The meez Podcast

#92. We’re kicking off Season 3 of The meez Podcast with an inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and really good ice cream. In this episode, Josh sits down with Jackie Cuscuna and Brian Smith, the founders of Ample Hills Creamery. Jackie and Brian share candid insights on what it takes to start over in the food industry, the lessons they’ve learned about business and creativity, a...

This week, we are excited to bring you an episode from The Pre-Shift Podcast hosted by DJ Costantino, where our host, Josh Sharkey, was as a guest. Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore their stories, their strategies, and valuable lessons on running restaurant teams. Hosted by D.J. Cost...

This week, we are excited to bring you part one of a two-part episode from Culinary Mechanic Podcast hosted by Simon Zatyrka, where our host, Josh Sharkey, was as a guest. Join host Simon Zatyrka on the Culinary Mechanic Podcast for an insightful conversation with Josh Sharkey, founder of meez, a revolutionary software transforming recipe management and restaurant operations. From his humble begin...

This week, we are excited to bring you part two of a two-part episode from Culinary Mechanic Podcast hosted by Simon Zatyrka, where our host, Josh Sharkey, was as a guest. In this episode of the Culinary Mechanic Podcast, host Simon Zatyrka continues his conversation with Josh Sharkey, diving deeper into the intricacies of recipe development and management. From the inception of meez to the dynami...

#91. In this episode of The meez Podcast, we chat with Kristen Hawley , a renowned journalist in restaurant technology, founder of the acclaimed newsletter Expedite , and cohost of the podcast, The Simmer .  Kristen shares her journey into the restaurant tech space, reflecting on the early tech boom and her role in documenting its growth. We delve into the challenges and opportunities in restauran...

#90. On this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Eric and Bruce Bromberg of Blue Ribbon Restaurants .  For over 30 years, Eric and Bruce Bromberg have been redefining what it means to offer a neighborhood dining experience. They’ve expanded from their original SoHo location to culinary hotspots in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, and Nashville. In this episode, th...

#89. On this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Troy Hooper, a seasoned hospitality consultant, Founder & CEO of Kiwi Restaurant Partners (KRP) and Nurish , Founder of SNDWCH , CEO of Pepper Lunch , and the host of The Pineapple Perspective Podcast . Troy begins the episode with how he strategically blocks off his time to balance priorities and dives into the fascina...

#88. This week on The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with Michael Jacober, the multifaceted entrepreneur behind Blanket and Jacobs Franchise Partners .  In this episode, Michael opens up about his journey, sharing how his diverse background and early experiences with grief have shaped his perspective. He discusses his refusal to let past traumas define him, choosing instead to focus on build...

#87. In this episode, we sit down with Michel Falcon , restaurateur, author, and keynote speaker, to explore his journey from launching the first Brasa location to building a brand synonymous with Peruvian flavor and excellence. Michel shares insights from his early days opening store number one, securing his first investor, and considering private equity funding. Drawing from his time at 1-800-GO...

#86. What does it take to revolutionize fries and rethink fast-casual food? Jesse Konig, Co-Founder of Swizzler and Jesse & Ben’s Fries , joins us on this episode to share his journey of turning a simple side dish into a product with purpose.  Jesse dives into the origins of their signature house-cut style fries and walks us through the typical process of making frozen fries. He discusses the...

#85. In this episode of The meez Podcast, Keith Weaver shares his remarkable journey from Los Angeles to Shelbyville, Tennessee, and the role he’s played in shaping the legacy of Uncle Nearest Whiskey and longest bar in the world, Humble Baron . Keith dives into the creation of this iconic brand and explains what sets Tennessee whiskey apart from others, providing fascinating insights into the wor...

#84. On this episode of The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey is joined by Emmy award-winning filmmaker, author, and burger historian George Motz . Known for his documentary "Hamburger America" and the accompanying guidebook, George shares how his fascination with burgers began and discusses the rise and fall of their popularity in America. They dive into some of the country’s most unique, less...

