The Repertoire Podcast

Ray breaks down one of the most unsettling trends emerging in hospitality: AI surveillance in restaurant kitchens. As more operators experiment with AI-powered cameras to monitor employees, they discuss where the line is between improving operations and invading worker privacy. He also reacts to Reddit discussions on financial stability as a line cook, the challenges of being a people-pleaser in r...

Justin and Ray break down René Redzepi's latest return to the spotlight and why the Noma story continues to raise more questions than answers. They discuss Jason White's response, whether the industry's conversation around accountability has actually evolved, and what this latest chapter means for restaurant culture. They also cover Seattle's Walrus and Carpenter labor dispute, dis...

In this solo episode of The Repertoire Report, Ray Delucci breaks down the latest hospitality industry headlines, starting with Noma’s planned reopening in Copenhagen and René Redzepi’s return as creative director amid renewed scrutiny around kitchen culture and alleged abuse. Ray reflects on what accountability actually looks like in fine dining, why the industry continues to wrestle with the “ge...

Want to learn more about Chef Tech Stack? Fill out this form to learn more. n this episode of the Repertoire Report, Justin Khanna and Ray Delucci dig into the latest restaurant industry news: Tom Colicchio closing Craft after 25 years in New York City, rising restaurant costs, changing diner behavior, and what these shifts mean for chefs, operators, and hospitality professionals. They also break...

In this Repertoire Report episode, Justin Khanna and Ray Delucci break down the latest hospitality industry news, culinary trends, and restaurant insights for chefs, cooks, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals. Topics include Epicure’s massive 4.1 million recipe dataset, AI in recipe development, flavor modeling, culinary creativity, and what artificial intelligence can — and can’t — under...

n this episode, Ray breaks down why the Australian-based restaurant chain Guzman y Gomez left and why this was a positive for the company. He also gives advice on determining whether you are the problem in the kitchen or the kitchen itself. He then discusses Starbucks canceling its AI-inventory tool, the rise in grocery inflation, the stunning new GLP-1 restaurant report, and a unique discount bei...

This week on The Repertoire Report, Justin Khanna and Ray Delucci break down a packed week of hospitality industry news, restaurant operations, and chef career insights. We cover Michelin’s upcoming arrival in South Australia, what it means for the country’s existing hatted restaurant system, and why global recognition still matters for chefs and restaurants. Then we get into the practical side of...

In this episode, Ray breaks down why restaurants feel "slower" and the data backing it up. He also shares how caring for your staff and avoiding turnover is a crucial financial decision. He then gives updates on some QSR/Fast-Casual restaurants, shares with creators how to help those with limited food options, and discusses a looming protein powder shortage. Links: Slow Restaurant Discus...

In this episode, Ray and Justin react to the debate over Repertoire accounts, restaurant pricing, and the reality that restaurants face of losing profitability. They then give advice to a CIA grad who regrets attending culinary school, discuss hotels to gain better career leverage, and share some culinary tech updates. #chefs #culinaryschool #cooking #restaurant Links: Reddit Culinary School Warni...

In this episode, Ray breaks down why a city might say no to the Michelin Guide and how that decision affects the broader food scene. He also weighs in on the restaurant pricing convo that led the NY Times and Eli Sussman to go viral, the current dishwasher crisis, and the DOJ's investigation into agricultural price gouging. Links: Buffalo Rejects Michelin Guide Eli Sussman Response The NY Time...

In this episode, Justin breaks down how Chefs are talking directly to audiences and why this is so valuable. He also covers some Michelin news, answers a fan question on food safety, covers Magnus Nilsson's new venture, and analyzes the number of Michelin-starred chefs who attended culinary school. Ray shares a dire warning by Jose Andres and also gives a restaurant industry update. Links: Chr...

In this episode, Ray interviews Namrata Hegde on her time staging at Noma, misconceptions over "staging culture," and the reality of traveling to another country to work at the best restaurant in the world, for free. We then discuss the problems still facing kitchen culture, and why it feels like restaurants are so far behind when it comes to employee welfare. ' Link: Namrata Hegde’s...

In this episode, Ray breaks down whether culinary school is worth it in 2026 and why or why not it is a good fit for you. He also breaks down a crazy restaurant lawsuit, the Doritos pricing error, an Expo West recap, and how food companies are regressing on pesticide commitments. Culinary School Reddit Discussion Ever Lawsuit Dorito Pricing Expo West Recap Pesticide Rollbacks Repertoire Newsletter...

