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,...
May 20, 2025•35 min•Season 6Ep. 94
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 , replaci...
Mar 25, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 93
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...
Mar 10, 2025•30 min•Season 6Ep. 92
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...
Mar 04, 2025•38 min•Season 6Ep. 91
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...
Feb 25, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 90
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 c...
Feb 18, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 89
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...
Feb 11, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 88
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...
Feb 04, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 87
This podcast features an enlightening discussion between Skip Kimpel and Fabio Zaniboni, focusing on the integration of IoT technology within the hospitality sector and its profound implications for sustainability and energy efficiency. Fabio, with his extensive experience in engineering and innovation, articulates how IoT devices serve as a game-changer for hotels and restaurants aiming to reduce their energy consumption while simultaneously enhancing the guest experience. The narrative highlig...
Jan 28, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 86
Ken Gavranovic joins the podcast to discuss the transformative power of AI and digital tools in the hospitality industry. He highlights how many companies struggle with digital transformation due to a lack of clarity on outcomes and insufficient leadership commitment. Drawing from his extensive experience with iconic brands, Ken emphasizes that technology should enhance human connections rather than replace them. He introduces Product Genius, a tool designed to capture real-time guest feedback a...
Jan 21, 2025•29 min•Season 6Ep. 85
Skip Kimpel welcomes Brandon McRrill, co-founder and CEO of 5Out, to delve into the transformative role of machine learning (ML) in the hospitality industry. As the conversation unfolds, McRrill shares his extensive background in the restaurant sector, which began at the tender age of 15. His journey through various prestigious establishments laid the groundwork for his current endeavor, where he aims to harness data to enhance operational efficiency in restaurants. A key theme of the discussion...
Jan 14, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 84
Mike Blake joins Skip Kimpel on the Tech Chef Podcast to share his insights on the evolving landscape of hospitality technology. As Vice President of Information Technology at KemperSports, Mike draws from his extensive experience in the industry, highlighting the critical importance of strategic leadership in implementing technology solutions that enhance operational excellence. The conversation begins with Mike recounting his transition from finance to IT, where he became a specialist in under...
Jan 07, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 83
The Tech Chef Podcast welcomes Tony Bevilacqua, founder and CEO of Cognitive3D, who dives deep into the transformative potential of spatial analytics and immersive technologies in the hospitality industry. With a focus on maximizing ROI through data collection, Tony explains how Cognitive3D's platform uniquely measures human behavior in virtual and augmented reality environments. By utilizing spatial intelligence, businesses can gather actionable insights that not only enhance training but also ...
Dec 17, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 82
Today, we delve deep into the world of hospitality technology, this episode features an engaging dialogue between Skip Kimpel and Michael Cohen, the Managing Partner of Growth Advisors International Network (GAIN). The discussion begins with a reflection on the challenges faced by the hospitality sector in the wake of the pandemic, particularly regarding staffing shortages and a lack of technological adaptation. Cohen stresses the urgency for businesses to embrace innovation, arguing that those ...
Dec 10, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 81
This podcast episode dives into the transformative potential of Extended Reality (XR) within the hospitality industry, highlighting how technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality can enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and drive sustainable growth. Host Skip Kimpel shares insights on the importance of integrating innovative technologies to keep pace with evolving consumer expectations and market trends. He discusses the launch of Magicgate, a consulting...
Nov 19, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 80
Skip Kimpel welcomes John Cunningham to the Tech Chef Podcast to delve into the transformative world of Extended Reality (XR) and its implications for various industries, particularly hospitality. Cunningham, a seasoned expert in the XR field, shares his extensive background, including his military experience and roles in significant tech companies. He emphasizes the rapid evolution of XR technologies and their growing accessibility, paving the way for widespread adoption across sectors. The dis...
Nov 12, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 79
This podcast episode features an exciting announcement about the integration of Nomad Go's innovative inventory management technology with PAR Technology's Data Central platform. David Greshler, CEO of Nomad Go, and Paul Rubin, Chief Strategy Officer at PAR, discuss how their collaboration aims to revolutionize the restaurant industry's approach to inventory counting. With Nomad Go's solution, operators can count their inventory more efficiently and accurately using just an iPhone or iPad, signi...
Nov 05, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 78
Joining the show today, I am excited to have Troy Hooper , Chief Executive Officer at Hot Palette America . Troy Hooper joined Pepper Lunch as one of the three global business unit CEO’s for the brand, and oversees Pepper Lunch’s parent company in North America, Hot Palette America. Troy brings 30 years of unparalleled experience in hospitality, operations management and executive leadership to this role, which has fueled Pepper Lunch’s infrastructure development, growth efforts, and brand deliv...
Aug 15, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 77
Back with us today is Managing Director of ConStrata Consulting , Mr. Toby Malbec. This episode is dedicated to the two hospitality shows that recently happened, the industry standard, HITEC , brought to you by HFTP , which was held in Toronto and the brand new Hospitality Show put on by AHLA in Las Vegas at the Venetian Hotel. Both of these shows happened at the same exact time, so Toby and I decided to divide and conquer as so many others did as well. Today’s recap will highlight overall archi...
