https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoE6VJ-R7LU&t=108s Today, we’re highlighting Josh's appearance on Restaurant Unstoppable with host Eric Cacciatore. This insightful repost episode explores the critical foundations of successful restaurant operations. Josh breaks down the essential elements of running a restaurant from pre-sale planning through post-sale execution, emphasizing how consistency in food preparation and explicit recipe communication can make or break an establishment's success. Th...
Aug 12, 2025•1 hr 46 min
#104. In this episode, Josh sits down with chefs Shawn Aoki and Ryan Harris to explore their journey from working in hotels to running a successful culinary consultancy in Dubai's dynamic food scene. They dive into the unique challenges of menu development, ingredient sourcing, and the competitive nature of the culinary community in Dubai. Throughout the conversation, Shawn, Ryan, and Josh discuss the importance of understanding client needs while developing new culinary concepts, emphasizing ho...
Jul 29, 2025•56 min•Ep. 104
#103. Join Josh as he sits down with the innovative duo behind Tilit, Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman, to explore how they've revolutionized chef workwear through community-driven design and authentic hospitality connections. The founders share their formative experiences working within the hospitality industry, including pivotal moments at Commander's Palace and culinary adventures throughout New Orleans that shaped their understanding of what chefs truly need from their workwear. They reveal th...
Jul 15, 2025•49 min•Ep. 103
#102. In this episode, Josh sits down with Gavin Kaysen—the award-winning chef and founder of Soigné Hospitality Group in Minneapolis. Gavin reflects on his upbringing, his mentors like Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller, and how their examples—especially around discipline and curiosity—shaped not only his cooking but his approach to business and people. Whether it’s developing young talent, opening new concepts, or coaching Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or, Gavin shares what drives him: a deep belief i...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 102
#101. Josh sits down with chef Dan Kluger (Loring Place, Greywind) for a candid conversation about the evolving dynamics of professional kitchens, and what it really takes to lead with both creativity and clarity. Drawing from decades of experience at restaurants like Tabla, ABC Kitchen, and beyond, Dan shares hard-earned insights into how kitchen culture has shifted and why communication, structure, and empathy are more important than ever. The discussion dives deep into the ways social media h...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 101
#100. In this episode, Josh sits down with acclaimed chef and pastry talent Shawn Gawle—owner of the newly opened restaurant, Camaraderie, in Houston. Josh and Shawn delve into the complex dynamics of leadership in high-pressure kitchens, exploring how early culinary experiences influence career paths, the role of mentorship in professional growth, and the creative challenges of transitioning from savory cooking to pastry. Throughout the conversation, Shawn shares what inspired him to build a re...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 100
#99. In this episode, Josh sits down with Chad Brauze, Culinary Director at Sweetgreen, to unpack the complex world of culinary leadership in the fast-casual space. Chad shares fascinating insights into Sweetgreen's collaborative recipe development process—from initial concept ideation to rigorous testing and market launches. Listeners will get an exclusive glimpse into how culinary teams navigate the tension between boundless creativity and real-world operational constraints, with Chad revealin...
May 27, 2025•43 min•Ep. 99
#98. Fred Castellucci, CEO of Castellucci Hospitality Group, joins Josh on The meez Podcast to share the extraordinary journey from his family’s modest beginnings to building one of the most celebrated restaurant groups in Atlanta. In this episode, Fred opens up about growing up in his father’s restaurant, the devastating loss that led his family to start over in Georgia, and how those early challenges shaped his approach to leadership and hospitality. He shares lessons from turning around faili...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 98
#97. In this deep-dive episode, Josh sits down with Alex Sambvani to explore how AI is revolutionizing customer experiences in the restaurant industry. Alex shares valuable insights from his work at Slang and draws parallels to his time at Spotify, highlighting how personalization drives engagement across different sectors. They delve into the distinction between conversational and agentic AI, with Alex dispelling common misconceptions while emphasizing that well-implemented AI enhances rather t...
May 13, 2025•49 min•Ep. 97
#96. This week on The meez Podcast , host Josh Sharkey sits down with Rachael Nemeth, CEO and co-founder of Opus, for a candid and insightful conversation that challenges outdated ideas about restaurant training and explores what truly drives team performance, profitability, and sustainable business growth. Drawing on her early experiences in bakeries, fine dining, and building an ESL training tool for restaurants, Rachael shares how these foundations led to Opus’s broader mission: empowering th...
