Student of the Year

From Slam Poetry to Somm Success: A Conversation with Anna Binkovitz

In this episode of After Wine School, host Keith Wallace interviews Anna Binkovitz, the newly named Sommelier Student of the Year at the Wine School of Philadelphia. They discuss Anna's unconventional journey from being a nationally ranked slam poet to becoming a service manager at one of the top restaurants in Philly. Anna shares insights into her career shift, her experiences with sparkling wine, and why she believes Philadelphia is an ideal city for wine enthusiasts. The conversation also touches upon the challenges and rewards of working in the restaurant industry, making poetry and hospitality accessible, and Anna's future aspirations in wine education and hospitality.

00:00 Introduction to After Wine School 00:04 Meet Anna Binkovitz: From Slam Poet to Sommelier 02:50 Anna's Journey to Philadelphia 05:04 The Impact of COVID-19 on Careers 06:22 Discovering the Wine School of Philadelphia 07:54 Anna's Rise in the Hospitality Industry 14:46 Comparing Poets and Chefs 15:57 Personal Anecdotes and Reflections 19:10 A Theologian's Household 19:23 Family Dynamics and Religion 20:11 Hospitality and Poetry 23:35 Restaurant Anecdotes 25:07 The Value of Restaurant Experience 34:45 Dreams and Aspirations 37:05 Conclusion and Farewell

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome to After Wine School, the podcast where wine gets personal.
In this episode, host Keith Wallace sits down with Anna Binkovitz, the newly named Sommelier Student of the Year at the Wine School of Philadelphia.
From her early days as a nationally ranked slam poet to her current role managing one of Rittenhouse’s top restaurants, Anna brings wit, grit, and a poet’s touch to hospitality.

(00:22):
This conversation dives into her unlikely journey, her thoughts on sparkling wine, and why Philly just might be the perfect city for wine nerds and goblins alike. 5 00:00:36,489.819 --> 00:00:40,569.819 This is After Wine School, the podcast. 6 00:00:42,39.819 --> 00:00:42,879.819 I'm Keith Wallace. 7 00:00:43,269.819 --> 00:01:01,229.819 Alana, guess what is not here today? Which is a real problem because I do not have, as you all know, she's the smart one and she's also the one who points out that our benefactor, the Grand Puba, is the National Wine School, by far the best Somali programs in the freaking world. 8 00:01:01,829.819 --> 00:01:11,479.819 but what's really interesting today is that I'm here with Anna Ovitz she's a advanced Somali student here at the Wine School of Philadelphia. 9 00:01:11,559.819 --> 00:01:15,849.819 But more importantly than that, he is the. 10 00:01:17,64.819 --> 00:01:19,824.819 Somali student of the year. 11 00:01:19,824.819 --> 00:01:21,234.819 That's how good she is. 12 00:01:21,234.819 --> 00:01:22,884.819 She's one of our favorite students. 13 00:01:23,214.819 --> 00:01:25,934.819 And I just wanna say, Anna, thank you for coming down today. 14 00:01:26,504.819 --> 00:01:26,894.819 Yeah. 15 00:01:26,994.819 --> 00:01:30,24.819 And we don't take this lightly at the school. 16 00:01:30,174.819 --> 00:01:33,944.819 We have serious arguments over who it's gonna be. 17 00:01:33,944.819 --> 00:01:37,94.819 And it usually starts with at least 10 people on that list. 18 00:01:37,144.819 --> 00:01:43,174.819 and they're all people who are in the trade who are just impressive in some way, but. 19 00:01:44,119.819 --> 00:02:03,449.819 At the end of the day, the deciding factor always is this person awesome and is this person at the beginning of their career and can we see this person just doing something awesome, in the next couple decades in the food or wine industry? There's people when they're in class, they make it better. 20 00:02:03,839.819 --> 00:02:13,349.819 And there's some people who make it worse, right? Some people who just can, all of a sudden everyone around them folds in better, and like you can see when they're there, I. 21 00:02:14,294.819 --> 00:02:23,144.819 It's things just are a little bit more magic in the classroom and you're one of those people, that just that little bit of sprinkling of salt on that dish that, makes everything pop. 22 00:02:23,144.819 --> 00:02:28,534.819 It's really, that's how I see you in classrooms and I really, and I'm trying to embarrass you a little bit, but that's why we're here. 23 00:02:28,534.819 --> 00:02:31,684.819 That's why I wanna talk to you because I'm really curious about you by the way. 24 00:02:32,134.819 --> 00:02:34,604.819 When I started looking you up I thought I had the wrong person. 25 00:02:34,754.819 --> 00:02:37,94.819 I knew I had the wrong person because here's this. 26 00:02:39,464.819 --> 00:02:44,784.819 Freaking poet from Minnesota of all places who's published everywhere. 27 00:02:44,884.819 --> 00:02:48,424.819 the editor of this magazine and that magazine. 28 00:02:48,814.819 --> 00:02:49,684.819 I just, I feel wow. 29 00:02:49,684.819 --> 00:02:53,924.819 what, what happened? Where, how did you end up in Philly of all places? Yes. 30 00:02:53,924.819 --> 00:02:58,514.819 life story long ago on a wooded hilltop, no. 31 00:02:59,444.819 --> 00:03:00,344.819 so yeah, I'm from Minnesota. 32 00:03:00,344.819 --> 00:03:01,364.819 I was in college there. 33 00:03:01,364.819 --> 00:03:09,294.819 And, getting into writing and getting into wine, actually pretty similar paths where I was in a very sad place and needed something to get out of it. 34 00:03:09,864.819 --> 00:03:11,904.819 And, stumbled into the nearest thing I could find. 35 00:03:12,284.819 --> 00:03:13,34.819 with poetry. 36 00:03:13,34.819 --> 00:03:24,484.819 It was, I was in college and I went to a college poetry slam and just so happened that McAllister, where I did my undergrad, they had the best slam team, in the country that year at the College Nationals. 37 00:03:24,814.819 --> 00:03:28,54.819 And so the next year I was on that team and we placed second. 38 00:03:28,54.819 --> 00:03:31,94.819 And it was really the thing that got me through. 39 00:03:32,39.819 --> 00:03:32,549.819 and it was great. 40 00:03:32,549.819 --> 00:03:36,929.819 And I have had good luck of stumbling into some of the best places to be. 41 00:03:36,929.819 --> 00:03:38,339.819 And that happened again with wine. 42 00:03:38,339.819 --> 00:03:43,529.819 I finished my graduate degree in 2020 and promptly everything went to hell. 43 00:03:44,199.819 --> 00:03:47,259.819 I was a finalist for some poetry fellowships that then disappeared. 44 00:03:47,259.819 --> 00:03:48,699.819 The job listings disappeared. 45 00:03:48,699.819 --> 00:03:49,899.819 My apartment got sold. 46 00:03:49,899.819 --> 00:03:52,539.819 I was living in my parents' basement for two. 47 00:03:53,289.819 --> 00:03:53,709.819 Yes, it. 48 00:03:55,434.819 --> 00:03:56,424.819 My parents are lovely. 