Jul 18, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 76
Joining the show today is our special guest, Nabeel , CEO and Co-Founder of Lunchbox . Nabeel was born in Bangladesh, moved to Kuwait 7 years later, and to Queens, New York 7 years after that. Nabeel began his career as the first busboy at the Bareburger flagship store in Astoria, and spent his free time devising marketing objectives for the CEO. In 2019 he founded Lunchbox, a next-gen online ordering company, that was built out of the frustration of trying to build his own digital ordering syst...
Jun 20, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 75
Joining the show today is Aaron Hoffman, Co-Founder & Head of Strategy at DeliverThat - a white label, last-mile delivery platform focused on catering delivery and setup. Aaron and I break down what a successful delivery operation looks like for your business: best practices, process changes, considerations for success and so much more. We will also dig deeper into the catering side of the restaurant business and how this can be a game changer if you not spending much time and effort to perf...
Jun 06, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 74
Joining the show today are two individuals who I am sure you have seen all over social media and at conferences if your business is restaurants and technology. Carl Orsbourn and Meredith Sandland join the show to talk about their new book, “ Delivering the Digital Restaurant; The Path to Digital Maturity .” This falls on the heels of the must have book from last year, “Delivering the Digital Restaurant: Your Roadmap to the Future of Food.” Meredith Sandland is the CEO of Empower Delivery , a sof...
Apr 11, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 73
I have an unbelievable treat for you today with another industry rockstar; the man, that I have heard many times before, to have the Midas touch because he has the reputation that everything he touches turns to gold. At this point, you are saying to yourself, “who is this person.” Today, the one and only, Chris Artinian joins us to talk about technology through the years and his personal formula for a successful organization. Chris serves as President & CEO at Condado Tacos and Tequila , an ...
Apr 04, 2023•30 min•Season 4Ep. 72
Today, I have another special guest that I recorded while I was at MURTEC recently. Kevin Seo and I had the opportunity to present a fire chat at the show on the Metaverse 101. I thought it only fair to sit down with him and record, 1-on-1, for all of you, our thoughts on this matter and share it here on this show. Kevin is truly a superstar in this space. He started in Fortune 500, leading to side hustling through e-commerce and into start-ups, always being the loudest brand voice in the room. ...
Mar 28, 2023•32 min•Season 4Ep. 71
Today, as promised, is our 2023 MURTEC recap show. It was a short two weeks ago we were gathered together at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas right in the middle of one of the best conferences I have been to in a very long time. Anybody who has listened to this show for any length of time knows that a recap show is a must for anybody who did not have a chance to attend OR did not have a chance to see all the sessions. Having said that, time is too short on this show to talk about every single fire c...
Mar 21, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 70
I have to say, once again, that MURTEC was amazing in many ways. As a matter of fact, I had promised you a Toby and Skip MURTEC recap show, however, we had so many great networking opportunities and vendor discussions that we are still catching up from the show! Having said that, we WILL bring you that re-cap episode but it will have to wait another week. However, I am brining you another special episode today which I also recorded at MURTEC with my good friend, Robert Peterson to talk about som...
Mar 14, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 69
For all of you that saw me speak over the past couple of days, I hope you enjoyed yourselves. You were fun and engaged audiences! Web3 and the metaverse can really stoke different thoughts and emotions in people and I had fun exploring the technology as a whole with you and hearing YOUR thoughts on where this technology is headed. It is still the wild west out there when it comes to these topics, and we have yet to see where it all lands. Hopefully you had some good takeaways and are challenging...
Mar 07, 2023•32 min•Season 4Ep. 68
The conference season has officially kicked in and I will be seeing many of you this next week. Starting off on Sunday, I will be speaking at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York that will be held at the Javits Center . I will be talking about how technology is changing the landscape of restaurants and digging into the world of web3 and how it could change the way you approach the concept of loyalty with your guest. If you are attending this show, I will be speaking at...
Feb 28, 2023•39 min•Season 4Ep. 67
Well, I think I am finally done traveling for business for the year AND I believe I have been to my last two conferences of the year since we last chatted. I was down the road from my home here in Ft Lauderdale and attended HT-Next as well as the Immerse Global Summit . I have to tell you, both of these conferences were amazing and I spent the two days down in Miami conference hopping as they were both in the same building. To be honest with you, it was not my intention to go to the Immerse conf...
Dec 12, 2022•33 min•Season 3Ep. 66
I hope you had a FANTASTIC Thanksgiving week last week. Hopefully you were able to get some extra time off to spend with your friends and family. I know that in our industries, that may have been your busiest time and that may not have been possible. For those of you lucky ones that DID have time off, now it is “go-time” to prepare for Christmas and the holidays next month. Since we last spoke I attended the Digital Signage Experience along with the Restaurant Finance and Development Conference....
Nov 29, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 65
