Claim OwnershipThe Restaurant Innovator
Subscribed: 5Played: 112
Subscribe
© 2025 The Restaurant Innovator
Description
The Restaurant Innovator is a podcast from the editors of FSR magazine—the leading publication for full-service restaurants—that dives into the world of running restaurants and explores the latest trends, strategies, and technologies being used by today's NextGen operators. Each episode features insightful conversations with trailblazing restaurateurs who are leading the charge in creating new and memorable experiences. From cutting-edge menu design and front-of-house operations to back-of-house efficiencies and sustainability initiatives, The Restaurant Innovator offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry. Whether you're a seasoned operator or just getting started in the business, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay on top of the latest trends and best practices.
86 Episodes
Reverse
While many restaurant brands are cutting payroll and installing kiosks, Barcelona Wine Bar is taking a radically different path. CEO Adam Halberg is betting big on human connection—creating new roles like VP of Hospitality, maître d’s, and daytime guest services teams across all 24 locations. In this episode, Halberg shares his unfiltered hospitality hot take with the editors at FSR. At Barcelona and its newer sister concept, Corsica, there are no QR codes, no tablet ordering, no flashy tech ...
Chef Kevin Templeton has come a long way since being named an FSR 40 Under 40 Rising Star in 2018. Since then, the San Diego-based chef has launched the Baja-inspired Hasta Mañana Cantina, expanded his coffee-and-bagel chain to five locations, and doubled down on sustainable sourcing across his restaurants—including Barleymash, now 13 years strong. Templeton also talks about competing on Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay, mentoring the next generation of culinary talent, and finding balance by play...
What does it take to reinvent Indian cuisine in New York City? In this episode, Passerine co-owners Maneesh Goyal and Alvina Patel Buxani share how they built a seasonally driven restaurant that blends heritage, hospitality, and innovation. From finding the right executive chef to carving out space in NYC’s competitive dining scene, they explore the creative and entrepreneurial vision behind their fresh concept.
What happens when a cult-favorite restaurant brand and a powerhouse private equity firm join forces? In this episode, Hawkers Asian Street Food CEO and co-founder Kaleb Harrell and Savory Fund managing partner and co-founder Andrew Smith unpack the story behind Hawkers’ meteoric rise—and the strategic investment fueling its next chapter. From standout AUVs and fanatical guest loyalty to the lessons learned during Chapter 11, Kaleb shares what makes Hawkers a category-defier, while Andrew reve...
Laura Padrino of Padrino’s Cuban Restaurants and Sebastian Stahl of Breadth Marketing share how a bold catering initiative sparked new life into her family’s 50-year-old restaurant brand. As part of the third generation leading the South Florida-based group, Laura set out to carve her own path by transforming catering into a revenue-driving arm with its own identity. They walk us through how they built the program from the ground up—developing travel-optimized menus, systems, and execution an...
What does it really take to build restaurant concepts with staying power? In this episode, Jamey Shirah, CEO of Revival Restaurant Group, pulls back the curtain on how he’s evolved from launching high-volume nightlife venues to leading a portfolio of elevated, story-driven restaurants across the Southeast. Jamey shares the early lessons that shaped his leadership style, the thinking behind long-running staples, and how Revival approaches new concept development.
From the theater stage to San Francisco’s restaurant scene, Tai Ricci brings a unique perspective to hospitality. In this episode, the Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group co-founder shares how her theater background shaped her leadership style and taught her the value of presence, empathy, and improvisation in the dining room and beyond. Tai reflects on the pivotal decisions that defined Hi Neighbor’s culture, sharing candid lessons on how to lead with heart, build resilience in a high-pressure ind...
From transforming an old chicken joint to a fine-dining French restaurant and breaking the mold on treating employees with the respect they deserve, chef Jacob Stull shares his candid lessons on creating Rêve—one of the first fine-dining (yet approachable) tasting-menu concept in the state of Alabama.
Chef Chris Piro opens up about how his unconventional journey—from growing up in the foster care system to cooking in Michelin-starred kitchens—led him to launch Again., a fine dining pop-up with a mission. In this episode, Piro shares how 100% of ticket proceeds from his intimate tasting menus go directly toward The Again. Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentorship opportunities to kids in foster care systems. He discusses the inspiration behind his story-driven menus, the power ...
