What's Cooking? | A Podcast from Nory

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What's Cooking? is the podcast for hospitality operators scaling smart. Hosted by Conor Sheridan – CEO and co-founder of Nory, and a former operator who built and ran multi-site restaurant brands himself – each episode goes behind the scenes of fast-growing restaurant groups to explore the operational challenges that actually matter - like disconnected systems, staffing chaos, and margin pressure. Through honest conversations with industry leaders you’ll get practical insight into what’s working on the ground right now - from automation and AI to culture, data, and waste reduction. No fluff. No forecasts. Just the blueprint for better hospitality operations at scale. New episodes every two weeks.

  1. Inside Nory’s Series B: building the operating system for restaurants

    JAN 1

    Inside Nory’s Series B: building the operating system for restaurants

    Missed the full episode? Here’s the highlight reel. In this episode's highlights, Conor Sheridan sits down with Jose Gaytan de Ayala, Investment Manager at Kinnevik, to unpack Nory’s $37m Series B raise - and what it takes to build a category-defining hospitality tech company. From why Kinnevik chose Nory in a competitive round to how AI is shifting from dashboards to decision-making, this is a candid look at capital, conviction, and real-world impact. You’ll hear: >> Why long-term vision and founder–investor alignment mattered most >> What made Nory stand out in a highly competitive Series B round >> How AI is moving from reactive reporting to proactive decision-making >> Why hospitality is one of the most exciting (and under-served) tech opportunities >> What’s next for Nory across product, AI agents, and global expansion Hosted by Conor Sheridan, CEO of Nory. Connect with Jose Gaytan de Ayala on LinkedIn.  Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & YouTube.

    12 min
  2. Season one rewind: the strategies that actually move margins

    12/30/2025

    Season one rewind: the strategies that actually move margins

    In this season one wrap-up of What’s Cooking?, Conor Sheridan reflects on the standout insights from 12 leading voices across hospitality. From tech to team culture, discover what really drives profitability at scale. Learn how operators are solving frontline challenges with AI, operational clarity, and people-first leadership. What you'll learn in this episode >> How operators at scale are using data to improve forecasting and guest experience. >> Why culture and people-first leadership are critical to consistent brand delivery. >> What role adaptability plays in menu innovation and site deployment. >> The real ROI behind digital tools and why tech must serve a clear commercial goal. >> How investors assess hospitality ventures and what makes standout founders succeed. Meet our guests This bonus episode features highlights from all season one guests, including Tom James, Darko Salaj, Maria McCann, Jonny Bramwell, Mark McCulloch, Chris Demery, Neil Remedios, Jim Hingston, Jose Gaytan de Ayala, Andrew Maxwell, Kate Nicholls, and Amy Hom. About our host  Conor Sheridan is the founder and CEO of Nory, a pioneering AI platform helping hospitality brands run smarter, leaner, and more profitably. A former restaurateur himself, Conor blends operational grit with technological vision. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who are passionate about better hospitality operations at scale. Let’s push the boundaries of what’s possible! Visit nory.ai to discover how AI can drive smarter restaurant operations. Explore Nory’s AI-powered restaurant ops platform: nory.ai Connect with Conor Sheridan on LinkedIn Follow: Tom James on LinkedIn Darko Salaj on LinkedIn Maria McCann on LinkedIn Jonny Bramwell on LinkedIn  Mark McCollough on LinkedIn Chris Demery on LinkedIn Neil Remedios on LinkedIn Jim Hingston on LinkedIn Jose Gaytan de Ayala on LinkedIn Andrew Maxwell on LinkedIn Kate Nicholls on LinkedIn Amy Hom on LinkedIn Learn more about Nory on LinkedIn

    40 min
  3. Brand isn’t a campaign: Prezzo Italian highlights

    12/25/2025

    Brand isn’t a campaign: Prezzo Italian highlights

    Short on time? Here’s the essence. In this episode's highlights, Mark McCulloch, CMO of Prezzo Italian and founder of Hospitality Marketing Guru, breaks down why brand is not a logo, a launch, or a one-off campaign - it’s an operating system for the entire business. Drawing on his experience across Pret, YO! Sushi and Prezzo Italian, Mark shares how to diagnose brand problems properly, align culture with product and reputation, and navigate marketing decisions in a margin-pressured industry. You’ll hear: >> Why rebrands should be the last lever you pull, not the first >> The difference between brand and branding and why it matters >> How misalignment between culture, product and reputation kills value >> Why consistency in food and service is non-negotiable at scale >> How to think about marketing investment beyond short-term attribution Hosted by Conor Sheridan, CEO of Nory. Connect with Mark McCulloch on LinkedIn.  Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & YouTube.

