All in the Industry ®️

There’s a lot to consider when opening up a restaurant. Food, beverage, staff, design, the list goes on and on. Any real restauranteur knows that one of the most important parts of running a successful operation is a good accountant. Meet Dana Zukofsky, an accountant who knows what’s what when it comes to the hospitality business. She works at SS&G, one of the nation’s largest independent accounting and business consulting firms. She works with some of the biggest names in food & beverage and is this week’s guest on All in the Industry with host Shari Bayer. This program was sponsored by Whole Foods Market.

“What makes us special is that our largest vertical is the hospitality space. 10% of our staff only works on restaurants – we really are experts in the industry.” [09:00]

“You need to stay on top of everything all of the time. Once you fall behind it’s very hard to catch up – but it’s very easy to stay on top of it.” [20:00]

–Dana Zukofsky on All in the Industry

De Gustibus is not just a cooking school; it’s a culinary theater. The school is located on the 8th floor of Macy’s Herald Square in New York City. De Gustibus is a recreational cooking school where anyone is welcome to enjoy the demonstrations of superior international chefs and wine experts. This week’s guest on All in the Industry is Salvatore Rizzo, owner of the aforementioned long-standing culinary institution, De Gustibus Cooking School located at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City. This program was sponsored by The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

“When you see a chef using a mandolin [at De Gustibus Cooking School], you have to go buy that mandolin!” [17:00]

“I have the best audience because they are such passionate foodies. They love to cook and they love to entertain.” [21:00]

–Salvatore Rizzo on All in the Industry

This week on All in the Industry, Shari interviews Jennifer Baum, president of Bullfrog & Baum. Jennifer discusses the pros and cons of displaying your client list, and answers last week’s guest’s question about why PR is an important investment for a small restaurant & how that money can be payed back. This program has been sponsored by The International Culinary Center. Today’s music provided by Brothers NYC.

“I think you’re more nimble the fewer people you have.” [7:25]

“Client lists are deceptive, because do you list Bobby Flay as a client or do you list each of his restaurants as a client?” [12:00]

–Jennifer Baumon All in the Industry

Steven Olson loves hospitality. He is happy when you are happy. He’s a wine expert, a former server director, restaurant consultant, TV host….the list goes on. He’s this week’s guest on All in the Industry, and host Shari Bayer chats with him about his inspirations, his career and his history in the industry. Find out what it takes to truly embody hospitality and find success in the service industry. This program was sponsored by Rolling Press.

“If I ever stop learning I think it will be time to find something else – and in this business you never stop learning.” [06:00]

–Steven Olson on All in the Industry

Need to revamp your staff – or hire for a new restuarant? Mike Hewitt is your guy. Mike is the Chief Recruiting Officer at The Chef Agency, a Hospitality Recruitment and Placement Agency. The Chef Agency assists Hotel + Food and Beverage operators across the globe in identifying and selecting acclaimed executive, mid-level chefs and talented upper-level executives to create leading operations with trusted and valued employees. Tune in and learn about the ins and outs of the recruitment industry! This program was sponsored by Rolling Press.

“It’s really about listening to the candidate and looking at their history. When you understand their history, it’s easier for you to foresee their future.” [18:00]

–Mike Hewitt on All in the Industry

This week on All in the Industry, Shari brings in Jeff Allen, Executive Director of social media at Wagstaff Worldwide. Jeff tells us about the most important social media platforms, and the many ways in which they can help a brand. This program has been sponsored by Of A Kind. Today’s music provided by Takstar.

Image from Wagstaff Worldwide

“People love photos, whereas people don’t always love tweets.” [25:25]

“I think restaurants and food are the most exciting parts about life.” [41:15]
–Jeff Allen on All in the Industry

Today’s guest on All in the Industry is Krystle Mobayeni, founder and CEO of BentoBox, a platform that specializes in hosting and optimizing restaurant websites. Krystle outlinees the core features of a restaurant website and explains why there are essential in today’s competitive and mobile-driven world. This program has been sponsored by Heritage Foods USA. Today’s music provided by The California Honeydrops.

Image from We Are NY Tech

“Restaurants are very brand conscious; they’re really creating an experience.” [26:15]

–Krystle Mobayeni on All in the Industry

This week on All in the Industry, Shari focuses on photography in the food industry, from culinary events to prints. Melissa was a journalism student when she realized that she was more interested in the visual aspect of her stories, and thus entered the world of photography. Ken began taking photos at dinner parties as a side business and soon became sought after as a culinary events photographer. Tune in to hear two different sides of photography in the food industry. This program has been sponsored by Heritage Foods USA. Today’s music provided by The Hollows.

Image credit to Ken Goodman

Image from Pitchfork Diaries

“I choose my spots wisely and I don’t overshoot things…I just shoot what’s necessary and make those count.” [21:30]

Ken Goodman on All in the Industry

“Real food looks good, you don’t have to fake it.” [24:00]

Melissa Hom on All in the Industry

This week on All in the Industry, Shari brings in Patrick LaFrieda, CEO of Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors. Pat tells us about his experience creating the Shake Shack burger, starring in Meat Men on Food Network, and running a business that has been in his family for 3 generations. This program has been sponsored by Heritage Foods USA. Today’s music provided by The California Honeydrops.

Image from LaFrieda

“If you want to be in the restaurant business, consistency and repetition is what it’s all about.” [13:15]

Patrick LaFrieda on All in the Industry

On the pilot recording of All in the Industry, Shari Bayer of Bayer Public Relations goes behind the scenes to highlight the hidden talent of the restaurant and hospitality business. A restaurant is more than food; a restaurant is defined by its design, location, ambiance, marketing, and more! This week, Shari invites Joe Allegro of Share Our Strength into the studio. Joe is the Director of Culinary and Special Events at Share Our Strength, but he got his start in food television. Tune into this program to hear Joe talk about his time at The Food Network, and how that experience allowed him to connect with numerous chefs. Thanks to our sponsor, Fairway Market. Music by The California Honeydrops.

“I thought chefs could leave television and go on to the live stage… [my show] went on Broadway. We created a musical with chefs as the centerpiece.” [14:00]

“More than nine times out of ten, chefs I approach [to host a charitable dinner] say yes!” [20:00]

“Women in the culinary gets bigger and bigger everyday- as it should be.” [34:15]

— Joe Allegro on All In the Industry