Chef Lamar Moore shares how growing up in Chicago and starting as a dishwasher helped shape his culinary path—and why he believes food is about connection above all. Takeaways: Start wherever you can—dishwasher, prep cook, or back door. Hospitality is a community built on shared stories and support. Food is a vessel for healing, helping, and bringing people together. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals...
Apr 14, 2025•3 min•Ep. 45
Chef Michael Mina recounts his most challenging job and how it shaped his work ethic. Takeaways: Use difficult experiences as stepping stones for growth. Learn from every job, no matter how small. Maintain resilience and stay focused on long-term goals. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC Community,...
Apr 11, 2025•1 min•Ep. 44
Chef Michael Mina reflects on how he knew hospitality was his true calling and shares advice for those pursuing a career in the industry. Takeaways: Find passion in the daily grind. Embrace mentorship and continuous learning. Develop resilience and adaptability. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC C...
Apr 10, 2025•2 min•Ep. 43
Chef Michael Mina shares his hopes for the hospitality industry and what it takes to sustain its growth. Takeaways: Keep innovating to sustain long-term industry success. Support and mentor the next generation of chefs. Focus on operational sustainability and guest experience. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early acces...
Apr 09, 2025•3 min•Ep. 42
Chef Michael Mina debunks the myth that fine dining is dead, highlighting its evolution and continued relevance. Takeaways: Fine dining constantly reinvents itself while preserving excellence. Balance innovation with classic culinary principles. Maintain impeccable service and attention to detail. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesse...
Apr 08, 2025•1 min•Ep. 41
Chef Michael Mina explains why having a strong restaurant origin story is key to its branding and longevity. Takeaways: Develop an authentic backstory that aligns with your restaurant’s vision. Use storytelling in branding, decor, and menu development. Stay true to the origin story while allowing for natural evolution. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable...
Apr 07, 2025•2 min•Ep. 40
Chef Michael Mina shares the challenges and strategies behind opening a restaurant in the highly competitive New York market. Takeaways: Ensure your concept fits the market and neighborhood. Be prepared for high operational costs and competition. Build strong local relationships and understand the city’s unique dining culture. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sus...
Apr 04, 2025•3 min•Ep. 39
Chef Michael Mina discusses how the Las Vegas food scene has evolved from a casino-driven dining market to a culinary destination. Takeaways: Recognize how Vegas transitioned from tourist-focused dining to a culinary powerhouse. Study emerging trends to stay ahead in an ever-changing market. Expand off-strip for more intimate and locally driven concepts. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insig...
Apr 03, 2025•2 min•Ep. 38
Chef Michael Mina details his journey opening in Las Vegas, the challenges he faced, and what it takes to thrive in the competitive market. Takeaways: Understand the unique hospitality-driven culture of Las Vegas. Ensure high service standards and customer engagement. Leverage the city’s tourism to build a strong reputation. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive susta...
Apr 02, 2025•3 min•Ep. 37
As a sports and food enthusiast, Chef Michael Mina shares his ultimate tailgate menu strategy, emphasizing theme-based rivalry cooking. Takeaways: Tailgate menus should be themed around the teams playing. Use three key cooking setups: a pot for stews, a grill, and a rotisserie. Incorporate an interactive or showpiece dish for added excitement. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and too...
Apr 01, 2025•4 min•Ep. 36
Chef Michael Mina emphasizes the importance of mentorship in career development, sharing how mentorship has shaped his own journey. Takeaways: Seek mentorship from multiple sources, including peers and industry veterans. Be open to both receiving and giving mentorship. Recognize that mentorship is a two-way street; learn from those you mentor. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and too...
Mar 31, 2025•3 min•Ep. 35
Chef Michael Mina breaks down the best techniques for cooking steak at home, including proper seasoning, temperature control, and resting periods. Takeaways: Start with high-quality, dry-aged beef. Bring steak to room temperature before cooking. Rest steak properly after cooking to retain juices and maximize flavor. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, p...
Mar 28, 2025•3 min•Ep. 34
Chef Michael Mina shares his experience developing the signature butter-bath steak technique, emphasizing precision and experimentation. Takeaways: Study various cooking methods and refine them through experimentation. Adapt techniques to enhance flavor and texture without compromising quality. Use research and development to perfect signature dishes. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights...
Mar 27, 2025•5 min•Ep. 33
Chef Michael Mina discusses the need for chefs to balance traditional culinary techniques with new approaches to create unique dining experiences. Takeaways: Master foundational cooking techniques before experimenting. Innovate responsibly—creativity should enhance, not overshadow, the dish. Use modern technology to refine and perfect classic cooking methods. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where ...
Mar 26, 2025•1 min•Ep. 32
Chef Michael Mina discusses how the new generation of chefs is pushing boundaries by integrating global influences and breaking traditional molds. Takeaways: Stay open to cross-cultural flavors and ingredients. Encourage kitchen creativity while maintaining technical excellence. Adapt restaurant concepts to evolving consumer expectations. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools he...
Mar 25, 2025•3 min•Ep. 31
Scaling a restaurant brand requires more than just a great first location. Chef Michael Mina shares how he expanded Bourbon Steak while maintaining its core identity. Takeaways: Develop strong operational systems before expanding. Hire leaders who understand your brand culture and vision. Adjust the concept slightly to fit different markets without losing authenticity. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professiona...
Mar 24, 2025•3 min•Ep. 30
Chef Michael Mina breaks down the key factors in selecting a restaurant location, from understanding the local market to evaluating customer demand. Takeaways: Assess the demographics and habits of diners in a potential locations. Consider whether your concept fits the area’s needs. Recognize that prime real estate and existing competitors don’t guarantee failure or success. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality profe...