#83. In this episode of The meez Podcast , Josh Sharkey sits down with Jack McGarry, Managing Partner of world-renowned, The Dead Rabbit , for a deep dive into leadership in the restaurant and bar industry. Jack shares insights on building and scaling a globally recognized brand, including how he's led The Dead Rabbit to become one of the most awarded pubs in the world, with honors like Tales...

#82. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey is joined by Brian Stubbs, owner of Genuine Article Bookkeeping . Brian Stubbs is a proud native of Oklahoma and studied Accounting at the University of Oklahoma, where he witnessed some very lucky football being played. Brian later moved to Austin. Brian worked in restaurants in a diverse number of roles and soon realized he could use hi...

#81. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey is joined by Jonathan Benno, Culinary Director of Four Twenty Five , to explore Jonathan’s remarkable culinary journey. It all began in high school, where his passion for cooking sparked a path that took him from Hawaii to culinary school, where he mastered his craft. With over 30 years of experience at some of the world's most renow...

#80. In this episode of the meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with PJ Calapa, Executive Chef of Marea in NY and Beverly Hills. Chef PJ Calapa’s exposure to a broad range of cuisines and flavors began at an early age, having grown up in the Mexican border town of Brownsville, Texas. As a child, he joined his grandmother in the kitchen and later worked for his grandfather’s wholesale fish busines...

#79. In this episode of the meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with Melina Shannon-DiPietro, Executive Director of the MAD Foundation , to explore how MAD is transforming the hospitality industry through education, sustainability, and community-building. Melina, who has been at the helm of MAD since joining René Redzepi in Copenhagen, shares insights into how the organization is empowering chefs...

#78. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Basu Ratnam, founder of karma-infused restaurant group, INDAY . INDAY came to life while Basu was working in finance in New York City. As his career progressed, he felt increasingly disconnected from what he truly cared about. With lifelong memories of being around food and a mother who instilled the belief that food can no...

#77. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Chef Opie Crooks, a culinary talent and soon-to-be dad. Josh shares the story of how he first met Opie at an event in Washington, D.C., where Opie's graciousness and exceptional cooking left a lasting impression. Now based in Savannah, Georgia, Opie oversees culinary operations for FARM Hospitality Group , managing mul...

#76. On this episode of The meez Podcast, we sit down with Alice Cheng, founder and CEO of Culinary Agents , a groundbreaking platform connecting talent and businesses in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Alice shares her incredible journey from a role in IBM's mailroom to executive ranks on a global scale at the company.  After a decade-plus career climbing the corporate ladder at lig...

#75. In this episode of The meez Podcast, we dive deep into the culinary world of Tyler Akin, founder of Form-Function Hospitality , and a celebrated chef and restaurateur who has left an indelible mark on the East Coast's dining scene. From his early days in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was inspired by his Southern grandmother's meticulous cooking, to his time at prestigious kitchens...

#74. In this episode of The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey reconnects with Darleen Scherer, the founder of Black Sheep and a pioneering force in the specialty coffee world. With over 20 years of experience, Darleen has been at the helm of several successful coffee roasting companies, including Gorilla Coffee, Supercrown Coffee Roasters, and Taylor Lane Organic Coffee. Known as "The Godmother of N...

#73. In this episode of The meez Podcast, we sit down with Chef Jesse Ito, the Chef and Co-Owner of Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Philadelphia. A first-generation Japanese Korean American and multiple James Beard nominee, Jesse shares his remarkable journey from growing up in his family’s renowned restaurant, Fuji, in Cinnaminson, NJ, to becoming one of Philly’s most celebrated chefs. Jesse reflect...

#72. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey welcomes Will Guidara, a renowned figure in the culinary world. Will is the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park , once ranked as the number one restaurant in the world. He recently co-produced the hit show "The Bear" and writes the fascinating newsletter " Pre-Meal ," which draws inspiration from the daily pre-meal...

#71. In this episode of The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with Drew Skolnik, a partner at KarpReilly , a prominent private growth equity firm known for its successful investments in the food and beverage industry. KarpReilly has invested in well-known brands such as Habit Burger Grill, Cooper’s Hawk, Made In, S&S and Spindrift. The discussion delves into the intricacies of growth equity...