all about good food and packed tables? Think again. In this pilot episode, hosts Vinny Pappalardo and Michael D’Onofrio of Premier Payroll Solutions break down what it really takes to survive in the restaurant business. From long nights to r...