Join Chef Pete Blohme as he travels the globe, interviewing chefs both in studio and on-location!

Hot Off the Press Podcast

Evan Mathis

This week's episode is smokin' hot, so if grilling and barbecuing lights your fire, you're going to especially love it, as Chef Pete sits down with the Mama of Meats Misty Bachero - best known on Instagram as the popular account Seattle Butcher's Wife, where she shares and showcases smokin' and sizzlin' sustenance to over 50,000 people across the globe and schools them on how simple it is to start cooking with live fire. Of course, she has bone-a fide credentials in the metier of meats, as her husband Angelo is a fourth-generation butcher boss at Mondo & Sons, home of the famous and well-loved Banchero sausage that remains a highly-guarded family secret that should be put in the vault with the Original Coca-Cola recipe and the Colonel's 13 herbs and spices. They also custom-craft hams, bacon and other mouthwatering meat products while also making sure everything stays as sustainable and locally sourced as possible. Misty talks to Chef Pete about how she got going in the grilling game, when she grabbed hold of a Traeger grill and it ... literally lit a fire for her to share her culinary creations and spotlight the family business and the hard work generations of Bancheros have put into it. And it's important to Misty to be a woman in the grilling and chilling world, as she feels that what she does helps more women feel more comfortable and confident in using a grill or smoker - the Spice Girls had "Girl Power"; should Misty's be "Grill Power"? "Grill Girl Power"? Let us know in the comments... Misty also takes on her role as the baroness of branding, taking you through ways to get support for your brand, collaboration advice and how to blend your brand with other partners while still keeping your individual feel and flavor - and she reminds us all that what we do should be about passion and love, not just making a buck or two. This week's episode is stuffed full of spicy, smoky sweetness, so sit down and enjoy the experience.   Connect with Misty Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink, 

Misty

 Grab your glass and let's raise a toast for this week's special guest Michael Tipps, master mixologist and expert from the hit TV show "Bar Rescue," as he and our humble host Panini Pete pop some bottles and serve up some sensational soundbytes that will be a handcrafted cocktail for your ears. With over 26 years of experience in the hospitality world throughout hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs - our guy Michael has done it all, from tending bar to managing some of the country's biggest and best venues. His story starts in South Florida, where he quickly rose through the ranks in an assortment of front of house positions in the food and libation game, but young Michael had his sights set on the capital of the culinary world: New York City. At the tender age of 19, he packed up and headed to the Big Apple, eventually landing a grand gig behind the bar at the prestigious Tribeca Grand Hotel. Through hard work and his inherent skills and unique abilities, this wunderkind was whisked into a plum managerial role - not an easy feat for someone so young - and he wowed the brass by creating and implementing multiple food and beverage programs that increased revenue while decreasing costs ... but without sacrificing quality. His innovations in improving guest services and getting greater returns from his staff are tremendous tips that shouldn't be missed. And, of course, he then heads to "Bar Rescue," but his champagne dreams of TV stardom and fame turn to warm beer realities after he has to leave the show. Down and out, he's not too proud to admit he had to beg for bar and hosting jobs for pennies on the dollar to try to get back on his feet. But, our boy Michael ain't a quitter - and through hard work and getting his hands dirty, he's got up out of the gastro gutter and slugged his way back to being the best and brightest in the bartending business. He maneuvered his way into the "Mixology" craze through the help and guidance of Sasha Petraske (of Milk & Honey fame, of course) and used his sharp mind and hardworking hands to bring the class back to the classic cocktail. Now, he travels all over the country, sharing his wisdom as a consultant to help every eatery he can find ways to construct captivating culinary and cocktail creations while also building a better sense of how to serve their community better. The shots of savvy suggestions he serves about entrepreneurial spirit, investing intentionally, and the art of serving will have you clamoring for one more round before the podcast hits last call. And, don't worry - you won't need a chaser for this week's episode: from start to finish, it goes down smooth and sweet. Here's cheers!   Connect with Michael: Instagram Invictus Hospitality Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink, 

