The Culinary Boss Podcast

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word “hospitality”? Luxury hotels? The restaurant right around the corner?

There's a good chance you haven’t thought of hospitality through the lens of corporate culinary experiences. But today’s episode will certainly change that. Our guest, Nuna Atadja, is a Hospitality Manager at Twitter's headquarters in San Francisco. She manages culinary programming, food services and events catering for Twitter’s 2500+ employees and clients.

As a true global citizen, Nuna spent most of her upbringing around the world including Ghana, Canada, the United States, and China. Through her experiences in luxury hotels, events catering, and food editing, she carries a passion for food, people, and engaging experiences.

In this episode, Nuna shares her valuable insights from the world of hospitality including the importance of empathy, community, and diversity. Without a doubt, there is so much overlap between the hospitality space and experiential marketing and I can’t wait for you to listen to Nuna’s unique perspective on experience.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Want to support The Experiential Table? If you loved this episode, then help our show grow by subscribing, rating, and reviewing our podcast! This will help The Experiential Table reach more people just like you, so we can all strive to create meaningful and memorable experiences. Thank you so much!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Connect with Nuna on Twitter
• Take a peek at Twitter’s hospitality programming: @bonappetweet
• Learn more about Code Tenderloin
• Join The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Read our Episode Transcript
• Get to know Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

I’m wrapping up our 3-part interview series with food business owners who are creating online experiences to grow their brand. Today, I am thrilled to chat with Kristina Cho, the blogger behind Eat Cho Food. Isn’t that the best blog name ever?

In this episode, Kristina shares her perspective on creating real connection, both online and offline. In just a few short years of building her blog, she has been able to successfully define her niche and foster an engaging audience not only on social media but also in her signature workshops. In fact, she had already ventured into the world of teaching in-person cooking classes before moving online due to COVID-19. 

If you’re wanting to build a stronger brand presence, whether through offline or online experiences, then this episode will be RIGHT up your alley. 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Want to support The Experiential Table? If you are loving our episodes, then the best thing you can do is subscribe, rate, and review our podcast! This will help our show reach more people just like you, so we can all create experiences that are meaningful and memorable.

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Connect with Kristina on Eat Cho Food: Website + Instagram
• Join The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Read our Episode Transcript
• Get to know Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

This week, I’m continuing our series of interviews with talented food business owners who are taking their businesses online! 

In this episode, I’m chatting with Lindsay Kinder, founder of FOOD LA LA. Lindsay and her team craft one-of-a-kind macaron-centric experiences for corporate clients including Facebook, Louis-Vuitton, Williams-Sonoma and more. Lindsay is one of the most creative and resourceful founders I know and I cannot wait for you to hear her story.

With COVID-19 pressing pause on offline events, Lindsay made the quick shift and brought her offline business online. Our conversation is filled with SO many entrepreneurial twists and turns, and nuggets of wisdom including Lindsay’s:

• Lessons learned through her journey building a creative events business
• Favorite marketing tips and strategies you can implement today
• Advice for fellow entrepreneurs looking to bring their experience-based business online

And guess what? Since the date of our recording, Lindsay has been up to even more exciting online business moves. She recently launched the FOOD LA LA COOKING CLUB, a subscription-based online cooking membership. Be sure to check it out here!

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Want to support The Experiential Table? If you are loving our episodes, then the best thing you can do is subscribe, rate, and review our podcast! This will help our show reach more people just like you, so we can all create experiences that are meaningful and memorable.

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Connect with Lindsay Kinder and FOOD LA LA: Website + Instagram
• Check out Lindsay’s recommended tools: 
  • Email marketing: Flodesk (save 50% for life if you use this link!)
  • Live teaching platform: Crowdcast.io
  • Graphic design: Canva
• Join The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Read our Episode Transcript
• Get to know Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

In last week’s episode, I shared my thoughts on the future of online experiences. From virtual cooking classes to even product launches, there are so many opportunities to connect with your audience online. And even when events come back to the physical world, I still think we’ll use online platforms in these new ways. There’s really no going back to business as usual.

This episode is the first of a 3-part series where I’ll be interviewing food business owners who have made the transition to online experiences, especially in the wake of COVID-19.

To kick things off, I’m so excited to be interviewing Hetal Vasavada of Milk & Cardamom. Hetal is a San Francisco-based cookbook author and blogger whose recipes have been featured in New York Times, Food52, and The Kitchn. Hetal’s cookbook, Milk & Cardamom, was named one of the best cookbooks of 2019 by the San Francisco Chronicle and The Washington Post.