49 00:03:56,424.819 --> 00:04:04,424.819 They did the best job to make Rochester, Minnesota exciting, but it just wasn't, I got the only exciting thing that was in that town, my husband and then left. 50 00:04:05,424.819 --> 00:04:08,4.819 My friends, we all ended up moving different places. 51 00:04:08,394.819 --> 00:04:15,84.819 So coming to Philadelphia for my husband's graduate degree, I needed something to get outta the house. 52 00:04:15,114.819 --> 00:04:16,344.819 I was working from home. 53 00:04:16,584.819 --> 00:04:17,754.819 I don't know anybody here. 54 00:04:18,324.819 --> 00:04:20,824.819 And so I was like, I like wine. 55 00:04:21,124.819 --> 00:04:25,384.819 I've worked in some restaurants before and stumbled into. 56 00:04:25,909.819 --> 00:04:27,649.819 Keith's wonderful little shop of horrors. 57 00:04:28,909.819 --> 00:04:31,399.819 And here I'm, we, I guess we have to change the brand. 58 00:04:31,399.819 --> 00:04:32,179.819 I like that better. 59 00:04:33,229.819 --> 00:04:34,579.819 Keith's little shop of horrors. 60 00:04:34,669.819 --> 00:04:35,329.819 Oh yeah. 61 00:04:35,329.819 --> 00:04:36,529.819 No, that would be nice. 62 00:04:36,529.819 --> 00:04:37,909.819 I can picture the logo too. 63 00:04:37,909.819 --> 00:04:40,279.819 wine glassing the dripping and you can't tell if it's red wine or blood. 64 00:04:40,674.819 --> 00:04:41,634.819 that's even better than what I thought. 65 00:04:42,444.819 --> 00:04:42,894.819 All right. 66 00:04:42,984.819 --> 00:04:43,974.819 This is fantastic. 67 00:04:43,974.819 --> 00:04:44,994.819 I'm stealing all this. 68 00:04:45,264.819 --> 00:04:46,614.819 This is all my IP now. 69 00:04:47,64.819 --> 00:04:47,274.819 Great. 70 00:04:48,274.819 --> 00:04:48,724.819 Wow. 71 00:04:48,994.819 --> 00:04:56,284.819 most people don't become a celebrated, poet due to teenage angst and troubles and problems. 72 00:04:56,284.819 --> 00:04:58,524.819 That's not what you usually, yeah, me surprised. 73 00:04:59,724.819 --> 00:05:00,44.819 I know. 74 00:05:00,44.819 --> 00:05:00,324.819 Yeah. 75 00:05:00,714.819 --> 00:05:04,584.819 usually people just Huff, so no, it's kudos. 76 00:05:04,584.819 --> 00:05:12,204.819 And that's interesting also that everything around you collapsed because of Covid and that, because there's always that story. 77 00:05:12,204.819 --> 00:05:19,304.819 Now we all have that story Of this and so I wanna make that connection between you and I Philadelphia and they had a massive shutdown. 78 00:05:19,304.819 --> 00:05:20,804.819 It was scary shutdown. 79 00:05:21,44.819 --> 00:05:22,664.819 Like we knew we couldn't do anything. 80 00:05:22,664.819 --> 00:05:26,554.819 We couldn't even, so yeah, we had to reinvent ourselves. 81 00:05:26,554.819 --> 00:05:32,524.819 We started, that's where we really tied in fully with the National Line School and started developing their online programming. 82 00:05:32,574.819 --> 00:05:33,264.819 And yeah. 83 00:05:33,414.819 --> 00:05:36,24.819 and where we're sitting right now, that became our studio. 84 00:05:36,84.819 --> 00:05:44,34.819 And so many people like around the country now know my face and they know the chalkboard that I stand in front of, while teaching. 85 00:05:44,34.819 --> 00:05:44,874.819 And they didn't. 86 00:05:45,174.819 --> 00:05:52,134.819 People have actually come here now, from Chicago and Florida and California, just 'cause they were curious what the school looks like. 87 00:05:52,404.819 --> 00:05:53,184.819 'cause they've only seen. 88 00:05:53,649.819 --> 00:05:54,249.819 The chalkboard. 89 00:05:54,769.819 --> 00:05:55,339.819 Exactly. 90 00:05:55,339.819 --> 00:05:56,479.819 And I am much prettier. 91 00:05:56,479.819 --> 00:05:57,709.819 I have a full head of hair. 92 00:05:57,989.819 --> 00:06:03,129.819 I look like I'm 55 on tv, but I'm really, 22 and buff. 93 00:06:03,849.819 --> 00:06:04,59.819 Yeah. 94 00:06:04,59.819 --> 00:06:04,404.819 It's amazing. 95 00:06:04,659.819 --> 00:06:05,949.819 I look like a completely different person. 96 00:06:06,949.819 --> 00:06:08,539.819 I'm not gonna take that from I appreciate it. 97 00:06:08,539.819 --> 00:06:13,889.819 And I was just turning blue from trying not to laugh, or say anything truly cruel and I appreciate that. 98 00:06:13,889.819 --> 00:06:14,939.819 I like my delusions. 99 00:06:14,989.819 --> 00:06:15,949.819 'cause I found wine. 100 00:06:16,29.819 --> 00:06:18,129.819 so we have that interesting connection where, your life. 101 00:06:18,184.819 --> 00:06:20,844.819 and I gotta say personally, I'm glad you came here. 102 00:06:20,884.819 --> 00:06:22,794.819 and I'm glad I guess I'm gonna ask 'cause I'm curious. 103 00:06:22,824.819 --> 00:06:33,319.819 I'm curious, how did you find us of all places? you we're, no, and it's interesting 'cause a lot of people who find us, who are from someplace else and they find us and they like it here. 104 00:06:33,739.819 --> 00:06:38,899.819 how did that end up happening? Like, how did you find us? Because we don't even advertise and really we don't do anything. 105 00:06:39,29.819 --> 00:06:41,39.819 I just remember looking at. 106 00:06:41,454.819 --> 00:06:44,454.819 Somalia certification programs in Philadelphia. 107 00:06:44,484.819 --> 00:06:45,834.819 'cause I really wanted to go in person. 108 00:06:46,74.819 --> 00:06:46,134.819 Yeah. 109 00:06:46,354.819 --> 00:06:48,464.819 I think Wset has one and you guys have one. 110 00:06:48,464.819 --> 00:06:48,644.819 Yep. 111 00:06:49,64.819 --> 00:06:53,324.819 the delightful kind of abruptness in the tone. 112 00:06:53,354.819 --> 00:06:59,604.819 'cause I think that's how, like friendly and welcoming, but also just but also fuck you Embody so much of what I love about the East coast. 113 00:06:59,634.819 --> 00:07:02,874.819 It's like very actually warm, but very abrupt and I love that. 114 00:07:02,874.819 --> 00:07:05,784.819 And that's me too, I think so That's great. 115 00:07:05,834.819 --> 00:07:06,104.819 I know. 116 00:07:06,104.819 --> 00:07:07,664.819 I'm not nice enough for the Midwest. 117 00:07:07,764.819 --> 00:07:11,804.819 The dentist basically kick you out because you just did, your parents are like you, you know you're not nice enough. 118 00:07:12,194.819 --> 00:07:13,574.819 Just so polite. 119 00:07:13,964.819 --> 00:07:22,304.819 I don't know how they're there, but Are they No, they're I guess I do see it like they're very snappy and love to tease, but they also are 60-year-old happy babies. 120 00:07:22,574.819 --> 00:07:24,704.819 Oh, they're very joyful. 121 00:07:24,704.819 --> 00:07:26,444.819 And I think maybe that carries them through. 122 00:07:26,594.819 --> 00:07:27,89.819 Oh, that's really lovely. 