Welcome back, and welcome to 2020!  Today we talk restaurant closings, predictions for 2020 food trends, the Cheez Whiz spectrum and we look into why customer politeness has become an endangered species.  Also, we forget to introduce ourselves at the beginning of the show!

Just in time for Christmas, we talk about NOTHING holiday related.  Today we're talking about hiring restaurant staff, people bitching just to bitch and gigantic Twixes.  Also, we've interviewed Ali Gonzales from https://sustainableculinarysolutions.com/, a chef/consultant with 30 years restaurant experience.

Tonight we're talking Thanksgiving, Canadian hyperlocal desserts and Papa John Schnatter's descent into madness.

Today we talk Cheesecake Factory, Indiana Judges vs White Castle and why Naperville Illinois is having a really bad month.

So that sandwich you just ordered on your phone & had delivered to you?  It's probably cold, the fries are a sticky mess, and it's more expensive than if you just went to the shop.  Also, the drivers get paid jack, and the restaurants get skimmed too.  This third-party delivery system is a goddamn mess.  Until we get robots.  The robots will save us.

Oh, man you guys.  Tonight we're talking customer service, unions, the Chicago Public Schools teachers strike, apple heists and high-ass robots.  It's a ride.

Here's the thing...

You win some, you lose some, and sometimes you have to fire a lazyass. If you're applying for a restaurant job, we lay out tricks & tips here!  Also, an apple-free Apple Festival and Ben goes to a childhood nostalgia hotdog restaurant.

It ain't what you know; it's who you know, and I've been very lucky in my career to know Aaron Stahlman, co-owner of Ravage Deli in Baltimore.  Aaron & I went to culinary school together, and to date, he's living the dream.  He and his wife own and operate a very exciting all-scratch deli 2 miles from their house north of Baltimore, where they basically do whatever they want.  Trouble with doing whatever you want is that you have to also do it all yourself.  Well, let's have Aaron tell you about it!

http://ravagedeli.com/

9636 Belair Rd
Perry Hall, MD 21236

Steve's back in studio!  We talk White Castle, food delivery companies and how NOT to write a wine list.