Beyond The Plate a journey into the future as we discuss the trends shaping the restaurant landscape in 2024. From the kitchen to the front of the house, these 12 restaurant trends are set to redefine the way we dine. Whether you're a food enthusiast, industry professional, or just curious about the world of dining, this episode offers an exploration of the trends shaping the future of restaurants in the United States. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confi...
Jan 26, 2024•33 min•Season 6Ep. 273
A dead plate is a dish of food that is unservable, either because a customer sent it back or because it was prepared incorrectly. Dead plates are usually considered fair game for servers or cooks to eat, but it depends on the restaurant's policy. There are few things more frustrating than wasting food and disrupting the kitchen because a plate sat for too long in the window 🚨 What You'll Discover: What happens to food that has been made incorrectly What happens to your dish when you send it bac...
Jan 18, 2024•23 min•Season 6Ep. 272
The restaurant business is fiercely competitive. Many restaurants allow guests bad behavior to maintain revenue. I maintain that is a bit of bad business and today's show will reveal poor etiquette that restaurant guests often do that restaurants would love to correct. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/ More Info https://www.themodernwaiter.com/ See Privacy Policy at https...
Jan 11, 2024•30 min•Season 6Ep. 271
Working in a restaurant can be a rewarding job, but it also comes with its fair share of hazards and challenges. In this episode, guest John Demeglio discuss work place hazards and workers Comp. We take you behind the scenes to explore the hazards and struggles that waiters, bartenders, and chefs encounter daily. From juggling overloaded trays to navigating through spills and broken glass, the service industry is rife with hidden dangers that often go unnoticed. *Our experience not legal advice*...
Jan 05, 2024•35 min•Season 6Ep. 270
As a guest dining at a restaurant, you have done your research and made your reservation. The work is almost done. Upon arrival it is time to set your expectations for the evening and be open to allowing the restaurant staff to facilitate an excellent time. Some restaurant guests get in the way of having a great experience. In this week’s restaurant podcast I recount my experience with a problem table. It started with them telling me one thing and expecting another. Things turned sour and I had ...
Dec 28, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 269
Restaurant kitchens are a fast-paced environment with, sharp objects, fire, and pressure. Chef Eduardo Espiritu joins this week’s restaurant podcast and gives us a peek into his work and his life. For those who have never worked in a kitchen, Chef gives you the raw reality about the lifestyle. How did he get his start? What does he think about service? How does he cope with the long hours and the scars. Thanks Chef for telling it all. Guest: Chef Eduardo Espiritu Watch us on YouTube https://www....
Dec 21, 2023•35 min•Season 6Ep. 268
What are the top five professions that work on holidays? If you are among these five professions you work holidays including Christmas. While working on holidays can be a necessity in many professions, there are certain drawbacks and challenges that employees may face. We will discuss the pros and cons of working on holidays. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/ More Info ht...
Dec 14, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 267
What is it like to return to serving after 20 years behind the keyboard? Author and journalist Megan Fox shares her adventures as a restaurant waitress. Why would anyone leave a desk to deal with the physical challenges of restaurant work? Find out why she had to take on the role. Guest: Megan Fox https://pjmedia.com/columnist/megan-fox/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-fox-028984115/ https://MeganFox.Locals.com Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmatio...
Dec 08, 2023•39 min•Season 6Ep. 266
What has it been like podcasting over the last year all the while working in the service industry. We look back at our years in the restaurant and podcasting as we kick off our 6th year doing the show. We share the challenges we encountered working in the restaurant and doing this podcast. Also we look back on some favorite guests that knocked it out of the park for us. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ...
Nov 30, 2023•30 min•Season 6Ep. 265
In this week’s restaurant podcast we begin our series on successful bars and restaurants by profiling the World Famous Parrot Lounge in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. We pay them a visit on one of their busiest nights and observe operationally what they do right. Later on in the show we discuss how they stay connected to their community. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/ More In...
Nov 24, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 264
Drafting the best holiday food may sound easy, however once your favorite thanksgiving food is off the board it can not be repeated. Danny and I are joined by guest, Nohemie Pascal. Our goal is to make the best plate by picking our favorites holiday foods draft style. Once that item has been drafted it is blocked from being picked by the others. Can we make a desirable cohesive plate? Don’t miss the curveballs we throw at each other as we compete in our 4th Annual Thanksgiving Food Draft. Watch ...
Nov 17, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 263
In this week’s restaurant podcast we discuss the apparent comeback of the chain restaurant. When was the last time you ate at a chain like Chili’s, Olive Garden or TGI Friday’s? The popularity of casual restaurant chains is not what it used to be. They were already on the decline before the dip of 2020. Many locations rebranded in an effort to capture diners 18 - 35. If you have not been to a fast casual restaurant lately then you would assume they were all but dead. Are they? Credit: Amy McCart...
Nov 09, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 262
Danny and I take a trip to downtown Nashville. In this week’s restaurant podcast we relay our experience from a food and service perspective. Nashville is a place for music, food and bars. Nashville’s Broadway strip and Printer’s Alley offers more bars and restaurants than anyone can handle. We were up for the challenge. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/ More Info https:/...
Nov 03, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 261
Since its introduction in 2003 and over the last 20 years, the iconic beverage has had an influence on the coffee industry, pop culture, and everything in between. In this week’s restaurant podcast we discuss how the Pumpkin Spice Late has become a phenomenon in seasonal or LTO limited time offers. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/ More Info https://www.themodernwaiter.co...
