Dine & Grind Podcast

dineandgrindpodcast
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Dine and Grind Ready to turn your culinary passion into a sizzling success story? Dine and Grind is the bold, no-holds-barred podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the food industry. Hosted by acclaimed food entrepreneur and chef Daniel Shemtob, each episode delivers an unfiltered look at the passion, craft, and commerce fueling the world of food. From Michelin-starred chefs and inventive restaurateurs to food truck pioneers and food tech innovators, Dine and Grind shines a spotlight on the creators and trailblazers changing the food game. These candid conversations reveal what it really means to work in food, build a brand, and grow a career in the culinary industry. Hear how top talent turns humble ideas into thriving businesses, overcoming challenges and serving up success along the way. What to Expect • Inspiring Success Stories: First-hand accounts of building food brands from the ground up, with all the bold risks, big wins, and hard lessons that come with the journey. • Insider Business Insights: Practical lessons on entrepreneurship, marketing, and leadership in the food world—discover how to turn a love of food into a thriving enterprise. • Expert Advice: Learn tips and strategies from industry pros on honing your craft, staying creative, and grinding through obstacles in the quest for flavor and fortune. Whether you’re an ambitious food entrepreneur, an industry pro, or a curious foodie, Dine and Grind will fuel your fire and feed your mind. Confident, inspiring, and full of flavor, this show serves up the tools and motivation you need to make your mark in the business of food. Tune in, stay hungry, and get ready to Dine and Grind!

  1. Jul 16

    The Story Behind Chef’s Table: David Gelb on Jiro, Storytelling & Reinventing the Series

    Welcome back to Dine & Grind, the show where we explore the grit, creativity, and drive that fuel the world’s top culinary and entrepreneurial minds. Today, we’re diving into the art of cinematic storytelling and the alchemy that turns food and film into unforgettable experiences. Our guest is David Gelb—the visionary behind Jiro Dreams of Sushi and the creator of Netflix’s groundbreaking Chef’s Table. From falling into documentary filmmaking by accident to revolutionizing food television, David shares the behind-the-scenes journey of capturing human passion, the risks and doubts that almost derailed his first film, and how vulnerability and persistence can elevate both food and storytelling. We’ll discuss the origins of Chef’s Table, what it takes to crack open the stories of the world’s most enigmatic chefs, and how David is reinventing the series for a new generation. Get ready to be inspired by personal stories, creative breakthroughs, and hard-won wisdom from one of the culinary world’s leading storytellers.   00:00 Unexpected journey into documentary filmmaking 03:06 Creating Jiro Dreams of Sushi 08:45 Living Up to Family Expectations 10:19 Creating impactful film scenes 13:18 Striving for unforgettable dishes 17:48 Deciding on personal film projects 21:40 Respect for Guy and thoughtful storytelling 24:36 Filming and chef preparation process 28:17 10 years and new technology 29:19 Filming style for intimate chef shots 32:24 Evolving the Chef's Table format 36:03 The process of reflection 40:14 Expanding the Chef's Table brand 44:00 Dining preferences at sushi restaurants 45:37 Discussing patience and persistence   🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or visit Dine & Grind for show notes and more inspiring chef interviews.

  2. Jul 16

    How Sweetfin Turned Poke Into a Fast-Casual Empire | Seth Cohen

    Welcome back to Dine & Grind, where entrepreneurial grit meets kitchen hustle. In this episode, we sit down with Seth Cohen, co-founder and president of Sweetfin, the pioneering fast-casual poke concept that helped revolutionize the QSR industry in Los Angeles and beyond. Seth shares his journey from a passionate home cook with no formal culinary background to spearheading a multi-unit restaurant brand known for innovation and chef-driven flavors. We explore Sweetfin’s evolution, the challenges and triumphs of scaling a restaurant, navigating fierce competition, and the critical role of innovation in staying relevant. From humble beginnings and unexpected hurdles—like not landing their first-choice locations and battling copycats—to collaborating with Michelin-starred chef Daniel Patterson for a bold menu reimagining, Seth reveals the key ingredients that have kept Sweetfin thriving for nearly a decade. Tune in for a candid conversation about risk-taking, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of quality and creativity in the restaurant business. Service begins now!   00:00 Introducing Seth Cohen from Sweetfin 05:16 Balancing sustainability, cost, and quality 07:39 Challenges of Food Manufacturing Business 12:03 Introducing unique ingredients 15:44 Being early to unique flavors 18:53 High end taco market competition 21:19 Rebranding and differentiating Sweetfin 23:52 Reflecting on future strategy 26:29 New menu development strategy 30:58 Hands-on involvement in restaurant operations 32:16 Reflecting on industry longevity 37:00 Affordable gourmet dining experiences 39:02 Maintaining a supportive team culture 44:42 Importance of staying innovative   🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or visit Dine & Grind for show notes and more inspiring chef interviews.