Mar 21, 2025•3 min•Ep. 29
Chef Michael Mina explores how cultural heritage and personal taste preferences play a role in the creative process, helping chefs craft unique dishes. Takeaways: Identify the key flavors that define your personal taste profile. Experiment with heritage-based dishes and incorporate modern techniques. Use cultural influences to differentiate yourself in a competitive industry. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality prof...
Mar 20, 2025•2 min•Ep. 28
Chef Michael Mina explains how his Egyptian upbringing shaped his palate and influenced his approach to food. He emphasizes the power of bold flavors and balanced dishes. Takeaways: Recognize how early food experiences shape your palate and cooking style. Use strong foundational techniques while integrating heritage flavors. Balance acidity, sweetness, spice, and fat for well-rounded dishes. Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today's guest? MAJC has built a community of ...
Mar 19, 2025•1 min•Ep. 27
Chef Michael Mina discusses the inspiration behind his cookbook "My Egypt," which showcases his culinary roots. He shares why authenticity, extensive research, and collaboration are essential in writing a meaningful cookbook. Takeaways: Choose a cookbook theme that reflects your personal and cultural background. Work with local experts and collaborators to enhance authenticity. Ensure all elements—from recipes to photography—are true to the story you’re telling. Want to connect directly with ind...
Mar 18, 2025•5 min•Ep. 26
Chef Michael Mina shares the key lessons from his decades-long career, from humble beginnings to building a globally recognized restaurant group. He reflects on the importance of mentorship, adaptability, and staying relevant in the ever-changing food industry. Takeaways: Seek mentorship from multiple sources to broaden your culinary perspective. Balance innovation with tradition to keep a restaurant brand fresh. Prioritize consistency and structured systems when scaling. Want to connect directl...
Mar 17, 2025•5 min•Ep. 25
In this conversation, we delve into the complexities of fatherhood, particularly in the context of demanding careers in the culinary industry. We share personal experiences and reflections on balancing work and family life, the importance of being present for our children, and the lessons learned from past mistakes. The discussion emphasizes the significance of time management, the power of saying no to certain opportunities, and how a happy home life can lead to greater productivity and fulfill...
Mar 13, 2025•11 min•Ep. 24
In this episode, the discussion dives into what makes the perfect chocolate chip cookie, from texture and sugar ratios to creative mix-ins. The conversation highlights the importance of contrast in texture, the role of brown sugar for chewiness, and unique finishing touches that can take cookies to the next level. Takeaways: Size matters. Use brown sugar for chewiness. Slightly underbake for the perfect texture. Go for chunks over chips. Press in toppings while warm. Warm before serving. Want to...
Mar 12, 2025•3 min•Ep. 23
In this episode, the conversation revolves around must-have home kitchen appliances that maximize efficiency, creativity, and convenience. From air fryers to multi-purpose tools , the discussion highlights how modern kitchen gadgets can simplify cooking, experiment with flavors, and enhance home-cooked meals—even for those with limited space. Takeaways: The air fryer is a game-changer. Experimentation leads to discovery. Technology makes cooking more accessible. Size matters. Kitchen tools shoul...
Mar 11, 2025•2 min•Ep. 22
In this conversation, we discuss the essentials of building a perfect home pantry and how to make cooking at home more efficient and enjoyable. We share tips on organizing pantry items, utilizing leftovers creatively, and making quick meals without sacrificing flavor. The discussion emphasizes the importance of having a well-stocked pantry and the joy of transforming leftovers into new dishes. Takeaways Building a perfect pantry can simplify home cooking. Having base sauces and stocks ready can ...
Mar 10, 2025•5 min•Ep. 21
In this conversation, we explore the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, focusing on the entrepreneurial spirit of chefs who are diversifying their ventures beyond traditional restaurant settings. They discuss the importance of maintaining a connection to hospitality, the need for innovation, and the responsibility of chefs to keep the industry thriving through various projects and collaborations. Takeaways Chefs are diversifying their income streams beyond restaurants. The entrepren...
Mar 07, 2025•10 min•Ep. 20
Bryan and Michael discuss the evolving role of technology in the hospitality industry, particularly in kitchen operations. They explore the challenges faced by operators in managing multiple tech tools, the importance of personal relationships with vendors, and the potential return to more traditional methods of hospitality as a response to the impersonal nature of modern technology. Takeaways Technology in the kitchen is crucial for profitability. Operators face challenges with disjointed tech ...
Mar 06, 2025•7 min•Ep. 19
Fast-casual dining is reshaping the industry, driven by economic shifts, changing consumer habits, and the demand for high-quality yet accessible meals. In this episode, we highlight how chefs and restaurateurs must adapt to evolving dining preferences while maintaining culinary integrity. With guests seeking craveable, high-impact food in a faster format, fast-casual has become more than just convenience—it’s a legitimate, chef-driven movement leveling the playing field across all dining styles...
Mar 05, 2025•5 min•Ep. 18
Today we explore the complexities of hospitality within the culinary industry, focusing on the hypocrisy that exists when chefs fail to support one another while promoting hospitality to customers. They reflect on the evolution of chef communities, the importance of respect among peers, and the shift from a supportive environment to one marked by rivalry and jealousy. Takeaways Hospitality is not just about food; it's about care. Chefs often fail to support each other despite promoting hospitali...
Mar 04, 2025•5 min•Ep. 17
In this conversation, we explore the evolving definition of a chef in today's culinary landscape, discussing the impact of social media, the changing nature of culinary careers, and the shift in how knowledge is shared among chefs. They reflect on their own experiences in the industry and how the role of a chef has transformed over the years, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and the return to comfort in food. Takeaways The definition of a chef is evolving with the industry. Social medi...
Mar 03, 2025•8 min•Ep. 16
