#92. 
We’re kicking off Season 3 of The meez Podcast with an inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and really good ice cream. In this episode, Josh sits down with Jackie Cuscuna and Brian Smith, the founders of Ample Hills Creamery. Jackie and Brian share candid insights on what it takes to start over in the food industry, the lessons they’ve learned about business and creativity, and how they’re keeping the magic of Ample Hills alive. 

They reflect on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, from expansion struggles to the realities of bankruptcy. The pair also explores the importance of quality control, strategic partnerships, and storytelling in branding. Plus, offer insights into developing new food concepts and their unexpected pivot from ice cream to chicken wings.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, or just someone who appreciates a great comeback story, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

Links and Resources:

Visit meez: https://www.getmeez.com

Follow meez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getmeez

Visit the Ample Hills Creamery Website: https://amplehills.com/home

Chapters:

00:00 The Ice Cream Dream Begins
03:05 Crafting the Perfect Ice Cream
05:59 The Art of Flavor Creation
08:57 Behind the Scenes of Ample Hills
11:59 Innovations in Ice Cream Making
14:56 The Business of Ice Cream
17:53 Lessons Learned and Future Plans
22:52 Quality Control and Consistency in Ice Cream Production
24:23 The Journey from Neighborhood Shop to Scaling Up
26:28 The Role of Partnerships and Opportunities in Growth
28:44 The Impact of Disney and Celebrity Endorsements
33:20 The Rise and Fall: Navigating Success and Bankruptcy
42:04 Reinventing the Brand: From Ice Cream to Chicken
46:52 Creative Ideation: The Process Behind New Concepts

This week, we are excited to bring you an episode from The Pre-Shift Podcast hosted by DJ Costantino, where our host, Josh Sharkey, was as a guest.

Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore their stories, their strategies, and valuable lessons on running restaurant teams. Hosted by D.J. Costantino. Presented by 7shifts.

This episode of the Pre Shift Podcast focuses on Josh Sharkey, the founder and CEO of meez, an innovative recipe tool and culinary operating system. Josh shares his journey from a Michelin-starred chef to a tech entrepreneur. He discusses the motivation behind creating meez, driven by the loss of his recipe notebook and the need for a specialized tool for culinary professionals. Throughout the conversation, Josh elaborates on the challenges faced in transitioning to tech, the features of meez that enhance operational efficiency, and how it serves chefs and restaurant operators in maintaining consistency and profitability. Sharkey also highlights the importance of empowering teams with the right tools and maintaining a clear vision in business. Tune in for practical advice, real stories, and valuable insights into bridging creativity and profitability in the restaurant industry.

00:00 Introduction and Insight
00:29 Meet Josh Sharkey
01:21 The Birth of meez
03:03 Challenges and Solutions
05:42 Building the Company
08:30 Data and Recipe Management
22:47 Team Empowerment and Retention
27:12 Leadership and Vision
38:36 Exciting Developments
40:10 Conclusion and Farewell

This week, we are excited to bring you part two of a two-part episode from Culinary Mechanic Podcast hosted by Simon Zatyrka, where our host, Josh Sharkey, was as a guest.

In this episode of the Culinary Mechanic Podcast, host Simon Zatyrka continues his conversation with Josh Sharkey, diving deeper into the intricacies of recipe development and management. From the inception of meez to the dynamic nature of ingredient sourcing and climate impact, they explore the essential role of precision in culinary artistry. Discover the behind-the-scenes journey of transforming traditional practices into innovative solutions that revolutionize the way chefs approach recipe creation and execution.

Josh Sharkey - CEO & Co-Founder, meez

The founder and CEO of meez, Josh Sharkey is an entrepreneur, chef, and restaurant operator with over 20 years of experience in the industry (Oceana, Tabla, Bouley, Cafe Gray). After more than a decade cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants, he opened Bark Hot Dogs in 2009, which earned numerous accolades in the fast casual space. Sharkey spent five years as the Chief Operating Officer of Aurify Brands (Melt Shop, The Little Beet, Little Beet Table, Fields Good Chicken, and Le Pain Quotidien) before launching meez to the public in late 2020 following over two years of development. During the pandemic, Sharkey used meez’s technology to create Recipes for Relief, an initiative that made interactive recipes available for purchase with 100% of proceeds going towards restaurant relief. Josh believes in building technology with domain empathy, ensuring software always conforms to how we operate, and fervently focusing on the finer details. www.getmeez.com

Where to find Simon Zatyrka: 

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Where to find Culinary Mechanic Podcast:

• Website
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

This week, we are excited to bring you part one of a two-part episode from Culinary Mechanic Podcast hosted by Simon Zatyrka, where our host, Josh Sharkey, was as a guest.

