The Tech Chef, Restaurant, Hospitality and Hotel Technology Business Podcast

Toby Malbec joins the Tech Chef Podcast to talk about the future of restaurant technology and the key insights from the recent MURTEC Executive Summit. He emphasizes the importance of getting foundational technology in place before diving into advanced innovations like AI. Toby shares his experiences as the Vice President of Global Restaurant Technology for Church's Chicken and highlights how operators need to prepare for upcoming changes in the industry. The conversation dives deep into the collaboration necessary among brands to tackle common challenges and improve operations. Overall, this episode is a serious look at how technology can lead to success in the hospitality sector.

Takeaways:

• Restaurant operators to get their digital house in order before the next wave of technology changes hits the industry.
• The importance of foundational technology to leverage advanced innovations like AI and machine learning.
• There is a significant distinction between operational success and the technology tools used, highlighting the need for seamless integration in restaurant operations.
• Insights on the evolution of hospitality tech and the importance of collaboration among industry leaders to succeed.

Show Notes Here

In this episode of The Tech Chef Podcast, Skip Kimpel welcomes Chris Herd, co-founder and CEO of Olive, the AI-powered platform that’s redefining how businesses approach vendor selection, RFPs, and strategic sourcing. Chris shares his journey from tech sales to entrepreneurship, the pain points that inspired Olive’s creation, and why the traditional RFP process is fundamentally broken.

Together, they explore how Olive eliminates bias, accelerates decisions, and empowers consultants, operators, and vendors to collaborate more effectively. Whether you’re tired of bloated spreadsheets or questioning the future of your consulting model, this conversation offers a refreshing, forward-thinking take on how to evaluate and adopt technology in a smarter way.

The RFP Is Broken: Traditional RFPs are slow, manual, and often biased. Olive offers a collaborative, agile alternative powered by AI.

AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement: Rather than replacing consultants, Olive empowers them to work more efficiently, scale faster, and deliver more value by automating tedious tasks.

Vendor Fairness & Objectivity: Olive doesn’t accept vendor payments, reducing bias and ensuring a level playing field in the selection process.

Smarter, Faster Decisions: From consolidating stakeholder input to auto-analyzing vendor responses, Olive dramatically shortens timelines and improves project outcomes.

Beyond Hospitality: While widely used in restaurants and hotels, Olive’s platform is industry-agnostic and scalable across enterprise sectors.

The Future of RFPs? According to Chris, the term “RFP” might be obsolete in five years. Instead, decision-making platforms will lead the way

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This week on Tech Chef, host Skip Kimpel dives into a post-MURTEC 2025 recap with first-time guest and hospitality tech veteran Tom Seeker. Fresh off the show floor, they discuss everything from shifting conference venues to the biggest tech themes making waves in the restaurant and hospitality space.

Tom brings the dual perspective of a vendor and operator, offering sharp insights on what made this year’s event stand out. The conversation centers on how data has become the true king, replacing cash as the core currency of innovation, and how restaurants must own and control their data to stay competitive.

From the evolving role of AI and VR in training and operations to conversations around legacy tech, security, and personalization, this episode is packed with strategic takeaways for operators, tech providers, and hospitality pros alike.

• Data is the New Currency: The dominant theme of MURTEC 2025 was clear—data is king. Operators need to prioritize data ownership, clean pipelines, and interoperability between systems to future-proof their businesses.
• AI is Just a Tool: The buzz around AI has matured. It’s no longer seen as a silver bullet, but rather as a data enhancement tool, helping restaurants normalize, visualize, and act on information more effectively.
• Training is Going Virtual: With limited resources and expanding footprints, operators are increasingly turning to virtual and extended reality (XR) solutions to meet employees where they are. VR-based onboarding and training are on the rise, driven by both need and innovation.
• Legacy Tech Still a Major Pain Point: Many brands remain handcuffed by outdated systems. There’s a growing push to modernize the tech stack while ensuring data continuity and seamless integration with modern tools.
• Security Still Matters (Even If It's Not Trendy): While AI dominated past headlines, cybersecurity remains mission-critical. Large restaurant brands continue to be high-profile targets, making awareness and proactive defense essential.
• The Guest Experience is Assumed, but the Employee Experience is Rising: Guest experience is now table stakes. The bigger surprise? A growing emphasis on employee-facing tech—tools that empower teams, improve shift management, and optimize training.
• MURTEC Venue Shift & Community Vibes: While there was skepticism about the move from Paris Las Vegas to Caesars Forum, Tom praises the new setup, calling it a “family reunion” with great energy and flow. Still, the familiar charm of Paris has its fans.
• RTN Standards & Collaboration: The Restaurant Technology Network (RTN) is playing a vital role in shaping the future. From RFP standards to possible mentorship programs and showroom tours, there’s a strong push for industry-wide collaboration.

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Magicgate will be launching an XR Bootcamp for Business Professionals.  This is a low tech / no tech approach to guide you, as business leaders with knowledgeable information to take new ideas to your company and your team member and be able to talk intelligently around the subject matter.  This is a 5 week course (plus a bonus week!) that will get you caught up on terminology, discuss business strategies, uncover devices and services to help you down your XR path as well as how to manage this type of project.  Most importantly, you will given research and tools to help you make a business case for including this in your technology strategy and roadmap.  For more information and to sign up, go to bootcamp.magicgate.com.  LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE!

