All in the Industry ®‪️‬ Heritage Radio Network

Today on our episode #390 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer's guest is Christina Grdovic, or Chris, an influential and inspiring leader in America’s culinary world. Chris was previously the Publisher of Food & Wine for over a decade, and is currently the Head of Partnerships at Marc Lore’s Wonder, a new kind of food hall, transforming delivery and mealtime. Chris is known for devoting the same endless energy and investment in nurturing people and culture as she does to refining strategy and building brands. With this powerful, focused combination, she has left an indelible mark on the companies and teams she’s led. When Marc founded Wonder, Chris joined to identify and recruit chef and restaurant partners for the platform and help develop concepts for chefs José Andrés, Michael Symon, Marcus Samuelsson, Esther Choi and beloved classics DiFara Pizza and Tejas Barbecue, among others. As Publisher of Food & Wine, Chris transformed the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, fortifying its status as America’s premier food and wine festival. She launched myriad partnerships with culinary festivals in the U.S., Caribbean, and Mexico to create robust year-round offerings. Chris also spearheaded the partnership with Bravo that launched the network’s Emmy Award-winning blockbuster hit, Top Chef. After departing Food & Wine, Chris founded a strategic consultancy advising the Infatuation, Fever Tree, and other culinary brands.

Today's show also features Shari's PR tip to wonder; Industry News on James Kent, also known as Jamal James Kent, an outstanding chef, restaurateur, husband, father, and friend, who suddenly passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from a heart attack at the young age of 45 -- a heartbreaking loss for our industry and beyond; as well as Industry News on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024 in Las Vegas and James Beard Awards 2024 in Chicago, which Shari attended for our "On the Road" coverage; plus, Shari's Solo Dining experience at Clark's Oyster Bar in Aspen during the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen 2024. Listen at Heritage Radio Network, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow us @allindustry. Thanks for being a part of All in the Industry®.

** Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon, Spring 2023), available wherever books are sold! #chefwisebook**

Today on our episode #389 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer has a special show in honor of James Kent, also known as Jamal James Kent, an outstanding chef, restaurateur, husband, father, and friend, who suddenly passed away this past Saturday, June 15, 2024, from a heart attack at the young age of 45. As a tribute, we are rebroadcasting our episode #253 with James, which originally aired on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, when Shari spoke with him remotely during the trying times of Covid.

The New York Times wrote that James was “a distinguished chef and successful Manhattan restaurateur who seemed poised to become a food industry tycoon.” James' company, Saga Hospitality Group, includes restaurants, Crown Shy (one Michelin star) and Saga (two Michelin stars), and cocktail bar, Overstory (No. 3 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list), which are all in the same building in Manhattan's Financial District at 70 Pine Street. Crown Shy is on the ground floor, and Saga and Overstory are part of the 62nd, 63rd, 64th and 66th floors, along with private dining room, 12 terraces and 360 panoramic views. James future plans included Snackville, re-imagined culinary concepts at the amusement park on Santa Monica Pier in California as a partnership with Saga Hospitality Group and private equity platform, SC Holdings; several projects from fine dining to a fast-casual chicken sandwich concept with NBA great LeBron James, whose investment firm is LRMR Ventures; a 140-seat restaurant at 360 Park Avenue South in Manhattan, inspired by the Grand Central Oyster Bar with Executive Chef Danny Garcia, who was just named winner of Bravo’s Top Chef: Season 21; a new bakery and casual all-day cafe in the newly renovated Domino Sugar factory building in Brooklyn with Executive Pastry Chef Renata Ameni; and five restaurants in partnership with Paris luxury department store, Printemps, at 1 Wall Street, led by Culinary Director Gregory Gourdet. James was also working with Shari’s publisher Phaidon on a new book to tell the story of his restaurants at 70 Pine and his life growing up and cooking in NYC.

Shari was honored to know James, and call him a friend. He was not only an extremely well-respected leader, but he had a beautiful soul, and the ability to make others feel special. His incredible legacy will live on. Our deepest condolences to James’ wife Kelly and their children Gavin and Avery, and everyone who loved James too. Thank you, James, for sharing your story with us, and the wonderful memories. You will be greatly missed. #RIP

** On episode #253 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer is joined by James Kent, Executive Chef of Crown Shy, and the Owner/Partner of J2K Creative. A Greenwich Village native, James started his culinary career as a summer apprentice at Bouley when he was fifteen years old, and has since spent time in the kitchens of Babbo, Jean-Georges, and Gordon Ramsay. James joined the team at Eleven Madison Park (EMP) as a line cook and was quickly promoted to sous chef, and in 2010, he placed first in the Bocuse d’Or USA Competition; then representing the US at the international finals of the Bocuse D'Or in Lyon, France, placing 10th in the world. When he returned to New York, he was named chef de cuisine of EMP, and under his leadership, the restaurant received numerous accolades including four stars from The New York Times, three Michelin stars, and a coveted spot on World's 50 Best Restaurants. James was promoted to Executive Chef of The NoMad in the fall of 2013, the same year that it received one Michelin Star. In 2017, he left to pursue his first solo project, an ambitious pair of restaurants in the landmark Art Deco building at 70 Pine Street in New York’s Financial District, with his partner Jeff Katz. Crown Shy, the first of those restaurants, opened in March 2019, and received 2 stars from The New York Times and one Michelin Star just six months after opening. Today's show also features Shari's PR tip

Today on our episode #388 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer has a special show with Jean-Georges Vongerichten -- acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and author, from their recent live audience event at the James Beard Foundation's Platform by JBF, which took place on Sunday, April 14th in NYC. Their one-on-one conversation centers around Shari's new book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World, which Jean-Georges in a contributor to; diving into a range of topics from Chefwise which encompass matters applicable both in and out of the kitchen. Known for launching such city-defining restaurants such as his first, JoJo on the Upper East Side, flagship Jean-Georges at Columbus Circle and Tin Building at The Seaport, today Jean-Georges is responsible for the operation and success of over 60 restaurants worldwide.

