Happy Mouth

By Philip Camino & Nyesha ArringtonArts Food

Happy Mouth episodes

June 16, 2021 June 16, 2021: Michelin Star Award Winner Bill Jensen Of Tail Up Goat
On this very special episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino talk to Tail Up Goat co-owner and sommelier Bill Jensen.
Michelin recently named Bill their sommelier for Washington D.C., a prestigious honor for anyone in the hospitality industry. Philip and Nyesha talk to Bill about his impressive wine list and the process behind creating it.
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
13 min
June 15, 2021June 15, 2021: Is Elon Musk And Tesla Getting Into The Restaurant Business?
Is Elon Musk getting into the restaurant business? According to Musk himself, he has plans to create old-school drive-in experiences at Supercharger locations. While many thought Musk was just joking around, a few trademarks filed under Tesla point to Musk being serious.
Listen as restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington take a look at Musk’s plans, Tesla’s recent trademark and permit applications, and how a drive-in restaurant makes a little too much sense in this case.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss Tesla:
Elon Musk is the CEO of Tesla

In 2018, Musk tweeted he plans to create an “old-school drive-in” at a new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles

While some thought Musk might have been joking, Tesla applied for permits to build a restaurant and supercharger station in Santa Monica

The project seemed to take a backseat over the last few years until Musk tweeted about the subject again in April 2021

At the beginning of June, Tesla applied for three trademarks in the “restaurant services,” “pop-up restaurant services,” “self-service restaurant services,” and “take-out restaurant services”
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
LA Magazine - Is Elon Musk getting into the restaurant biz?
Electrek - Tesla files trademark for restaurant services
Electrek - Tesla’s new drive-in restaurant with Supercharger station gets a possible location
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
13 min
June 14, 2021June 14, 2021: Reconsidering Danny Meyer’s ‘Setting the Table’
Danny Meyer’s 2006 book, “Setting the Table” has been considered a must-read for anyone in the hospitality industry since it was published. But has the coronavirus pandemic highlighted some issues with a “customer is always right” mindset?
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino reflect on Meyer’s book and how times might have changed.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss ‘Setting the Table’:
Danny Meyer wrote “Setting the Table” in 2006

“Setting the Table” is considered an industry-standard read

The book covers “enlightened hospitality,” which covers emotional intelligence, relationships, and an emphasis on customer satisfaction

Food & Wine writer John deBary penned an article where he questioned if it’s time to rethink that approach

The “customer is always right” approach has led to customer entitlement

While the coronavirus pandemic saw even more hostile behavior from customers, it was common enough beforehand

80% of restaurant workers say they’ve seen or experienced hostile behavior from customers

67% of workers say their tips have diminished by at least 50% compared to pre-pandemic times

With a worker shortage, it might be time to rethink the employee experience and how to handle difficult customers
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Food & Wine - It is time to rethink Danny Meyer’s ‘Setting the Table’
Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business
Food & Wine - The customer is not always right
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
20 min
June 11, 2021June 11, 2021: Cicadas Are Here And People Are Eating Them
If you’re on the East Coast of the United States, you’re undoubtedly hearing a lot of buzzing right now. That’s because Brood X cicadas are back and wreaking havoc. However, one person’s problem is another’s delicacy.
Join chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino on this fun Friday episode of the Happy Mouth podcast as they talk about people eating cicadas. While the flying bugs might not be on a lot of dinner plates in the United States, insects are a regular part of diets around the world. That has some in this country starting to look at cicadas as a snacking option.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss cicadas:
Brood X cicadas are surfacing as we enter summer

Depending on the type of cicada, they emerge from the ground every 13 or 17 years

Cicadas emerge to mate for a few weeks, leaving behind offspring that burrow back into the ground to repeat the cycle

While cicadas are a nuisance to most, some people believe they’re a great snack

Roughly 2 billion people around the world consume insects in their regular diet

More than 1,900 bug species have been reported as food worldwide

While cicadas are edible, the U.S. FDA warns against eating them if you have a seafood allergy