  3. Jul 16

    Why Food Network Fame Isn’t Enough to Build a Restaurant Empire | Tyler Florence

    Welcome back to Dine & Grind, the show where kitchen grit meets entrepreneurial hustle. In this episode, the conversation focused on the realities behind Food Network fame and why celebrity status alone isn’t enough to build a lasting restaurant empire. The discussion explored Tyler Florence’s journey from his first days as a teenage dishwasher to becoming a celebrated restaurateur and television personality. A key theme that emerged was the unwavering commitment to authenticity, attention to detail, and relentless pursuit of excellence—qualities that go far beyond what’s seen on screen. Several points were raised, including the importance of intentionality when building restaurant concepts, the role of leadership and self-awareness, and how a crystal-clear vision can turn a single idea—like “steak”—into an award-winning legacy business. The episode delves into the intersection of media exposure and real-world operations, providing hard-won insights for anyone aspiring to turn culinary dreams into lasting success.   00:00 Starting in the restaurant industry 08:53 Designing the restaurant layout 14:53 Meeting Lori Green at the restaurant 18:22 Balancing TV work and restaurant career 26:16 Creating a luxury steakhouse experience 29:50 The Cattle Kings Legacy 36:57 Explaining beef terroir 38:33 Grass-fed cattle flavor profile 46:25 The joy of being a restaurateur 48:55 Importance of self-awareness and growth 54:52 Discussing restaurant business strategies 01:00:25 Returning to golf after a break

  4. 12/23/2025

    From Italy to LA: How Francesco Bacco Built Pizza Fling

    In this episode of Dine & Grind, Daniel Shemtob sits down with Francesco Bacco, founder of Pizza Fling. Francesco shares how setbacks became fuel, from losing his dream of becoming a professional basketball player due to injury, to moving to Los Angeles without speaking English, to losing work during the pandemic and the Palisades fire. Each challenge ultimately pushed him to take a leap and start Pizza Fling in Santa Monica. Francesco also breaks down his approach to making great pizza, from crust and sauce to toppings.   04:57 Finding Passion in Hospitality 07:11 Adversity, Grit, and Moving Forward 10:35 First Hospitality Job Experience 13:40 Pizza Entrepreneurship and New Opportunities 18:45 Unexpected Call from Police 19:58 Observing People at Work 22:37 Pizza Chef's Green Card Journey 28:33 Grateful Amidst the Fire 31:26 Starting Our Own Business 33:46 Resilience, Reinvention, and Pizza 37:55 Exceptional Ingredients, Unmatched Details 41:20 Celebrating Passion and Hustle 44:18 Gratitude, Pizza, and Snibbs 45:31 Warm Welcome, Great Pizza   🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or visit Dine & Grind for show notes and more inspiring chef interviews.

  5. 12/16/2025

    Canter's Deli: How Alex Canter Is Reinventing a 90-Year-Old LA Restaurant

    Alex Canter, fourth-generation member of the family behind the legendary Canter's Deli, joins Daniel on Dine & Grind for a candid conversation about legacy, reinvention, and what it takes to keep an iconic institution alive. Alex opens up about growing up inside the business, the realities of running Canter's and how to honor tradition while also building something sustainable for the future.   00:00 Canter's: LA Icon Since 1953 06:01 Playground of Experimentation 13:06 Family Legacy and Restaurant Changes 18:52 Cooking by Feel and Respect 24:08 Night Market's Rise and Shift 31:11 Restaurant Tech's Tablet Hell 34:11 Streamlining Restaurant Ordering Systems 40:00 Think Bigger, Build Globally 46:01 Leadership Challenges and Layoffs 51:03 Entrepreneurship: Resilience and Lessons 57:11 Reimagining Everyday Essentials 01:01:18 Transforming Pain into Comfort   🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or visit Dine & Grind for show notes and more inspiring chef interviews.

  6. 12/08/2025

    Beyond Bizarre Foods: How Andrew Zimmern Overcame Homelessness & Addiction to Become a Food Icon

    In this episode of Dine & Grind, four-time James Beard Award winner and host of Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimmern, sits down with Daniel to share the raw, untold story behind his rise. He opens up about his struggle with severe addiction and homelessness, and how he rebuilt his life from rock bottom to become the food icon he is today. In this episode, Andrew reflects on the moment everything changed, how service and sobriety reshaped his foundation, and why empathy became the core of his life and work.   00:00 From Comfort Food to Sneakers 03:21 Summer Job at Seafood Restaurant 07:38 Chef's Passion for Cooking 12:14 Global Cooking Journey to Success 17:18 Opportunity & Giving Back Wins 21:33 Day One of Service 25:20 Grace in Business Management 27:56 Overcoming Self-Focus Challenges 29:55 Building a Storytelling Career 38:24 Empathy and Happiness Explained 45:29 Spirituality Takes Daily Work 49:41 Kaiser Roll Egg Sandwich Staple 50:52 Snibbs Collab with Andrew Zimmern   🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or visit Dine & Grind for show notes, chef interviews, and more stories at the intersection of food and entrepreneurship.