Michael Tipps

 This week's episode features a guest that has an important connection to Chef Pete's life and ... well... to people who love paninis in general since he's apparently related to the guy who invented our favorite pressed sandwich: Chef Brent Lahaye, owner of Noodles Panini in Fort Lauderdale. His career is a family tradition, as his dad is one of the founders of the legendary Fort Lauderdale spot and Florida icon "Shooters on the Water," which has a special place in our host's history, as Chef Pete worked there early in his career as a busboy. Brent began his career working at "Club Dallas," his father's night club and then joined the team that helped launch the Shooters restaurant, which continues to set the Florida culinary world ablaze year after year. But, he and Chef Pete will go into their shared history with that benevolent bar and institution in a way that will make you feel reminiscent of a good ol' fashioned family reunion - without the worry of Aunt Mildred and her nasty potato salad with the raisins in it. Brent will also discuss his culinary school journey and several other stops along the way (you know we're #TeamNoSpoilers here) before opening Noodles Panini, a place of his own that he might have had an old friend come to help advise him with along the way ... couldn't possibly think of who that might be, but his name might rhyme with Shmanini Shmete. Apart from the tidal wave of nostalgia in this week's episode, you'll also get advice on how to navigate the path to your desires and how to build the business of your dreams even while fighting the vampires of self-doubt, lack of fulfillment and decision questioning. You definitely don't want to be the only family member not at the old homestead for this week's The Raw Ingredients, so go throw on your reunion t-shirt, come on down, grab a plate and get ready for some hemming, hawing, hilarity and helpful hints. And we'll make sure Aunt Mildred can't get in - seriously, that potato salad might actually be a war crime...   Connect with Brent: Noodles Panini Website Noodles Panini Instagram Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink, 

Chef Brent Lahaye

This week, Chef Pete's special guest is a new friend and boss barbecue blogger Dan Phelps of Learning to Smoke. Dan's blog brings barbecue best practices right to your fingertips on your phone or tablet and his Instagram account (also Learning to Smoke) is just straight up droolworthy and will have you begging for brisket and pleading for pork. Much like the U.S. Mail service, neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night will stop Dan from his appointed task - giving the Good Word about the Gospel of Barbecue. He is meticulous about everything he does and showcases, taking special care in developing his recipes and being selective and honest about the products he reviews. This innovative influencer takes us through the trials and errors of getting to where you want to go and how to build a brand from the bottom floor up. This is not your typical episode of our podcast - it's definitely a different flavor, maybe with hints of mesquite ... hickory ... pecan ... whatever it is, it's smoky, it's spicy and you're going to want to come back for seconds, so listen in right now.   Connect with Dan: Instagram Learning to Smoke Website Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink, 

Dan Phelps

 This week on The Raw Ingredients, Chef Pete shoots straight with a lady who truly is the Service in Food Service - the glorious Gloria Chabot - as they get to chew and chat about her 40-plus year expedition throughout the hills and valleys ... and Taverns on the Green ... of the food industry. Gloria knew she loved food service at a young age, but almost didn't enter the culinary kingdom because she wanted to be a teacher (We think she would have made a great teacher, but education's loss is culinary arts' gain). Thankfully, before she made the choice to teach the children well, high school aged Gloria got some good guidance from the great Chef Joe Baum, the CEO and Chef of landmark New York high-class icons Tavern on the Green and Windows on the World (Tavern on the Green was even featured in the cinematic classic Ghostbusters - you know you've made it in the gourmet game when your restaurant is in a film where Bill Murray battles ghosts and cracks wise ... even if your restaurant is the site where Rick Moranis' character gets turned into some kind of demon dog thing). From Chef Baum's good advice, she went on to the prestigious Johnson and Wales University, one of the crown jewels of culinary education, and has worked her way up the food industry ladder rung after rung ever since. From her roles at some major and popular restaurants to her providing perfect provisions and peace for all of her partners with food service mainstay Sodexo, Gloria's story is an epic journey that you will be educated, enlightened and entertained by, even if you aren't in the eatery employ. Her recipes for success in food service include teamwork, consistency, and, above all, abundant kindness that has helped her in a career where doors have opened that never seemed possible for her. And Pete's ol' pal Food Network legend and denizen of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Guy Fieri just might come up in the conversation - so we guess you'll have to listen to find out, won't you? Don't you dare pass this podcast plate - take a heaping helping of this week's episode and enjoy our scrumptious sermonizing. Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink, Connect with Gloria: Instagram , Facebook, Twitter 