According to one social media chef, cicadas have a buttery or nutty flavor

The cookbook “Cicada-licious” -- published in 2004 -- tells you how to prepare and cook them in almost every way
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Prevention - Should you eat cicadas? Here’s why (and how) people cook the insects
WLWT5 - Think Brood X cicadas are bad now? We’re about to enter their peak
CBS News - The cicadas are coming -- and foodies are getting ready to feast
FAO - Edible insects
FDA - Cicada allergy warning
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
10 min
June 10, 2021June 10, 2021: New York Begins Reopening From COVID-19 Restrictions
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino are taking a look at New York reopening.
All eyes are on New York after Governor Andrew Cuomo officially reopened the state. Many are watching to see how the hospitality industry handles the reopening as a sign of things to come across the rest of the country. With New York joining the list of states reopening, there’s hope business will soon be booming.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss New York reopening:
Governor Andrew Cuomo officially reopened New York

Cuomo reduced restrictions on masks, social distancing, and indoor dining

New York was hit especially hard by the coronavirus pandemic

The state had 2.1 million cases with 948,000 being in New York City

As of January 2021, over 333,000 people left New York City entirely per the USPS

The city lost an estimated $34 billion in income due to the lack of tourism and people leaving

New York restaurants lost an estimated $10.3 billion in revenue and 122,400 restaurant jobs were lost as well

That has led 1,000 restaurants to have closed as of January 2021

While Cuomo has given the green light to reopen, restaurants are dealing with worker shortages that are keeping them from opening 100%
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
CBS WLNY - Over 333,000 New Yorkers have left city since COVID pandemic began in March
Restaurant Business - New York officially reopens but customers still dine outside
CDC - Interim public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people
Reuters - Fleeing New Yorkers resulted in an estimated $34 billion in lost income
Eater - A running list of restaurants that closed in New York City
Restaurant Dive - New York City 1 year later: Restaurants faced a one-two punch
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
12 min
June 09, 2021June 9, 2021: Sweetgreen Launches Rebrand
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington take a look at Sweetgreen’s rebrand.
After struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, laying off nearly 20% of its corporate staff, Sweetgreen is looking to come out on the other side stronger. The fast-casual salad chain unveiled a new brand identity that will better represent their ethos as they plan a U.S. IPO that could come as early as this year. Listen as Nyesha and Philip break down Sweetgreen’s new rebranding efforts and what it could mean for a company trying to bounce back after the pandemic.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss Sweetgreen rebranding:
Sweetgreen unveiled a new logo in May, along with adjustments to their social media, packaging, uniforms and mobile phone app to better portray their ethos

They’ve vowed to be carbon neutral by 2027

Sweetgreen wants to “reimagine fast food” and make healthy foods more accessible

Sweetgreen announced its first “drive-in” restaurant in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

In order to expand into the suburbs with this “drive-in,” Sweetgreen has had to streamline its operations

Tennis champion Naomi Osaka is Sweetgreen’s newest brand ambassador and its youngest investor

Sweetgreen is planning a U.S. IPO that could come in 2021, having been recently valued at $1.78 billion
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Restaurant Business - Sweetgreen updates its branding
Restaurant Business - Sweetgreen takes on the suburbs
Bloomberg - Salad chain Sweetgreen is planning a U.S. IPO this year
Sweetgreen website
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
19 min
June 08, 2021June 8, 2021: To-Go Alcohol Becoming Permanent In More States
Once the coronavirus pandemic hit U.S. shores and the lockdown began, people began hitting the bottle, seeing alcohol sales rocket. With restaurants struggling to stay afloat throughout the pandemic, several states looked to boost revenue with to-go alcohol sales. Now, more than a year after the start of the pandemic, some states are looking to make to-go alcohol a permanent law.
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino take a look at the latest states to make to-go alcohol sales permanent and what the change in philosophy could mean -- both positive and negative.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss to-go alcohol:
Between March 22 and March 29 -- 10 days after the WHO declared coronavirus as a global pandemic -- liquor sales rose 204%

Throughout the pandemic, alcohol sales outpaced previous years

The potential reasons why alcohol sales shot up and stayed high

Restaurants typically make between 30%-40% of their revenue from alcohol sales

14 states and the District of Columbia have approved of regulations allowing restaurants to sell to-go alcohol permanently

