Join us for an unforgettable episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show featuring the legendary Bill Oakley —former writer and showrunner of The Simpsons , food critic, and all-around pop culture connoisseur! In this special edition, Bill takes us on a deep dive into his nationwide culinary tour , where he uncovers hidden food gems across America, bringing unique and nostalgic flavors to life through his exclusive pop-up dining experiences . From secret menu dinners to his love for regional comfo...
Feb 10, 2025•59 min
In this powerhouse episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , we sit down with the legendary Josh Kopel , a restaurateur-turned-industry coach, to talk about the levers that drive restaurant success. From marketing strategies that actually work to pricing tactics that boost profitability, Josh shares hard-earned insights from his decades in the business. He breaks down why restaurants must shift their mindset from B2C to B2B, how to increase customer frequency, and the importance of personalize...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Join Canada's Restaurant Coach and the Late Night Restaurant Show team as they welcome Andrew Marino, CEO of Ghost Truck Kitchen , for an engaging conversation on reshaping the restaurant industry. Andrew shares his journey of innovation, from pioneering ghost kitchens to integrating AI and machine learning into operations. Explore leadership insights, strategies for navigating modern challenges, and what it takes to succeed in today’s foodservice landscape. A must-listen for hospitality pros, t...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 15 min
In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , we sit down with Cijoy Olickal , the innovative mind and COO behind GM Pilot , a platform revolutionizing restaurant operations. Cijoy shares his journey from engineering to hospitality tech, his insights on leveraging automation to enhance profitability, and how GM Pilot is empowering general managers to focus on what matters most. Packed with humor, wisdom, and actionable takeaways, this is a must-listen for anyone in the restaurant industry!...
Jan 25, 2025•59 min
Welcome to another exciting episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show ! Tonight, we dive into the ever-evolving world of restaurant technology with a special guest from Saskatoon-born 7shifts, a leading scheduling and labour management platform transforming the industry. Hosts Dominic and Jay explore how restaurants can move beyond pen-and-paper scheduling and embrace innovative tools to save time, reduce costs, and boost employee satisfaction. From leveraging technology to streamline operations...
Jan 12, 2025•43 min
The Late Night Restaurant Show: Season Premiere with Dominic, Michael, and Jay The 2025 season kicks off with Dominic, Michael, and Jay bringing you insights, laughs, and innovation! Michael joins live from CES in Las Vegas to share the latest tech trends, while Dominic and Jay discuss the evolving restaurant landscape, marketing strategies, and a surprising new invention... protein coffee. It’s a fun, fast-paced episode packed with fresh ideas and industry highlights. Don’t miss it!...
Jan 12, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In the debut episode, Sara and Adam Waxman kick off Dine: From Table to Travel with a celebratory toast and delve into a lively discussion about food, travel, and hospitality. The episode features a special guest appearance by renowned chef Claudio Aprile , known for his innovative culinary style and role as a judge on MasterChef Canada . Topics covered include: The reopening of Toronto's iconic Harbor Sixty steakhouse. Unique experiences such as urban rappelling and ice climbing in Ontario’s El...
Dec 17, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this special redo episode of the Late Night Restaurant Show , we’re shaking things up with a first-of-its-kind Listening Party ! It’s all about connecting, sharing, and supporting each other in the foodservice and hospitality industry. Join our hosts as they create a space to listen to the thoughts, challenges, and ideas of industry pros like you. This isn’t just talk—it’s about community . Whether you’re dealing with the pressures of the busy season, grappling with uncertainty, or looking fo...
Dec 16, 2024•58 min
In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , Jay and Dominic welcome back an incredible guest who knows the ins and outs of helping struggling restaurants thrive — Luis from Restaurant Search and Rescue . After a redo of a previous recording, the team dives deep into the most pressing challenges faced by restaurants today: outdated digital presence, lack of strategic planning, and the overwhelming operational demands on owners. Luis shares eye-opening statistics about the Canadian restaur...
Dec 16, 2024•54 min
In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , Jay Ashton dives into the future of restaurant hiring with the dynamic and driven HP , the founder of Kibbi . While Dominic enjoys some much-needed R&R in the Caribbean, Jay holds down the fort and guides us through an eye-opening discussion about solving one of the industry's biggest headaches: finding reliable local talent . HP shares the inspiring story behind Kibbi, a platform designed to bridge the gap between job seekers especially ne...
