Tabletopjournal

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave covers several topics in the industry including the Marriot data breach, Steelite and Bon Chef. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company where Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about the new trend-forward magazine SHIFT, and why they launched a hard copy of a magazine in today’s digital world. The final segment is a commentary piece where Dave talks about Brand Energy and why all brands want it. Welcome to Dave Turner’s SEAT YOURSELF Podcast Series. Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information from all over the world on the hospitality tabletop industry. Dave is the globally known Chief Evangelist and Editor for TabletopJournal.com. A non-traditional journalist, Dave has spent nearly 30 years as a sales and marketing executive in the world of hospitality. For more information and insights on

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave starts off with the Stat of the Week. This week’s stat is the number 1. #1 is the ranking that Hilton Hotels employees gave the company when it came to ranking the very best companies to work for in the U.S according to Fortune Magazine. This week’s re-cap on the latest industry news and companies include Arc Cardinal and their newest non-profit partnership, and restaurant chain Salad Works expanding in grocery stores, RAK Porcelain and Robbe & Berking. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon with Shannon Tallon of Edward Don & Company. In this segment, Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about what makes the perfect manufacturer’s sales representative in local markets. The final segment is our weekly commentary piece. This week Dave addresses the issue of organizational agility - what it is and why is it so importan

SEAT YOURSELF delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. This week’s episode features the latest industry news, topics and companies including Utopia Tableware, Marriott Hotels and the new partnership between Steelite and Renarte. In our segment, 60 Seconds with Shannon, Dave brings a timely new "twist" in his conversation with Category Manager Shannon Tallon of Edward Don & Company.  You'll want to check it for sure! The episode wraps up the with Dave’s commentary piece on how experience matters to both guest and customer satisfaction. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave starts off with the Stat of the Week. This week’s stat is 85. 85% of exhibitors at last weeks Ambiente Show in Franfurt came from outside of Germany, making the show the most international Ambiente Show of all time. This week’s re-cap on the latest industry news and companies include spirits sales hitting another record, vegan dining goes mainstream, Dave talks to Lisa Muller about Schott Zwiesel, and to David Richman about Cheforward. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company. In this segment, Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about the concept of unique flatware finishes.   For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out www.TabletopJournal.com or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave starts off with the Stat of the Week. This week’s stat is 6. But this week’s stat is a little bit different. Six is the building number that is going under substantial renovations to become the Ambiente Show’s central location for 2020. Also, in this segment we have a special appearance with Thomas Kastl. This week’s re-cap on the latest industry news and products include Homor Laughlin, Tuxton China, 10 Strawberry Street, Schonwald-with special guest Simon McNally, Steelite, and Broggi-with special guest Giovanni Bertoli. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company. In this segment, Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about the trend of using more upscale products within the banqueting tabletop sector.   For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check o

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave covers several topics in the industry including, trend reports, SHIFT Magazine, and laughter in the work place. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company where Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week Shannon discusses the best way to prepare for a trade show. The final segment is an editorial piece where Dave explains how important speed in the workplace is and the importance to understand the WHY behind this necessary speed. Welcome to Dave Turner’s SEAT YOURSELF Podcast Series. Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information from all over the world on the hospitality tabletop industry. Dave is the globally known Chief Evangelist and Editor for TabletopJournal.com. A non-traditional journalist, Dave has spent nearly 30 years as a sales and marketing executive in the world of hospitality. For more information and in

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave starts off with the Stat of the Week. This week’s stat comes from Pricewaterhouse Coopers with the 2019 daily rate forecast for the hotel occupancy in the US. This week’s re-cap on the latest industry news and products include NAFEM, Bowls, Figgio and their OSLO Coffee Service, and Fiestaware color. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company. In this segment, Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about pottery and pottery-like products in restaurants today and if this trend will continue. The final segment is a commentary piece and covers the customer journey and what that means in the hospitality/tabletop sector.   For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out www.TabletopJournal.com or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave starts off with the Stat of the Week. This week’s stat tells us whether there’s an impact on the sales of adult beverages now with the legalization of cannabis.   This week’s re-cap on the latest industry news and products include the Growth of Air Traffic at Milan's Airport, Ron Ruggless Recaps ICR, RAK USA Launches 3 New Banquet Dinnerware Collections, and Dudson adds to their popular HARVEST dinnerware. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company. In this segment, Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about supplier mergers and acquisitions and their impact on Edward Don.   The final segment is a commentary piece where Dave talks about following up on TRUST and how a key aspect of trust impacts an organization.   For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop in

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave starts off with the Stat of the Week. This week’s stat is about the sparkling wine industry and the expected revenue for this year. The news and products that follow the Stat of the Week includes french luxury goods company LVMH, the color of the year from Pantone, the true agility of Chicago based American Metelcraft, and SERAX, a passionate and family run design and marketing company. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company where Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about how Edward Don & Company measures and evaluates its suppliers. The final segment is a commentary piece and covers common organizational qualities in successful companies. Thanks as always for joining us for this edition of Tabletop Journal’s SEAT YOURSELF podcast. We will be taking a break over the Christmas and New Year holidays

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave starts with a stat of the week, recognizes Arc Cardinal Glass and for their partnership with One Tree Planted to help restore the forests of California, and lists the current trends in the tabletop industry. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company where Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about the current tabletop advisor and the idea of tabletop remix. The final segment is a commentary piece and covers how traditional restaurants are under attack and how to recognize the changes ahead. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out www.TabletopJournal.com or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave starts off with the Stat of the Week. This week’s stat tells us 75% of Chinese cruise passengers elect non-China cruises. This week’s re-cap on the latest industry news and products include Crown Brands Acquiring Oneida Foodservice, Fraport Airport Management, Churchill China, and American Metalcraft. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company. In this segment, Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about mergers and consolidation of tableware and buffetware companies.   The final segment is a commentary piece and covers brand opportunities.   For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out www.TabletopJournal.com or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave covers the news for several companies including Stolzle Glass and Tuxton China. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don & Company where Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week Shannon talks about what makes a good vendor. The final segment is an editorial piece where Dave explains how important trust is in the success of any company.  