123 00:07:28,94.819 --> 00:07:31,204.819 So yeah, I do find when I can be much meaner when I'm happy. 124 00:07:32,224.819 --> 00:07:33,544.819 It is funny that way. 125 00:07:33,544.819 --> 00:07:34,864.819 I guess that maybe that's an East coast thing. 126 00:07:34,914.819 --> 00:07:37,674.819 yeah, I had a hard time, when I was a winemaker in California. 127 00:07:37,734.819 --> 00:07:38,934.819 people always thought I was so mean. 128 00:07:39,664.819 --> 00:07:46,124.819 California's just a whole other kind of man, yeah, there's no need, it's very much what I need. 129 00:07:47,369.819 --> 00:07:47,659.819 Yeah. 130 00:07:48,284.819 --> 00:07:49,554.819 Oh, that is amazing. 131 00:07:49,554.819 --> 00:07:52,644.819 So your husband comes here. 132 00:07:54,39.819 --> 00:07:59,69.819 Is at one of the big fancy colleges, one of the Ivy Colleges here. 133 00:07:59,339.819 --> 00:08:08,459.819 And you find us, you start taking, you take the core foundation program, you earn your, Somali pin, and then you jump into our advanced SOM program. 134 00:08:08,459.819 --> 00:08:10,444.819 And that's really like when I. 135 00:08:11,189.819 --> 00:08:14,459.819 It takes me a couple, two, three semesters to start noticing people. 136 00:08:14,519.819 --> 00:08:15,929.819 'cause I'm really terrible. 137 00:08:15,979.819 --> 00:08:17,989.819 like so many, I see so many people. 138 00:08:17,989.819 --> 00:08:22,209.819 But then certain people start showing, in my classroom, oh wow, interesting. 139 00:08:22,599.819 --> 00:08:26,829.819 Why? And then the question is like, why the fuck is they, are they here? they're really interesting. 140 00:08:26,829.819 --> 00:08:27,579.819 I wanna talk to them. 141 00:08:28,214.819 --> 00:08:31,214.819 Why and finding this, your path. 142 00:08:31,634.819 --> 00:08:41,834.819 So I did actually write out a few questions just because I was, I'm curious because that poet thing in you, that wine thing, because like you started becoming, you started taking over. 143 00:08:42,884.819 --> 00:08:49,244.819 First off, you really had some waiting, like serving experience before you move to Philly and that's about it. 144 00:08:50,169.819 --> 00:08:52,179.819 Yeah, I've been like a brunch bartender. 145 00:08:52,239.819 --> 00:08:52,899.819 I've been a server. 146 00:08:52,899.819 --> 00:08:54,699.819 my first full-time restaurant job. 147 00:08:54,699.819 --> 00:08:56,469.819 I was a failed hospitality manager. 148 00:08:56,769.819 --> 00:08:56,799.819 Oh. 149 00:08:56,949.819 --> 00:09:00,399.819 At a French place for a couple months, and then I was a whiskey educator at a distillery. 150 00:09:00,799.819 --> 00:09:03,439.819 Because that was our, one of our first conversations was about oak. 151 00:09:03,649.819 --> 00:09:05,749.819 Yeah, that was, those are so cool, man. 152 00:09:05,899.819 --> 00:09:06,309.819 Oh yeah. 153 00:09:06,339.819 --> 00:09:06,819.819 Oh, I know. 154 00:09:06,849.819 --> 00:09:07,599.819 'cause Alana came up. 155 00:09:07,599.819 --> 00:09:10,929.819 She's there's somebody here who really likes barrels as much as you do. 156 00:09:11,199.819 --> 00:09:12,699.819 And, which is a weird thing to say. 157 00:09:13,69.819 --> 00:09:15,709.819 it does sound like we're both on the spectrum a little bit, but. 158 00:09:18,569.819 --> 00:09:19,859.819 that right there, I was like, oh. 159 00:09:19,949.819 --> 00:09:21,14.819 And I was like, oh, I don't care. 160 00:09:21,604.819 --> 00:09:25,449.819 Like then was like, so what do you think? Yeah, it is, because I, yeah. 161 00:09:25,479.819 --> 00:09:32,399.819 Barrels, I think about barrels far too much, as a white maker and you working in the, distillery, of course that was one of the first things. 162 00:09:32,579.819 --> 00:09:37,379.819 but also, so you worked there, but you worked your way up. 163 00:09:37,379.819 --> 00:09:41,879.819 Now the, where are you working now? I definitely will. 164 00:09:41,999.819 --> 00:09:42,299.819 Okay. 165 00:09:42,809.819 --> 00:09:44,969.819 So tell me what restaurant you're at now. 166 00:09:45,299.819 --> 00:09:49,739.819 So right now I am a service manager at a kitchen and a bar over in Rittenhouse. 167 00:09:49,789.819 --> 00:09:52,959.819 They're part of a hotel group They like. 168 00:09:53,649.819 --> 00:09:57,819.819 The hotel owns the space, and then High Street Hospitality manages the restaurant for them. 169 00:09:57,819.819 --> 00:10:00,549.819 So they have that one, and then they just open one down in DC too? Yes. 170 00:10:00,829.819 --> 00:10:02,834.819 who manages it? High Street. 171 00:10:02,914.819 --> 00:10:03,874.819 High Street Hospitality. 172 00:10:03,904.819 --> 00:10:04,65.819 Street Hospitality. 173 00:10:04,489.819 --> 00:10:09,19.819 So now these are, so these are two very big names and people in the industry know these two names. 174 00:10:09,419.819 --> 00:10:12,209.819 this is not like a small little mom and pop operation. 175 00:10:12,629.819 --> 00:10:16,409.819 So what I'm pointing at is you came from having. 176 00:10:17,69.819 --> 00:10:29,229.819 Almost no experience to being an incredibly important person at some of the most respected hospitality company, on the East coast, like legit great people. 177 00:10:29,229.819 --> 00:10:33,29.819 So that's not nothing I'm sure some kids somewhere. 178 00:10:33,79.819 --> 00:10:33,289.819 Yeah. 179 00:10:33,289.819 --> 00:10:33,679.819 Thank you. 180 00:10:33,779.819 --> 00:10:36,659.819 Not the brightest kid, but yeah. 181 00:10:36,709.819 --> 00:10:42,229.819 I think also, I can't not talk about the restaurant that I stumbled into first here in Philadelphia. 182 00:10:42,589.819 --> 00:10:50,959.819 'cause that's really, I don't think a kitchen rightfully would've given me, second thought, but actually, the people who really took a risk on me were the folks at Laurel over on East Pass. 183 00:10:51,9.819 --> 00:10:53,889.819 'cause people listen to this who aren't actually in Philadelphia. 184 00:10:56,689.819 --> 00:11:01,549.819 So if anybody would know, they would, if they were Top Chef fans about 12 years ago. 185 00:11:01,739.819 --> 00:11:01,919.819 ding. 186 00:11:01,919.819 --> 00:11:05,249.819 Nick Elmi won and then opened his restaurant, Laurel. 187 00:11:05,279.819 --> 00:11:05,519.819 Yes. 188 00:11:06,99.819 --> 00:11:11,469.819 it's his kind of passion project and he handed off the chef to cuisine there now as Kevin McWilliams. 189 00:11:11,769.819 --> 00:11:13,149.819 I met with him and Jane and. 190 00:11:13,864.819 --> 00:11:20,494.819 Hung out with Kevin at the past and I mostly just was crying outta the way, which I guess he liked, so they hired me. 191 00:11:21,394.819 --> 00:11:22,54.819 Oh, that's fantastic. 192 00:11:22,54.819 --> 00:11:23,644.819 That is such an amazing thing. 