Two Fake Chefs

How does someone go from running breweries, food trucks, and a barbecue restaurant to building backend systems for service businesses? In this episode, The Digital Chef and Chef Robbie flip the script and dive into Doug’s story — from his early days in the hospitality industry to brewing beer, building a food truck brand, opening a restaurant, surviving the chaos of the food business, and eventual...

What happens when two chefs from completely different worlds sit down and start talking shop, business, chaos, and everything in between? In this episode, The Digital Chef and Chef Robbie pull back the curtain on how their friendship started, why they decided to launch Two Fake Chefs , and what makes this show different from the polished, filtered conversations people are used to hearing. One brin...

Episode Title: From 27th to Number One: Chef Robbie’s Rise to the Top of Arizona’s Personal Chef Scene Episode Description What does it take to go from 27th-ranked to the number one personal chef in Arizona — without opening a restaurant? In this episode of 86 Opinions , we sit down with Chef Robbie , founder of Health Held in Hand , to unpack how he built a thriving personal chef and in-home meal...

What actually fills tables — going viral… or building systems? In Episode 10 of  86 Opinions , Doug Maxon (The Digital Chef) sits down with food reviewer and local restaurant advocate  Corey Pringle of Eat Good Local  to break down what really moves people from scrolling to sitting down at a table. This isn’t influencer hype. It’s restaurant marketing reality. Corey shares how food reviews can gen...

Summary In this episode of 86 Opinions, host The Digital Chef engages with Jason Davis from Plate It Up, who shares his extensive experience in the restaurant industry. Starting as a chef, Jason discusses his journey through various roles, including food service distribution, and highlights the importance of passion in the culinary world. He emphasizes the elegance of Hispanic cuisine, the signifi...

Summary In this episode, The Digital Chef discusses the critical importance of brand identity for restaurants and food trucks as they head into 2026. He emphasizes that simply being good is no longer sufficient; businesses must build a strong brand that resonates with customers. The conversation covers the significance of storytelling, social media presence, and the core pillars of brand identity,...

Summary In this episode of 86 Opinions, The Digital Chef discusses the critical importance of acquiring social trust for restaurants as we approach 2026. He emphasizes that social trust is the new currency for brands, particularly in the food industry, where online presence and reputation can make or break customer acquisition. The conversation covers strategies for building social trust through o...

In this engaging conversation, Mikey Kay, founder of Fire and Smoke Barbecue, shares his journey from starting as a pop-up in Chicago to establishing a successful food truck in St. Augustine, Florida. He discusses the challenges of pricing, branding, and the importance of community collaborations, particularly with local breweries. Mikey emphasizes the significance of creating unique flavors throu...

In this conversation, The Digital Chef discusses the critical importance of capturing customer data and understanding key metrics in the restaurant industry. He emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of retaining existing customers compared to acquiring new ones, highlighting a common oversight among restaurant owners. The discussion transitions into the necessity of digital transformation and branding...

In this episode, The Digital Chef interviews Court Allam, a restaurant marketing expert, discussing the evolving landscape of restaurant marketing in 2025. They explore the importance of user-generated content, influencer marketing, and the role of automation in driving customer engagement. Court emphasizes the need for restaurants to have a marketing game plan, leverage loyalty programs, and bala...

Summary In this episode of the 86 Opinions podcast, The Digital Chef discusses essential marketing strategies for restaurants and food trucks as they navigate the challenges of 2025 and beyond. Emphasizing the importance of implementing software and systems, he highlights the need for acquiring social trust, building brand identity, and focusing on customer acquisition and retention. The conversat...

In this engaging conversation, Keith Wright, owner of Waffle Sticks, shares his journey in the food truck industry, discussing the evolution of his unique concept, the importance of customer feedback, and the challenges of running a food truck. He emphasizes the significance of simplicity in operations, creating a memorable customer experience, and the need for collaboration among food vendors. Ke...

Welcome to the very first episode of 86 Opinions — the no-BS podcast built for restaurant and food truck owners who are tired of the noise and ready to start running on strategy. In this debut episode, The Digital Chef (Doug Maxon) lays the foundation for what this show is all about — real talk, real strategy, and real systems that help food entrepreneurs fill more seats, earn more five-star revie...