Hospitality & Politics with Andrew Rigie

NYC Hospitality Alliance

Hospitality & Politics is where the worlds of restaurants, nightlife, and policy collide. Hosted by Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, listen as he dives deep into the intersections of business, politics, and everyday life. Join Andrew as he sits down with restaurateurs, nightlife operators, elected officials, and influential thought-leaders to explore the real stories, challenges, and innovations shaping the hospitality industry and beyond.

  1. Jul 7

    How This Brooklyn Restaurant Blazed a Trail for Caribbean Fine Dining

    Kevol and Ria Graham, the husband-and-wife team behind the authentic Caribbean and Jamaican restaurant Kokomo in Brooklyn. They join the show to discuss the state of the Caribbean restaurant scene in NYC, opening at the onset of the pandemic, and balancing their family and personal lives with running the business. In this conversation, we explore their Caribbean roots and exciting menu, how they utilized vulnerability on social media to build a passionate audience, and their plans for the future of Kokomo. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:30 - The vision behind Kokomo 3:35 - The Caribbean restaurant scene in NYC 7:41 - Opening Kokomo during the pandemic 15:35 - Applying lessons from other careers to the restaurant business 19:00 - Hiring for a new restaurant 21:12 - Storytelling and connecting with customers 24:00 - Balancing personal life and running a restaurant 29:16 - The biggest challenges of operating a restaurant 36:39 - Utilizing social media to share the struggles of running the business 42:00 - The state of the NYC restaurant industry 46:26 - What have Kev and Ria done most successfully at Kokomo? 48:04 - The must-haves on the Kokomo menu 51:05 - What’s next for Kokomo? #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

  2. Jun 30

    The Recipe for Reinvention: How Paulie Gee and Mrs. Gee Built a Community Around Pizza

    Paulie and Mary Ann Gee, the husband-and-wife team behind the acclaimed Paulie Gee's pizzerias, started with no professional restaurant experience and built one of New York City's most beloved pizza brands. They join the show to discuss the leap of faith that led them to open their first shop, what it's like running a business as partners in both life and work, and how they've maintained quality and culture while expanding beyond Brooklyn. In this conversation, we explore the story behind the Paulie Gee's brand, whether New York water really makes a difference, and how a neighborhood pizzeria earned a devoted following far beyond New York City. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:30 - Paulie Gee’s Pizza origins 11:41 - What makes a good pizza? 15:13 - How to maintain consistency in the restaurant business 21:19 - Running a business as husband and wife 24:24 - The skills needed to run a restaurant 28:50 - What Paulie & Mary Ann look for when hiring 33:50 - New York water 36:20 - What do Paulie & Mary Ann look for when visiting one of their locations? 39:00 - The brand behind Paulie Gee’s 41:24 - Paulie Gee’s cookbook 45:40 - What’s been the most fulfilling part of this journey for Paulie & Mary Ann? #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

  3. Jun 16

    The Jimmy Rodriguez Way: Building Restaurants, Relationships, and Unforgettable Nights

    From dishwasher to hospitality icon, Jimmy Rodriguez has spent more than three decades shaping New York City's restaurant and nightlife scene. The Bronx-born entrepreneur joins Andrew Rigie to discuss building legendary venues, creating unforgettable guest experiences, hosting everyone from celebrities to world leaders, and navigating the challenges facing restaurants and nightlife today. Along the way, he shares stories, lessons, and insights from a remarkable career in hospitality. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Who is Jimmy Rodriguez? 5:00 - Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe 9:25 - Implementing a dress code 10:33 - Music at Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe 12:03 - Operating in different neighborhoods 16:32 - How Jimmy ensures guests have a good experience 18:03 - Memorable stories from Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe 21:21 - How Jimmy hires and trains staff 24:15 - State of NYC Nightlife Industry 32:17 - The best advice Jimmy has received over the years 35:32 - What skills have led to Jimmy’s success? 38:31 - How Jimmy builds relationships with guests 41:00 - The Bronx’s impact on Jimmy 43:27 - What’s next for Jimmy? #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

  4. Jun 2

    The NYC Non-Profit Using the Power of "Food as Medicine" to Heal Thousands

    Terrence Meck is the President and CEO of God’s Love We Deliver, the New York based nonprofit that improves the health and wellbeing of people affected by serious illness by ensuring access to medically tailored meals and comprehensive nutrition care. He joins the show to discuss the mission of God’s Love We Deliver, his background working in the restaurant industry, and how he manages an organization with 20,000 volunteers. In this conversation we explore building the right culture for a non-profit, the fundraising events of God’s Love We Deliver, and the special inspiration he draws from to lead the organization. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:36 - God’s Love We Deliver 4:14 - Terrence’s background in the restaurant industry 17:07 - Terrence’s role as CEO of God’s Love We Deliver 20:04 - What is the right culture for a non-profit? 25:00 - Operations of God’s Love We Deliver 30:03 - Restaurant involvement with God’s Love We Deliver 33:00 - God’s Love We Deliver events 40:31 - Who has inspired Terrence? 45:40 - What has Terrence learned through service?  48:10 - Government policy impact on God’s Love We Deliver 50:55 - How people can support God’s Love We Deliver #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