193 00:11:23,744.819 --> 00:11:33,14.819 Nick Elmi is one of the most famous, and I gotta say, when he first opened, I made sure I was there for the first two months. 194 00:11:33,14.819 --> 00:11:36,644.819 It came multiple times because that's when I love restaurants when they're brand new. 195 00:11:36,794.819 --> 00:11:39,524.819 And in that, where they're still experimenting and figuring things out. 196 00:11:40,844.819 --> 00:11:44,164.819 And his hand is so delicate. 197 00:11:44,164.819 --> 00:11:46,354.819 it just, it was all nuanced. 198 00:11:46,354.819 --> 00:11:48,34.819 No big flavors at that time. 199 00:11:48,34.819 --> 00:11:48,634.819 He was just. 200 00:11:49,24.819 --> 00:11:51,394.819 Playing in a very quiet meter. 201 00:11:51,454.819 --> 00:11:52,204.819 that was very rare. 202 00:11:52,204.819 --> 00:11:53,14.819 I was very impressed. 203 00:11:53,14.819 --> 00:11:54,274.819 I was very happy to have his food. 204 00:11:54,664.819 --> 00:11:54,934.819 Yeah. 205 00:11:55,54.819 --> 00:11:56,14.819 And Laurel was just opposite. 206 00:11:56,584.819 --> 00:12:02,374.819 That was, that's always consistently, so that's, so people who aren't from Philly, they know that this is not nothing. 207 00:12:02,374.819 --> 00:12:12,304.819 this is a pretty impressive jump from the beginning My impression of you is that you don't, you're not that kind of person who's bearing people to get places. 208 00:12:12,604.819 --> 00:12:14,284.819 You are not the person. 209 00:12:14,344.819 --> 00:12:23,564.819 And I, because I, everyone I know, we know, I know some of the same people, obviously, we're in the same trade, and your reputation is just, you're just a good person. 210 00:12:23,564.819 --> 00:12:29,544.819 not a single person says, oh, that's a back stab, or just to climb up the corporate ladder. 211 00:12:29,544.819 --> 00:12:30,174.819 that's not you. 212 00:12:30,354.819 --> 00:12:31,614.819 I'm not good at climbing weak arms. 213 00:12:34,434.819 --> 00:12:40,344.819 I think also Philly was the perfect place for me to not have to be that in Philly. 214 00:12:40,344.819 --> 00:12:49,854.819 I think there are so many good people who genuinely just want to open the door for other folks who want to let you be yourself and succeed. 215 00:12:49,854.819 --> 00:12:55,449.819 And I know that's not the case in every city, and maybe not in every restaurant in Philly, but I think, again, I've been very lucky that. 216 00:12:56,709.819 --> 00:12:59,79.819 I've worked under and with good people. 217 00:12:59,239.819 --> 00:13:00,589.819 Philly is an interesting place. 218 00:13:00,589.819 --> 00:13:04,459.819 It does like the, I always say the school couldn't have existed anywhere else. 219 00:13:04,459.819 --> 00:13:06,79.819 Like we couldn't have gotten our start anywhere else. 220 00:13:06,109.819 --> 00:13:13,229.819 'cause Philly does, it has an, it's an interesting, when you're new and they love you, you get embraced. 221 00:13:13,789.819 --> 00:13:16,219.819 it's not the nicest place in the world's ever been here. 222 00:13:16,219.819 --> 00:13:17,599.819 No, we're not very nice. 223 00:13:17,879.819 --> 00:13:19,629.819 but there is but there's an openness here. 224 00:13:19,629.819 --> 00:13:22,989.819 That, and an ability to succeed that doesn't really exist. 225 00:13:22,989.819 --> 00:13:24,39.819 Like you can't do this. 226 00:13:24,249.819 --> 00:13:35,509.819 I knew I couldn't open the school, in the aughts in New York, thought about it, but Yeah, like just the cost and there's no way or my hometown of Boston, I know I can't do what I wanna do. 227 00:13:35,689.819 --> 00:13:37,69.819 Trying to imagine you in Back Bay. 228 00:13:37,319.819 --> 00:13:37,979.819 Me in Back Bay. 229 00:13:37,979.819 --> 00:13:38,189.819 I know. 230 00:13:38,459.819 --> 00:13:38,699.819 Exactly. 231 00:13:38,699.819 --> 00:13:39,274.819 Keeps the back. 232 00:13:41,949.819 --> 00:13:42,219.819 I know. 233 00:13:42,219.819 --> 00:13:46,259.819 So that's the thing is because it's also, yeah, because the people here are very interesting too. 234 00:13:46,289.819 --> 00:13:53,309.819 They're really passionate about food and wine and, but they're also Oh. 235 00:13:54,494.819 --> 00:13:59,634.819 we're not as jaded New York, when I'm in New York, it's just there's so much to do here. 236 00:13:59,994.819 --> 00:14:00,954.819 It's a smaller place. 237 00:14:01,54.819 --> 00:14:07,494.819 it's a city that you can walk from one side to the other in, four hours at most if you are baby. 238 00:14:07,824.819 --> 00:14:08,64.819 Wow. 239 00:14:08,214.819 --> 00:14:09,129.819 If you're taking a snack break. 240 00:14:09,279.819 --> 00:14:16,749.819 Alright, so I have a few questions to ask 'cause a curiosity and because I wrote 'em down and I wrote 'em down, I should probably ask them now. 241 00:14:18,429.819 --> 00:14:20,169.819 Alright, this. 242 00:14:21,169.819 --> 00:14:27,319.819 An accomplished poet and you're an accomplished, you, would you consider yourself a som now or a manager? Restaurant manager. 243 00:14:28,369.819 --> 00:14:30,649.819 I'm definitely like my role, I'm the manager. 244 00:14:30,649.819 --> 00:14:30,709.819 Yeah. 245 00:14:30,789.819 --> 00:14:35,844.819 so a lot of times if they ask, oh, are you thes Som I say, I'm not the Ps Som I'm a som yes. 246 00:14:35,844.819 --> 00:14:37,204.819 But I'm not thes som anywhere. 247 00:14:37,584.819 --> 00:14:38,4.819 All right, good. 248 00:14:38,249.819 --> 00:14:43,289.819 I just wanna just to, so that when I ask the question, you've gone from slam poetry stages to the restaurant floor. 249 00:14:46,184.819 --> 00:14:50,204.819 Who's more dramatic poets or chefs? 'cause we do know chefs. 250 00:14:50,294.819 --> 00:14:51,524.819 Oh, it hands down its chefs. 251 00:14:51,524.819 --> 00:14:52,274.819 'cause poets. 252 00:14:52,934.819 --> 00:14:56,954.819 Poets, they internalize and under all the pressure of all those feelings. 253 00:14:56,954.819 --> 00:15:03,734.819 Then a month later, comes out the poem, chefs, they're feeling it, they're saying it. 254 00:15:04,514.819 --> 00:15:06,524.819 And then also, depending on who the chef is. 255 00:15:06,914.819 --> 00:15:11,834.819 Then they are in a very poetic way then later trying to explain why they were so dramatic. 256 00:15:12,644.819 --> 00:15:21,254.819 So they're like, have a thing that they're upset about, probably justified, but they're like have their little drama queen moment and then for the next three hours after service, they're like, okay, but I'm so sorry. 257 00:15:21,254.819 --> 00:15:21,854.819 Especially here. 258 00:15:21,854.819 --> 00:15:22,544.819 They're so nice. 259 00:15:22,784.819 --> 00:15:29,364.819 But then they're like, okay, but this is why you understand, right? six months later you'll find a poem published about you that you hurt their feelings. 