Restaurant Influencers

Release Date

All Episodes

A Lie at a Family Reunion Turned Into a National Frozen Food Brand: Feel Good Foods

Vanessa Phillips, co-founder and CEO of Feel Good Foods, grew up in the restaurant industry before turning a personal health challenge into a national frozen food brand. After being diagnosed with celiac disease, she set out to recreate the foods she loved, building a career that ... Show more

. 30min 14sec

Inside Google’s Offices, Food Does More Than Feed People — And It’s Completely Intentional

Helen Wechsler, Senior Director, Food Program CoE at Google, leads one of the world’s largest food at work programs. With a career rooted in hospitality, she oversees how food supports culture, wellbeing, and belonging across Google offices, blending intentional experiences with ... Show more

. 23min 7sec

His Restaurant Earned Michelin Recognition — But Survival Came Long Before the Awards

James Petrakis, co-founder of The Ravenous Pig and a James Beard Award semifinalist, helped shape Orlando’s modern food scene by building restaurants rooted in craft, community, and endurance. As a chef, operator, and mentor, he’s built a career defined less by hype and more by s ... Show more

. 36min 10sec

This CEO Took Over a Beloved Ice Cream Brand — and Built Growth Without Cutting Corners

Michael Palmer, CEO of McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, oversees the evolution of a historic California brand. As a brand builder and operator, he’s focused on alignment, patience, and protecting what made the product special. Watch now to learn about taking over a legacy ice cream b ... Show more

. 23min 30sec

He Rethought the Sports Bar Experience — Now Fans, Teams, and Celebrities Want In

Brooks Schaden, co-CEO and co-founder of Tom’s Watch Bar, is building a new kind of sports bar designed around how fans actually watch games today. Through thoughtful design, operations, and partnerships, he’s turning live sports into a scalable hospitality experience. Watch now ... Show more

. 36min 57sec