Dec 10, 2024•50 min
"The Late Night Restaurant Show" Welcomes TV Legend and Fast Food Critic Bill Oakley! Join us for an epic, laugh-out-loud episode as we sit down with Bill Oakley , legendary writer of The Simpsons , Futurama , and Disenchantment , and now, the king of fast food criticism and regional American eats! 🌭🍕 In this interview, we dive into: Bill's iconic Simpsons moments (yes, we talk Steamed Hams ! 🍔🔥). His journey from animation genius to becoming the Gordon Ramsay of fast food . His food adventu...
Dec 10, 2024•50 min
In this insightful episode, we take a 60,000-foot view of the restaurant and hospitality industry. From inflation and labour challenges to the lasting impacts of COVID-19, we explore the pressing issues operators face today. Join Canada's Restaurant Guy, Troy, Tony, and Jason as they dive into innovative solutions, including menu engineering, AI integration, and strategic planning, to help restaurants not only survive but thrive in uncertain times. Learn how adaptability, community building, and...
Dec 01, 2024•1 hr
In this exciting episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , we’re joined by Ayad Zaid, founder of Soho Citizen , a cutting-edge company blending AI and food service. Ayad shares how his innovative approach is helping restaurants harness the power of AI to analyze customer feedback, audit digital footprints, and improve operations. From tackling suspicious reviews to optimizing online presence, Ayad offers a glimpse into how AI is reshaping the industry. Tune in for an insightful conversation pa...
Nov 27, 2024•44 min
Tonight on The Late Night Restaurant Show , we dive into the cutting-edge world of functional ingredients with Andreas from Cubiq Foods. Discover how their innovative alternative fats are not only reducing calories and costs but also extending shelf life and creating healthier options without compromising taste. Learn why chefs, restaurateurs, and food manufacturers are embracing this game-changing technology—and how it could transform the way we eat. It’s innovation, science, and culinary creat...
Nov 17, 2024•40 min
In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , Jay and Dom are joined by David Hopkins, president and founder of The Fifteen Group—a company known for transforming restaurants across Canada. David shares insights from his extensive experience helping restaurants thrive, even amid economic challenges and industry shifts. They dive into the complexities of profitability, discuss the true impact of inflation and tipping culture on customer experience, and explore the future of the restaurant i...
Nov 11, 2024•57 min
On this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , Jay and Dominic sit down with Stacey and Meg, the dynamic duo behind Cut Cooking , a Calgary-based company shaking things up in the gluten-free world. With their signature mix of humour and industry know-how, Jay and Dominic explore the story behind Cut Cooking —from its humble beginnings to its growing success. They dig into everything from gluten-free recipe challenges to the tough lessons of entrepreneurship, showing how Stacey and Meg trans...
Nov 08, 2024•47 min
Join Jay and Dominic on The Late Night Restaurant Show as they return from a short break to chat with guest Kenneth Scharlatt, a seasoned consultant in hotel food and beverage, currently bringing fresh perspectives to hospitality venues. In this episode, Kenneth shares insights into how the hotel dining experience is evolving, moving away from standardized corporate menus to embrace unique, local flavours that resonate with today's travellers. They discuss the potential for hotels to better enga...
Nov 04, 2024•44 min
In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , Jay and Dominic welcome Sebastian, a marketing expert with deep roots in the restaurant industry. They explore the challenges and strategies of effective restaurant marketing, diving into why understanding the business from the ground up makes all the difference. From building a solid brand foundation to the pros and cons of hiring in-house versus agencies, this episode offers actionable insights for restaurateurs. Whether you're running a cozy...
Oct 11, 2024•40 min
Dive into the story of Canadian hospitality’s biggest success: The Canadian Brewhouse. Hosts Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla sit down with Pat Keddie, the driving force behind the Brewhouse's rapid expansion and unmatched energy. From humble beginnings to becoming a nationwide sensation, Pat shares insights into what makes the Brewhouse a leader in the industry. With a mix of laughter, real talk, and the inside scoop on Alberta's thriving food scene, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passi...