260 00:15:30,864.819 --> 00:15:31,314.819 All right. 261 00:15:31,314.819 --> 00:15:39,724.819 So I guess, being in a relationship with a, a chef or a poet, which would you choose? I married a scientist. 262 00:15:39,879.819 --> 00:15:41,504.819 Yeah, so smart. 263 00:15:42,949.819 --> 00:15:46,729.819 I would say it depends, if your sleep schedule is important to you, poet. 264 00:15:47,884.819 --> 00:15:52,684.819 You want somebody who will talk to you about what's bothering them, whether or not it's graceful chef. 265 00:15:52,924.819 --> 00:15:53,164.819 Yeah. 266 00:15:53,254.819 --> 00:15:53,494.819 Alright. 267 00:15:53,494.819 --> 00:15:53,884.819 That's good. 268 00:15:53,884.819 --> 00:15:54,724.819 I was curious about that. 269 00:15:54,774.819 --> 00:15:55,134.819 Yeah. 270 00:15:55,134.819 --> 00:15:56,64.819 That would be brutal. 271 00:15:56,64.819 --> 00:15:57,154.819 Like just yeah. 272 00:15:57,304.819 --> 00:15:58,564.819 Having a poem written about you. 273 00:15:58,564.819 --> 00:16:00,304.819 I do not want that ever to happen to me. 274 00:16:00,574.819 --> 00:16:03,409.819 I found a poem once, oh no. 275 00:16:03,664.819 --> 00:16:04,834.819 That someone had published it. 276 00:16:04,834.819 --> 00:16:06,364.819 Turned out that they were in love with my ex. 277 00:16:07,174.819 --> 00:16:08,914.819 And they're like trash talking me in the poem. 278 00:16:08,914.819 --> 00:16:13,209.819 And I found it as the curriculum for a workshop I was in years later. 279 00:16:13,509.819 --> 00:16:15,234.819 No, I that, that is horrible. 280 00:16:15,984.819 --> 00:16:18,264.819 That is absolutely fucking horrible. 281 00:16:19,884.819 --> 00:16:20,334.819 Oh my God. 282 00:16:20,334.819 --> 00:16:20,514.819 Yeah. 283 00:16:20,514.819 --> 00:16:28,104.819 No, because yeah, no, you, because I had, before I was a winemaker, before I was school, I was a chef and I, I would like, all chefs are angry. 284 00:16:28,284.819 --> 00:16:30,84.819 Like we just are angry people. 285 00:16:30,324.819 --> 00:16:31,404.819 'cause it's an angry job. 286 00:16:31,404.819 --> 00:16:32,364.819 It's a lot of stress. 287 00:16:32,364.819 --> 00:16:33,804.819 It's you're hot, you're on your feet. 288 00:16:33,854.819 --> 00:16:34,94.819 Oh yeah. 289 00:16:34,124.819 --> 00:16:34,304.819 Yep. 290 00:16:34,484.819 --> 00:16:34,964.819 Burnt. 291 00:16:35,334.819 --> 00:16:38,514.819 it's knives, it's fire, it's, yeah. 292 00:16:38,514.819 --> 00:16:40,404.819 It's anxiety, it's freaks. 293 00:16:42,24.819 --> 00:16:42,354.819 It's hell. 294 00:16:42,714.819 --> 00:16:43,344.819 I loved it. 295 00:16:43,344.819 --> 00:16:43,824.819 Oh my God. 296 00:16:43,854.819 --> 00:16:47,784.819 But yeah, no, and it's the kind of job that, you have to be a little psychologically damaged to do. 297 00:16:48,504.819 --> 00:16:54,774.819 it's that kind of job that works really well if you're a damaged little boy and need a daddy figure, that's the thing. 298 00:16:55,314.819 --> 00:16:55,584.819 Yeah. 299 00:16:55,634.819 --> 00:16:55,904.819 yeah. 300 00:16:55,909.819 --> 00:16:56,209.819 yeah. 301 00:16:56,209.819 --> 00:16:56,809.819 Not, yeah. 302 00:16:56,814.819 --> 00:16:56,864.819 Yeah. 303 00:16:57,199.819 --> 00:16:58,789.819 Talking, not talking about myself at all. 304 00:16:58,789.819 --> 00:16:58,790.819 No. 305 00:17:00,19.819 --> 00:17:00,439.819 Oh God, no. 306 00:17:01,489.819 --> 00:17:01,759.819 No. 307 00:17:01,759.819 --> 00:17:02,89.819 yeah. 308 00:17:02,89.819 --> 00:17:02,689.819 That's interesting. 309 00:17:02,689.819 --> 00:17:02,899.819 Yeah. 310 00:17:02,899.819 --> 00:17:05,239.819 I, so I guess, yeah, chef's all the way. 311 00:17:05,419.819 --> 00:17:05,809.819 All right. 312 00:17:05,929.819 --> 00:17:06,589.819 I'm okay. 313 00:17:06,589.819 --> 00:17:09,149.819 I guess I'm not gonna be, I'm not gonna be dating any poets. 314 00:17:09,629.819 --> 00:17:12,569.819 Just says she's gonna be very happy about that. 315 00:17:12,939.819 --> 00:17:13,89.819 no. 316 00:17:13,89.819 --> 00:17:16,449.819 She'll like the fact that I'm dating chef because that means that she'll have, she'll get fed well. 317 00:17:16,999.819 --> 00:17:24,949.819 the hard thing in my, my, in my life is that, there's just a guaranteed ex expectation that I'm gonna make at least three really delicious dinners every week. 318 00:17:26,954.819 --> 00:17:27,244.819 Yeah. 319 00:17:27,689.819 --> 00:17:28,49.819 yeah. 320 00:17:28,49.819 --> 00:17:31,469.819 I don't know how she started expecting that, she did I stuck with pizza bagels. 321 00:17:31,769.819 --> 00:17:31,979.819 Yeah. 322 00:17:31,979.819 --> 00:17:34,469.819 you should have tricked her into thinking you couldn't do it. 323 00:17:34,469.819 --> 00:17:35,9.819 And then. 324 00:17:35,864.819 --> 00:17:37,4.819 Pull it out on the special occasions. 325 00:17:37,4.819 --> 00:17:38,804.819 But see, now you're too deep in and this is your life. 326 00:17:38,834.819 --> 00:17:39,224.819 Yeah. 327 00:17:39,224.819 --> 00:17:43,84.819 I should have just done microwave mac and cheese with and then eventually throw in some truffle. 328 00:17:43,899.819 --> 00:17:44,489.819 There you go. 329 00:17:44,489.819 --> 00:17:44,809.819 There you go. 330 00:17:45,559.819 --> 00:17:45,989.819 thank you. 331 00:17:46,94.819 --> 00:17:49,984.819 all the rest of the questions are gonna be, about my own personal relationships so that you can guide me. 332 00:17:49,984.819 --> 00:17:51,64.819 you've gotta be my rabbi. 333 00:17:51,844.819 --> 00:17:52,174.819 Okay. 334 00:17:52,324.819 --> 00:17:52,624.819 Alright. 335 00:17:53,14.819 --> 00:17:53,614.819 To is the Rabbi. 336 00:17:53,664.819 --> 00:17:57,434.819 Are you serious? She's a rabbi and lawyer, a certified personal trainer. 337 00:17:57,434.819 --> 00:17:58,934.819 She sold real estate for a while. 338 00:17:59,384.819 --> 00:17:59,864.819 Oh my God. 339 00:17:59,864.819 --> 00:18:03,614.819 So you come from a family of people who change and do interesting things. 340 00:18:04,304.819 --> 00:18:05,534.819 That's fantastic. 341 00:18:05,954.819 --> 00:18:18,344.819 So if I want, so philosophy, kickboxing and selling me a house all the same time. 342 00:18:19,884.819 --> 00:18:21,54.819 training for Okay, thank you. 343 00:18:21,54.819 --> 00:18:21,354.819 Alright. 344 00:18:21,404.819 --> 00:18:23,684.819 I don't know if her real estate license isn't active. 345 00:18:23,714.819 --> 00:18:25,844.819 But she also still does look at contracts. 346 00:18:25,904.819 --> 00:18:30,164.819 So if you put in an offer and you wants somebody to look at the contract, alright, she's your girl. 347 00:18:30,434.819 --> 00:18:31,724.819 This is really fantastic. 