The Modern Waiter Podcast

Beyond the Kitchen Chef Ashish shares some insights from his chef-owner's journey. We jump into our time machine and revisit pivotal moments in chef’s career. What advice would a successful chef give to their younger self?  In this podcast episode, find out how Chef Ashish handles moments that have shaped his career. From navigating the challenges of the restaurant to shaping h...

Have you ever secretly wonderd if your food has been tampered with by restaurant staff? 🤔 We dive deep into the controversial topic of waiters spitting in people's food. 🍽️ Prepare to uncover the shocking reality behind this infamous urban legend! Join us as we dissect the reasons why a waiter might resort to such extreme measures, explore the truth behind these unsettling rumors, and reveal whet...

Get ready for the ultimate showdown of spirits! Dive into the March Madness Booze Bracket, where we've swapped basketball teams for beloved alcoholic beverages in a thrilling 64-team tournament. From craft brews to classic alcohols, we've organized our brackets into Sipper, Night Time, Day Drinking, and Basic Bitch conferences to crown the ultimate champion of libations. Join us as we blend the ex...

🎉 Ever wondered why your birthday celebration at a restaurant might not be as appreciated by the servers as it is by you? In this podcast episode we delve into the hidden realities behind the scenes, as we uncover the reasons why restaurant servers dread your birthday celebration. What You’ll Discover: 🍽️ Overwhelming Requests: From personalized menus to elaborate decorations, birthday celebratio...

🍕 In this video podcast, we delve into the shifts reshaping the pizza delivery landscape. We explore the rise of third-party delivery apps and the consequential decline of our local pizza delivery heroes. From the convenience of app-driven deliveries to the potential impact on community bonds, we dissect the implications of this evolution. Discover the delicate balance between algorithmic efficie...

While many restaurants focus on providing excellent service and quality food to earn positive reviews genuinely, some may resort to tricks or tactics to boost their online reputation. Here are some common tricks restaurants might use to get 5-star reviews: *Incentives for positive reviews. *Fake Reviews *Fake Accounts It's important for consumers to be aware of these tactics and approach online re...

Skipping the Restaurant Scene is the Smart Move. A successful Valentine's day requires careful planning and perfect execution. Many leave making restaurant reservations till the last minute leaving the restaurant to the perfect execution. Not many restaurants are up to that challenge.   In this podcast episode we discuss all the reasons why a restaurant may not be the best way...

Step into the exclusive world of private cheffing as Chef Gason Nelson takes us on his journey. Discover the challenges, triumphs, and unique experiences of being a private chef for high-profile clients. From cooking for celebrities to competing on Food Network's "Chopped," Chef Gason shares his passion for food and the intricate details that make being a private chef an adventure. 🚨 Wh...

Whether you're a seasoned server or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of restaurant life, this video is your backstage pass to the tools that make dining experiences unforgettable. Join us as we delve into the 10 crucial items every restaurant waiter needs to carry. These are my indispensable tools that keep the service running smoothly. And later on in the show I reveal the 3 thi...

Beyond The Plate a journey into the future as we discuss the trends shaping the restaurant landscape in 2024. From the kitchen to the front of the house, these 12 restaurant trends are set to redefine the way we dine. Whether you're a food enthusiast, industry professional, or just curious about the world of dining, this episode offers an exploration of the trends shaping the future of restau...

A dead plate is a dish of food that is unservable, either because a customer sent it back or because it was prepared incorrectly. Dead plates are usually considered fair game for servers or cooks to eat, but it depends on the restaurant's policy. There are few things more frustrating than wasting food and disrupting the kitchen because a plate sat for too long in the window 🚨 What You'll Discover...

The restaurant business is fiercely competitive. Many restaurants allow guests bad behavior to maintain revenue. I maintain that is a bit of bad business and today's show will reveal poor etiquette that restaurant guests often do that restaurants would love to correct.  Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram http...

Working in a restaurant can be a rewarding job, but it also comes with its fair share of hazards and challenges. In this episode, guest John Demeglio discuss work place hazards and workers Comp. We take you behind the scenes to explore the hazards and struggles that waiters, bartenders, and chefs encounter daily. From juggling overloaded trays to navigating through spills and broken glass, th...

As a guest dining at a restaurant, you have done your research and made your reservation. The work is almost done. Upon arrival it is time to set your expectations for the evening and be open to allowing the restaurant staff to facilitate an excellent time. Some restaurant guests get in the way of having a great experience. In this week’s restaurant podcast I recount my experie...

Restaurant kitchens are a fast-paced environment with, sharp objects, fire, and pressure. Chef Eduardo Espiritu joins this week’s restaurant podcast and gives us a peek into his work and his life. For those who have never worked in a kitchen, Chef gives you the raw reality about the lifestyle. How did he get his start? What does he think about service? How does he cope wit...

What are the top five professions that work on holidays? If you are among these five professions you work holidays including Christmas. While working on holidays can be a necessity in many professions, there are certain drawbacks and challenges that employees may face. We will discuss the pros and cons of working on holidays.  Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themod...

What is it like to return to serving after 20 years behind the keyboard? Author and journalist Megan Fox shares her adventures as a restaurant waitress. Why would anyone leave a desk to deal with the physical challenges of restaurant work? Find out why she had to take on the role. Guest: Megan Fox  https://pjmedia.com/columnist/megan-fox/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-fox-0...

What has it been like podcasting over the last year all the while working in the service industry. We look back at our years in the restaurant and podcasting as we kick off our 6th year doing the show. We share the challenges we encountered working in the restaurant and doing this podcast. Also we look back on some favorite guests that knocked it out of the park for us. See Privacy...

In this week’s restaurant podcast we begin our series on successful bars and restaurants by profiling the World Famous Parrot Lounge in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. We pay them a visit on one of their busiest nights and observe operationally what they do right. Later on in the show we discuss how they stay connected to their community. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpo...

Drafting the best holiday food may sound easy, however once your favorite thanksgiving food is off the board it can not be repeated. Danny and I are joined by guest, Nohemie Pascal. Our goal is to make the best plate by picking our favorites holiday foods draft style. Once that item has been drafted it is blocked from being picked by the others. Can we make a desirable cohesive plat...

In this week’s restaurant podcast we discuss the apparent comeback of the chain restaurant. When was the last time you ate at a chain like Chili’s, Olive Garden or TGI Friday’s? The popularity of casual restaurant chains is not what it used to be. They were already on the decline before the dip of 2020. Many locations rebranded in an effort to capture diners 18 - 35. If yo...

Danny and I take a trip to downtown Nashville. In this week’s restaurant podcast we relay our experience from a food and service perspective. Nashville is a place for music, food and bars. Nashville’s Broadway strip and Printer’s Alley offers more bars and restaurants than anyone can handle. We were up for the challenge. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpo...

Since its introduction in 2003 and over the last 20 years, the iconic beverage has had an influence on the coffee industry, pop culture, and everything in between. In this week’s restaurant podcast we discuss how the Pumpkin Spice Late has become a phenomenon in seasonal or LTO limited time offers. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow u...

In this week’s restaurant podcast guest Aimee shares her experience leaving one restaurant for another. Starting over can be intimidating. You risk comfort and seniority for more money and perhaps better work conditions. Taking a leap of faith is necessary to level up. What are the major concerns when letting go of your restaurant job? Crucial factors include, the location...

Learn how to spot problem customers right away. We will teach you how to listen to the right key words that raise the alarm bells of caution. In this week’s restaurant podcast Kaela Contrada joins the show once again. We pour over the most popular things restaurant guest say that are red flags. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Fo...