The Industry

The Industry
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A discussion with people working in the Service Industry - Bar, Restaurant, Hospitality - Front of House, Back of House, all aspects of what is commonly referred to as The Industry.

  1. Manny Hernandez

    4d ago

    Manny Hernandez

    In this episode of The Industry Podcast, we sit down with Emmanuel "Manny" Hernandez, lead bartender at Stokes Adobe in Monterey, California, and a 2024 Punch Magazine Top 10 honoree. Manny shares his journey from dishwasher to one of the most respected bartenders in the Monterey Bay area — including the bar-back humility that shaped his career, the physicality and "choreography" of working behind the wood, his grueling Bar5 spirits certification experience, and a harrowing, deeply personal story of surviving a shooting at the restaurant where he worked. Guest Bio Emmanuel "Manny" Hernandez was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to California at 18. He got his start in hospitality as a dishwasher before unexpectedly being thrown behind the bar one night — and never looked back. After working his way up through restaurants in Watsonville, Los Gatos, and Santa Cruz Manny completed the demanding Bar5 spirits certification and was named to Punch Magazine's Top 10 Bartenders in 2024. He currently runs the bar program at Stokes Adobe in Monterey, California. Find Manny on Instagram: @mezcalito_manny Key Topics Discussed From dishwasher to bartender — Manny's path through prep cook, barback, and an unplanned first shift slinging beer and piña coladas Bartending school and early classics — margaritas, Long Islands, and the documentary that sparked his love for the craft Taking a step back to move forward — choosing to work as a barback again at a more advanced bar in order to learn from top-tier mentors The physicality of bartending — reading your bar partner, "dancing" behind the bar, and moving efficiently in tight spaces Competition cocktails — early competition mishaps (almost forgetting the mezcal), egg-white cocktails, and lessons learned the hard way Mentorship — the influence of Kate Goodwin, Blaise Montana, and best friend/mentor Jorge Vargas on his technique and classics knowledge Bar5 certification — what the legendary, high-pressure spirits program actually involves, from memorizing 100 classic recipes to building cocktail stations from scratch Punch Magazine Top 10 (2024) — how the recognition came together and what it means for someone who started as a dishwasher Surviving gun violence at work — Manny's account of a shooting at a former restaurant, the aftermath, and how bartending helped him recover Respect for bar-backs — Manny's message to the industry about valuing the people who keep the bar running A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste, using flavour profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more......Imbiblia - check it out! Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling and Malivoire Winery. Links kyppsaunders@gmail.com @sugarrunbar @the_industry_podcast email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

    56 min
  2. Matthew Rangel

    Jun 8

    Matthew Rangel

    What happens when a lifelong actor ends up behind a bar — and realizes the two aren't all that different? That's the story of Matthew "Matty" Rangel, a born-and-raised Wisconsin bartender who stumbled into social media content creation at 5:00 AM in a pub basement, and now has nearly half a million followers across platforms. In this episode, we sit down with Matty for a candid conversation about his dual life as a bartender and actor, the raw and real content that built his audience, and why talking about mental health in the hospitality industry isn't optional — it's essential. What We Cover From the stage to the bar — and back again Matty's love of acting started at age seven, watching his dad perform. When the pandemic killed a signed contract to join a New York theater company, bartending kept the bills paid. Then some drunk friends in a bar basement told him to just start making videos — and everything changed. Nearly half a million followers, no flair required Matty's content is unapologetically dive bar. No bottle flipping, no craft cocktail tutorials — just the real, raw day-to-day life of a neighborhood bartender. His 70-page notes document of stories and observations has become the foundation of a highly relatable and growing following. Bartending as performance Matty draws direct parallels between acting and working behind the bar — putting on a face when your grandparents are in the hospital, talking a stranger through the death of their son, then driving home and sitting in your driveway in silence for 20 minutes. It's a performance job, but the emotional weight is very real. Mental Health Mondays Matty runs a recurring content series dedicated to mental health in the industry. He talks about why bartenders need to let it out — and why the emotional labor of the job deserves to be taken seriously, regardless of how it compares to other professions. Auditions, COVID, and the silver lining Pre-pandemic, pursuing acting from Wisconsin meant moving to Chicago or New York. Now, virtual auditions mean Matty can stay rooted in Racine while still working with his Chicago-based agent. An unexpected upside of a difficult era. Just start Whether it's content creation or anything else — Matty's biggest piece of advice is to stop waiting for perfect and just go. He stumbled and bumbled his way to half a million followers. The only way to learn is to do. Connect with Matty Rangel LinkTree - Matty Rangel Instagram / TikTok / Facebook / YouTube: @TheRealMattyRangel A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste, using flavour profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more......Imbiblia - check it out! Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling and Malivoire Winery. Links kyppsaunders@gmail.com @sugarrunbar @the_industry_podcast email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