Oct 07, 2024•32 min
In this special edition of The Late Night Restaurant Show , hosts Jay Ashton and Domenic Pedulla sit down with one of the most influential chefs in the world, Chef David Burke. Known for his culinary genius and creative concepts, Chef Burke has made his mark with over twenty global restaurantsPlease tune, from New York to North Carolina and even Saudi Arabia. In this candid conversation, Chef Burke dives into the challenges of running multiple restaurants, the evolution of the chef’s role in mod...
Sep 29, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla welcome Adam Waxman, an influential figure in Canadian media, to discuss the profound legacy of his family and their iconic publication, Dine Magazine . From stories of Adam’s own travels and culinary experiences to the three generations of Waxmans involved in the Stratford Festival, the episode paints a vivid picture of their love for food, storytelling, and authenticity. Adam shares insight into the evolving wor...
Sep 25, 2024•58 min
In this vibrant and dynamic episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , hosts sit down with special guest, Cy from Straightaway Spirits. With stories that whisk you from Portland's most iconic bars to prohibition-era cocktail traditions, Cy shares how Straightaway crafts its award-winning cocktails and the magic behind their authentic ingredients. From making bitters to crafting Amaro, this episode uncorks the secrets to creating some of the finest pre-batched cocktails on the market. Tune in fo...
Sep 16, 2024•59 min
In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show , Jay and Domenic sit down with Joe Carlucci, a pizza champion and hospitality expert who shares his incredible journey from failure to success. Joe shares his leadership philosophy, focusing on servant leadership, empowering his team, and creating a positive work environment. From winning prestigious pizza awards to fostering a culture of respect and dedication in his restaurant, Joe's story is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about eg...
Sep 15, 2024•1 hr
In this episode, Jay and Dominic sit down with Siler and Amber Chapman, the dynamic duo behind King of Fire, a four-time world pizza champion team. From Siler’s early days tossing pizzas to becoming a global icon, and Amber’s journey from oncology to running one of the most beloved pizza businesses, this episode uncovers the personal and professional stories that shaped their success. They discuss their unique approach to pizza-making, what it takes to compete globally, and how they blend qualit...
Sep 09, 2024•54 min
Join us on The Late Night Restaurant Show as we welcome the iconic Sara Waxman, the publisher and editor-in-chief of DINE Magazine . With a career spanning over 40 years, Sara shares her journey from a renowned food and travel writer to creating one of Canada's top culinary magazines. We dive into her inspiring transition from print to digital, her passion for food, and the impact of her family-run business. Don't miss this episode as Sara brings her incredible stories to life, blending her expe...
Sep 09, 2024•55 min
In this episode of the Late Night Restaurant Show , Jay and Domenic welcome Angelo Esposito, the CEO of WISK, a cutting-edge beverage and food management platform designed for restaurants and bars. Angelo shares his journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial family in Montreal to founding WISK, a company that’s revolutionizing inventory management in the hospitality industry. The conversation dives into the challenges of traditional inventory methods, the evolution of WISK, and the impact of ...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of "The Late Night Restaurant Show," Jay sits down with Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, to discuss the organization's groundbreaking efforts in reducing food waste across Canada. Lori shares her journey from working in hospitality to leading Second Harvest, highlighting the massive impact the organization has had on food recovery and distribution. The conversation reviews the staggering statistics of food waste in Canada, where 58% of all food produced is lost or wasted. Lori...
Aug 31, 2024•49 min
Rebecca Berry, a prominent figure at the National Restaurant Association, stands at the forefront of this educational revolution with ServSuccess . This program isn't just another training module; it's a career lifeline for industry professionals. learn more about ServSuccess
Aug 26, 2024•45 min
We’re back with another exciting episode, live from New York! This week, we sit down with Abhinav Kapur , CEO of Bikky , to dive deep into how data is transforming the restaurant industry. If you’re passionate about hospitality, food, and all things restaurant-related, you won’t want to miss this one!
Aug 25, 2024•45 min
In this episode of "The Late Night Restaurant Show," hosts Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla take listeners on a journey to Australia, where they explore the power of storytelling in the restaurant industry with special guest Jewels Nistico, also known as Storyteller Jewels. The discussion dives into why storytelling is crucial for businesses, particularly in the highly competitive food service sector. Jewels shares insights on how restaurants can stand out by telling authentic stories that resonat...
Aug 25, 2024•1 hr 12 min