Chef Gloria Chabot

 Executive Chef, "Private Chef to The Stars" & Author of "Beyond My Chef Coat" Kevin Des Chenes has over 24 years of experience in the Hospitality industry. He was named "Top Chef" by Las Vegas Food & Wine and is the winner of "Top Celebrity Chef Showdown" He has been a Chef Expert for Gordon Ramsey and appeared as a Featured Chef on Food Network's Chef Wanted, Great Food Truck Race & Beat Bobby Flay, as well as The Today Show, Nationally Syndicated Better Show, CT Style, Pickler & Ben, Fox Morning Show & The Rhode Show among others. He is also an advocate for such charities as Boston Children's Hospital & The Light Foundation.Chef Kevin's creativity in the kitchen & on the screen has not gone unnoticed. Having served as Executive Chef at such New England landmarks as 156 Bistro, Centro Martini & Washington Square Tavern, He has since Launched a successful Private Chef Company and is one of the most sought after Chef's in the industry, working with some great people including; John Legend, Giuliana Rancic, Kathie Lee & Hoda, Isiah Thomas, Jim Courier, Little Big Town, Various New England Patriots & Red Sox players and coaches, among others. You never know what he'll do next so keep your eyes peeled for this seasoned Chef, and if you find him in a city near you take your taste buds on an Epic Journey with Chef Kev D. Kevin's journey begins with cooking with his grandmother preparing family meals which set the tone for the rest of his life. What Kevin is passionate about still today is bringing people together around a good meal. Kevin and Pete talk about so many things on this episode that are valuable for everyone. Topics on today's episode are networking, conflict resolution, adjusting on the fly, building a brand and so much more that will help you gain the raw ingredients to be successful.   Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink, Connect With Kevin: Website, Instagram 

Chef Kevin Des Chenes

 Jamie is an entrepreneur, businessman, author and, of course, one of the sons of Southern cooking and lifestyle icon Paula Deen. With his mother and brother Bobby, they helped put Savannah cuisine into the national spotlight with the world-famous restaurant The Lady & Sons that had its humble beginnings as a bag lunch business in its early days. Not satisfied with just helping run one of the South's most successful restaurants, Jamie also owns Paula Deen's Creek House in Savannah, he and his famed family have been on several Food Network shows throughout the years, and he has written four books with his brother and 2013's Good Food solo, which is definitely a read you won't want to put down until you finish it. You'll love Pete's talk with Jamie this week as they dine on a variety of delicious details: whether its Jamie's humble beginnings in the food industry at 15 years old at a car auction house grilling up burgers, helping his mother go door-to-door across Savannah asking folks if they wanted to buy any of their home-cooked food for their start-up catering service "The Bag Lady" (Pro tip: if Paula Deen or any Deen family member shows up at your door asking if you want to buy their home-cooked food, you always, always say YES!) to building a Southern food syndicate that keeps satisfying and going strong. Jamie's tales of grit, drive and determination are a must-listen for any restaurant owner who needs that bit of inspiration to keep pushing forward - or anyone who needs a little life coaching on what it means to work hard and never give up. And, as we learn from the first-born Deen son, there is no such thing as instant success overnight - it takes time, talent, effort and hard work to build the foundation on which a culinary and cultural empire can be born. And don't miss Jamie's great guidance on attracting and keeping good employees - as he's had some of the folks working with him be a part of their Deen family for over two decades. These wise words aren't just for the restaurant ringleaders - there's a clear recipe for success here that any engaging enterprise definitely needs to know. We hope this is enough to whet your auditory appetite because this week's The Raw Ingredients isn't just an amuse bouche - it's the whole darn meal, Southern fried and Deen approved, so you know it'll be finger-lickin' good.   Connect with Jamie: Paula Deen Ventures  Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink, 

