In this episode of Culinary Conversations, we sit down with Drew McLeod, owner of Savour, one of Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants. Drew shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur, including how his first restaurant failed after just 7 months, his experience owning both independent restaurants and franchises, and his unique management style. We also explore Savour’s distinctive schedule—only open 22 hours a week and closed on all major holidays. Tune in for invaluable insights on leadership, resilience, and success in the restaurant industry.

Welcome back to Becca’s Breakdown, where we dive into key lessons from our Culinary Conversations! In this episode, we explore insights from Jason Kennedy, Head Chef of Infinite Wonder Productions and Jasna Ostojich, founder of Podular.

We discuss Jason's unique pop-up restaurant model, his approach to team buy-in, and balancing passion with part-time work. Jasna shares her perspectives on managing rental costs, asking the right questions, and navigating startup expenses. Rebecca and Manuel also cover their views on the importance of time management, happiness, and ignoring advice from people whose lives you wouldn’t want to emulate!

In this episode of Culinary Conversations, we sit down with Marvin Kinney, Owner and Operator of R Town Pizza in Reno, Nevada. Marvin shares his journey of building his Detroit-style pizzeria from the ground up, including the year-and-a-half-long construction process and the unexpectedly challenging “soft open” that led him to shut down the restaurant the very next day to address critical issues in the kitchen. Despite the rocky start, Marvin’s focus on community connection and the humanity of the restaurant industry has earned R Town a cherished spot in the community and a place on Yelp’s Top 100 list. Marvin also dives into the challenges of scaling while maintaining quality and connection.

Becca's Breakdown is where we highlight key insights from our Culinary Conversations diving deeper into the lessons we couldn't cram in a 1 hour show. In this episode, we discuss top lessons from Craig Dunaway, COO of Penn Station East Coast Subs, and Chris Nevins, Assistant Restaurant Leader at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.

Topics include quality control, SOP development, training for mastery, and managing teams!

Josh Baek the founder and owner of Boomchia Superfoods who earned a spot in Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants discusses how he made quality his sole focus. Learn about Boomchia's 3 year journey and next steps!

Join us in our Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants of 2023 Campaign!

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Armen Saqe, Owner and Head Chef of Jessica’s Restaurant, which has earned a coveted spot in Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants for two consecutive years.

We dive into the challenges and successes Armen has faced in growing his renowned farm-to-table Italian and French fusion restaurant, located in Fanwood, NJ. We’ll explore the art of creating a unique dining experience, maintaining quality, and scaling success in a competitive industry.

In this episode we sit down with Jorge Hernandez, a seasoned operations leader with a career spanning iconic brands like McDonald's, Burger King, and New England Foods. Jorge has held high-profile roles, from Director of Operations at FF&G to Vice President of Operations at New England Foods, and he brings a wealth of knowledge on team leadership, performance improvement, and employee morale.

Join us as we explore Jorge’s journey through the food and beverage industry, the strategies he’s used to elevate team performance, and the impact of his strategic training programs on employee development. Whether you're in HR or operations, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!

In this episode, we sit down with Lydia Gwin, the creative force behind Gwin's Tiny Kitchen, a unique culinary venture that’s all about bringing people together through food. From cooking classes to custom-made spice rubs and granola, Lydia has created a vibrant space where families and food enthusiasts can discover the joys of cooking. We’ll explore how Gwin's Tiny Kitchen offers engaging recipes, hosts events, and provides family-friendly programs, all with the mission of fostering a sense of connection and discovery through culinary experiences.

Tune in to hear Lydia’s journey and insights on making food more than just a meal—it’s an experience!