Oct 25, 2023•16 min•Season 5Ep. 260
In this week’s restaurant podcast guest Aimee shares her experience leaving one restaurant for another. Starting over can be intimidating. You risk comfort and seniority for more money and perhaps better work conditions. Taking a leap of faith is necessary to level up. What are the major concerns when letting go of your restaurant job? Crucial factors include, the location and commute, Sidework, how you will be paid, and the culture. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpo...
Oct 18, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 259
Learn how to spot problem customers right away. We will teach you how to listen to the right key words that raise the alarm bells of caution. In this week’s restaurant podcast Kaela Contrada joins the show once again. We pour over the most popular things restaurant guest say that are red flags. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/ More Info https://www.themodernwaiter.com/ S...
Oct 12, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 258
In this week’s restaurant podcast Kaela Contrada-Ray joins the show and shares the things she learned from working in the service industry. What are the skills we learn in the restaurant industry that translate to other careers? Transferrable skills can include... Customer Service: This includes being polite, friendly, and attentive to customer needs. Communication Skills: Clear communication is key, both with customers and with kitchen staff. Organization: Restaurants can be busy and hectic env...
Oct 04, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 257
What are the key points of service in a hotel? 14 year veteran Ryan Hanson stops by to share his experience with us. From room service to banquets we get a great perspective on the differences between hotel service and standard restaurants. Hotel restaurants often cater to in-house guests, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and may also offer room service. Additionally there is a variety of venues such as pools, and banquets that cater to guests. In contrast, regular restaurants primarily foc...
Sep 28, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 256
Whenever we travel we like to relay our adventures in the context of food and services. On this week’s episode, Danny shares his experiences while on a bachelor party to Atlantic City. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Sep 20, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 255
This restaurant podcast episode is the conclusion of the breakfast cereal bracket. Which cereal is your favorite and did it make it all the way to number one? Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/ More Info https://www.themodernwaiter.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Sep 15, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 254
The top 50 breakfast cereal bracket is here. In a quest to discover which is the number 1 breakfast cereal of all time. We have listed all of Americas favorite cereals, placed them into a tournament style bracket and debated winners based on taste, nostalgia and popularity. Cereal fans get ready to relive your childhood. Are your favorites on the list? Are you ready to find new ones to try? Grab your spoon and milk, and let's dive into the world of breakfast cereal. Remember to, share, and subsc...
Sep 08, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 253
Life's most fun moments are often found in the simplest pleasures. Sipping on something delightful while the sun is up is one of them. In this week's podcast we discuss Day Drinking. What are the most popular activities that lead to drinking during the day? We close out the show with the most popular beverages drink while doing so. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 31, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 252
In this week's episode of the restaurant podcast, we have the pleasure of hosting Webb Pascal as our special guest. Webb takes us through his remarkable transition from his role in the kitchen to becoming a figure in the dining area. Delving into his experiences, Webb opens up about the challenges he encountered on his path to securing a front-of-house position. We also gain insight into Webb's perspective on servers during his time working in the back of the house. As the conversation unfolds, ...
Aug 24, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 251
On this week’s restaurant podcast we continue our restaurant movie series with 1982 Diner. In this episode, we'll explore the directorial debut of Barry Levinson, who masterfully captures the authentic charm of Baltimore and the dynamics of friendship with wit, humor, and a touch of nostalgia. We'll dissect the unforgettable scenes, and relive the iconic banter. Starring a young and talented ensemble cast, including Steve Guttenberg, Daniel Stern, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Tim Daly, and Ellen ...
Aug 17, 2023•37 min•Season 5Ep. 250
On this week’s restaurant podcast we play the game Smash, Pass, or Trash. Jay Salonga joins us in studio once again as we discuss our absolute favorite drinks; Smash. Drinks we can take it or leave it; Pass. And finally drinks we absolutely hate to drink; Trash. Some drinks on the list create a cross fire and someone gets offended. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/ More I...
Aug 10, 2023•40 min•Season 5Ep. 249
On this week’s restaurant podcast we have something juicy and refreshing in store for you. We celebrate National Watermelon Day. August 3rd. We're diving headfirst into the juicy world of watermelons today. From their history as one of the oldest cultivated fruits to their essential place at every summer picnic, the watermelon has a special spot in our hearts—and our bellies! So, join us on this mouthwatering journey as we celebrate all things watermelon!" So, grab a slice of watermelon, relax, ...
Aug 03, 2023•20 min•Season 5Ep. 248
Fortunately we have friend of the show, Jay Salonga join us. This time we have him in studio. As a closer at a high end sushi restaurant in Las Vegas, Jay shares what it is like for his closing duties. We have had Jay on the show several times on our trips to Vegas. It is always a treat to have a guest in studio. Watch us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@themodernwaiterpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themodernwaiterpodcast/ More Info https://www.the...
Jul 27, 2023•39 min•Season 5Ep. 247
How does seniority work in the restaurant? Seniority is generally linked to employee benefits, promotions and other opportunities. It is natural for longer tenured employees to be favored in general because they are often knowledgeable and they are a known quantity. There are however some downsides to heavily favoring seniority. It can sometimes hinder opportunities for more talented or skilled individuals who are relatively newer to the organization. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv...
Jul 20, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 246
What is it like to work the opening shift in a restaurant? In this week’s restaurant podcast Danny and I discuss what it is like on our opening shifts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Jul 11, 2023•37 min•Season 5Ep. 245
In this week’s restaurant podcast Danny and I are answering questions we get most about working in the restaurant. Some questions are personal, some answers may surprise you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Jul 06, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 244