348 00:18:31,724.819 --> 00:18:36,334.819 So what is it like, growing up with a rabbi as your mom? she wasn't a rabbi yet. 349 00:18:37,174.819 --> 00:18:39,964.819 Mom, it takes a while to accumulate all these different careers. 350 00:18:40,414.819 --> 00:18:40,624.819 Yeah. 351 00:18:40,844.819 --> 00:18:42,789.819 but he had been a religious studies major in college. 352 00:18:42,909.819 --> 00:18:42,999.819 Oh. 353 00:18:43,49.819 --> 00:18:45,389.819 so it was always like there. 354 00:18:45,629.819 --> 00:18:45,809.819 Okay. 355 00:18:45,909.819 --> 00:18:49,269.819 my dad used to complain 'cause he was the one that was like born Jewish and raised Jewish. 356 00:18:49,269.819 --> 00:18:54,639.819 She converted and he would always complain 'cause he ended up with everyone in the family being so much more Jewish than him. 357 00:18:55,159.819 --> 00:19:00,529.819 and he had hoped to just like away conservative, a lot stuffy. 358 00:19:02,464.819 --> 00:19:05,734.819 And then, yeah, but now, so he just complains about the Seder that my mom. 359 00:19:07,294.819 --> 00:19:08,704.819 That's fantastic. 360 00:19:09,154.819 --> 00:19:10,414.819 alright, so we have this in common. 361 00:19:10,414.819 --> 00:19:11,674.819 My father's a minister. 362 00:19:12,394.819 --> 00:19:12,904.819 Yeah. 363 00:19:12,964.819 --> 00:19:13,774.819 Baptist though. 364 00:19:13,774.819 --> 00:19:18,574.819 But however, he was a, theologian who studied, ancient Hebrew texts. 365 00:19:19,84.819 --> 00:19:20,434.819 so he was, like he. 366 00:19:21,434.819 --> 00:19:23,464.819 In ancient Greek, that's what he did. 367 00:19:23,464.819 --> 00:19:36,384.819 So we actually, he just formulated our household as if we were Jewish and which was fascinating and interesting and trying to explain that I was in fact, actually not Jewish, but actually Baptist was interesting. 368 00:19:36,774.819 --> 00:19:38,994.819 And the fact that my wife, who is Jewish, I know. 369 00:19:39,129.819 --> 00:19:44,259.819 Way more about the religion than she did, which was also pretty fucking awkward. 370 00:19:44,569.819 --> 00:19:44,649.819 yeah. 371 00:19:44,724.819 --> 00:19:48,954.819 I think our families would absolutely either love or hate each other, probably hate each other. 372 00:19:49,399.819 --> 00:19:50,309.819 I don't know. 373 00:19:52,254.819 --> 00:19:52,674.819 I don't know. 374 00:19:52,854.819 --> 00:19:53,394.819 We'll find out. 375 00:19:53,394.819 --> 00:19:53,994.819 Let's find out. 376 00:19:55,569.819 --> 00:19:56,49.819 Together. 377 00:19:56,529.819 --> 00:19:59,189.819 Do a cage match, either the hug it out or fight it out. 378 00:19:59,379.819 --> 00:20:00,639.819 my mom, personal trainer. 379 00:20:01,869.819 --> 00:20:02,289.819 Oh, I know. 380 00:20:02,289.819 --> 00:20:03,969.819 And my mom has congestive heart failure. 381 00:20:03,999.819 --> 00:20:04,359.819 Oh yeah. 382 00:20:04,359.819 --> 00:20:05,559.819 and this makes me sad. 383 00:20:05,739.819 --> 00:20:11,404.819 Same story for the funeral How much does because you can't get away from your background. 384 00:20:11,404.819 --> 00:20:16,864.819 Like you are always the person you are and you just fold that into the next thing. 385 00:20:16,864.819 --> 00:20:19,354.819 You become like, that's, at least that's how I see life. 386 00:20:19,604.819 --> 00:20:22,214.819 you keep all those things and you just build upon that. 387 00:20:23,204.819 --> 00:20:25,719.819 So being a. 388 00:20:26,219.819 --> 00:20:44,519.819 Having that core of a poet, like how does that fit in at all? do you use that as a resource in hospitality, in food and wine, or how does that work? How is it being the, like the only, pope poet, sommelier that I have ever, think there's a few different things that I Transferred over. 389 00:20:44,519.819 --> 00:20:50,339.819 I guess that, yeah, because with tasting notes and finding the words for things for like sensory experiences. 390 00:20:50,419.819 --> 00:20:57,40.819 I think that helps there because I'm just, I'm used to that kind of almost synesthesia of bringing all these different senses out and putting words to them. 391 00:20:57,314.819 --> 00:20:57,534.819 Yes. 392 00:20:57,734.819 --> 00:20:58,15.819 I love that. 393 00:20:58,344.819 --> 00:20:59,839.819 think that definitely is there. 394 00:21:00,319.819 --> 00:21:04,379.819 And then, especially front of house, you're always on a stage. 395 00:21:04,619.819 --> 00:21:04,979.819 Yeah. 396 00:21:05,159.819 --> 00:21:06,29.819 During service. 397 00:21:06,59.819 --> 00:21:09,19.819 So I'm pretty good at Turning it on for the guests. 398 00:21:09,49.819 --> 00:21:09,229.819 Yeah. 399 00:21:09,289.819 --> 00:21:10,159.819 Like the charming thing. 400 00:21:10,159.819 --> 00:21:13,259.819 And then, I always joke with my servers on like a busy night. 401 00:21:13,259.819 --> 00:21:22,220.819 There's goblin hour, which is where I turn it on when I'm out on the floor, but I'm so overstimulated and overwhelmed the back in the server station, I'm just a little goblin that's, I think That's awesome. 402 00:21:22,529.819 --> 00:21:29,159.819 are you trying to impress or try to draw them towards you? Like how do you use language? because I think this is the most interesting thing. 403 00:21:29,639.819 --> 00:21:37,169.819 I think it's definitely about drawing them towards you, especially when you're trying to get somebody to order a bottle, to try a new glass, to try something new. 404 00:21:37,219.819 --> 00:21:39,829.819 My hope is really the job of being impressive. 405 00:21:39,919.819 --> 00:21:41,659.819 That's Frank's job, our beverage director. 406 00:21:41,709.819 --> 00:21:45,39.819 Of choosing the great wines of presenting them on the menu in an interesting way. 407 00:21:45,159.819 --> 00:21:46,779.819 Our job is to connect people to that. 408 00:21:47,139.819 --> 00:21:51,769.819 So I think it's definitely about 'cause I can't just say oh yes, it's got this structured elegance and blah, blah, blah. 409 00:21:52,69.819 --> 00:21:53,239.819 Not everybody's gonna resonate with that. 410 00:21:53,389.819 --> 00:22:00,979.819 So I think then to be able to bring in more, like it's got this great savory quality, it's gonna go great with your food that you're ordering and just make it more. 411 00:22:01,564.819 --> 00:22:03,184.819 Close to them, more intimate for them. 412 00:22:03,514.819 --> 00:22:03,934.819 That's awesome. 413 00:22:03,944.819 --> 00:22:15,294.819 because that is something that oftentimes is lacking is actually that we all, you get a certain level of education, a certain level of knowledge, you know what it is, but transmitting that is the hard thing. 414 00:22:15,714.819 --> 00:22:26,584.819 That's why I find that, and that's also why yeah, Your ability from everything I've heard, 'cause Philly is a small place, is that you do have that like innate connection with people, that people just immediately respond to you. 415 00:22:27,124.819 --> 00:22:28,654.819 And I find that delightful. 