The Tech Chef Podcast takes listeners deep into the world of hospitality technology with episode 92 featuring Jason Marsh of Flow Immersive. The episode kicks off with an introduction to the latest trends in restaurant and hospitality tech. Skip Kimpel, the host, sets the stage for a discussion about immersive data visualization, a groundbreaking approach to understanding complex data in a more engaging way. Jason shares the fascinating journey of Flow Immersive, starting from its inception at a hackathon to its current capabilities that allow users to interact with data in 3D space using AI. This technology, he explains, transforms dull business meetings into lively discussions, where stakeholders can visualize and manipulate data dynamically, fostering better decision-making and collaboration.

As the conversation unfolds, listeners gain insights into the practical applications of this innovative technology across various industries. Jason emphasizes how immersive data experiences can enhance understanding in sectors like hospitality. He illustrates this with an example of a life expectancy dataset visualized in 3D, showcasing how historical data can reveal trends and insights that are not visible in traditional 2D formats. This immersive approach encourages shared understanding, which is crucial for data-driven decisions in business environments. The episode also highlights the importance of collaboration and how immersive experiences can lead to more effective teamwork.

Listeners are invited to think about the future of data presentation and how immersive technology can become a staple in boardrooms. The discussion wraps up with Jason expressing his vision for Flow Immersive to integrate seamlessly into everyday business practices, making data visualization a natural and intuitive experience. This episode serves as a compelling invitation for listeners to explore the evolving landscape of hospitality tech and embrace the future of data interaction.

Takeaways:

• Flow Immersive started nine years ago when the speaker wanted to build Ironman and invited others to join in.
• The speaker believes immersive data visualization is the future of data interaction and collaboration.
• Businesses can use Flow Immersive for better data interpretation, especially in supply chains and financial services.
• Augmented reality provides a shared data experience in meetings, allowing for interactive discussions and real-time collaboration.
• The future of data visualization will be about integrating technology seamlessly into the human experience, making it feel natural and engaging.

The podcast features a deep conversation Unai Extremo and John Cunningham, of Virtualware to discuss the innovative platforms developed especially focusing on their flagship product, VIROO. This platform is designed to assist industries in adopting immersive technologies, particularly in training and operational efficiency. Unai explains how VIROO aims to enhance competitiveness and sustainability in companies by leveraging real-time 3D technology.

He emphasizes the platform's ability to support various training scenarios, enabling organizations to create immersive training experiences while protecting their proprietary information. John shares his journey with Virtualware, highlighting the company's commitment to providing a user-friendly experience and the importance of having trusted partners in the industry.

The episode dives into the specific applications of VIROO in sectors like hospitality, where it can revolutionize training processes and operational efficiencies.Overall, the episode conveys the exciting potential of XR technologies in transforming traditional business practices, urging listeners to consider how these advancements can be integrated into their operations.

Takeaways:

• The Tech Chef Podcast dives into the latest innovations transforming the hospitality industry, focusing on XR technology. 
• Virtualware is helping companies become more competitive by using real-time 3D technology in their operations. 
• The partnership between Magicgate and Virtualware aims to enhance XR adoption in the hospitality sector. 
• Training and collaboration using XR can improve efficiency and effectiveness in various hospitality functions. 
• John and Unai from Virtualware discuss the importance of security and scalability in implementing XR solutions. 
• The discussion highlights how XR technology can streamline training processes in hospitality and improve guest experiences.

This episode features Dan O'Brien from HTC, who brings years of experience in tech innovation to the table. They discuss the importance of strategic business partnerships in the travel and hospitality industry, focusing on how these collaborations can lead to growth and enhanced guest experiences. Skip and Dan explore the role of technology in shaping the future of hospitality, emphasizing the need for companies to keep up with the fast-paced changes in the tech landscape.

Throughout the episode, Dan shares insights into HTC's commitment to immersive technologies, particularly virtual reality and augmented reality. He explains how these technologies can revolutionize training programs, making them more effective and engaging for staff. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of XR in various industries, including healthcare and military training, showcasing the versatility and potential of these technologies in improving operational efficiency and training outcomes.

As they delve deeper into the practical applications of XR in hospitality, Skip and Dan discuss innovative solutions for guest engagement and staff training. They highlight specific scenarios where immersive technology can enhance the guest experience, such as interactive service training and event planning simulations. The episode wraps up with a strong message about the necessity of embracing technology in hospitality to meet evolving consumer expectations and ensure long-term success.

Takeaways:

• In this episode, they discuss how immersive technology is transforming hospitality and training.
• They highlight the importance of strategic partnerships for driving innovation in the tech industry.
• The conversation reveals how XR can dramatically improve training efficiency and retention rates.
• They emphasize that understanding the specific problems to solve is key when integrating XR solutions.
• They explore the future of XR, including advancements in AR and VR technologies.
• They stress the significance of comfort and security in XR hardware for enterprise applications.

