Tabletopjournal

This week, our Gang of 3 is joined by Larry Deutsch. A self-described bold futurist and alchemist, Larry is a co-founder & partner in the Chicago-based group – . With a background of consulting, along with both client and agency experience, Larry passionately champions collaboration, creativity and change. With experience working with companies large and small, in FMCG and in foodservice, Larry brings it all together with his partners to deliver solutions for their clients that unlocks growth and moves them forward with confidence and courage. In our conversation, you’ll hear Larry explain his 3 keys to building brands within the foodservice sector in a time where budgets are limited and the supply chain ever-changing. Along with that, Larry and the Gang of 3 will cover a variety of topics such as why inspiration is so critical and what empathy can do for both sellers and marketers in today’s foodservice industry.

In this episode, our Gang of 3 take on the ongoing COVID-19 issue and the updates as they relate to: Current consumer behavior The human impact on our industry The various attempts at governmental economic relief In the back half of this episode, the team offers up its opinions on when the U.S. hospitality market will get to the “other side” and – when we DO get there, what the it will look like.

In this episode, our Gang of 3 take on the potential new protocols and practices that we may see in the re-opening of restaurants during the current COVID-19 situation. Operator Protocols Guest Expectations Optics v. Reality In the second half of this episode, the team takes up the future of buffets and where they see the future for take-away/carryout.

In this late-February episode of Every Other Thursday, Greg brings for an idea straight from Grandma’s kitchen for his BIG IDEA segment and he has a vision for how it might work on a restaurant tabletop setting. This is one idea that we think will surprise you on how much back-n-forth discussion it generated. Then, in our Roundtable discussion, the Gang of 3 take on all the levels that might be affected by the current corona virus outbreak. Certainly the foodservice and hospitality industry is being impacted and the Gang hits on all the key areas. All this, in approximately 30 minutes, and brought to you by TabletopJournal.

As the re-opening of the hospitality industry begins, there is a wide and varying degree of protocols. Some operational protocols, some legal protocols. Our Gang of 3 offers their latest opinions on what we might expect to see. And, in our second segment, what is the right messaging and marketing that operators need in their re-opening? More options, guided by experience - all from our industry savvy Gang of 3.

In this issue of our Every Other Thursday podcast for the foodservice and hospitality industry, Greg talks about a unique way of serving fresh draft beer right at the guests’ table. While absolutely an experience changer, Jay and Dave offer up a few questions and a couple of different perspectives. In this week’s roundtable segment discussion, in light of the recent tough Peter Lugar steakhouse review, the EOT team debate the whole issue of restaurant reviews, particularly newspaper reviews, and their relevancy in today’s digital world. Then, the group takes on the topic of what will be the next “bourbon” to explode onto the spirits scene. Finishing strong, the trio give their take on what 2020 might look like for the hospitality tabletop category and why. All this, in approximately 30 minutes, and brought to you by .

In this issue of our Every Other Thursday podcast for the foodservice and hospitality industry, in his “Next Big Thing” segment, Greg brings in an idea to raise the level of awareness of different types of serving vessels for condiments and pickled vegetables. He talks about how operators can deepen the engagement with the dining guest and very quickly and easily sell more veggies, while increasing sales and profitability In our Roundtable discussion segment, the issue of large national sales & marketing agencies versus other methods of going to market. Why haven’t the large “coast-to-coast” agencies really taken off as a concept and what will be the sales & marketing models for the future? All this, in 30 minutes, and brought to you by .

In this issue of our Every Other Thursday podcast for the foodservice and hospitality industry, the “gang of 3” is back and set to finish the year strong! In his “Next Big Thing” segment, Greg is back with another “old is new” concept and he’s talking about cloches. Not the tired old, banquet-style cloches but new and fresh takes on this traditional method covering the plate until it makes its way onto the restaurant table In our Roundtable discussion segment, it’s the end of the year and everyone is talking about the trends we may see in the coming year. Well, the Gang of 3 brings there thoughts and ideas on what we can expect in the coming year of 2020! You don’t want to miss what Jay has to say on this one! All this, in 30 minutes, and brought to you by Tabletop Journal.

With this inaugural episode of Every Other Thursday podcast for the foodservice and hospitality industry, the format of showcasing very cool products or ideas that can easily – and relatively inexpensively – elevate the overall guest dining experience is front and center. In this first episode, you will be reminded of a classic, but often overlooked, item that can very easily - and inexpensively - add to the guest experience and the pocketbook of a growing number of restaurant operators. In our roundtable segment discussion, we kick around the future of trade shows, along with food & beverage trends and their impact on the tabletop category. We finish up our roundtable with our initial discussion on the impact of cannabis on the hospitality dining experience. No doubt this will be only the first of many discussions on this new and interesting addition to the F&B industry. All this, in approximately 30 minutes, and brought to you by .

Welcome everyone to the Every Other Thursday podcast where in each episode we bring you suggestions for improving the guest dining experience, AND, our industry roundtable where we tackle the industry issues of the moment. Every Other Thursday is an approximately 30 minute presentation featuring our industry experts who are never shy about offering up their thoughts and ideas. Every Other Thursday is brought to you by TabletopJournal – where we celebrate the products, the people, and the places in the world of hospitality tabletop.

