#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 …

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 conversat…

#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 f…

#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 ref…

#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 lesson…

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 lesson…

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 managemen…

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 ma…

#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…

#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 An…

#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 bal…

#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 trauma…

#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 …

#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 proce…

#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 ot…

#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 …

#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 awarde…

#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 …

#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 …

#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 w…

#79. In this episode of the meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with Melina Shannon-DiPietro, Executive Director of the MAD Foundation, to explore how MAD is transforming the hospitality industry through education, sustainability, and community-building. Melina, who has been at the helm of MAD since joining René Redzepi in Copenhagen, shares insig…

#78. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Basu Ratnam, founder of karma-infused restaurant group, INDAY. INDAY came to life while Basu was working in finance in New York City. As his career progressed, he felt increasingly disconnected from what he truly cared about. With lifelong memories of being around food and a…

#77. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Chef Opie Crooks, a culinary talent and soon-to-be dad. Josh shares the story of how he first met Opie at an event in Washington, D.C., where Opie's graciousness and exceptional cooking left a lasting impression. Now based in Savannah, Georgia, Opie oversees culinary operati…

#76. On this episode of The meez Podcast, we sit down with Alice Cheng, founder and CEO of Culinary Agents, a groundbreaking platform connecting talent and businesses in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Alice shares her incredible journey from a role in IBM's mailroom to executive ranks on a global scale at the company. After a decade-plus …

#75. In this episode of The meez Podcast, we dive deep into the culinary world of Tyler Akin, founder of Form-Function Hospitality, and a celebrated chef and restaurateur who has left an indelible mark on the East Coast's dining scene. From his early days in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was inspired by his Southern grandmother's meticulous cookin…

#74. In this episode of The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey reconnects with Darleen Scherer, the founder of Black Sheep and a pioneering force in the specialty coffee world. With over 20 years of experience, Darleen has been at the helm of several successful coffee roasting companies, including Gorilla Coffee, Supercrown Coffee Roasters, and Taylor Lane…

#73. In this episode of The meez Podcast, we sit down with Chef Jesse Ito, the Chef and Co-Owner of Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Philadelphia. A first-generation Japanese Korean American and multiple James Beard nominee, Jesse shares his remarkable journey from growing up in his family’s renowned restaurant, Fuji, in Cinnaminson, NJ, to becoming one of…

#72. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey welcomes Will Guidara, a renowned figure in the culinary world. Will is the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, once ranked as the number one restaurant in the world. He recently co-produced the hit show "The Bear" and writes the fascinating newsletter "Pre-Meal," which draws inspirati…

#71. In this episode of The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with Drew Skolnik, a partner at KarpReilly, a prominent private growth equity firm known for its successful investments in the food and beverage industry. KarpReilly has invested in well-known brands such as Habit Burger Grill, Cooper’s Hawk, Made In, S&S and Spindrift. The discussion…

#70. Join host Josh Sharkey as he welcomes an old friend and pioneering entrepreneur, Alex Beltrani, the founder and CEO of Tattle, to the show. In this engaging episode, Josh and Alex dive into the story of Tattle, a revolutionary tech company that digitizes the customer feedback experience for restaurants. Alex shares his journey from the incepti…

#69. Join host Josh Sharkey on today's meez Podcast as he delves into the world of barbeque with Jessica Bograd, the Senior Director of Culinary for City Barbeque. Jessica is not only an incredible chef but also runs an exceptional operation at City Barbeque. Before her tenure at City Barbeque, Jessica was deeply involved in R&D, creating menu item…

#68. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Matt Wampler, co-founder and CEO of ClearCOGS, one of the rising stars in the food tech industry. Josh and Matt delve into the fascinating world of predictive analytics, AI, and machine learning in the food sector. ClearCOGS is revolutionizing the way large-scale organizatio…

#67. In this special episode of The meez Podcast, listeners are treated to a captivating talk given at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City between Brian Konopka, Director of Strategic Operations Dean of Restaurant & Culinary Management, and Josh Sharkey, Founder and CEO of meez. Addressing a business class with a culinary foc…

🌟 Welcome to The meez Network 🌟 As hospitality professionals, your time is invaluable. That’s why we're thrilled to announce the launch of The meez Network, a curated content hub designed to bring all the hospitality industry insights you need into one convenient place. 📕 Our Journey: Inspired by the enthusiastic feedback from their podcasts and th…

#66. In this special episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey welcomes Patrick Lightbody and Henry Shapiro, founders of the revolutionary app, Reclaim.ai. Unlike the typical focus on the restaurant and hospitality industry, this episode dives into the realm of digital hospitality, exploring how Reclaim exemplifies excellence in this space. Pa…