  7. 12/01/2025

    How Don Fox Built Firehouse Subs Into a $1 Billion Sandwich Empire

    In this episode of Dine & Grind, Daniel sits down with Don Fox, the CEO who helped transform Firehouse Subs from a small 65-store regional brand into a powerhouse with more than 1,200 locations nationwide.  Don shares the unlikely story of how he entered the restaurant world, the moment he realized Firehouse had something truly special, and the leadership lessons that shaped the brand's explosive growth. He also breaks down the real economics behind franchising and reflects on mistakes learned along the way.   00:00 Don Fox: Industry Legend 04:46 Early Lessons of Hard Work 06:12 Proactive vs Reactive Workplace Mindset 10:15 From Music Dreams to Management 15:31 Musical Journey of Uncertainty 16:42 Embrace Passions, Adapt in Life 19:33 From Field Ops to R&D 24:51 Fast Food Industry Evolution 26:53 Early Franchise Leadership Experience 31:00 Optimizing Leadership and Systems 32:43 First Job: Manual Dishwashing 37:27 Learning Through Observation and Ambition 41:02 Work Ethic Learned by Example 43:43 From Music to Management 50:16 Passion, Paths, and Unexpected Joys 53:39 Operations to R&D Transition 57:38 Supporting First Responders' Impact 58:14 Rapid Fire Success Questions 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or visit Dine & Grind for show notes, chef interviews, and more stories at the intersection of food and entrepreneurship.

  8. 11/24/2025

    From Hollywood to Beverage Founder: Inside Aisha Tyler's Premium Margarita Brand

    In this episode, host Daniel Shemtob sits down with the multitalented Aisha Tyler —comedian, actor, director, and founder of an award-winning ready-to-drink cocktail brand Losophe. Aisha shares how she went from working as a teenage dishwasher and bartender to becoming a Hollywood powerhouse and innovator in the craft cocktail and spirits industry. She opens up about the relentless drive, creativity, and joy that fuel her success across entertainment, hospitality, and brand building. Listeners get an inside look at her journey from Dartmouth to Hollywood, including how her passion for food culture, bar programs, and hospitality inspired her to create an organic margarita that's shaking up the RTD cocktail market. She also delivers candid, behind-the-scenes stories—from setting bars on fire in college to embarking on global foodie pilgrimages to navigating the grind of growing a mission-driven beverage company. Grab a drink and get ready for an episode loaded with laughter, lessons, and serious inspiration.   00:00 Aisha Tyler's Cocktail Journey 05:11 Hospitality with Heart and Humility 06:40 Bartenders: Purveyors of Joy 11:15 Transforming Communities with Green Spaces 18:45 Building a Bar at Home 24:17 Recipe for Heartfelt Success 26:34 Learning Business Through Experience 34:23 Confidence in the Product 37:19 Better Than DIY Cocktails 40:11 Simple Calendar-Based Workflow 43:17 Inbox Zero Efficiency Method 47:04 Balancing Growth and Passion 48:48 Epic Culinary Journey in Sweden 52:14 Margaritas and Boulevardiers 57:29 Passion, Hustle, and Vision   🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or visit Dine & Grind for show notes, chef interviews, and more stories at the intersection of food and entrepreneurship.

See All (14)

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Dine and Grind Ready to turn your culinary passion into a sizzling success story? Dine and Grind is the bold, no-holds-barred podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the food industry. Hosted by acclaimed food entrepreneur and chef Daniel Shemtob, each episode delivers an unfiltered look at the passion, craft, and commerce fueling the world of food. From Michelin-starred chefs and inventive restaurateurs to food truck pioneers and food tech innovators, Dine and Grind shines a spotlight on the creators and trailblazers changing the food game. These candid conversations reveal what it really means to work in food, build a brand, and grow a career in the culinary industry. Hear how top talent turns humble ideas into thriving businesses, overcoming challenges and serving up success along the way. What to Expect • Inspiring Success Stories: First-hand accounts of building food brands from the ground up, with all the bold risks, big wins, and hard lessons that come with the journey. • Insider Business Insights: Practical lessons on entrepreneurship, marketing, and leadership in the food world—discover how to turn a love of food into a thriving enterprise. • Expert Advice: Learn tips and strategies from industry pros on honing your craft, staying creative, and grinding through obstacles in the quest for flavor and fortune. Whether you’re an ambitious food entrepreneur, an industry pro, or a curious foodie, Dine and Grind will fuel your fire and feed your mind. Confident, inspiring, and full of flavor, this show serves up the tools and motivation you need to make your mark in the business of food. Tune in, stay hungry, and get ready to Dine and Grind!

Information

  • Creator
    dineandgrindpodcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Dine & Grind Podcast

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