The Tech Chef Podcast dives deep into the world of augmented reality with Brian Hamilton, the VP of Sales and Marketing at Digilens. He introduces Argo, their innovative smart glasses designed specifically for the hospitality industry. The conversation highlights how Argo stands out with its unique waveguide technology that minimizes light leakage, allowing for better human interaction while using the glasses. The episode details the real-world applications of AR in hospitality, from enhancing customer service to improving logistics and training. Brian emphasizes the importance of human connection in hospitality, showcasing how Argo facilitates this by allowing users to maintain eye contact while accessing information. This episode serves as a crucial resource for hospitality leaders looking to embrace technology to enhance guest experiences and operational efficiency, making it clear that the future of hospitality is intertwined with advancements in AR technology.

Takeaways:

• In the podcast, they discuss how augmented reality is changing the hospitality industry in many exciting ways.
• Brian shares insights on how Digilens' Argo smart glasses are leading in AR technology for business applications.
• The conversation emphasizes the importance of human interaction while using augmented reality in customer service roles.
• They touch on the future of AR and its potential to enhance training and operational efficiency in various sectors.
• Skip and Brian explore the unique features of the Argo glasses that set them apart from competitors in the market.
• The podcast highlights the strategic partnership between Digilens and Magicgate, focusing on innovations for the hospitality industry.

Guido Gioioso, the CEO of WEART, shares insights on their innovative haptic technology in this engaging discussion. The conversation centers on how Weart's devices are redefining training in virtual and augmented reality. Guido explains how their technology allows users to experience realistic sensations such as temperature, texture, and pressure, which enhances the training process.

Guido emphasizes the importance of immersion, noting that the ability to feel these sensations can lead to better learning outcomes in various fields, particularly hospitality and industrial training. The episode also touches on the upcoming MURTEC conference where Magicgate will present more about these advancements, showcasing the potential for haptic technology to revolutionize the way we interact with virtual environments. Listeners are encouraged to explore this cutting-edge technology and consider its applications in their own fields.

• Guido Gioioso discusses the unique features of WEART's Haptics technology, emphasizing the three tactile sensations it provides: contact force, temperature, and texture rendering. This combination enhances immersion in VR and AR experiences.
• Listeners are encouraged to attend the upcoming MURTEC conference in Las Vegas to learn more about restaurant technology trends and participate in discussions about streamlining procurement processes using RTN standards.
• Guido shares insights on the challenges faced in scaling WEART, including the need for user-friendly designs and overcoming skepticism from businesses about the necessity of haptic technology in VR experiences.
• The podcast highlights the importance of emotional engagement in training simulations, where haptic feedback can significantly enhance the realism of virtual experiences for hospitality and other sectors.
• Listeners are invited to explore WEART's website and social media for more information on their haptic devices and to participate in demos at the MURTEC conference, showcasing cutting-edge technology in action.

• gainadvisors.com
• bootcamp.magicgate.com
• Magicgate.com
• Weart.it
• WEART on Magicgate

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The Tech Chef Podcast features a compelling conversation between Skip Kimpel and Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao. They explore Geoff's extensive background in the food industry, which spans over three decades, and his significant contributions to Wow Bao since its inception in 2003. The discussion focuses on the innovative strategies that have propelled Wow Bao's growth, including the use of technology, ghost kitchens, and grocery store partnerships. Geoff emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the restaurant sector for fresh ideas and adapting to changing market conditions, which he argues is essential for any food brand aiming for success.

Throughout the episode, Geoff shares fascinating insights into the operational strategies that have enabled Wow Bao to expand into various venues such as airports and sports stadiums. He discusses how technology, including AI and self-service kiosks, has transformed the customer experience and operational efficiency. The conversation also highlights the challenges of scaling a food brand without compromising quality and consistency, with Geoff offering practical advice on leadership and team dynamics necessary for achieving these goals. This episode serves as an informative guide for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and the hospitality industry.

As the podcast draws to a close, Geoff reveals his ambition for Wow Bao to become the leading brand in the bao market, aspiring to achieve recognition similar to that of Heinz ketchup. He shares his excitement for future growth opportunities and the need for continuous innovation within the industry. The episode also lightens up as Geoff shares his passion for spin cycling, adding a personal note to the professional insights offered. Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of restaurant technology and the future of dining.

• Geoff Alexander discusses how Wow Bao expanded through technology and creative strategies like ghost kitchens.
• He emphasizes the importance of looking outside the restaurant industry for innovative ideas and practices.
• Success in the food industry requires passion, focus, and adaptability to market changes and trends.
• The podcast reveals valuable insights on leading a successful food brand in a rapidly changing market.
• Wow Bao has made significant strides in technology, including self-ordering kiosks and delivery-only kitchens.
• The episode highlights the need for restaurant brands to embrace technology for operational efficiency and customer experience improvements.

• gainadvisors.com
• bootcamp.magicgate.com
• Magicgate.com

• Website
• https://SkipKimpel.com (all archived shows and show notes will be posted here)
• https://magicgate.com
• Instagram:
• https://instagram.com/skipkimpel
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You can always email me at [email protected]