Welcome to Dave Turner’s SEAT YOURSELF Podcast Series. Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information from all over the world on the hospitality tabletop industry. Dave is the globally known Chief Evangelist and Editor for TabletopJournal.com. A non-traditional journalist, Dave has spent nearly 30 years as a sales and marketing executive in the world of hospitality. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out www.TabletopJournal.com or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

In this episode, we are joined by Chicago’s Steve Dolinsky. After 17 years as the food personality for local tv station ABC7, he’s well-known as a television food journalist, there’s more to Steve Dolinsky - much more. With his own, recently-launched media company, Steve is now bringing his expert brand building & storytelling skills to both suppliers and operators alike. In our conversation, Steve offers up why storytelling is so critical to success and what it takes to not only tell a great story, but also how that great story needs to be developed. Having such an experienced media talent on our podcast was certainly a developmental exercise for your hosts, but also one that listeners will find great benefit as well. To learn more listen to our episode and be sure to check out

On this week’s podcast, we take you to an unusual wine region of America and give you the behind-the-scenes peek at a new opening of a wine bar there. Admittedly, Missouri may not be first in people’s minds when thinking about America’s wine producing regions. However, Becky & Michael Lee have a host of reasons on why they believe their soon-to-open in New Haven, Missouri will be a big success. Undertaking a wine bar can be challenging under the best of circumstances, but Becky and Michael have a strong family heritage dating back to the American revolution, Missouri’s legacy as a wine producing region (yes, it’s true) and a whole bunch of good karma to help them. To us, it was their trusting, positive approach to the entire project that makes us believe that they are building a new-generation story in this small town that will be successful both for them – and their community – for years to come. Listen to their story and we think you’ll understand why.

Over the last twenty years, Eileen Garcia and her chef husband Chepe have literally built restaurants from the ground up.  Together, they turned Chicago’s and into iconic Chicago neighborhood destinations.  Along the way, they’ve overcome every challenge in the proverbial restaurant startup handbook.  In this episode, Eileen describes their path to success and what the current pandemic has wrought for them as they actually look forward to growth.   Eileen’s infectious optimism and common-sense approach to solving problems can provide inspiration and solutions for everyone in the foodservice world, especially during these tough times.  We encourage operators, suppliers, and anyone else interested in best-in-class hospitality to listen to her story, and when possible, visit their restaurants.  We can’t think of better ways to help set new goals as we begin to see the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel.  

In today’s episode, our Gang of 3 reflect back on some of the incredible guests they’ve had on recently and offer thoughts on each of the stories told by , and . From growing oranges in Nebraska and having an unending passion for serving others through the world of hospitality, and then on to exotic African journeys that transform our lives – each guest brought unique, thought provoking perspectives to our listeners.   Then in this week’s second segment, cohost Jay recants his recent trip to Florida and what his impressions of the restaurant and bar business is currently like in the most “open” of all the states here in America. And, as usual, Jay describes it all in his own inimitable style.

In our final episode for 2020, our Gang of 3 offer their reflections on the happenings of the past year and most especially, the list of impressive thought leaders who joined us as guests here on Every Other Thursday. Despite all its challenges, 2020 has been an engaging year and created a great foundation for the months ahead.   Speaking of the months ahead in 2021, our Segment 2 this week offers up what the Gang believes the landscape will look like as we begin the comeback from the coronavirus pandemic. What will hospitality look like? When will it feel normal again? And, what new menu and culinary concepts might we see in the new world of hospitality in 2021 and beyond!

On this week’s podcast, we want to take you with us on a journey – a transformational journey to Africa. This week’s guest is Greg Traverso, from the adventure travel company Metamo. “Transformational” is a word that runs throughout the entire episode, from Greg’s descriptions of his first journey across Africa at age 31 which provided the genesis of his company - to what happens to the guests who join him and his team of travelers on the journeys to exotic destinations like Kenya, Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro.   There can little doubt that we live in transformational times where we are all pushing our own personal boundaries. Listen to Greg tell his story of how he leads his guests on life-changing journeys – and why he feels that Africa, its wildlife and its people are something truly special, along with being a place that the world needs to understand a little better and learn more about.   So, if you think a possible transformational journey might be interesting, this episode will de

On this week’s podcast, we are joined by entrepreneur & renaissance man Russ Finch. Russ is 89 years young and the designer, owner, & creator of the . Russ has designed and perfected his greenhouse concept using low grade, geo-thermal energy in order to produce citrus, fruits, vegetables and flowers all year round in nearly any climate or locale. Restaurateurs, grocers, distillers and even hoteliers take note, Russ has developed a way to deliver sustainable, local and organic produce throughout the year wherever you are located. Think bananas from Montana!   Curious about how someone could grow oranges and lemons in Nebraska in the winter, we decided to invite Russ to join us on Every Other Thursday.    The result is a conversation that will appeal to anyone who loves fresh foods, grown locally no matter how exotic – and in a way that checks all the positive earth-friendly boxes – all for pennies a day! Have a listen to what Russ has to say about his “Greenhouse in The Snow” c