416 00:22:28,654.819 --> 00:22:38,764.819 And you would actually like, so yeah, no, like you're one of those people, I'm like, oh, she would be a, she's a sarcastic, smart. 417 00:22:38,794.819 --> 00:22:41,44.819 A little bit of self hatred there. 418 00:22:41,624.819 --> 00:22:42,764.819 and he is got this great ones. 419 00:22:42,764.819 --> 00:22:45,104.819 Connect with people, like she'd be a great wine instructor. 420 00:22:45,154.819 --> 00:22:55,823.819 so yeah, I always thought, I was like, oh yeah, no, you would do, you would be fantastic so you could take my job and why I am giving you this award that I agreed to this, but I don't know why I'm retracting it. 421 00:22:55,823.819 --> 00:22:57,943.819 you're gonna be my, I'm gonna be your employee soon. 422 00:22:59,898.819 --> 00:23:03,258.819 I was a substitute teacher in the Minneapolis Public Schools for a couple years. 423 00:23:03,308.819 --> 00:23:03,848.819 my God. 424 00:23:04,128.819 --> 00:23:04,518.819 teacher. 425 00:23:04,788.819 --> 00:23:05,988.819 Oh God. 426 00:23:06,498.819 --> 00:23:07,218.819 did the fundraising. 427 00:23:09,618.819 --> 00:23:13,8.819 what'd you fundraise for? Oh, really? Did tele fundraising for a few months. 428 00:23:13,128.819 --> 00:23:13,698.819 Oh wow. 429 00:23:13,698.819 --> 00:23:18,378.819 Was that really fun? I got some really funny phone calls, people's responses to me asking them for money. 430 00:23:18,528.819 --> 00:23:18,888.819 Oh yeah. 431 00:23:19,68.819 --> 00:23:19,693.819 Tell me what. 432 00:23:20,208.819 --> 00:23:24,178.819 I just one where he was like, I'll tell you what they do, these traveling concerts. 433 00:23:24,268.819 --> 00:23:27,748.819 If you can get them to come to my backyard and do a concert, then I'll donate. 434 00:23:29,938.819 --> 00:23:31,313.819 I'll see what I can do for you. 435 00:23:31,403.819 --> 00:23:35,168.819 If you get on that right away, like I can definitely get them closer to your backyard if you give me money. 436 00:23:35,218.819 --> 00:23:41,348.819 Alright, what's the weirdest thing anyone said to you in a restaurant? so in Rittenhouse Okay. 437 00:23:41,558.819 --> 00:23:42,578.819 Lot of characters. 438 00:23:42,638.819 --> 00:23:43,88.819 Yes. 439 00:23:43,928.819 --> 00:23:50,758.819 So I would say there's one guy who came in already holding full glasses of sparkling wine Oh, okay. 440 00:23:51,778.819 --> 00:23:55,208.819 And, we had to explain to him that he couldn't bring that into the restaurant side. 441 00:23:55,238.819 --> 00:23:57,638.819 So then he went over to the, bar side and tried to come in. 442 00:23:57,818.819 --> 00:23:59,798.819 Yeah, my bartender told him he had to go. 443 00:24:00,98.819 --> 00:24:01,418.819 He came back in. 444 00:24:01,478.819 --> 00:24:07,268.819 So then I went up to him and I was like, hi, you're not gonna get anything you want here. 445 00:24:07,728.819 --> 00:24:08,688.819 it's time for you to go. 446 00:24:09,118.819 --> 00:24:11,728.819 and he was like, imperial and then wandered out. 447 00:24:12,278.819 --> 00:24:14,798.819 Then he came back two more times. 448 00:24:14,873.819 --> 00:24:15,93.819 Oh. 449 00:24:17,423.819 --> 00:24:17,723.819 Two. 450 00:24:17,723.819 --> 00:24:29,123.819 Like first say he wanted to take the glasses back to the other restaurant, but then he just left them there and then he came back in again and my bartender, Liv just went up and was like, Hey buddy had this conversation ready. 451 00:24:29,513.819 --> 00:24:30,833.819 And he was like, you don't want my money. 452 00:24:30,833.819 --> 00:24:38,138.819 And she's he was funny because apparently he had also come in another time when one of the other managers was on duty and we had closed and just walked in and said champagne. 453 00:24:41,103.819 --> 00:24:45,813.819 I think my most interesting one is I had a guy who was on our patio during the heat wave during the summer. 454 00:24:46,173.819 --> 00:24:46,263.819 Yes. 455 00:24:46,413.819 --> 00:24:49,413.819 And so I was like, all right, I need you to leave the patio, but I'll get you some water 'cause it's super hot. 456 00:24:50,43.819 --> 00:24:52,893.819 And then he came in after and he is no, you don't need to bring it to me. 457 00:24:53,103.819 --> 00:24:54,333.819 I'm treating you like my maid. 458 00:24:54,363.819 --> 00:24:55,923.819 You're not my maid, you're my wife. 459 00:24:55,953.819 --> 00:24:58,83.819 And I was like, no, I am neither of those things. 460 00:24:58,713.819 --> 00:25:01,803.819 And then he stubbed his toe and he went, oh my delicate bone. 461 00:25:02,803.819 --> 00:25:03,613.819 Delicate bone. 462 00:25:04,153.819 --> 00:25:05,113.819 Delicate bone. 463 00:25:05,233.819 --> 00:25:06,223.819 Oh, that is just, yeah. 464 00:25:06,673.819 --> 00:25:13,548.819 So now anytime, If you work in the restaurant industry long enough, you have very good stories, but sometimes you get really jaded, and you don't seem that jaded. 465 00:25:13,553.819 --> 00:25:19,893.819 you may become a goblin once in a while, but you don't seem like you don't have that smoking a cigarette. 466 00:25:19,893.819 --> 00:25:25,433.819 Like I've seen some shit, but I think, mostly it's just fun stories. 467 00:25:26,33.819 --> 00:25:28,583.819 Also, so much worse has happened. 468 00:25:28,913.819 --> 00:25:30,623.819 Yeah, this is just, it is fine. 469 00:25:31,43.819 --> 00:25:39,953.819 and I think also the nice thing about being at a place and like at Laurel before where there's a lot of just regulars and people who really build a relationship with the restaurant. 470 00:25:40,253.819 --> 00:25:42,533.819 That's the anecdote I think, or the antidote I should say. 471 00:25:43,268.819 --> 00:25:45,998.819 Two, those people that are jerks are super weird. 472 00:25:45,998.819 --> 00:25:48,188.819 You have These people who make your restaurant a part of their life. 473 00:25:48,188.819 --> 00:25:51,938.819 So that balances it, doesn't it though? It does, yeah. 474 00:25:52,448.819 --> 00:26:06,223.819 Because even at school, like running a wine school, like work, we come across, I had one student who thought that I was being, particularly, it was in the course of white program, and she thought I was just being mean to her, and she didn't, she obviously didn't realize that I'm just generally mean to everybody. 475 00:26:06,698.819 --> 00:26:12,308.819 it's in a way that it's actually like I really care and most people figure out that I am joking. 476 00:26:12,568.819 --> 00:26:13,618.819 by first class. 477 00:26:13,618.819 --> 00:26:17,848.819 I just was teaching it, yesterday actually, the first class of the new semester. 