Join host Simon Zatyrka on the Culinary Mechanic Podcast for an insightful conversation with Josh Sharkey, founder of meez, a revolutionary software transforming recipe management and restaurant operations.

From his humble beginnings cooking at home to becoming a celebrated chef, Josh shares his journey through the culinary world and the unexpected twists that led him to entrepreneurship. Discover how a relentless pursuit of excellence and a passion for innovation shaped Josh's career, offering valuable insights for aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs alike.

Where to find Simon Zatyrka: 

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Where to find Culinary Mechanic Podcast:

• Website
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

#91. In this episode of The meez Podcast, we chat with Kristen Hawley, a renowned journalist in restaurant technology, founder of the acclaimed newsletter Expedite, and cohost of the podcast, The Simmer. 

Kristen shares her journey into the restaurant tech space, reflecting on the early tech boom and her role in documenting its growth. We delve into the challenges and opportunities in restaurant tech, from the differences between consumer-facing tools and back-office systems to the surprises and emerging trends she’s observed over the past year. Kristen also discusses what she’s most excited about for the future, including new additions to the tech stack and the ongoing influence of tools like AI.

Throughout the conversation, Kristen provides thoughtful insights on measuring success, her hopes for deeper industry conversations, and what consolidation could mean for the future of restaurant technology. 

Whether you're in hospitality, tech, or just curious about the intersection of the two, this episode offers a fascinating look into the world of restaurant innovation.

Where to find Kristen Hawley: 

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Where to find Expedite:

• Website

Where to find The Simmer

• Apple
• Spotify

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

In this episode, we cover:

(01:45): How Kristen became passionate about restaurant tech
(06:08): Acute memories of the restaurant tech boom
(11:33): Kristen's role and impact in the industry as a journalist
(15:47): How Kristen measures success
(18:03): What Kristen wished more people would ask her
(24:10): Consumer-facing tech vs back office tech
(26:20): What surprised Kristen during the last year
(30:45): Speculation of future consolidation
(33:17): New parts of the tech stack emerging
(37:58): QR Codes
(39:30): What Kristen is most excited about regarding restaurant tech

#90. On this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Eric and Bruce Bromberg of Blue Ribbon Restaurants. 

For over 30 years, Eric and Bruce Bromberg have been redefining what it means to offer a neighborhood dining experience. They’ve expanded from their original SoHo location to culinary hotspots in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, and Nashville.

In this episode, the Bromberg brothers share the secrets behind their enduring success: creating spaces without boundaries, building a team that feels like family, and staying inspired by the neighborhoods they serve. They reflect on how they’ve grown a restaurant group where 12 of the original 15 employees are still key contributors—and what it takes to foster that kind of loyalty and passion in a notoriously tough industry.

Where to find Blue Ribbon Restaurants: 

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube

Where to find Eric Bromberg:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Where to find Bruce Bromberg

• Instagram

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

In this episode, we cover:

(01:27): A valuable piece of advice Josh received from Bruce and Eric
(15:18): How Eric and Bruce deal with mistakes
(21:59): The biggest difference in Blue Ribbon today vs. when it began
(24:41): The excitement of Blue Ribbon staying open late
(32:54): How did the sushi restaurant begin?
(52:55): Takeaways Bruce and Eric received from opening their restaurants
(1:06:41): Does Blue Ribbon mean the same thing to Eric & Bruce as it did in the beginning?
(1:12:51): What's next for the Bromberg brothers?

#89. On this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Troy Hooper, a seasoned hospitality consultant, Founder & CEO of Kiwi Restaurant Partners (KRP) and Nurish, Founder of SNDWCH, CEO of Pepper Lunch, and the host of The Pineapple Perspective Podcast. Troy begins the episode with how he strategically blocks off his time to balance priorities and dives into the fascinating twists and turns of his diverse career journey.

