Hospitality Bites with Colleen Silk

In this episode, I am joined by Derek Wallace, the co-founder of Kalamata's Kitchen and Golden Fork Media. We discuss how people's perceptions of dining out are changing and why it's crucial to create more inclusive culinary environments, including family diners.

 We also highlight some of Kalamata's Ambassadors, including culinary visionaries such as Eric Ripert, Eric Adjepong, and Kristen Kish, among others.

Additionally, we explore the expansion of opportunities for Golden Fork Media and the importance of taking risks and embracing failure. We also discuss the future and the exciting developments in store for Kalamata's Kitchen and the hospitality industry as a whole, and much more!

 

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Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast.

The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry.

If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn!

In today's episode, I am joined by the owner and founder of Cali BBQ Media and restaurant, the "Toast" unboxing guy, host of Toast Family Style, and all around hospitality entrepreneur, Shawn Welchef. 

We discuss his passion for telling stories, the restaurant industry and how he blended the two to create his media company. We also chat about the impact and influence your family can have on driving business decisions, finding authenticity within the hospitality space, not being afraid to create a scene, and so much more.

To learn more about Shawn and his company be sure to follow along with him on LinkedIn or contact him directly at [email protected]. 

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast.

The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry.

If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn!

 

 

On today's episode I am joined by the funny, intelligent grilling guru and half of the iconic Grill Dads, Ryan Fey. Ryan talks about his love of being a father and why including DAD in the brand he and partner, Mark Anderson, created,  their journey to food media, the love for grilling, and their newest venture Dads Guide to The Universe!

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast.

The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry.

If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn!

 

 

On today's episode, we are joined by chef, mental health advocate, and  founder of Restaurant After Hours, Zia Sheikh, and Marketing and Social Media Manager Taylor Bauer. 

 

We discuss Restaurant After Hours's inspiration and back story, the free resources and offerings you can find on their website, and much more. 

 

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please get in touch with any of the following resources below or visit--https://www.restaurantafterhours.org/resources.html

 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline (24/7)

Dial 988 (US Only)
Or call (800) 273-8255
Call (888) 628-9454 for Spanish
​
suicidepreventionlifeline.org

​     Crisis Text Line
​(24/7)

Text "HOME" to 741741 (US & Canada)
Text "HOME" to 85258 (UK)
Text "HOME" to 50808 (Ireland)
​
crisistextline.org​

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast.

The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry.

If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn!

 

 In today's episode, we talk with Alex Munford, creator of The Hospitality Folks Newsletter, and what sparked him to begin writing, adapting, and balancing his growing family within the industry life, breaking habits during the pandemic, are shift drinks a healthy incentive after work, a few restaurant war stories, and much more.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast.

The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry.

If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn!

Today's guest is a multi-James Beard Award nominee; his desserts have received several notable recognitions from the New York Times to Pellegrino's The Worlds 50 Best, a  guest judge on some of your favorite food competition shows, cookbook author of The Sweet Spot. He is completely self-taught--the incredibly talented and kind Chef Pichet Ong.

He has worked with several notable culinary giants and iconic brands such as Jean- Georges Vongerichten, Max Brenner, Peter Chang, Kit Kat, and Häagen-Dazs.

We discuss his journey to becoming a pastry chef and his deep-rooted love for hospitality, bringing immersive, sweet, savory, and beautiful Asian flavors to the forefront in the 90s and early 2000s.  The closure of his restaurant due to the financial crisis in 2008, how he picked himself back up by traveling globally as a restaurateur and consulting, the discovery of his passion for traveling and exploring other cultures and food, opening the highly anticipated Chang Chang by Peter Chang, and much more. 

Chef Pichet reminds us that our life is a constant education, evolving and changing is essential for restaurants, and his hope for future chefs and the hospitality industry.

To learn more or connect with Chef Pichet follow him on Instagram @pichetong.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast.

The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry.

If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn!

 

 

Welcome back to our third-season debut of Hospitality Bites, with your host Colleen Silk!

Today's guest joining me from the UK is the intelligent, engaging, and witty Michelle Moreno. With over twenty-five years of hospitality experience under her belt, she is now spreading her wealth of knowledge as the founder of QAB Leadership. We discuss her background, services, and hope for the industry. 

Be sure to follow and connect with Michelle on LinkedIn and Instagram. Where she offers daily free tips on how to improve your leadership skills.

 

Welcome to Hospitality Bites and the final episode of season 2!

Listen to our conversation about her beginnings with #FoodFictionProject, navigating the industry as a writer and brand specialist during the pandemic, and how setting boundaries has guided her to work with mission-driven brands that make our industry safer and more inclusive. 

We also talk about some amazing companies and brands she loves that are making such positive impacts, such as Sipwell Wines and Kalamata's Kitchen.

To learn more about Sabrina and the work she does and the services offered, visit her website: SabrinaMedora.com

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast.

The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry.

If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn!

Welcome to Hospitality Bites! Join me as we chat with the President and Lead Culinary Literary and Talent Agent, Sally Ekus. We are going to talk about running a niche culinary business, her experience and knowledge of behavioral and mental health, and her life as a full-time working mom!

To learn more about Sally, her company, and their offerings, be sure to visit their website or follow along on social @ekusgroup. 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast.

The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry.

If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn!

Welcome to Hospitality Bites! Join me as I chat with Michelle Righini, seasoned hospitality expert, an Ambassador for The Burnt Chef Project, and host of the new podcast, We Recover Loudly.

To learn more about the Burnt Chef Project and what they are doing to make the industry and healthier and sustainable environment visit their website here!

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast.

The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry.

If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn!