Media Test Kitchen

Cali BBQ Media

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. 3일 전

    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

    1시간 8분
  2. 6월 23일

    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/

    1시간 4분
  3. 6월 18일

    Rising Tides Live - What's The Decision That Changed Your Career?

    With Ian Hoxworth filling in for Shawn Walchef, this Rising Tides Live conversation explored the decisions that changed careers. Participants shared stories of taking risks, making career pivots, starting businesses, and betting on themselves when the path forward was uncertain. The discussion highlighted how a single decision can create opportunities, shape personal growth, and alter the trajectory of both career and life. Bet on Yourself – Many of the stories shared centered around taking a chance on themselves, whether it was leaving a stable job, starting a business, changing industries, or pursuing a new opportunity. Growth often came after stepping outside of a comfort zone. Small Decisions Can Change Everything – Several participants reflected on moments that seemed minor at the time but ultimately changed the direction of their careers. A single conversation, job opportunity, or decision to take action created long-term impact. No Decision Is Still a Decision – One of the recurring themes was that avoiding a choice is a choice in itself. The group discussed the importance of taking action, embracing change, and trusting the journey rather than remaining stuck in situations that no longer support 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/ Ian Hoxworth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-hoxworth/

    41분
  4. 6월 16일

    Rising Tides Live - Why You Need A Podcast In 2026

    With Mike Bisceglia filling in for Shawn Walchef, this Rising Tides Live conversation explored why podcasting remains one of the most valuable tools for building relationships, sharing expertise, and creating opportunities in 2026. Participants discussed how podcasts can help entrepreneurs grow their networks, establish authority in their niche, document their journey, and create meaningful content without needing a massive audience. From using podcasts as a business development tool to finding your unique voice, the group shared practical advice on getting started, staying consistent, and focusing on connection over downloads. Your Voice Is the Differentiator – The group emphasized that there may be thousands of podcasts, but no one has your perspective, experience, or story. Success comes from sharing your unique point of view rather than worrying about competition. Podcasting Creates Opportunities Beyond Downloads – Whether it's networking, building authority, creating business relationships, landing clients, or opening doors to future opportunities, the value of a podcast often extends far beyond audience size. Start Small and Keep Publishing – You do not need a studio, a big budget, or hour-long episodes to begin. The key is choosing a topic, hitting record, publishing consistently, and improving through repetition. 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/

    49분
  5. 6월 9일

    Rising Tides Live - Building Resiliency

    Shawn Walchef and Nik Agharkar, host of The Resiliency Project, led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on building resiliency through adversity, community, and mindset. Entrepreneurs, restaurant operators, and creators shared personal stories about setbacks, recovery, gratitude, and learning how to move forward during difficult moments. The conversation highlighted a simple truth: resilience is not something you are born with. It is something you build through action, support, and perspective. Resilience Is Built, Not Born - Nik Agharkar and the Rising Tides community discussed how resilience is developed through experience, mindset, and consistent action. The group emphasized that setbacks, failures, and uncertainty are part of every entrepreneurial journey. Community Creates Strength - Speakers repeatedly highlighted the importance of asking for help, finding the right support system, and surrounding yourself with people who push you forward. From mentorship to friendship, resilience becomes easier when you are not navigating challenges alone. Gratitude and Perspective Change Everything - Whether discussing business struggles, health scares, or personal loss, many guests shared how gratitude helped them stay grounded during difficult moments. The conversation reinforced the idea that even in hard seasons, perspective can help people keep moving forward. Episode Links: Shawn Walchef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ Nik Agharkar: https://www.crownepointtax.com/ The Resiliency Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-RKG9V53cg

    1시간 8분
  6. 6월 4일

    Rising Tides Live - Why Hospitality?

    Scott Kleckner and Spencer Michael led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on Why Hospitality, where restaurant operators, creators, technologists, and entrepreneurs shared why the hospitality industry continues to pull them back despite the chaos, pressure, and unpredictability that comes with it. From restaurant operations and catering to podcast production, technology, and customer experience, the group explored how hospitality is ultimately about making people feel seen, valued, and cared for. The conversation reinforced a common theme throughout the community: hospitality is not limited to restaurants. Whether through service, storytelling, leadership, or small unexpected gestures, creating meaningful human connection remains one of the most valuable skills in any business. Hospitality Is About Human Connection – The group emphasized that hospitality goes far beyond restaurants. Whether through podcast production, restaurant service, sales, or technology, hospitality is ultimately about making people feel seen, welcomed, and valued. Small Gestures Create Lasting Impact – From sprinting down the street in Mexico to grab avocados for a guest to surprising loyal customers with thoughtful details, the conversation highlighted how small acts of care often become the moments people remember most. Showing Up For Others Creates Opportunity – Many speakers shared that hospitality is rooted in consistently showing up for people, anticipating needs, building relationships, and creating opportunities for both guests and team members through genuine care and service. Episode Links Scott Kleckner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkleckner/ Spencer Michiel on LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-michiel-b9764241/ 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/

    51분
  7. 5월 29일

    Pitch The Tide - Bill Crawley: Founder and CEO of advark.ai

    In this Pitch the Tide session, Bill Crawley, founder and CEO of Advark AI, shares how his frustration with digital advertising and small business marketing led to building an AI-powered platform designed to simplify restaurant marketing. Advark AI helps restaurant operators manage ads across platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok through automated campaign creation, AI-powered recommendations, budget optimization, and performance tracking tools that reduce the complexity of running digital ads. By combining creative tools, live reporting, and daily optimization insights into one platform, Advark AI aims to help busy restaurant owners market more consistently without needing a dedicated agency or marketing team. AI Can Simplify Restaurant Marketing – Bill Crawley believes most restaurant operators are overwhelmed by digital advertising complexity. Advark AI was built to simplify ad creation, campaign management, and budget optimization so operators can spend less time managing marketing and more time running their business. Consistency Matters More Than Complexity – One of the biggest problems restaurants face is inconsistent marketing. Advark AI helps operators stay active across platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok through automated recommendations, reporting, and campaign management tools designed to keep marketing efforts running consistently. Restaurant Operators Want Clarity on ROI – Many operators feel like digital advertising is a gamble. Advark AI focuses on helping restaurants better understand where their ad dollars are going through live reporting, AI insights, and recommendations that explain what is working and what needs to change. Episode Links Bill Crawley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-crawley1/ Advark AI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advark-ai/ Advark AI: https://advarkai.com/ 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/

    57분

소개

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.