I met Wil on his podcast, Slicktalk Podcast a few months ago and we immediately hit it off and became good friends, it was a pleasure to have him on mine and chat about a sector of hospitality that I rarely cover, accommodation and short term rental market. It was…
One of my favorite Canadian bartenders, Kate Boushel is a tour de force in not just the Montreal scene but across the country. She is the Director of Beverage & Education for the Barroco Group and oversees countless programs and staff. We go in depth into her role, how she…
I have a lot of clients and new managers ask me about spread sheeting and costing sheets all the time, so I decided to design a simple plug and play sheet that is free to download and easy to use. I also have added a video tutorial on YouTube to…
After last week's episode about owners and managers traversing the expected labor shortage in the market, looking inward and refocusing how they bring value to their staff; I wanted to give a staff outlook on making the move if you aren't happy in the industry anymore. The industry has changed…
I was on Clubhouse yesterday and someone was talking about the future of staffing in the industry. After doing an article, he was skewered by a lot of "old school" hospitality people because the new generation don't know about hard work. I put my two cents down. Share a dram…
I don't think this man needs much of an introduction, Salvatore Calabrese, the Maestro himself. Had the extreme honor and pleasure to have him on the podcast as we chat about starting work cutting bread on the Amalfi Coast at 11 to becoming on of the most renowned cocktailians in…
This week's podcast with Massimo Zitti of Mother in Toronto, we chat about his beginnings in Rome and then his move to the UK and finally in Canada where he took years of experience and push the boundaries in his new venue, Mother where fermentation is queen. There is some…
Had a great chat with Shaun de Vries on the Principle of Hospitality podcast and chatted about the state of play in North America, the future of the industry and how we need to come out of this pandemic better than we went into it. Share a dram with the…
This was a great invitation to speak at the Mentorship Connection with Camosun College Hospitality Management class, we chat about everything from my start in the industry to where the industry is heading. I was grateful and honestly flattered to be asked to speak to the younger generation of the…
Being the 250th episode, it had to be a stalwart in the industry and Jim Meehan is just that. I have looked up to and revered him, not for his cocktails, but his innate ability to create amazing cultures, have epic side hustles and always be striving for a better…
I have a lot of people ask me to give my opinion on this, and I am in a very unique position between mentoring people at a staff level and consulting and strategizing with owners and operators on their establishments. I need to focus and see both sides as an…
With the recent lockdowns in indoor dining in BC, I did a IGTV recently that broached the problems with it also with a bit of perspective; I go further about the behaviors of some restaurants in the province and how it has become difficult to have a singular voice from…
James Grant is one of the most talented bartenders that I have ever been lucky enough to work with, I know how hard he worked for this win and he completely deserves it. I have had him on the show 3 times now and this was an a momentous look…
Great chat with absolute powerhouse, Evelyn Chick of EC Projects, we chat about "pivots" and how the pandemic isn't always doom and gloom and can have a silver lining to it all. We chat her growth and evolution over the last 5 years to be a multiple company entrepreneur, for…
I have been exploring TiKTok more for brand case studies and find that being in that macro space outside my usual social media channels has opened my eyes to the true nature of trolls, bullies and negativity. I have posted some screen shots of these encounters to mixed reviews on…
After a couple of consults over the last week or so, this made me really want to highlight something that is fundamental in the success of your business and life in general. Here are some pointers on how to accomplish it. Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global…
This is something I have been thinking about a lot, as a mentor and a mentee; we look for role models to help us evolve into better versions of ourselves, but what if someone you consider a mentor, never wanted to be one or doesn't evolve with you. Does that…
Great chat with CPG cult brand, DRNXMYTH owners Lawrence and Brandon; I really inspiring story of over 6 years of R&D, highs and lows and then bringing a truly unique packaged cocktail. If you want to learn about entrepreneurship, serendipity and how pushing your goals, this is a great one.…
This was a truly unique and insightful conversation of venture capital in the hospitality sphere, which is interestingly new in the economics of the business of the industry. CJ and James were great guests showing that when you take a new perspective to the industry, that you can create and…
A throwback episode to not letting other people pigeon hole you and that their perceptions of you can't be your own. You must own your own perception and self worth and not allow other people's opinions shadow that. Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global talents: bartenders, venue…
This is a very different episode, looking at the macro of people in the industry and how to leverage your staff, your managers and most importantly you and how you lead the team and it's culture. Michael is fascinating to speak to and get a big picture look at human…
If you are or ever inspired to become a hospitality entrepreneur, than this episode with April Wachtel, CEO and Founder of Cheeky Cocktails is for you. Her tenacity, her resilience and her push are inspiring and help you to formulate and launch your own brand. Share a dram with the…
Had an impromptu live stream with the amazing and lovely Jennifer English a few weeks ago and we chat about Covid, young industry people and how to leverage the "new normal". Grateful to be on the show and chat about my work during this interesting time for the industry. Share…
An amazing experience taking the Acclamation Media team to Shelter Point in Campbell River for the day to explore and document an incredible distillery. A must see on Vancouver Island.