Media Test Kitchen

Cali BBQ Media
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Media Test Kitchen is where new media lives. We explore the intersection of technology and new media in the restaurant and hospitality sectors, learning how businesses are utilizing these tools to grow their business.

  1. 16h ago

    Rising Tides Live - The Power Of Saying NO

    Scott Kleckner led this Rising Tides Live conversation on the power of saying no. Joined by Shawn Walchef and a panel of restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders, Scott guided a discussion on the difficult decisions that help leaders protect their time, values, and long-term goals. From setting stronger boundaries and using AI as a strategic thinking partner to defining a personal North Star, the group agreed that every yes comes with a cost, and the right no creates space for the opportunities that matter most. Every Yes Has a Cost — The group emphasized that every commitment requires time, attention, or energy. Learning to say no creates room for the people, projects, and priorities that matter most, both professionally and personally. A Clear North Star Makes Decisions Easier — Whether it's family, business growth, or personal values, defining what you're working toward helps filter opportunities. When an opportunity doesn't align with that vision, saying no becomes much simpler. Better Leaders Protect Their Time Intentionally — From shortening meetings and setting stronger boundaries to using AI as a strategic thought partner, the panel shared practical ways to eliminate distractions and focus on high-impact work instead of reacting to every request. Episode Links: Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  2. 2d ago

    Rising Tides Live - The Value Of Little Improvements Over Time

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on the value of little improvements over time, where restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how small, consistent changes create lasting results. The discussion explored improving workflows, leadership, storytelling, and business systems while embracing feedback, reducing friction, and publishing before you're ready. The group agreed that meaningful growth doesn't come from one big breakthrough but from small improvements that compound over time. Small improvements compound. The biggest gains come from making consistent 1% improvements over time rather than chasing one breakthrough or quick fix. Improve the system, not just the outcome. Whether it's restaurant operations, content creation, or leadership, reducing friction and refining your process creates lasting results. Progress requires action. Publish before you're ready, seek feedback, stay curious, and keep showing up. Consistency is what turns small wins into meaningful growth. Episode Links Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  3. Jul 23

    Rising Tides Live - How Do We Build Better Leaders in the AI Era?

    Iano Dovi led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on building better leaders in the AI era, where restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how technology is changing what leadership looks like. The discussion centered on using AI to make teams more efficient without losing the human connection, strengthening interpersonal skills and empathy, and giving emerging leaders the tools and confidence to make better decisions. From adapting communication to individual employees and challenging AI to push back on ideas to creating clearer goals and more personalized training, the group agreed that AI does not replace leadership. It raises the standard for how leaders show up, build trust, and connect with their teams. AI Should Strengthen Leadership, Not Replace It – AI can provide information, automate tasks, and improve efficiency, but it cannot build trust or inspire a team. Strong leadership still depends on human connection, empathy, and communication. Use AI to Develop Better Leaders – AI can help emerging leaders prepare for difficult conversations, learn faster, understand team members, and make more confident decisions without always relying on someone above them for answers. Turn Saved Time Into Human Connection – The value of AI is not simply getting more work done faster. Leaders can use the time AI saves to coach their teams, strengthen relationships, recognize employees, and create a better workplace culture. Episode Links:  Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ Iano Dovi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iano-dovi/

  4. Jul 22

    Rising Tides Live - Mid-Year Planning

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on mid-year planning, where restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how they evaluate the first half of the year while preparing for the months ahead. The discussion centered on using AI as a strategic thinking partner, simplifying priorities instead of adding more work, and creating plans that balance business goals with personal growth and family commitments. From whiteboards and vision boards to leadership lessons, financial planning, and accountability, the group agreed that mid-year planning is less about setting new goals and more about making intentional decisions that create momentum for the rest of the year. Mid-Year Planning Creates Better Decisions – The group agreed that the middle of the year is the perfect time to evaluate what is working, what needs to change, and what should be left behind. Rather than creating more goals, leaders should simplify priorities, focus on execution, and make intentional decisions that improve the second half of the year. AI Works Best as a Strategic Thinking Partner – Several speakers shared how they are using AI to challenge assumptions, organize ideas, identify blind spots, and improve planning. Instead of replacing leadership, AI helps business owners ask better questions, create clearer strategies, and make more informed decisions. Personal Growth Fuels Business Growth – Beyond financial goals, the conversation highlighted the importance of planning for family, health, learning, and personal development. Whether through vision boards, spending more intentional time with children, or investing in leadership skills, participants emphasized that stronger leaders build stronger businesses. Episode Links Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  5. Jul 20