From her impressive appearance on a well-known cooking reality show (!) to her recent online cooking class venture, Hetal’s journey is one that is inspiring, atypical, and oh-so-sweet.

In this episode, Hetal is sharing her practical tips on topics including how to:

• Define your niche (hint: it doesn’t happen overnight!)
• Grow your online following through Instagram
• Take the leap with teaching cooking classes online

Hetal’s classes have racked up stellar reviews as she truly knows how to connect and engage with her participants. I can’t wait for you to listen to this episode, so you can apply her tips to create incredible online experiences for your business.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Are you subscribed to The Experiential Table? If you loved all that you learned in this episode and don’t want to miss our next one, then subscribe!

And if you want to give this new podcast the boost that it needs, please rate and review. It takes less than a minute and can really help this podcast reach more people like you. Thanks so much - it means a lot to us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Connect with Hetal: Website + Instagram
• Sign up for one of Hetal’s classes
• Join The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Read our Episode Transcript
• Get to know Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

With COVID-19, the experiential marketing industry has been completely put on hold with projects cancelled, or at best, delayed indefinitely. Not to mention, in-store demos, in-person cooking classes and everything in between have vanished.

While experiential marketing typically focuses on offline experiences, times are changing. From virtual cooking classes to even product launches, things are now moving completely, 100% online.

Now we’re using Zoom, Instagram, and other platforms we’ve had at our fingertips in ways we’ve never seen before. And I believe this is JUST the beginning. Welcome to the world of online experiences!

Today, I’m excited to share my 3 Tips To Grow Your Brand Through Online Experiences. These are rooted in some of my trusted experiential marketing principles. That’s right, we’re bringing the offline magic online.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Are you subscribed to The Experiential Table? If you loved all that you learned in this episode and don’t want to miss our next one, then subscribe! And if you want to give this new podcast the boost that it needs, please rate and review. It takes less than a minute and you can help bring this podcast to more listeners just like you!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Download my FREE guide: 19 Creative Online Marketing Ideas to Stand Out and Serve
• Join The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Read our Episode Transcript
• Get to know Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

In this episode, we’re talking all about mobile tours that bring your brand to life on the road.

You might be thinking, wait a minute, what tours? Because at the time of recording this episode, the event marketing world is at a total standstill due to COVID-19. 

But guess what? Now is exactly the right time to think about how your brand can show up big once events are happening again. I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait for that day.

When it comes to mobile tours, there’s no better person to talk to than our guest today, Brian Moore. Brian is the VP of Marketing and Business Development at Turnkey DOT, a nationwide event management and transportation company.

You’ll learn so many expert insights from Brian including :

• How to get started with a mobile food truck
• The biggest challenges of operating a mobile experiential tour
• The essential staff you need for a successful tour

This episode is one I wished I could have listened to when I started out in experiential marketing. There is so much opportunity for brands of all sizes to increase their reach through an experiential tour. Brian shares how you can make it happen even if your brand is just starting out and has a limited budget. You won’t want to miss this!

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Are you subscribed to The Experiential Table? If you loved all that you learned in this episode and don’t want to miss our next one, then subscribe!

And if you want to give this new podcast the boost that it needs, please rate and review. It takes less than a minute and can really help this podcast reach more people like you. Thanks so much - it means a lot to us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Connect with Turnkey DOT: Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• See our Women’s March activation for Cora, produced with Turnkey DOT
• Join The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Read our Episode Transcript
• Get to know Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

If you're a brand owner then you know that your brand is your baby. And, chances are you've been the face of your brand at practically every demo and trade show…and maybe still are? If you're looking to scale your events team beyond yourself, this episode has your name ALL over it. 

I am so excited to be chatting with our guest, Jessica Shields, founder of Health and Fitness Activations. Her Austin-based agency connects health and fitness-related brands with their target consumers through demos and events nationwide. Jessica boasts an impressive client roster including Perfect Bar, Kodiak Cakes, and more. 

In this episode, Jessica is sharing her top tips to help you get the right people representing your brand at any event. She is incredibly passionate about this topic, so get your pen and paper ready. This episode is filled with a wealth of information that you can put into action for your brand right now.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Are you subscribed to The Experiential Table? If you loved all that you learned in this episode and don’t want to miss our next one, then subscribe!