What happens when a Goldman Sachs alum and a New Orleans-trained chef team up to launch a fine dining restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky? Meet Dallas Rose and Chef Alex Green of Mileta. In this episode, they share how they built a globally inspired, Italian-leaning concept rooted in Kentucky’s farming community, why they opened a no-menu tasting room inside the restaurant, and what it really takes to turn vision into reality.
Chef Chaz Brown opens up about his journey from fine dining and reality TV to launching The Oxtail Exchange in D.C.—his most personal project yet. Blending two decades of experience with Caribbean roots and a clear mission, he shares why he’s done asking for permission to cook the food that defines him.
Joel Reynders, the new VP of culinary and corporate executive chef at Another Broken Egg Cafe, shares his strategy for crafting daytime menus that balance creativity and consistency—and why operations and data play a key role in successful LTO development.
Rasika Venkatesa, a recent cheftestant on Season 21 of “Top Chef” and owner of progressive South Indian concept Mythily, chats with FSR editors about blending heritage with innovation, redefining Tamil cuisine through a modern lens, the emotional roots behind her pop-up’s storytelling, and what it means to lead with identity, intention, and bold creativity in today’s culinary world.
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group Founder Steve Palmer joins FSR editors to talk about the current state of economics, labor, and mental health in the restaurant industry; the evolving definition of wellness in dining and hotels; and how positive leadership and gratefulness can shape a better culture and more sustainable future for hospitality.
Restaurateur and The Plaid Penguin owner Joe Haubenhofer chats about the hidden branding touchpoints that dramatically shape guest perceptions, the importance of prioritizing both your physical and digital branding, and tips for paying attention to the overlooked elements—from staff uniforms and napkins to bathroom designs.
‘Best American Bartender’ Kevin Diedrich—owner of San Francisco staples Pacific Cocktail Haven and Kona’s Street Market—joins FSR associate editor Sam Danley for a conversation about identity, heritage, and innovation behind the bar. He shares how reconnecting with his Filipino roots has shaped his approach to bartending, how cultural storytelling is showing up in bar programs today, and why he launched AAPI Cocktail Week.
Nate Hedtke, VP of innovation & customer engagement at the American Egg Board, walks listeners through the state of the avian influenza and its impact on eggs; what restaurant operators need to know to navigate this challenge; and some unique ideas for integrating eggs onto menus in later dayparts. Thank you to AEB for sponsoring this episode. To learn more, please reach out to Nate at nhedtke@aeb.org or visit www.incredibleegg.org/fso for additional resources.
David Steele, founder of Flour + Water Hospitality Group and CEO of One Wealth Advisors, chats about bridging the worlds of finance and hospitality, building a mission-driven restaurant empire in San Francisco’s competitive market, and how creativity, community, and financial strategy all play a role in redefining what success looks like across multiple industries.
Michelin-starred chef Brandon Sharp shares how his fine-dining background—from The French Laundry to Solbar—shaped the trio of restaurants he now leads in Chapel Hill: Hawthorne & Wood, Bluebird, and the newest, Próximo. He talks about his unlikely path from philosophy major to executive chef, the vision behind his culturally distinct concepts, and why community-rooted hospitality matters more than ever.
Paul Iglesias and Sophia Akbar join FSR editors to talk about creating their Oakland restaurants—Colombian small plates concept Parche and the newly opened contemporary Afghan concept Jaji.
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
It has long been recognised that Enclomiphene is an effective drug, and at https://valhallavitality.com/blog/proven-efficacy-of-enclomiphene-treatment-and-preclinical-studies you can find out all the evidence that it works. It is also worth noting that the article also mentions possible side effects, which may be experienced by a very small group of people. But you should always be prepared for everything. So don't forget to check it out!
feewr
Tadalafil is a popular male drug, but sometimes the question arises: is it possible for women to take it, and is it necessary at all? The question turns out to be interesting, but it is important not to forget that this remedy is intended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. The use of tadalafil in women may be hazardous to health https://valhallavitality.com/blog/can-women-take-tadalafil-the-facts-about-this-drug . I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the functions of this drug before you make your choice.
Online wholesale store is very important when you open your own restaurant. That is why I want to recommend https://mcdonaldpaper.com/ . In this store, regardless of your work schedule, you can order in a way that is convenient for you. This online store is open 24 hours a day which gives you the flexibility to plan your purchases. As far as equipment is concerned, the equipment in this store is at the highest level.