May 06, 2025•57 min•Ep. 96
#95. In this episode of The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with Ben Pryor, a former restaurant operator turned tech leader at Fourtop, to explore the real-world impact of AI in the hospitality industry—and why it should empower teams, not replace them. With more than 30 years of experience running restaurants like Noodles & Co., Brinker, and Dewey’s, Ben brings a sharp operator-first perspective to restaurant innovation. He unpacks his concept of “augmented intuition”—a rebrand of AI t...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 95
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR1hMlmuFNA&t=1s Today, we’re highlighting Josh's appearance on a standout episode of Digital Hospitality with host Shawn Walchef. They explore the power of storytelling in business, the surprising ROI of podcasting, and the evolving world of restaurant tech. From menu engineering to system integration, the conversation dives deep into the real-world challenges restaurant owners face—including the lessons that only come through failure. Josh also speaks candid...
Apr 22, 2025•37 min
#94. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Josh Kopel, restaurateur, consultant, speaker, and former President of the California Restaurant Association, whose story is one of transformation, from building a multimillion-dollar restaurant empire in Los Angeles to rethinking the way hospitality businesses are built and run. Kopel is best known for founding a Hollywood bar that became a local legend, launching a Michelin-awarded fine dining restaurant, and building an award-winning fast-casual...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 94
#93. In this episode, we explore how hospitality is evolving at the intersection of tradition and technology—through the lens of one of the industry’s most influential entrepreneurs. Ben Leventhal , Co-Founder of Eater and Resy and now Founder of Blackbird Labs, shares his journey from media to tech and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He reflects on the importance of brand identity, the power of storytelling, and the real challenges restaurants face in marketing, management, and scaling....
Apr 08, 2025•50 min•Ep. 93
#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 entrepr...
Apr 01, 2025•49 min•Season 3Ep. 92
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 fou...
Jan 07, 2025•41 min
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 ...
Dec 31, 2024•30 min
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 wo...
Dec 31, 2024•26 min
#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 a...
Dec 24, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 91
#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 boundari...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 90
#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...
Dec 10, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 89
#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 co...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 88
#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 app...
Nov 26, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 87
#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 ...
Nov 19, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 86
#85. In this episode of The meez Podcast, Keith Weaver shares his remarkable journey from Los Angeles to Shelbyville, Tennessee, and the role he’s played in shaping the legacy of Uncle Nearest Whiskey and longest bar in the world, Humble Baron . Keith dives into the creation of this iconic brand and explains what sets Tennessee whiskey apart from others, providing fascinating insights into the world of spirits. He also discusses his personal move to Shelbyville and his passion for giving back to...
Nov 12, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 85
#84. On this episode of The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey is joined by Emmy award-winning filmmaker, author, and burger historian George Motz . Known for his documentary "Hamburger America" and the accompanying guidebook, George shares how his fascination with burgers began and discusses the rise and fall of their popularity in America. They dive into some of the country’s most unique, lesser-known burgers and explore the origins of the iconic sandwich. George also talks about his restaurant, Hambu...
Nov 05, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 84
#83. In this episode of The meez Podcast , Josh Sharkey sits down with Jack McGarry, Managing Partner of world-renowned, The Dead Rabbit , for a deep dive into leadership in the restaurant and bar industry. Jack shares insights on building and scaling a globally recognized brand, including how he's led The Dead Rabbit to become one of the most awarded pubs in the world, with honors like Tales of the Cocktail awards and World’s 50 Best Bars titles. They also discuss the challenges of hiring in ho...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 83
#82. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey is joined by Brian Stubbs, owner of Genuine Article Bookkeeping . Brian Stubbs is a proud native of Oklahoma and studied Accounting at the University of Oklahoma, where he witnessed some very lucky football being played. Brian later moved to Austin. Brian worked in restaurants in a diverse number of roles and soon realized he could use his degree to significantly help restaurants thrive. Thus, Genuine Article was born. In this episode, ...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 82
#81. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey is joined by Jonathan Benno, Culinary Director of Four Twenty Five , to explore Jonathan’s remarkable culinary journey. It all began in high school, where his passion for cooking sparked a path that took him from Hawaii to culinary school, where he mastered his craft. With over 30 years of experience at some of the world's most renowned restaurants, including Per Se, Daniel, The French Laundry, and Gramercy Tavern, Jonathan shares the i...
Oct 15, 2024•54 min•Season 2Ep. 81
#80. In this episode of the meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with PJ Calapa, Executive Chef of Marea in NY and Beverly Hills. Chef PJ Calapa’s exposure to a broad range of cuisines and flavors began at an early age, having grown up in the Mexican border town of Brownsville, Texas. As a child, he joined his grandmother in the kitchen and later worked for his grandfather’s wholesale fish business. Calapa continued to nurture his culinary passion during undergraduate studies at Texas A&M Un...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 80