Josh and Troy discuss the unique concept behind Pepper Lunch and explore the benefits of outsourcing high-quality prepped ingredients. Finally, Troy talks about his podcast, The Pineapple Perspective, and leaves listeners with insightful closing advice for navigating the hospitality industry.

Whether you’re in foodservice or just love a good entrepreneurial story, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable takeaways!

Where to find Troy Hooper:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Where to find Pepper Lunch:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Facebook
• Twitter

Where to find Kiwi Restaurant Partners:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Where to find Nurish:

• Website

Where to find SNDWCH:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Facebook

Where to find The Pineapple Perspective Podcast: 

• Spotify
• Apple
• YouTube

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

In this episode, we cover:

(02:01): How Troy blocks off his time
(13:33): Troy's diverse career journey
(24:16): Pepper Lunch
(33:59): Outsourcing high quality prepped ingredients
(50:20): The Pineapple Perspective Podcast
(54:30): Troy's closing advice

#88. This week on The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with Michael Jacober, the multifaceted entrepreneur behind Blanket and Jacobs Franchise Partners. 

In this episode, Michael opens up about his journey, sharing how his diverse background and early experiences with grief have shaped his perspective. He discusses his refusal to let past traumas define him, choosing instead to focus on building meaningful relationships and impactful businesses.

Michael also delves into the origins of his company, Blanket, and how it reflects his commitment to thoughtful design and functionality. You’ll hear how he balances multiple projects simultaneously and the vision behind his new venture, Jacobs Franchise Partners, with his partner Andy Jacobi. 

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone seeking inspiration, Michael’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the value of leading with purpose.

Where to find Michael Jacober:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Where to find Blanket:

• Website

Where to find Jacobs Franchise Partners:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

In this episode, we cover:

(01:47): Coffee, yes or no?
(07:11): Michael's diverse background and experience with grief
(16:32): How Michael refuses to let past traumas shape his identity
(23:52): How Michael and Josh first crossed paths
(26:44): Gladys Caribbean Kitchen
(34:37): The inception of Michael's current company, Blanket
(51:12): Bridging art and commerce
(56:23): How Michael manages multiple projects at once
(1:05:37): Jacobs Franchise Partners

#87. In this episode, we sit down with Michel Falcon, restaurateur, author, and keynote speaker, to explore his journey from launching the first Brasa location to building a brand synonymous with Peruvian flavor and excellence. Michel shares insights from his early days opening store number one, securing his first investor, and considering private equity funding.

Drawing from his time at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Michel reveals how principles like Talent Density and the Traffic Light Model shape his approach to scaling Brasa and developing a winning team culture. We also dive into Brasa's unique hotline, and the secrets of Peruvian cuisine

Finally, Michel opens up about the questions he wishes people would ask more often and discusses his book, a must-read for anyone in hospitality.

Where to find Michel Falcon:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter

Where to find Brasa

• Website
• Instagram
• Twitter

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

In this episode, we cover:

(02:50): What it was like opening store number one
(06:46): Thinking about PE money
(09:25): Michel's first investor 
(16:42): Michel's experience working at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
(20:01): Talent Density
(26:02): The Traffic Light Model
(32:18): Brasa's Hotline
(39:33): What people don't know about Peruvian food
(42:26): Going down the high protein rabbit hole
(47:31): Questions Michel wished he would get more often
(49:47): Michel's book

#86. What does it take to revolutionize fries and rethink fast-casual food? Jesse Konig, Co-Founder of Swizzler and Jesse & Ben’s Fries, joins us on this episode to share his journey of turning a simple side dish into a product with purpose. 

Jesse dives into the origins of their signature house-cut style fries and walks us through the typical process of making frozen fries. He discusses the surprising and unwanted ingredients often found in food and how he and Ben are challenging that with their clean, thoughtfully sourced recipes. 

We also explore the unique cost structure behind Swizzler’s operations and hear Jesse’s vision for the future of fast food.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about innovation, quality, and creating a food system we can all feel good about. 

Where to find Jesse Konig:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Where to find Jesse and Ben's

• Website
• Instagram

Where to find Swizzler

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

In this episode, we cover:

(03:00): The creation of the frozen fry
(13:09): How frozen fries are typically made
(19:22): Finding unwanted ingredients in food
(32:00): Jesse and Ben's ingredients
(41:00): Swizzler and it's COGS
(45:21): What does 10 years in the future look like for Jesse?