Jamie Deen

 Having trouble building a brand or staying on track with your existing brand? Grab your spoon and dig into this week’s episode of The Raw Ingredients, as Chef Pete Blohme sits down for a session with Brand Man of the Beach Brian Harsany, co-owner of four beloved Orange Beach mainstays – Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar, Maggie’s Bottle and ‘Tail, Luna’s Eat & Drink and BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets. Brian takes Chef Pete through his journey in the restaurant business – from his start as a fill-in table busser at a small restaurant in his teenage years to being the Game Changer of Gulf Coast Dining – and the ups and downs of owning and managing a highly seen and enjoyed culinary kingdom. His advice on launching and maintaining a brand is a must-listen and you need to write down everything you can during his and Chef Pete’s insights on creating a culture of cooperation to finally put an end to the Front of House/Back of House War that has been an unfortunate mainstay of the restaurant business for centuries – peace in our time. So, don’t get full on other podcasts this week and skip this episode – you’ve earned the sweet treats and insights you’ll find inside.   Brian's Properties : Cosmos Restaurant and Bar Luna's Eat and Drink GT's on the Bay BuzzCatz Cobalt The Magnolia Hall Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink, 

Brian Harsney

Gorilla Rich is a fellow Mess Lord, Fellow Triple D family with Pete. Gorilla Rich has an amazing bbq stand located in a train-car in Pacifica, California.Featured on Food Networks Diners, Drive-In, and Dives (DDD), Gorilla BBQ offers a unique experience using fresh ingredients and slow cooked meats that melt in your mouth!    The nick-name “Gorilla” was given to Rich Bacchi by his dad. "I've always been a little bigger than normal!" Says Rich. His name, his personality, and his food are all large and in charge!    Rich Bacchi, a native Pacifica resident, comes from a long line of restaurateurs. His family owned and operated a restaurant just down the street from where Gorilla BBQ stands today. You could say he was raised to have his own spot and cook/BBQ some amazing food! Gorilla Barbeque LLC was officially established by Rich in 2006.    As mentioned above Rich’s parents owned a restaurant (which was a Mexican restaurant). All the way back since Rich can remember he was working at his family owned restaurant. The workforce consisted of his siblings, cousins, and the leaders were his mom and aunt. Because of his restaurant background his friends would always choose Rich as the one to cook. Most of the time his food of choice to cook would be BBQ.  The restaurant business was not Rich’s career of choice. Rich started out working for Track Magic traveling the country prepping and building racing go-carts. Rich started out as screwing in bolts to leading the team. While doing this Rich would BBQ for the team during events and such. However, once the company’s owner passed Track Magic met its demise. Shortly after Rich’s parents became ill and Rich needed to be closer to home. The train-car that now is the home of Gorilla BBQ became available and not knowing what he was going to use it for Rich bought the train-car. Then during a conversation with one of his friends the idea was born for Rich to open up a BBQ joint in the train-car.    Specific topics that Pete and Gorilla talk about in this episode are:  Be nice to the public. Teach your people to be nice to people. The small things matter. Overly communicate to your customers so they know what is going on and do not make assumptions. When customers make assumptions they are normally bad. You have to read your guest and tend to their needs. A hostess can walk people to a table, a bar tender can make great drinks, a server can get the order perfect, but can we make people feel welcomed? That is what makes restaurants great.    Consistency is key. It all starts with setting standards to say “I can’t allow this because it will hurt the business. Set standards and train your leaders to make sure all the employees live up to that standard. Even when employees say they can make it better and they change something it will hurt even if it’s good people will come in and say this isn’t what I get it’s different. People do not like change. Mastery is doing the same thing day in and day out.  How to overcome the struggle of COVID-19. Things like price increase of products, less staff, taking care of your facility (all good operators had clean facilities before COVID) That is just a glimpse of todays episode of “The Raw Ingredients” you will definitely want to listen to this conversation between Rich and Pete.  Links:  Connect with Rich: Instagram Facebook GorillaBBQ  Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink,

