Wisking it all

Wisking it all

Welcome to Wisking it all, where we interview hospitality professionals who put everything on the line to do what they do, and we try to understand how and why? Contrary to most businesses the hospitality business is mainly made up of people who are passionate about their trade. Not many people go into it for the money but go into it for the passion of delivering a unique customer experience.

Episodes

September 30, 2025 46 mins

About the Episode

In this engaging conversation, Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and marketing expert, shares his journey from nightlife to fine dining, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and the art of storytelling in marketing.

He discusses the five levers of restaurant success, the power of social media, and how to create memorable customer experiences through surprise and delight.

Josh also offers va...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode of WISKing It All, host Angelo Esposito interviews Jeffrey Summers, founder of Summers Hospitality Group, who shares his extensive experience in the restaurant industry.

They discuss Jeffrey's journey from aspiring lawyer to hospitality expert, the importance of creating unique systems in business, and the distinction between service and hospitality. Jeffrey emphasizes the significance of ...

Mark as Played

About the Episode


In this episode of WISKing It All, we have a special treat as Angelo Esposito sits down with Roger Beaudoin, the dynamic president of Restaurant Rockstars. Roger shares his incredible 30+ year journey through the hospitality world, starting from humble beginnings as a high school dishwasher to building and selling multiple successful restaurants.

You’ll hear firsthand how Roger navigated wild industr...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode, Crystal Hamilton, CEO of Knowbie, discusses her journey in the hospitality industry and the inspiration behind creating Knowbie, an educational platform designed to train restaurant and liquor retail staff.

She emphasizes the importance of empowering staff through education to enhance their confidence and sales capabilities.

The conversation explores the challenges of training in the res...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode of Wisking It All, Alistair Levine, CEO of Vine Hospitality, shares his journey into the hospitality industry, the challenges of scaling restaurants, and the importance of understanding key performance indicators (KPIs).

He emphasizes the need for new restaurant owners to watch their numbers closely, empower their teams, and embrace technology to enhance hospitality.

Alistair also discusse...

Mark as Played

In this episode, Brock Weeks, founder and CEO of Savi, discusses the innovative technology behind Savi, a cloud-based video intelligence platform designed for multi-unit restaurants and retailers.

He shares his journey into the restaurant industry, the challenges faced during the early development of Savi, and the importance of understanding customer experiences through video data. Brock emphasizes the need for personal engagement ...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode of Whisking It All, Angelo Esposito interviews Anthony Presley, the Chief Technology Officer at CBS NorthStar and managing partner at TimeForge Labor.

They discuss Anthony's journey into the restaurant tech world, the importance of labor management, and the evolution of POS systems. Anthony shares insights on how to start a tech venture without a background, the significance of prototyping...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode, Christopher McFadden, founder and career coach at the McFadden Group, shares his journey through the hospitality industry, his experiences as a sommelier, and the importance of emotional intelligence in career development.

He discusses the challenges faced by hospitality professionals, the significance of creating memorable guest experiences, and the impact of COVID-19 on the industry.

Ch...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this conversation, Christian Fischer, the founder of Fischer Research Group, shares his journey from being a cook to a culinary leader. He discusses the importance of networking, the challenges faced in the hospitality industry, and the lessons learned throughout his career. The podcast serves as a platform to provide actionable advice to restaurant owners and chefs, emphasizing the need to learn from ...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this engaging conversation, Adam Lamb shares his extensive journey in the culinary industry, highlighting the importance of leadership and communication in the kitchen. He discusses the evolution of his podcast, Chef Life Radio, and the significance of Chef Life Coaching in empowering chefs.

Adam reflects on personal struggles, the need for self-awareness, and the sensitivity chefs often experience, em...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this conversation, Mark Mittleman, founder of Entangled Particles, shares his extensive journey in the hospitality industry, from his early days working in restaurants to becoming a successful consultant. He discusses the interconnectedness of the restaurant business, the challenges of ownership, and the importance of teamwork and relationships in creating successful dining experiences.

Mark also refle...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode, Jeremy Julian, the CRO of Custom Business Solutions, shares his extensive experience in the restaurant technology sector. He discusses the evolution of CBS, the importance of understanding unique restaurant needs, and the critical lessons learned throughout his career.

Jeremy emphasizes the significance of choosing the right POS system, the necessity of proper project resourcing, and the ...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode, Salem Najjar, founder and CEO of SERVE Hospitality Group, shares his journey from accounting to becoming a successful multi-unit franchisee in the hospitality industry.

He discusses the importance of understanding financials, choosing the right franchise partner, and the challenges of scaling a restaurant business.

Salem emphasizes the significance of key performance indicators (KPIs) in ...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

Welcome to the WISKing It All Podcast, where host Angelo Esposito explores the world of hospitality with special guest Steve Fortunato, founder and CEO of Roomforty and The Fig House. Steve recounts his inspiring journey from a 15-year-old busboy in a hosting family to becoming a pivotal figure in the industry.

In this episode, Steve shares his innovative approach to hospitality, emphasizing genuine human...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode of WISKing It All, host Angelo Esposito speaks with Matt Wampler, CEO and co-founder of ClearCOGS, about the intersection of restaurant operations and technology. Matt shares his journey from being a restaurant operator to founding a tech company that leverages AI to help restaurants make data-driven decisions.

The conversation delves into the challenges faced by restaurateurs, the importa...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode, Angelo Esposito interviews Eitan Koter, Co-CEO of Vimmi, discussing the evolution of video commerce and its impact on marketing strategies.

Eitan shares insights on the importance of authenticity in video content, the rise of live shopping, and how businesses, especially in the restaurant industry, can leverage video to engage customers and drive sales.

The conversation also touches on in...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode, Simon Zatyrka, founder and CEO of Culinary Mechanic, shares his journey through the culinary world, discussing the evolution of his brand, the importance of mentorship, and the shift from cooking to managing and consulting in the restaurant industry. 

He reflects on his diverse background, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned from various culinary experiences, emphasizing the ...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this conversation, Stephanie Jaeger, the president of Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI), shares her journey into the hospitality industry, her experiences running a restaurant for 25 years, and the lessons learned along the way. She discusses the importance of mentorship and communication in both personal and professional relationships, especially in the challenging restaurant environment. Ste...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this episode, Yaro Tsyhanenko, founder and CEO of PickPad, shares his journey from Ukraine to Chicago and the inspiration behind creating PickPad, a modular system designed to enhance restaurant operations through smart sensors and machine learning.

He discusses the challenges faced by restaurants in managing pickup and delivery orders and how PickPad aims to streamline these processes, improve custome...

Mark as Played

About the Episode

In this conversation, David Scott Peters, a restaurant expert and coach, shares his extensive experience in the restaurant industry, discussing the importance of leadership, systems, and accountability in achieving restaurant prosperity.

David shares insightful success stories, like that of Daisha Wakefield, who leveraged effective systems and budgeting to transform her career from schoolteacher to succes...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

    My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.