This week, we are joined by England’s . Matt is well known in British culinary circles for his creative storytelling and his packaging of chefs, restaurants and their associated stories. In the more recent times, Matt has also become known for his extraordinary phone photography skills. In fact, he is so well regarded in that area he has turned to conducting workshops on helping others to improve their storytelling with images taken from our smartphones. Matt’s workshops and his 3 elements for success form the core of this week’s episode. We also touch on Matt’s other creative talents, including his thoughtful and reflective writing. Matt takes us through his writings and his thoughts on being kind to others and why that is particularly important in these current times. Matt Inwood is a man of depth and many creative talents. Our conversation will allow you insights into who he is, what motivates him and what he knows that can be of help to all of us.

In this week’s episode, Greg Kirrish returns to talk about our - where he is a co-host - and what really differentiates our other podcast. Along with that, Greg weighs in with his unique perspective on the #foodservice and #hospitality industry – and, its tradeshow’s – recovery trajectory.   Finally, we close out this episode by learning what destinations are on Greg’s developing travel agenda as the ability to move around our country continues to become easier and easier.

In this week’s episode, we discuss our building anticipation of the real beginning of the re-opening of the hospitality sector. Amidst the excitement, there is also the realization that our industry’s recovery will likely not be linear and straightforward. With a patchwork and often erratic recovery, it will take a great deal of positivity to continue to see our way forward. So, this week, we offer up a few simple and easy tips for keeping our individual positivity at a high level and why its important that do that.   Four quick tips, plus a couple of bonus tips – all within our own individual control and best of all, at no cost. Staying positive is always a choice. Make it yours.

In this week’s episode, we sit with sales entrepreneur extraordinaire Bill Flannery. Based in the Washington – Baltimore marketplace Bill has been on all sides of the supply chain to the foodservice and hospitality industry. Using humor as his calling card, Bill discusses his philosophy for staying in touch with his customers, how he has evolved during the past year and much, much more.   If you currently know Bill, this episode will help you know him better – and differently. If you’re not familiar yet with Bill, you definitely will want to understand both who he is – and, how he differentiates himself in the crowded field of sales to the foodservice and hospitality sectors.

In this week’s episode, we turn the conversation back to a core belief that, throughout life, there will always be struggles. And, those struggles can be a great source of our strength and help us make decisions that we may have avoided otherwise. Let us all hope to see the many blessings that come from the struggles that life inevitably brings to us.   As Helen Keller taught us - “The struggle of life is one of our greatest blessings.” After all, how could you get stronger without overcoming a struggle?

This week, our episode has a couple of distinct differences. First of all, we have 2 guests – Josh Callahan and Jason Wange, from .   And, secondly, in our opening segment, we will learn from these two top execs all about Cal-Mil which was started more than 50 years ago by Josh’s grandfather. And, then, in our second segment, we are going to learn about the Foodservice Powerplant Network that Jason has started as a support resource within the foodservice and hospitality industry.   What we were most curious about is Cal-Mil’s strong support of the FSPN and exactly where this new FB support group fits into the company’s larger overall purpose and culture. In this episode you’ll hear from both Josh and Jason how these two organizations fit together and, perhaps, it may have just been a bit of destiny that it has all come together so well.

This week, Zander Lauritzen Hansen returns to give us his take on the trends that he sees continuing with us into the future now that the pandemic horizon is – possibly - finally starting to show itself. Much has changed in the past 12 months and there are many new avenues that both operators and spirits companies are traveling to reach their target markets.   Copenhagen-based and a global leader in the bartending & mixology scene and owner of bar supply company , Zander brings us the latest on the trends that he feels have the staying power to be with us for the long-term.

In this week’s episode, we return to a conversation on gratefulness, but with a special perspective on being grateful in the face of great challenge. This past year has seen nearly all of us face challenges both big and small. Both personal and professional. And, while it has been a tough time for everyone, in particular, it’s been difficult for those throughout the hospitality industry.   In this year-ending episode, we take a new look at why it is important to know our “Why” and what remaining grateful in the face of great challenge can mean to us and our organization. And, we even get a bit personal along the way.

In our next installment of keeping-things-simple leadership, this episode of our Seat Yourself podcast focuses on the concept of PURPOSE and its heightened importance during complicated and stressful times. Purpose, whether it's our own individual purpose or the purpose of our organization, can offer a guiding pathway through uncertain and often turbulent times.   What is purpose? Why is it important? And, finally, how do we find our purpose?   All important questions and we address each of them in this latest episode of our Seat Yourself podcast.

This week, friend of the podcast and cocktail & spirits guru Zander Lauritzen Hansen returns to continue the conversation about cocktails and mixology. This episode focuses all on the issue of sustainability. What it means, why its important and what, specifically, bar and restaurant operators can do to up their sustainability game.   Zander always brings his passion and energy when joining us and this episode is no different. He also offers us several great takeaways for improving sustainability in the areas of Purchasing, Operations, and Marketing/Storytelling.   And, finally as we close out this episode, Zander shares with listeners a great new surprise… all in this episode of Seat Yourself.