Chef Rich Bacchi AKA Gorilla

 Roy Clark is GM/ Craft Cocktail Bartender at the Haberdasher in Mobile, Alabama. The Haberdasher is downtown Mobile's go-to bar for craft cocktails and an ever-rotating selection of craft beer, and the city's best spirits list. Bartenders mix classic concoctions as well as fresh and inventive original and contemporary drinks. The food bar is open nightly serving a variety of fresh, handmade bar foods and more. Roy' started off his journey of Bartending at the Alabama Music Box (a large rock and roll and venue on the weekend and a normal bar during the week days. Next Roy friend hired him on at Taste which was a classic/craft cocktail and wine bar which was Roy's real introduction into the craft cocktail world. Then in 2012 Roy opened the Haberdasher in 2012. In 2012 craft cocktails were a new thing and the market was exploding around the country for craft cocktail bars and it had not yet hit Alabama. Roy and his team were trailblazers in the industry for the area. Today's episode we get to learn from a real trailblazer in the industry. If you are looking to do something that is different for you community and be a trailblazer this episode is really for you. However, we should all be looking to expand our businesses and the best people to learn how to expand is from those who had no momentum for their specific part of the industry. Roy brings fresh ideas that those who aren't necessarily trailblazers can use to expand what they are doing into new horizons. Pete and Roy also discuss what it looks like to add a cocktail program into your organization or to improve your current cocktail program. Roy shares that BarSmarts is a great way to provide the consistency between all your bartenders and helps you provide the fundamentals that all bartenders need. Roy's next recommendation is bringing in someone with credibility to teach your bartenders who can inspire and equip your team. The key to all of this is communicating to your team to be life-long learners, you never stop learning. Connect with Roy: Instagram The Haberdasher: Facebook Instagram UNTAPPD Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink, 

Craft Cocktail Bartender Roy Clark

Today’s episode Pete sits down with Trina Gregory-Prost.  Trina is the chef/owner of SE7EN BITES in Orlando, Florida with her wife VA. SE7EN BITES servers southern nostalgic food with a modern twist.  Trina’s Grammie was the first person to introduce her to cooking/baking when she was very young. However, cooking was never anything other than a hobby for Trina. Trina’s love was for the Spa industry and Trina was in the Spa industry for 21 years. Trina love the Spa Industry the entire time she was in the Spa Industry. The last 5 years Trina was in the Spa Industry she traveled the world opening multi-million dollar spas.    Towards the end of Trina’s time in the Spa Industry she had her first child and being gone two to three weeks at at time with a new born was not feasible. While Trina would be doing beings nails and such she would hear about people struggling to find a good restaurant to cater their event or family gatherings. Around 2010 Trina went back to school to be a cook to learn the nitty gritty fundamentals on top of already knowing how to cook well. Her dream at this point was to be a private chef once she completed culinary school. Through the early part of Trina’s culinary story Pete and Trina discuss the age old argument of should you go to culinary school or not and the things that Trina did that other people questioned because her age. Things like internships and externships in different kitchens learning all the could. Trina and Pete talk about the importance of growing your skill set and letting go of your ego to just do whatever it takes to be the most qualified you can be.  Trina graduated culinary school with a culinary degree, a baking and pastry degree and a restaurant management degree. After graduating Trina already was doing catering for three commercial accounts to sell desserts for, therefore was renting space in a commercial kitchen (which was very expensive). Trina’s girlfriend (now wife) talked Trina into renting out her own little space because it would be the same cost to get her own space set up and this would allow them to take on a couple more clients. After Trina and her wife VA rented out their own space and began to build the place out VA says to Trina, not only could you do catering orders but let’s just add a counter and we can serve people who walk in. That is how SE7EN BITES began.  Trina’s wife VA has had fourteen years of experience in the restaurant industry working for the Carrabba’s Outback Group training all the proprietors of how the kitchen was ran. Through the conversations Triana and VA had while creating SE7EN BITES was that you can be successful in the restaurant industry if you will just hang onto the fundamentals of business. You can have great food and go broke because you do not know how to balance a budget.    This is just two highlights of many highlights of this episode that you do not want to miss out on. Share this episode with an up and coming chef or even a seasoned chef. Everyone will benefit from today’s episode of "The Raw Ingredients"  Connect with Trina: Instagram, Facebook,   SE7EN BITES: Website, Instagram, Facebook , Twitter, Goldbelly    Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION   Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink,