    12 min
  4. How Alison Wong leads change from the CFO seat

    12/23/2025

    How Alison Wong leads change from the CFO seat

    In this episode of What’s Cooking?, host Conor Sheridan talks with Alison Wong, Chief Financial Officer at House of Gods Hotel, about scaling financial leadership in hospitality. From consultancy to C-suite, Alison shares powerful insights on balancing operational rigour with guest experience, building scalable systems, and leading transformation with empathy. A must-listen for operators navigating complexity and growth. What you'll learn in this episode >> Why hospitality CFOs must balance cost control with creative flair >> How consistency across operations can unlock scalable success >> The importance of product discovery in transformation projects >> Why optimising alone won't solve rising cost pressures in hospitality >> How AI and automation can be introduced without losing the human touch Meet our guest  Alison Wong is the CFO of House of Gods Hotel, bringing 15+ years of finance experience across hospitality, private equity, and consultancy. She specialises in financial transformation, fundraising, and building scalable structures that preserve guest experience. About our host  Conor Sheridan is the founder and CEO of Nory, a pioneering AI platform helping hospitality brands run smarter, leaner, and more profitably. A former restaurateur himself, Conor blends operational grit with technological vision. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who are passionate about better hospitality operations at scale. Let’s push the boundaries of what’s possible! Visit nory.ai to discover how AI can drive smarter restaurant operations. Explore Nory’s AI-powered restaurant ops platform: nory.ai Connect with Conor Sheridan on LinkedIn Follow Alison Wong on LinkedIn Learn more about Nory on LinkedIn

    38 min
  5. Beautiful chaos, done right: Rosa’s Thai highlights

    12/18/2025

    Beautiful chaos, done right: Rosa’s Thai highlights

    Pressed for time? Here’s the condensed version. In this episode's highlights, Jonny Bramwell, Regional Head of Operations at Rosa’s Thai, breaks down what operational excellence really looks like when you’re scaling fast - without losing heart, culture, or energy. From rolling out Rosa’s Done Right across 46 locations to redefining success beyond the P&L, Jonny shares how clarity, language, and people-first leadership drive results. You’ll hear: >> Why giving GMs “the gift of time” changes everything >> How Rosa’s Done Right created shared language across the business >> Why peer-led coaching beats top-down audits >> How guest sentiment and team retention outperform traditional metrics >> What “beautiful chaos” means and why it’s core to the Rosa’s experience Hosted by Conor Sheridan, CEO of Nory. Connect with Jonny Bramwell on LinkedIn.  Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & YouTube.

    14 min
  6. Power of 1%: highlights from Maria McCann at Blacklock

    12/16/2025

    Power of 1%: highlights from Maria McCann at Blacklock

    Culture isn’t top-down - it’s built from the ground up. In this episode’s highlights, Blacklock’s Ops Director Maria McCann shares how a people-first approach to training, onboarding and culture has driven real results across their growth. You’ll hear: >> Why off-the-shelf training can’t build brand culture >> How investing in people slashes turnover and boosts profitability >> The power of bottom-up values creation >> Why onboarding is about time, not checklists >> What the “Power of 1%” really means in hospitality Hosted by Conor Sheridan, CEO of Nory. Connect with Maria McCann on LinkedIn. Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & YouTube.

    10 min
  7. Easy on people, tough on standards: A COO's leadership philosophy

    12/11/2025

    Easy on people, tough on standards: A COO's leadership philosophy

    In this episode of What’s Cooking?, host Conor Sheridan talks with Amy Hom, Chief Operating Officer at Barcelona Wine Bar, about scaling leadership in hospitality. From humble beginnings to the C-suite, Amy shares powerful insights on developing frontline teams, creating real culture, and making operations more human. A must-listen for operators navigating complexity at scale. What you'll learn in this episode >> Why frontline development is a non-negotiable for restaurant success >> How to balance empathy with high standards in leadership >> Practical advice on implementing new tech in multi-site operations >> The importance of stay interviews and succession planning >> Why culture is built through action, not slogans Meet our guest  Amy Hom is a veteran operator and board leader with over 20 years in hospitality. From sweetgreen to REEF and now Barcelona Wine Bar, Amy has held top roles and now channels her experience into mentoring future leaders through initiatives like LEAD and GLEAM Network. About our host  Conor Sheridan is the founder and CEO of Nory, a pioneering AI platform helping hospitality brands run smarter, leaner, and more profitably. A former restaurateur himself, Conor blends operational grit with technological vision. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who are passionate about better hospitality operations at scale. Let’s push the boundaries of what’s possible! Visit nory.ai to discover how AI can drive smarter restaurant operations. Explore Nory’s AI-powered restaurant ops platform: nory.ai Connect with Conor Sheridan on LinkedIn Follow Amy Hom on LinkedIn Learn more about Nory on LinkedIn

    41 min
  8. Structured chaos: highlights from Giggling Squid’s scale-up journey

    12/09/2025

    Structured chaos: highlights from Giggling Squid’s scale-up journey

    Giggling Squid didn’t scale by playing it safe. In this episode’s highlights, Ops Director Darko Salaj shares what it really takes to grow a hospitality brand - through delays, chaos, and curveballs. You’ll hear: >> Why resilience, not perfection, is the key to successful openings >> The value of championing individuality (even at 50+ sites) >> How tech should support and never replace great operators >> Why hands-on leadership still wins Hosted by Conor Sheridan, CEO of Nory. Connect with Darko Salaj on LinkedIn. Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify & YouTube.

    13 min
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About

What's Cooking? is the podcast for hospitality operators scaling smart. Hosted by Conor Sheridan – CEO and co-founder of Nory, and a former operator who built and ran multi-site restaurant brands himself – each episode goes behind the scenes of fast-growing restaurant groups to explore the operational challenges that actually matter - like disconnected systems, staffing chaos, and margin pressure. Through honest conversations with industry leaders you’ll get practical insight into what’s working on the ground right now - from automation and AI to culture, data, and waste reduction. No fluff. No forecasts. Just the blueprint for better hospitality operations at scale. New episodes every two weeks.

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