#65. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey catches up with old friends who are also amazing chefs and restaurateurs. The guests are Jess Maher and Todd Duplechan, a dynamic duo Josh has known for nearly two decades. Their paths first crossed while working together at Bouley and Danube in New York City, and they've remained close ev…

#64. In this episode of the meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey welcomes Ellen Yin, the esteemed founder and co-owner of High Street Hospitality Group. Ellen has garnered acclaim for her work, including being honored with the Outstanding Restaurateur Award by the James Beard Foundation. She also serves on the board of Open Table (among many other board…

#63. In the latest episode of The meez Podcast, we're sitting down with Tracy and Arjav, the dynamic duo behind Birdie's, a cherished eatery in Austin, Texas. Not only are they partners in life, having met and fallen in love in the bustling New York restaurant scene, but they've also ventured into the world of business together, creating a dining e…

#62. In this engaging episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with his friend and accomplished entrepreneur, Jordan Silverman. Josh and Jordan delve into the journey that led Jordan from his role as VP of Customer Success at MarketMan to founding his innovative AI company, Starfish. Jordan's impressive track record of going above a…

#61. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey welcomes Sam Bernstein, the founder of Table22. Table22 is a pioneering company designed to help restaurants generate incremental new revenue through subscriptions, including memberships, CPG products, and events. Josh and Sam's paths first crossed at The Chef Conference in Philadelphia. S…

#60. For this week's episode, we are thrilled to welcome chef Alon Shaya. Alon is a two-time James Beard Award winner, having earned accolades for Best Chef in the South and Best New Restaurant. He's also the author of the acclaimed book "Shaya," a book that traces the evolution of a cuisine and the transformative power of cooking throughout Alon's…

#59. Join host Josh Sharkey on this engaging episode of The meez Podcast as he sits down with Sterling Douglass, the dynamic co-founder and CEO of Chowly, a trailblazing food tech company that enhances your sales through strategic first and third-party distribution channels, alongside sophisticated advertising and marketing support. Sterling shares…

#58. Dive into an exhilarating episode of The meez Podcast recorded live at The Chef Conference in Philadelphia. This special installment features a dynamic panel discussion hosted by our founder and CEO, Josh Sharkey, with four culinary luminaries, each bringing a unique blend of creativity, science, and innovation to the table. Join us as we enga…

#57. In this episode, we sit down with Ellen Cassidy, the founder of Elemental Prep, a company that teaches people how to retain information. Ellen shares her innovative process of information retention, which involves reading, translating, and quipping. She explains how to code information with emotions by intoning the words as you say them, trans…

#56. In the latest episode of The meez Podcast, we had the pleasure of conversing with the masterful Avery Ruzicka, founder and head baker of Manresa Bread. Avery delves into the art of breadmaking, sharing her passion for milling flour in-house and the distinctive flavors it yields. She also enlightens us on the benefits of natural leavening, not …

#55. In this week's episode, we sit down with the remarkable Chef Fiore Tedesco, co-owner of the renowned L'Oca d'Oro in Austin and the visionary behind an eagerly anticipated new pizza venture, Bambino. Beyond his entrepreneurial spirit, Chef Fiore is a proud supporter of Good Work Austin, showcasing his commitment to community and culinary excell…

#54. Welcome to this captivating episode of The meez Podcast, where we explore the heart of culinary innovation and education with our distinguished guest, Mike Traud, founder of The Chef Conference (formerly known as the Philly Chef Conference) in the gastronomic hub of Philadelphia. With a legacy spanning over a decade and 10 groundbreaking confe…

#53. This week, we're joined by a distinguished entrepreneur, activist, public speaker, mediator, chef, and a key figure in the hospitality industry, Elizabeth Meltz. Elizabeth shines not only through her involvement on the boards of various organizations championing the hospitality sector and women's empowerment but also as the founder of EM PATH,…

#52. Welcome to a special episode of The meez Podcast, hosted in the vibrant streets of Miami! In this episode, we're thrilled to feature the acclaimed Chef Brad Kilgore as our guest. This episode was recorded shortly after the meez team's annual summit, a time when our global team unites to share, connect, and sometimes even meet each other in per…

#51. In this week's captivating conversation, our host welcomes a culinary powerhouse, Caroline Glover, owner of restaurant Annette and bar Traveling Mercies in Aurora, Colorado. With accolades including a James Beard award and recognition as one of Food and Wine magazine's Best New Chefs in America, Caroline's journey through the culinary world is…