Chef Trina Gregory-Propst

Jim Smith is Chairman of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission and Executive Chef of The Hummingbird Way. Chef Smith was the Executive Chef of the State of Alabama for eight years serving multiple Alabama Governor’s. As the state chef, he has placed an emphasis on using the best local ingredients and has made strides to encourage support of local farmers and Alabama fishers. He used his position as ambassador of food, to promote farmer’s markets and events that support Alabama food products. In 2011 he was crowned the King of American Seafood by winning The Great American Seafood-Cook-Off and became the national spokesperson for Alabama Seafood, American Sustainable Seafood, Gulf Seafood and the NOAA. As the winner he traveled the country educating the Americans about the benefits of sustainable seafood. As Chairman of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission, Chef Smith is proud to be a part of the great work being done to promote Alabama Seafood and Chef Advocate for Wild American Shrimp. He also works closely with The James Beard Foundation as a Boot Camp for Policy and Change Alum, supporter of James Beard Foundation’s Smart Catch Sustainable Seafood program, and Scholarship Programs. Chef Smith is best known for his appearances on Seasons 14 and 16 of the acclaimed Bravo television cooking competition show, Top Chef. With a top ten finish and fan favorite support he proud of his competitive efforts and has high hopes for the future.    Pete and Jim on this episode talk through Jim’s unique experiences in the food industry and how that gives him the edge in the industry. Pete and Jim open up talking about how Jim’s time as the Governor’s Chef taught him how to be organized and efficient as a cook since Jim would at times be cooking for hundreds of people and have to cook prep the food by himself. Jim gives insight on how executive chefs can stay organized and also, teach their staffs to be organized and lead the way rather than the executive chef handling everything organization wise because one person handling all of that is not going to be scalable as you grow as a business. When you have more people on the team the more chaotic it gets, therefore you must be meticulous in the kitchen if your restaurant is going to succeed long term.    Pete and Jim also discuss opening a restaurant and how Jim was his own investor by cashing out on many assets he had and how that freed him up to run his restaurant the way he desired and knew best. With that though there was great risk and Jim and Pete gives insight to those who are looking to open a restaurant how that process should look as you create a game plan for your restaurant.       Connect with Jim: Instagram, Website The Hummingbird Way: Website, Instagram, Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink,

Chef Jim Smith

  On today’s episode of The Raw Ingredients Pete talks to his good friend Brian Duffy.  Brian is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has been working in the food industry since he was 14 years old as a dishwasher and busboy at a small restaurant called Castles.  Brian graduated Culinary School in 1994. Brain has opened over 100 restaurants across the country, been on multiple television shows (currently the host of Food Network, “Opening Night”), traveled the world, has cooked for the U.N. and that is just the beginning.  Now Brian is a restaurant consultant who helps restaurants get better around the world.  Brian and Pete talk about the lessons that Brian has learned from over 35 years of being in the restaurant business and the last 10 years being a consultant to restaurants around the world.  “Across the country I see people who want the title (of executive chef) on the chest but do not want the responsibility that comes with that” Specific topics that Brain and Pete talk about are:  Educate ALL your employees. Walk everyone through the different processes, share as much information as you can with everyone.“Your restaurant/organization should not fall apart if you’re not there.” Choosing not to do everything but the right things Budgeting for your organization  Hiring the right people  Creating a healthy culture  “Stay Hungry, Stay Invested, Continue to Grow. Use things like podcast, books and the most important thing—always share that information you learn.”  In addition, we answer the following questions:    How to adapt  How to get over ego and pride  How to build relationships within the industry  How to create tight knit, effective teams   “No matter how high in rank you are, no matter if it’s washing the dishes or sweeping the floor you have to stay plugged in.”  ____________________________________________________ Connect With Brian: Website, Instagram , Facebook , Podcast , Tik-Tok , Cameo Brian’s Consulting Services: Duffified Expirence Group  My World Chef: Website, Instagram  Connect with Pete: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, The MessLords, PRFOUNDATION Pete’s Restaurants: PaniniPetes, SunsetPointe, Ed’sSeafoodShed, Squidink,

Chef Brian Duffy

Two time Best Chef of the South James Beard nominee. CIA Alumni and Chef owner of Town Hall & Prati Italia both in his hometown of Jacksonville.  Tom grew up loving food and wanting to become a chef. Working in the industry and gaining experience and passion. He ventured to the CIA to further his education and opportunities.  Then work in some of the countries best kitchen with amazing chefs in NYC, LA and Nappa Valley. He eventually circled back to his roots in Fl to help elevate the Food Scene in Jacksonville.   Tom Gray - Chef/Owner Prati Italia and Town Hall Restaurants: @cheftomgray (Instagram) / www.culivino.com Prati Italia @pratiitaliajax (instagram and facebook) / www.pratiitalia.com Town Hall @townhalljax (instagram and facebook) / www.townhalljax.com 

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