On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng sits down with acclaimed chef and restaurateur Dan Kluger, founder of Hardscrabble Hospitality—the group behind celebrated restaurants Loring Place and Greywind. With a career shaped by mentorships under industry icons like Danny Meyer, Floyd Cardoz, Tom Colicchio, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Dan shares his journey from an unexpected start in nutrition and food science at Syracuse University to becoming a leading voice in modern American cuisine. This conversation offers an honest and insightful look into the realities of restaurant ownership, the importance of mentorship, and the evolution of a chef into a business leader. Whether you're an aspiring chef, a seasoned operator, or simply passionate about hospitality, Dan’s story is both inspiring and deeply informative.

Links:⁠

• Dan Kluger's Hospitality Career Path: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/career_paths/dan-kluger
• Instagram - Dan Kluger⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/dan_kluger/
• Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/
• Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-5-dan-kluger

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Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email [email protected].

Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.

For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Until next time, keep rising!

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, Ahris Kim, Director of Operations at NA:EUN Hospitality, shares her unique journey into the hospitality industry. She reflects on her path from growing up in Korea to becoming a key figure at award-winning NA:EUN (Atomix, Atoboy, Acru, NARO). Ahris recounts her unexpected entry into hospitality, fueled by a desire to explore a non-medical career despite her immigrant family's expectations. She highlights pivotal moments, including her internships at prestigious locations like the Ritz-Carlton and her leadership roles in both Aspen and Milwaukee, before returning to New York and finding her niche with NA:EUN. Ahris discusses her passion for continuous growth, the challenges of balancing work and personal life, and the importance of nurturing talent within her team. As she reflects on her experiences, she encourages young professionals to find joy in their work, set boundaries, and embrace opportunities for growth.

Links:⁠

• Ahris Kim's Hospitality Career Path: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/career_paths/ahris-kim
• Instagram - Ahris Kim⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/aireeese/
• Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/
• Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-4-ahris-kim

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Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email [email protected].

Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.

For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Until next time, keep rising!

On this episode of Hospitality on the Rise, we welcome Tavel Bristol-Joseph—Director of Hospitality, Pastry Chef, and Partner at Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, and Founding Partner at Pullman Market. A 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist and 2024 Esquire’s Pastry Chef of the Year, Tavel shares his journey from Georgetown, Guyana, to becoming a leader in American hospitality. He reflects on his early start in home economics, his move to the U.S., and his evolution from aspiring basketball player to acclaimed pastry chef. From staging at top New York restaurants to pioneering sustainability in Austin’s food scene, Tavel’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and dedication to community-driven hospitality.

Links

• ⁠Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph's Hospitality Career Path: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/career_paths/tavel-bristol-joseph
• Instagram - Tavel Bristol-Joseph⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/tavel19/
• Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/
• Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-3-tavel-bristol-joseph

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Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email [email protected].

Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.

For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Until next time, keep rising!

Hillary Sterling’s journey is both unexpected and inspiring—from getting grounded as a teen and stumbling into restaurants to becoming the Executive Chef of Ci Siamo, one of The New York Times’ 100 Best Restaurants in NYC. A multiple-time James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist, she honed her craft at renowned spots like Mesa Grill, Lupa, A Voce, and Vic’s before leading Ci Siamo to success. Her hands-on approach, commitment to mentorship, and philosophy of “slowing down to speed up” define her leadership style. In short, her accomplishments are a testament to the personal and transformative power of food.

Links

• ⁠Careers with Chef Hillary Sterling: https://culinaryagents.com/entities/328158-Ci-Siamo
• Chef Hillary Sterling's Hospitality Career Path: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/career_paths/hillary-sterling

• ⁠Instagram - Hillary Sterling: https://www.instagram.com/chefhillarysterling
• ⁠Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents
• ⁠Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-2-hillary-sterling

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Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email [email protected].

Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.

For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit Hospitality Career Paths, a free platform by Culinary Agents.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Until next time, keep rising!

We are thrilled to welcome Chef Gavin Kaysen as our first-ever guest on the Hospitality On The Rise podcast! Chef Kaysen's journey is a testament to dedication and passion, from his early days working at Subway as a teenager to rising through the ranks with Chef Daniel Boulud, and now leading his own renowned restaurants under the Soigné Hospitality Group.

With a growing list of prestigious awards, self-published cookbooks, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of culinary talent, Chef Kaysen truly does it all—while balancing family time at his kids' ball games and family dinners. His remarkable career is nothing short of inspiring, and we're honored to share his story with you.

Links

• Careers with Chef Gavin Kaysen: https://culinaryagents.com/groups/275
• Chef Gavin Kaysen's Hospitality Career Path: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/career_paths/gavin-kaysen

• Soigné Hospitality Group: https://staysoigne.com/
• Books by Gavin Kaysen: https://gavinkaysen.com/collections/books
• Instagram - Gavin Kaysen: https://www.instagram.com/gavinkaysen/
• Instagram - Culinary Agents: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents

************

Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email [email protected].

Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.

For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Until next time, keep rising!

Coming soon.... Hospitality on the Rise — the podcast about the people shaping the hospitality industry and their journeys.

Host Alice Cheng, Founder and CEO of Culinary Agents, hospitality’s go-to hiring platform, will give you your dose of virtual mentorship in every episode.

We’ll be sharing the stories, lessons learned, and advice from hospitality leaders who've carved out their own path to success. After all, this industry is where many get their start and go on to do incredible things.

Whether you’re a pro, starting out, or just love the hustle, this podcast highlights what makes hospitality extraordinary: the people.

Hospitality on the Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you're hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.

For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality on the Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.