And if you want to give this new podcast the boost that it needs, please rate and review. It takes less than a minute and can really help this podcast reach more people like you. Thanks so much - it means a lot to us!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

In this episode, Jessica shares so much valuable information including:

• How to find the right brand ambassadors for your activation
• Red flags to look out for when hiring
• The most effective way to train
• How to set measurable goals for your staff

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Connect with Health and Fitness Activations: Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
• Join The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Read our Episode Transcript
• Get to know Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

After a great first season, The Experiential Table is back with Season Two!

We're kicking things off with a line up filled with savvy food business owners, experiential experts, and more. This season was recorded during COVID-19, so we’ll also be diving into online experiences, and how you can engage your target consumer through digital channels.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Are you subscribed to The Experiential Table? If you don’t want to miss our next one, then subscribe!

And if you want to give this new podcast the boost that it needs, please rate and review. It takes less than a minute and can really help this podcast reach more people like you. Thanks so much - it means a lot to us!

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Join The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Get to know Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

The best experiential events engage ALL five senses, but more often than not, a few of these senses are neglected. Can you guess which ones?

Well, what if I told you that you might just be ignoring the most POWERFUL sense of them all? 

Today we’re talking with neuroscientist Leigh Winters to learn all about the power of scent and why it just might be the most important sense for your experience.

Not only is Leigh a neuroscientist but she’s also a natural beauty expert, certified aromatherapist, and founder of her own line, Leigh Winters Beauty.

I’ve gotten to know Leigh through our events in San Francisco and actually worked with her on an aromatherapy meditation for a brand activation we designed and produced. Needless to say, Leigh knows her stuff and I couldn’t help but want to pick her brain about scent as it relates to experience.

Get ready for a little bit of science and a whole lot of inspiration to make your events more impactful and memorable through the use of scent.

Subscribe, Rate & Review:

Are you subscribed to The Experiential Table? If you loved all that you learned in this episode and don’t want to miss our next one, then subscribe!

And if you want to give this new podcast the boost that it needs, please rate and review. It takes less than a minute and can really help this podcast reach more people like you. Thanks so much - it means a lot to us!


Episode Highlights:

• Our FREE guide: 10 Simple Ways to Maximize Event ROI [1:45]
• Getting to know Leigh Winters [2:49]
• The science behind scent [9:35]
• How scent impacts memories [16:48]
• Examples of brands utilizing scent [18:26]
• Recommended scents for different experiences [24:33]
• The future of scent marketing [31:50]
• The most important element of an experience (hint hint, it's not scent!) [41:00]

Helpful Links:

• Leigh Winters: Instagram, website
• Free guide: 10 Simple Ways to Maximize Event ROI
• Be Well with Brandless event 
• The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Episode Transcript
• Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

Are you planning an event in the coming weeks for the holidays? Well if so, then you’re in luck! Because in today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 creative ideas to get your guests engaged especially during this festive time of year. These ideas are inspired by our past events we’ve produced for brands including Bob’s Red Mill, Simply Organic and more. They’re absolutely tried and tested!

But don’t think this episode is just about throwing a fun party. In fact, what I’m about to share with you are ideas based on experiential marketing principles that work, no matter the setting. It’s a fact that when people are creating, learning, or connecting, they are more likely to retain the experience (and your brand) in their long-term memory. As a brand marketer, this is THE Holy grail, so why settle for anything less?

Subscribe, Rate & Review:

If you loved this episode and don’t want to miss our next one, then be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

And if you want to give this new podcast the boost that it needs, please rate and review. It takes less than a minute and can really help this podcast reach more people like you. Thanks so much!


Episode Highlights:

• A special offer from Peerspace [1:40]
• Our go-to hosting idea for any time of year [3:15]
• Make it easy for your guests to feel good about themselves [7:22]
• Create an opportunity to learn from others [10:54]
• Help your guests disconnect to better connect [12:58]
• Our favorite Thanksgiving ice breaker [16:11]

Helpful Links:

• 10% off Peerspace (there’s no promo code — just book via the link)
• DIY cocktail skewer tutorial (an oldie but still a classic!)
• DIY wishbone tutorials: option 1, option 2
• Mix and match glassware 
• Bob's Holiday Bakeshop event
• Phone bags
• The Experiential Table Facebook group
• Episode Transcript
• Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Note: I may earn affiliate revenue should you purchase through the links provided. I only recommend products and services I absolutely believe in and use myself.

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!