In this episode, Ray and Justin break down the French Laundry lawsuit and how the issue presented affects all restaurants. Justin shares BILT's new hospitality focus and how it could help restaurants. The two also cover Sysco's acquisition of Restaurant Depot, Unilever's acquisition of McCormick, and the new app for cooks, Line Cook. Links: French Laundry Wage Theft Lawsuit BILT Hospit...

In this episode, Ray reacts to a viral Substack post asking, "What if we just got rid of fine dining?" and to the reactions to it. He also discusses policy demands from the National Restaurant Association, how less alcohol consumption is hurting restaurants, and how Rao's gained success as a CPG sauce brand. Links: Khushbu Shah's Original Substack Article Max Shapiro's Substa...

In this episode, Justin and Ray break down how influencers are impacting restaurants and the closure of 'Iris', the famous floating restaurant. They then react to René Redzepi stepping down from Noma, and the fallout from this. Finally, they discuss Heston Blumenthal's closure, Travis Kalanick's food venture, and the Anthropic AI industry report. Links: Influencers Ruining Restaura...

In this episode, Ray explains why the "genius chef" model hurts restaurants and causes burnout. He also covers potential Costco tariff refunds, some new seafood environmental designations, and gives advice to a chef. Links: Costco Tariff Refunds Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Reddit Advice Repertoire Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Get industry insights, links, and podcast extras delivered wee...

In this episode, Justin and Ray react to Noma's response to the allegations of creating a physically violent, intimidating, and degrading workplace. They also explain why this response represents a broader issue in the food industry and what they believe will happen next. EDITING NOTE: Incorrect facts in the opening F1 monologue have been edited out, Ayrton Senna was a Brazilian driver who unf...

In this episode, Justin breaks down why the "Restaurant Monologue" is wearing down customers, and what to do instead. They also discuss if you can trust Michelin, give advice on kitchen "lifers", and react to The Infatuation's Eleven Madison Park Review. #chefs #restaurant #michelinguide #elevenmadisonpark Audio Note: Ray's Audio had some connection issues, and gets bet...

In this episode, Ray breaks down the Presidential Glyphosate Executive Order, and how it could impact a crucial Supreme Court ruling. He also discusses the impact a blizzard can have on restaurants, growing GLP-1 use, Domino's unlikely success, and further clarifies why he left fine dining. Links: Bayer Cites Trump Executive Order What To Know About Glyphosate Washington Post Roundup Coverage...

In this video, Justin and Ray break down the Noma Abuse Scandal of 2026. They share the allegations, explain why these problems persist in the food industry, and discuss what can be done about them. #noma #chefs #foodindustry #linecook #michelin #worlds50best Links: Jason Ignacio White (microbes_vibes) Instagram Justin’s Andrea Correa (YouTube) Noma Abuse Story 1 (World’s 50 Best) Noma Abuse Story...

In this video, Ray breaks down the success McDonald's saw after lowering its prices and the rise in Bourdain trading card prices over the past few months. He also gives advice to a chef on Reddit and covers other breaking news in the food industry. #chef #restaurant #food #cooking #mcdonalds Links: McDonald’s Wins on Prices (Bloomberg) McDonald’s Value Victory Lap Chef Reddit Advice Bachan’s S...

In this episode, Justin and Ray break down the biggest restaurant openings of 2026. They also discuss the pricing-to-value issue that is affecting restaurants, some breaking news in the food industry, and answer a comment left by you all in the community! Links: Most Exciting Restaurant Openings 2026 (Bloomberg) Wine Spectator New Restaurants 2026 Toronto Restaurant Closures (Toronto Life) America...

In this episode, Ray breaks down the McKinsey food industry report and what you need to know for 2026. He also covers the ROI for Michelin coming to a city, how Gen Z is ditching "Diet" soda, how smaller food brands are winning, and more. #chefs #restaurant #linecook #foodindustry Links: McKinsey Restaurant Report (2026) Dining Out Issues (Food & Wine) ROI on MICHELIN (Colorado) Gen...

In this episode, Justin and Ray break down the $1,500 per person Noma pop-up coming to LA, and why it actually makes sense. They also discuss feeding your staff during a shift, the rise of the Co-Chef trend, and Square's new "Neighborhoods" feature. #noma #la #chef #chefreacts This video contains copyrighted material used under the principles of fair use as defined in Section 107 of...