  5. May 26

    How This NYC Kitchen is Changing the Lives of Refugees Forever

    Kira O’Brien is the Chief Impact Officer at Emma’s Torch, where she leads the organization’s culinary training program and social ventures. She joins the show to discuss the mission of Emma’s Torch, the success stories of her students, and how everyone can support immigrants in this current political climate. In this conversation we explore the data and demographics behind Emma’s Torch, the skills she teaches her students to thrive in some of the world’s best kitchens, and building a community through food in the New York City restaurant industry. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:44 - What is Emma’s Torch? 6:50 - Kira’s background and what brought her to Emma’s Torch 11:33 - The demographics and details behind Emma’s Torch 17:17 - The restaurant partners of Emma’s Torch 28:45 - The hard skills and soft skills taught at Emma’s Torch 34:40 - The feel-good stories of students coming out of Emma’s Torch 36:23 - Emma’s Torch cafes and catering 40:20 - Building community through food 43:00 - Supporting immigrants in the current political climate 50:50 - The current state of the NYC restaurant industry  52:30 - What’s next for Emma’s Torch? 53:45 - How to support Emma’s Torch #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

  6. May 19

    33 Years Behind the Bar: James Shrum of Blue Ribbon Brasserie

    James Shrum is a bartender at Blue Ribbon Brasserie and the recent recipient of the NYC Hospitality Alliance’s Bartender of the Year Award. He joins the show to discuss the challenges of running a bar in New York City, the lessons he’s learned over his years at Blue Ribbon, and the importance of creating an environment that makes both patrons and employees want to stick around. In this conversation we explore the recent trends in NYC nightlife, the business side of running a bar, and what James has seen from his time behind the bar. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:45 - Who is James Shrum? 3:33 - Blue Ribbon Brasserie 13:34 - The restaurant industry from a bartender’s perspective 18:27 - The skills James has learned over his time bartending 24:08 - The business side of running a bar 27:30 - How has the business changed from James’ perspective 34:00 - The regulatory challenges of running a bar in NYC 43:00 - Creating an environment where people want to stay 53:03 - James winning the NYC Hospitality Alliance’ Bartender of the Year Award #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

  7. May 12

    100+ Countries, One Field | John Wang and the Queens Night Market

    John Wang is a former lawyer turned food entrepreneur and advocate when he founded the Queens Night Market in 2015. He joins the show to discuss the challenges of putting together New York’s first Night Market, how the diversity of Queens has helped serve up a robust and unique offering of food and vendors, and how his “bad business model” has ultimately led to the night market’s success. In this conversation we explore the best way to experience the Night Market, finding love in a field in Queens, and the leadership lessons John has learned along the way.  https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:35 - What is the Queens Night Market? 10:06 - John’s learning curve of running the Queens Night Market 15:30 - Why has the Queens Night Market been successful? 17:27 - Vendors at the Queens Night Market 25:28 - What is the best way to experience the Queens Night Market? 29:16 - Love at the Queens Night Market 32:17 - How John does Market research 35:09 - John’s advocacy for the restaurant industry 39:07 - The entrepreneurial aspect of John launching the Queens Night Market 42:54 - How the diversity of Queens has been an asset for the Night Market 44:48 - Leadership lessons from building the Queens Night Market 49:49 - John’s cookbook 51:37 - What’s next for John & the Queens Night Market? #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

  8. Apr 28

    Building a Hospitlity Group: How a Big Irish Family and Friends Built IGC

    Terence Tubridy is a founder of IGC Hospitality. He joins the show to discuss the evolution of a local empire, pulling back the curtain on his journey from running a neighborhood bar at 26 to managing a portfolio of 18 diverse concepts, including the groundbreaking Rockaway Hotel. In this conversation, we dive deep into the "H4" framework—the four pillars that guide every business decision Terence makes—and explore the complex intersection of entrepreneurship and city politics. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro 00:28 – The IGC story: Starting with Metro 53 and expanding to 18 concepts 01:43 – Terence’s roots: Growing up in a "big Irish family" and early restaurant work 03:06 – Opening the first family-run bar and the impact of 9/11 on NYC nightlife 06:59 – The "4-H" Framework: Human, Hospitable, Humble, and Hungry 09:49 – Diversifying business verticals: Rooftops, taverns, and hotel F&B 13:08 – The Rockaway Hotel: Developing the first luxury hotel in Rockaway Beach 16:51 – Workforce development and creating ladders of opportunity in the community 18:22 – Management philosophy: Why the best managers start as the best hosts 22:15 – Navigating the challenges of "transportation deserts" and seasonal business 27:40 – The importance of hospitality in real estate and community building 32:15 – Resilience through crisis: From the 2008 crash to Hurricane Sandy 36:53 – Hospitality and Politics: Advocacy, "Shed-gate," and the legislative megaphone 42:10 – The operational reality of running a multi-concept group in New York 48:30 – Building for the next generation: Keeping the hospitality "gene" alive 53:12 – The Impact Foundation: Scholarships and the culinary arts 55:52 – Giving back: Thanksgiving with NYCHA and "Honorable Work" 57:15 – Closing remarks #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hospitality & Politics is where the worlds of restaurants, nightlife, and policy collide. Hosted by Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, listen as he dives deep into the intersections of business, politics, and everyday life. Join Andrew as he sits down with restaurateurs, nightlife operators, elected officials, and influential thought-leaders to explore the real stories, challenges, and innovations shaping the hospitality industry and beyond.

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