Industry Night

The wedding industry is experiencing a near total collapse as result of the current pandemic. So many couples have had to put their wedding dreams on hold while they wait for new mandates on when and how we can gather. No surprise, a group of leading women wedding professionals in DC have the solution, coming together to form a startup, Petit Soirée. Lauryn Prattes, founded Petit Soiree and reached out to some of the best in the industry to come together (virtually) and collaborate on ways to execute small weddings in lieu of the larger ones, for now. Today on Industry Night, Nycci spoke with Lauryn Prattes and Buttercream Bakeshop’s Tiffany MacIssac about the state of the event's industry, what they hope to expect down the road and how the formation of Petit Soiree can provide some wedding relief to those who need it. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

The last 8 weeks of this ongoing pandemic have been filled with incredible stories of people in the food, restaurant and hospitality industries taking their current model and turning them on their heads in order to survive. Today on Industry Night, Nycci talked with Jordan Cotton of DC’s first rum distillery, Cotton & Reed. Jordan, his partner Reed Walker and the rest of their team saw what was coming early on in the pandemic and realized that with the close of area bars and restaurants and their own bar/tasting room they were going to have to come up with another plan. Enter hand sanitizer. While it is a welcome quick fix for Cotton & Reed now, what is in it for them and the distillery in the long term. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Well, we are in week 6 of the Covid-19 pandemic and everyday brings a new normal for us to grapple with. Some are staying at home — a roof over your head and a fridge full of food. Others do not have those luxuries. Today on Industry Night, Nycci is joined by the Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Area Food Bank, Radha Muthiah, who leads a team that currently distributes over 30 million meals to more than 400,000 food insecure people in the greater Washington region each year. What does this pandemic look like for the Capital Area Food Bank? How does the food bank feed the growing food insecure population? And, how can we all help? Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

The Cares Act, the $2.2 trillion program put together to help businesses during the Covid-19 crisis has left many in the restaurant industry feeling frustrated with the funds or lack thereof appropriated. The Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) was formed to help/save the local restaurant community and demand a well-deserved seat at the table. Today on Industry Night, James Beard award-winner, author and chef Kwame Onwuachi and Nycci break down what is in the Cares Act and more importantly what isn’t. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

The nation's restaurants are reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic, some have shut down while laying off employees. Others have been able to pivot in an instant and create whole new models — take away and to go — to keep people employed and stay afloat. Michael Babin and his team at Neighborhood Restaurant Group changed their entire company model not just once, but twice in less than three weeks time. Having the foresight to see some of what was coming down the road Michael and NRG have been able to launch Neighborhood Provisions an online delivery shop to satisfy food, beer, wine, spirits and pantry needs. Today on Industry Night, Nycci & Michael talk about this labor of love and joint effort of incredible chefs, hospitable managers and beverage specialists who are providing during these uncertain times. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Lovers of food in the DC Area know the name Erik Bruner-Yang as someone who has launched a variety of kitchens featuring his creative take on different cuisines. In the last few years, he has opened Maketto, Brothers and Sisters, ABC Pony and most recently was named executive chef of &Pizza. Like most of the chef/restaurateurs in the county, Erik has had to assess his businesses and pivot. Some of the restaurants are functioning in a completely new model and some had to shut their doors. This “change” gave Erik and idea and has lent itself to the creation of a new initiative: The Power of 10. Today on Industry Night, Nycci and Erik talk the drastic changes that have had to be made during the pandemic and how his concept, The Power of 10, can be executed not just here locally but across the country as well and most importantly, how you can get involved. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Should you be going to your Farmers Market during this Coronavirus pandemic? Is there a safe and healthy way to access fresh, local foods? Today Nycci asks Juliet Glass, the external relations director for the Maryland Farmers Market Association, these questions and more on Industry Night. Durning this special episode, Nycci and Juliet discuss the plight of the local farmer, the value that fresh and local foods hold — not just nutritionally — and how to access them. Tune in for important information on how best to stretch your grocery dollar and do it safely. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

In another special edition of Industry Night, Nycci has a conversation with COO of ThinkFoodGroup, Erik Martino about the vision to shut down their restaurant empire — almost before anyone else — and to pivot their team to Community Kitchens. All around the DC Metro Area, former upscale dining ThinkFoodGroup restaurants are now feeding the public from 1-4. Find out how the team was able to make this change so quickly, how thy are supporting their staff and the community at large. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

In this special edition of Industry Night, Nycci talks with Kathy Hollinger, President & CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) about the minute by minute changes to the restaurant and hospitality industries in these scary and strange times. No surprise that area restaurants and small businesses have shown their resilience and ability to make dramatic pivots at a break neck speed. Kathy has the latest from Mayor Bowser’s office and provides valuable resources for the entire DC community. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

When you mention Washington, DC, the first thing people think is “politics.” But DC is so much more than just the federal government – it’s cultural, creative, vibrant and delicious. Think you know DC? Elliott Ferguson, CEO and President of Destination DC joined me in the Industry Night studio to chat about the dramatic changes in the DC landscape and how anyone -- visitor or local -- can take advantage of all the offerings. And you can't discuss what's happening in DC during the springtime, without mentioning the Cherry Blossom Festival. So we did and Meg McGarry of the National Cherry Blossom Festival provided an entire itinerary of ways to enjoy the always spectacular blooms. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.