    39 min
  3. Karolina Sliwinska

    May 25

    Karolina Sliwinska

    In this episode, we sit down with Karolina Sliwinska — bartender, mixologist, bar program consultant, and founder of Elite Bartender — to talk about what it really takes to build a career in hospitality. From Toronto nightclubs to luxury Marriott and Hyatt properties across Canada, Karolina's path is a masterclass in versatility and knowing your craft inside and out. **From Poland to the KW bar scene** — Karolina moved to Canada at 18 and worked her way from wedding catering in Guelph to some of Toronto's most iconic venues, including the Government Nightclub. **Why nightclubs and chain restaurants matter** — Karolina makes a strong case that high-volume environments like Jack Astor's, Moxie's, and nightclubs teach speed, spill control, and accountability that craft-focused bars often skip entirely. **Hotel bartending and slowing down** — She breaks down how Marriott and Hyatt properties reward personality and genuine connection over volume — and what bartenders should know about unionized vs. non-unionized hotel gigs before signing on. **Spirit-free cocktails are here to stay** — Karolina has priced mocktails at $10–12 across menus she's designed for Hyatt, Marriott, the Gaslight District in Cambridge, and Mediterraneo in Waterloo — and they sell just as well as the boozy ones. **The business side of bartending** — Understanding cost, margins, and how to get your front-of-house staff actually selling the menu is what separates a good mixologist from a truly elite one. **Elite Bartender** — Karolina's KW-based brand offers bar program design, staff training, menu consulting, and private event bartending from house parties to 200-person weddings. Find Karolina at the following: @elite.bartender LinkedIn - Karolina Sliwinska A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste, using flavour profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more......Imbiblia - check it out! Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling and Malivoire Winery. Links kyppsaunders@gmail.com @sugarrunbar @the_industry_podcast email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

    54 min
  4. Dan Angus

    May 11

    Dan Angus

    In our latest episode we sit down with Dan Angus, co-owner of Terroir Bakery in Cambridge, Ontario — an artisan bakery built around a simple but demanding philosophy: only local ingredients, sourced from Ontario farmers. Dan spent years working his way through some of Canada's top fine dining kitchens, including a long stint at the acclaimed Langdon Hall, before an unexpected detour into baking during the COVID pandemic changed everything. What started as sourdough loaves given away to friends and neighbours slowly grew into a farmer's market business, wholesale partnerships, and ultimately a brick-and-mortar bakery housed in a century-old former textile factory. We talk about: Why Terroir doesn't use chocolate, vanilla, or citrus — and what that means for how they bake The jump from fine dining cooking to artisan baking with no formal pastry training The real cost of opening a bakery — equipment, buildouts, and going three times over budget Navigating tariffs and economic uncertainty while importing commercial equipment What it's like to build a business with your spouse from the ground up A great listen for anyone interested in the food industry, small business ownership, or what it really takes to bring an independent bakery to life. @terroirbakery terroirartisanbakery.ca A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste, using flavour profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more......Imbiblia - check it out! Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports. Links kyppsaunders@gmail.com @sugarrunbar @the_industry_podcast email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