In addition to her latest book and hosting this podcast, All in the Industry, Shari is the founder of New York City–based Bayer Public Relations, which recently celebrated its 20th year. We're happy to share this exclusive event talk with you today. Many thanks to Jean--Georges, James Beard Foundation's CEO Clare Reichenbach who hosted our event, Phaidon, and Posman Books, who supplied Chefwise copies for our book signing, and teams! And many thanks to all who joined us! In addition, today's show features Shari's PR tip to read books, and Solo Dining experience at Four Twenty Five, a new seasonally driven restaurant by Jean-Georges in NYC, with Chef Jonathan Benno.

** Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon). #chefwisebook **

Today on our episode #387 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer's guest is Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for 50 Best, the leading authority in global gastronomy and the international drinks scene, showcasing worldwide trends and highlighting great restaurants and bars from all corners of the Earth. With overall responsibility for 50 Best since 2009, Tim has overseen more than a decade of key brand developments, including the launches of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2013; the start of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants global tour in 2016; the acquisition of The World's 50 Best Bars in 2017; the launch of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2018; and the more recent additions of 50 Best Discovery, Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants, North America's 50 Best Bars and The World’s 50 Best Hotels to the 50 Best portfolio. He joined William Reed in 2007 as publisher of The Morning Advertiser and was promoted to publishing director in 2009, also overseeing Restaurant magazine, BigHospitality and MCA Insight, highly influential UK hospitality trade publications. Shari is excited to speak with Tim about his career and all things 50 Best, including The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024, taking place on June 5th in Las Vegas, which Shari will be attending and covering on an upcoming "On the Road" episode.

In addition, today's show features Shari's PR tip to build community; Industry News on The 50 Best Bars in North America 2024, via Conde Nast Traveler; and Shari's Solo Dining experience at Casa Playa at the Wynn Las Vegas, which is hosting one of the 50 Best's Signature Sessions dining events with Chefwise contributor Elena Reygadas of Rosetta in Mexico City.

** Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon). #chefwisebook **

Today on our episode #386 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer's guest is Gabriel Ornelas, a strategist, producer and founder of Studio Ornelas, a global, multidisciplinary group of business builders who are deeply invested in the worlds of food, hospitality, travel, and culture. An entrepreneur himself, Gabriel has spent his career developing and producing compelling branded experiences through content, media, and partnerships. Gabriel and his teams global work experience and unique point of view has positioned them to successfully drive growth, through new business and marketing campaigns for clients, which include Faena Group, Sbe, Mercedes-Benz, Perfect Day, Citi, Antigua & Barbuda Tourism, Perrier-Jouët Champagne, Moët Hennessy and Valrhona, to name a few. Gabriel is also the creator, host and producer of “On The Pass” podcast, which is powered through Studio Ornelas, serving up inspiring conversations with figures in food, beverage and hospitality, now celebrating its 4th Anniversary.

In addition, today's show features Shari's PR tip to strive to make a positive impact in the world; Industry News on California's ban on "junk fees" and how it could effect California’s restaurant industry, via Eater SF; and Shari's Solo Dining experience at Chefwise contributor Christian F. Puglisi's BAEST in Copenhagen, Denmark.

** Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon). #chefwisebook **

Today on our episode #385 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer is on-location in NYC at Benoit bistro with her guest, legendary chef Alain Ducasse. Born in 1956 on a farm in the Landes region of France, Chef Ducasse is now at the helm of over thirty restaurants in 9 countries around the world, from prestigious establishments, including Le Meurice Alain Ducasse, Le Louis XV; Alain Ducasse at L'Hôtel de Paris; and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester; to Parisian bistros and casual brasseries. He became the first chef to have three restaurants awarded with three Michelin stars at the same time in 2005 (Paris, Monaco & New York), and one of just two chefs in the world to have been awarded 21 stars altogether. He currently holds a total of 18 Michelin stars. Chef Ducasse has set up schools, created artisan factories, and is the author of several cookbooks. He now has a new book, Good Taste - A Life of Food and Passion (Gallic Books, 4/16/24), which captures the essence of his illustrious career and the core of his philosophy, inspirations and creative process. Shari and Chef Ducasse are also joined by Emmanuelle, who works with Chef Ducasse and helped translate our conversation. Merci beaucoup!

Today's show also features Shari's PR tip to follow Chef Ducasse's code of honor and its 12 values; Industry News on Michelin announcing 10 New York restaurants up for 2024 awards; and Shari's Solo Dining experience at Chefwise contributor Clare Smyth's CORE by Clare Smyth in London, England.

** Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon). #chefwisebook **