    Pitch The Tide - Jasper De Vries: CTO & Co-Founder at YourBI

    Jasper de Vries, CTO and Co-Founder of YourBI, explains how restaurant operators can turn disconnected data into actionable business intelligence by creating a single, trusted source of truth across their technology stack. Instead of relying on spreadsheets, manual reports, or isolated systems, YourBI connects data from POS, labor, finance, scheduling, and other platforms to deliver real-time operational insights. Jasper shares how restaurant groups are using AI-ready data to improve upselling, automate financial reporting, identify operational opportunities, and give leaders faster answers through natural language tools like ChatGPT and Claude. By validating and organizing data before AI analyzes it, YourBI helps restaurants make smarter decisions with confidence while building a stronger foundation for future growth. Clean Data Makes AI More Valuable – Jasper de Vries argues that AI is only as useful as the data behind it. Instead of feeding language models disconnected or inaccurate information, YourBI validates, organizes, and contextualizes restaurant data from across the business so operators can trust the answers AI provides and make decisions with confidence. Operators Should Spend Less Time Reporting and More Time Improving – Too many restaurant teams still spend hours exporting spreadsheets, reconciling reports, and searching for answers. By connecting data across POS, labor, finance, scheduling, and other systems, YourBI automates reporting and surfaces insights that allow leaders to focus on coaching teams, improving operations, and growing profitability. Business Intelligence Should Support Better Hospitality – Jasper De Vries believes the most valuable insights come from combining operational metrics with the human side of the business. By connecting financial performance with guest experience, employee feedback, and operational knowledge, restaurants can identify changes that improve both profitability and hospitality at the same time. Episode Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfdevries/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfdevries/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfdevries/

  6. Jul 14

    Rising Tides Live - What Restaurant Employees Want in 2026

    n this episode of Rising Tides Live, Shawn Walchef is joined by Jordan Boesch, CEO of 7shifts, to discuss what restaurant employees want from their jobs in 2026. Drawing from 7shifts' latest employee report, the conversation explores why understaffing remains the industry's biggest challenge, what motivates restaurant teams beyond pay, and how operators can build stronger cultures through better leadership, recognition, and listening. Hospitality leaders from the Rising Tides community also join the conversation to share their own experiences and practical ideas for improving the employee experience. Understaffing Is the Biggest Source of Stress: Restaurant employees ranked understaffing above rude customers, difficult managers, and other workplace challenges. When teams are stretched too thin, stress rises and the guest experience suffers. Culture and Recognition Matter as Much as Pay: Low pay remains a major reason employees leave, but difficult managers, strong coworker relationships, and feeling appreciated can be just as important. Building a workplace where people feel supported and recognized can make a major difference in retention. Listen Before Deciding What People Need: Free meals and discounts are common benefits, but employees may value paid time off, schedule flexibility, or other support more. Jordan emphasized that leaders should ask people what matters to them instead of assuming one solution works for everyone. Episode Links Jordan Boesch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-boesch/ 7shifts: https://www.7shifts.com/ 7shifts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7shifts/ 2026 What Restaurant Employees Want Report: https://www.7shifts.com/what-restaurant-employees-want/

  7. Jul 5

    Rising Tides Live - The Importance Of Historic Restaurants

    With Mike Bisceglia filling in for Shawn Walchef, this Rising Tides Live conversation explored why historic restaurants matter and what it takes to preserve them for future generations. Joined by Mike Ungaro of San Pedro Fish Market, Loycent Gordon of Neir's Tavern, and Peter Salib of Old Time Eatery Guide, the panel shared how storytelling, community connections, and adapting to changing times help iconic restaurants thrive. From building customer loyalty and protecting a brand's legacy to training staff to share each restaurant's history, the discussion highlighted why preserving these neighborhood institutions is about far more than serving great food. Historic Restaurants Preserve Community Identity – Long-standing restaurants become gathering places where families celebrate milestones, traditions are passed down, and local history is kept alive. Their value extends far beyond the food they serve. Every Restaurant Is Building Its Legacy Today – A restaurant doesn't need to be 100 years old to create a meaningful story. The daily decisions operators make, the experiences they create, and the relationships they build become the foundation of a lasting legacy. Storytelling Helps Protect the Future – Sharing a restaurant's history, traditions, and impact creates stronger connections with guests. Operators who intentionally tell their story give customers another reason to return, support the business, and pass it on to future generations. Episode Links Neir's Tavern: https://neirstavern.com/ San Pedro Fish Market: https://www.sanpedrofish.com/ Old Time Eatery: Oldtimeeateryguide.com

  8. Jun 23

    Rising Tides Live - International Storytelling Tips

    In this episode of Rising Tides Live, Shawn Walchef is joined by hospitality professionals, restaurant operators, and business leaders from around the world to share stories about travel, community, and discovering unforgettable dining experiences. From London and Dublin to Paris, Rio, New Orleans, and beyond, the conversation highlights how the best restaurant experiences often happen when you step off the beaten path, ask locals for recommendations, and stay open to unexpected opportunities. The Best Restaurant Recommendations Come From People – Nearly every story shared during the conversation pointed back to the same lesson: ask locals. Whether it was a concierge, cab driver, restaurant worker, or community connection, the most memorable meals came from places that never would have appeared on a typical tourist itinerary. Curiosity Creates Better Experiences – The group emphasized the value of getting off the beaten path, exploring unfamiliar neighborhoods, and being willing to ask questions. Some of the best restaurant discoveries happened when people embraced uncertainty and allowed themselves to get a little lost. Hospitality Is a Universal Language – No matter the country, culture, or language, great hospitality creates connection. From restaurant owners welcoming guests into their communities to servers passionately sharing their favorite dishes, the conversation showed that food, hospitality, and storytelling have the power to bring people together anywhere in the world. Episode Links: Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

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About

The Media Test Kitchen is where new media lives. We explore the intersection of technology and new media in the restaurant and hospitality sectors, learning how businesses are utilizing these tools to grow their business.

Information

  • Creator
    Cali BBQ Media
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Media Test Kitchen