    47 min
  5. Jess Long

    Apr 27

    Jess Long

    In Episode 267 of The Industry Podcast, we sit down with Jess Long, bartender at the acclaimed Atwater Cocktail Club in Montreal, to trace her journey from hostessing at a busy Toronto restaurant, to pulling shots at Starbucks, to bartending her way through Australia and Southeast Asia — and ultimately landing in one of Canada's most celebrated cocktail scenes. Jess opens up about how Starbucks secretly made her a better bartender, why tiki bars are the ultimate creative training ground, and how a zero-waste philosophy at Le Mal Necessaire completely changed the way she builds cocktails. She also talks mentorship, the pre- and post-COVID shift in bar culture, her cocktail-to-go business during the pandemic, and the moment a milk-punch Mai Tai that looked like a glass of water earned her first menu placement. Whether you're behind the bar or dreaming about it, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and more than a few surprising twists — including a 24/7 Australian nightclub, a blue cheese vodka cocktail, and a Waldorf salad that somehow became a drink. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen — and if you're in Montreal, go find Jess at Atwater Cocktail Club. @atwatercocktailclub atwatercocktailclub.com A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out! Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports. Links kyppsaunders@gmail.com @sugarrunbar @the_industry_podcast email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

    49 min
  6. Audrey Hands

    Apr 13

    Audrey Hands

    What does it take to build a global career in hospitality—and fix what’s broken along the way? In this episode, we sit down with Audrey Hands, whose journey spans from London kitchens at 15 to Global Brand Ambassador for Havana Club—and now a consultant focused on improving team culture in hospitality. Audrey is a Franco-British hospitality entrepreneur and consultant based in Mexico City, with over two decades of international experience across the global drinks and hospitality industry. She has lived and worked in more than 10 countries and held leadership roles spanning brand strategy, education, experiential marketing, and advocacy. Audrey is the creative director of Rayo Cocktail Bar, creator of Aftermisia, marketing consultant for Elevage Wines, and co-founder of Brindemos Bienestar—a platform focused on integrating human well-being and conscious organizational culture into hospitality businesses. Her work centers on redefining leadership, sustainability, and long-term professional longevity within the industry @audrey.hands A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out! Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports. Links kyppsaunders@gmail.com @sugarrunbar @the_industry_podcast email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

    56 min
  7. Dylan Nowo

    Mar 23

    Dylan Nowo

    In this episode of The Industry Podcast, we’re joined by Toronto-based hospitality professional Dylan Nowo, whose path into bartending and the cocktail world is anything but typical. After starting on the brand side in beer, cider and spirits sales and events, Dylan is now making the transition behind the bar — offering a unique perspective on the hospitality industry, cocktail culture, and what it really takes to build skills in bartending. We talk about breaking into Toronto’s bar scene, learning the craft from the ground up, and navigating imposter syndrome along the way. Dylan also shares his experience competing in the Montenegro cocktail competition, his approach to cocktail experimentation, and how the Toronto hospitality community has supported his growth. Whether you’re a bartender, working in the spirits industry, or just passionate about cocktails, this episode is a great look at carving out your place in hospitality and developing your craft over time. @mr_nowo A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out! Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports. Links kyppsaunders@gmail.com @sugarrunbar @the_industry_podcast email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

    41 min
  8. Geoffrey Toffetti

    Mar 9

    Geoffrey Toffetti

    This weeks guest is Geoffrey Toffetti, who joins us from Orlando, Florida. Geoffrey is the CEO of Frontline Performance Group, a global company that helps hotels and hospitality brands unlock revenue growth by empowering their frontline teams. With more than two decades of experience across hospitality, operations, and technology, Geoffrey specializes in helping organizations transform everyday guest interactions into meaningful service experiences that also drive measurable business results. Geoffrey’s career began in the hospitality industry, where he worked his way up from roles such as valet and front desk agent to leadership positions in guest services. This hands-on background shaped his belief that the frontline employee—often the first point of contact with a customer—is the most powerful driver of both guest satisfaction and revenue growth. At Frontline Performance Group, Geoffrey has helped lead the company’s evolution from a consulting and training organization into a technology-driven SaaS platform. Its flagship system, IN-Gauge, combines training, analytics, and performance tracking to help hospitality companies improve service, engagement, and revenue outcomes. Today, Geoffrey works with some of the world’s largest hospitality brands—including major hotel groups—to help leaders build high-performance cultures, motivate frontline teams, and use data to improve the guest experience and bottom line. LinkedIn - Geoffrey Toffetti Frontline Performance Group A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out! Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports. Links kyppsaunders@gmail.com @sugarrunbar @the_industry_podcast email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

    48 min
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5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

A discussion with people working in the Service Industry - Bar, Restaurant, Hospitality - Front of House, Back of House, all aspects of what is commonly referred to as The Industry.

Information

  • Creator
    The Industry
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    270
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    The Industry

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