6 more states have approved of extending to-go alcohol until at least 2022

At least 15 other states are debating active bills to keep this legislation in place

The potential risks and benefits of to-go alcohol becoming more widespread
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Happy Mouth’s June 1 episode about hospitality trends that could continue
Newsweek - How alcohol sales have shifted during COVID-19
CNBC - To-go cocktails will stick around in at least 20 states after the pandemic
NIH - State alcohol-related laws during the COVID-19 emergency
JAMA Network - Changes in adult alcohol use and consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic
FSR - Alcohol sales help restaurants stay afloat during pandemic
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
15 min
June 07, 2021June 7, 2021: The Link Between Diet And Mental Health
As anyone in the hospitality industry can attest, food can drive emotion. However, thanks to a 2017 study that’s just starting to gain some traction, we now have a better idea of the link between diet and mental health. Join restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington as they look at the SMILES trial and the impact of things like sleep and diet on mental health.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss diet and mental health:
What the SMILES trial studied

A CDC study found exercise dropped the number of poor mental health days by 40%

The SMILES trial stands for Supporting the Modification of lifestyle In Lowered Emotional States

Participants of the trial had been officially diagnosed with a major depressive episode and screened for poor dietary intake

The SMILES trial used a modified Mediterranean Diet which includes fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables

Over three months, 32.3% of the participants that received the modified Mediterranean Diet fit the criteria for remission of their depression, compared to just 8% in the control group
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
UCLA Health - The link between exercise and mental health
BMC Medicine - The SMILES trial
Food & Mood Centre - The SMILEs trial
PubMed - Dietary recommendations for the prevention of depression
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
21 min
June 04, 2021 June 4, 2021: 5 Oldest Restaurants In The World
On today’s Fun Friday episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington take a look at the oldest restaurants from around the world.
Financial services provider NetCredit dug through historical data to find the oldest restaurants around the world. And when we mean the oldest, we’re going back more than 1,000 years. Nyesha and Philip take you on a journey around the globe to the five oldest establishments, giving you a taste of what’s on the menu at each one.
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
NetCredit - The oldest restaurants in (almost) every country
The Brazen Head website
Travel and Leisure - The 10 oldest restaurants in the world are way older than you may think
The Old House 1147 website
Atlas Obscura - Wurstkuchl
Wurstkuchl website
St. Peter website
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
26 min
June 03, 2021June 3, 2021: Yelp Boosts Visibility Of LGBTQ-Owned Businesses
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino discuss how Yelp is helping LGBTQ business owners.
With June being Pride Month, Yelp is doing its part to boost the LGBTQ community. As more people have been searching for local LGBTQ-owned businesses, owners can now self-identify on the site. With the new search filter, customers can now more easily find and support LGBTQ-owned businesses in their area. When paired with the “Open for All” filter added in 2018, customers can find safe spaces to celebrate Pride and support the community.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss minority-owned businesses:
June is officially Pride month

Yelp noticed searches for LGBTQ-owned businesses in the U.S. increased by 150% last April compared to the previous year

Yelp implemented a free LGBTQ-owned business filter for owners to self-identify

In addition, Yelp will display rainbow-colored map pins that will identify these businesses

While this will help owners, Yelp hopes this and an “open to all” label will help create a safe space for customers as well

Yelp added a Black-owned filter last year after noticing a 7,043% increase in black-owned businesses between May 25 and July 10 of 2020

The app EatOkra helps users find local black-owned restaurants and saw a 4,000% increase in downloads between May 2020 and April 2021
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
BBC - US hate crime highest in more than a decade
Yelp - Yelp makes it easy to support LGBTQ-owned businesses and find “open to all” places to celebrate Pride
Restaurant Dive - Yelp adds LGBTQ-owned business search filter
Human Rights Campaign - New FBI hate crimes report shows increases in anti-LGBTQ attacks
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
10 min

About Happy Mouth

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Hosted by acclaimed restaurateur Philip Camino and star chef Nyesha Arrington, the Happy Mouth podcast is your source for the daily news about the hospitality industry. From bite-sized news stories…

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Happy Mouth episodes

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