478 00:26:18,328.819 --> 00:26:20,368.819 And at first everyone thought I was me. 479 00:26:20,578.819 --> 00:26:25,948.819 And then everyone just started realizing I wasn't, and they started laughing. 480 00:26:27,133.819 --> 00:26:30,733.819 And they realized that, but this woman did not know. 481 00:26:30,733.819 --> 00:26:39,333.819 so I actually had to let her after class yell at me for 45 minutes because I knew that was the only way I was going to get this class to be okay. 482 00:26:39,333.819 --> 00:26:41,103.819 'cause she was so angry I needed to let out. 483 00:26:41,153.819 --> 00:26:45,33.819 I basically had to let out that pressure so she didn't explode in the middle of class. 484 00:26:45,33.819 --> 00:26:46,743.819 'cause it was like week five and she. 485 00:26:47,268.819 --> 00:26:49,188.819 They didn't understand what was going on. 486 00:26:49,398.819 --> 00:26:54,268.819 And that I was actually concerned 'cause she wasn't getting the information and it was someone who had a Yeah. 487 00:26:54,658.819 --> 00:26:57,388.819 Who should but wasn't getting it. 488 00:26:57,438.819 --> 00:26:58,38.819 There are those. 489 00:26:58,38.819 --> 00:27:06,148.819 the thing is it didn't matter 'cause like I knew that 45 minutes of someone just screaming at me, was nothing because The people who are in my classes are so fucking amazing. 490 00:27:06,548.819 --> 00:27:08,318.819 and it just made me want oh God, alright. 491 00:27:08,738.819 --> 00:27:09,458.819 And she was screaming at me. 492 00:27:09,458.819 --> 00:27:11,768.819 I was like, this is really bad. 493 00:27:12,558.819 --> 00:27:15,228.819 doesn't bother me at all because. 494 00:27:15,613.819 --> 00:27:18,163.819 the people in the school's classroom, are amazing. 495 00:27:18,193.819 --> 00:27:22,993.819 I know that I'm gonna be lifted up, by the 95% of insanely awesome people. 496 00:27:23,143.819 --> 00:27:23,773.819 Which is nice. 497 00:27:23,773.819 --> 00:27:29,823.819 And that's the thing is, yeah, having those people in your, like even though it's a professional relationship, it's still so valuable. 498 00:27:29,853.819 --> 00:27:30,213.819 Yeah. 499 00:27:30,573.819 --> 00:27:30,813.819 Yeah. 500 00:27:30,813.819 --> 00:27:32,643.819 that's another overlap I think with. 501 00:27:33,28.819 --> 00:27:39,148.819 the poetry professional and community and restaurants where you have these relationships that are professional and like surface level. 502 00:27:39,268.819 --> 00:27:39,478.819 Yes. 503 00:27:39,508.819 --> 00:27:40,768.819 But at once also very deep. 504 00:27:40,768.819 --> 00:27:45,898.819 'cause in poetry you're like getting up and sharing your deep, dark secrets with each other and editing each other's poems about it. 505 00:27:45,958.819 --> 00:27:46,198.819 Yeah. 506 00:27:46,588.819 --> 00:27:48,598.819 And in hospitality it's like normal and everything. 507 00:27:48,658.819 --> 00:27:58,728.819 But then also you go through You spend all your holidays together, you go through these insane shifts where it's been like 12 hours and just nonstop and you're all just loopy and trying to survive it. 508 00:27:58,728.819 --> 00:28:00,238.819 So you have trauma bond. 509 00:28:00,238.819 --> 00:28:03,148.819 I guess it's like this deep connection Connection. 510 00:28:03,508.819 --> 00:28:04,558.819 I don't, isn't, it is. 511 00:28:04,618.819 --> 00:28:07,33.819 I'll never not want my time in. 512 00:28:08,658.819 --> 00:28:11,388.819 In restaurant industry, will always be my favorite. 513 00:28:12,48.819 --> 00:28:13,8.819 Yeah, it always will be. 514 00:28:13,8.819 --> 00:28:23,198.819 And I like when people ask me what my favorite job was and they always assume it's when I was a journalist or when I was a winemaker, I'm like, no, it was when I was 14 years old and I was a dishwasher at a very fancy gay bar. 515 00:28:23,348.819 --> 00:28:25,568.819 It was the best thing ever. 516 00:28:25,798.819 --> 00:28:26,698.819 honestly, because. 517 00:28:28,138.819 --> 00:28:32,208.819 Being basically adopted by a gang of Queens. 518 00:28:32,668.819 --> 00:28:41,28.819 when you're that young, you're like the little straight boy, and they all like, have oh, he's father's a minister, family of ministers, not the kindest, most gentle human beings. 519 00:28:41,388.819 --> 00:28:44,208.819 And let's just say not the most affectionate of, people. 520 00:28:44,488.819 --> 00:28:50,783.819 I was like, yeah, no, I learned, I, there who, when I had questions about sex when I was 14, that's who I went to. 521 00:28:50,943.819 --> 00:29:01,313.819 And the people who, you know, the, and then eventually, yeah, the people who showed me how to actually do work and what actually good food was like, I had never had garlic, I had never tasted garlic before. 522 00:29:01,363.819 --> 00:29:07,753.819 thing I'm my God, but I realized you could actually put more salt on your food. 523 00:29:08,433.819 --> 00:29:08,793.819 oh, that. 524 00:29:09,3.819 --> 00:29:09,813.819 Oh yeah. 525 00:29:09,813.819 --> 00:29:11,283.819 No, it was amazing. 526 00:29:11,283.819 --> 00:29:12,413.819 And I had never oh yeah. 527 00:29:12,413.819 --> 00:29:13,313.819 No, that was fantastic. 528 00:29:13,313.819 --> 00:29:16,943.819 It was the first time I ever tried, had wine and beer and whiskey. 529 00:29:17,393.819 --> 00:29:17,633.819 Yeah. 530 00:29:17,633.819 --> 00:29:18,563.819 It was fantastic. 531 00:29:18,593.819 --> 00:29:19,253.819 Oh my God. 532 00:29:19,253.819 --> 00:29:19,643.819 It was so much. 533 00:29:19,643.819 --> 00:29:19,974.819 Then I. 534 00:29:20,983.819 --> 00:29:25,273.819 And then I get, then the first time I beat everyone up was another one of my dishwashers, and it was fun. 535 00:29:25,273.819 --> 00:29:26,173.819 He was really mean. 536 00:29:27,193.819 --> 00:29:28,603.819 He was mean to like my friends. 537 00:29:28,603.819 --> 00:29:30,523.819 And so then I beat him up and that was fantastic. 538 00:29:31,63.819 --> 00:29:31,573.819 Fantastic. 539 00:29:31,573.819 --> 00:29:32,983.819 Keith was happy Keith. 540 00:29:33,703.819 --> 00:29:33,943.819 Yeah. 541 00:29:33,943.819 --> 00:29:35,473.819 Booze fights. 542 00:29:37,653.819 --> 00:29:38,763.819 being the bell, the ball. 543 00:29:38,823.819 --> 00:29:39,33.819 Yeah. 544 00:29:39,63.819 --> 00:29:39,303.819 Oh yeah. 545 00:29:39,303.819 --> 00:29:40,83.819 No, it's fantastic. 546 00:29:40,323.819 --> 00:29:40,833.819 It was lovely. 547 00:29:41,163.819 --> 00:29:41,673.819 But I know. 548 00:29:41,673.819 --> 00:29:49,263.819 It is something, and those of us, I really feel bad for people who haven't worked in restaurants and haven't had that because it really is you. 549 00:29:49,803.819 --> 00:29:50,313.819 We all. 550 00:29:50,853.819 --> 00:29:52,53.819 Interact with restaurants. 551 00:29:52,83.819 --> 00:29:52,233.819 Yeah. 552 00:29:52,233.819 --> 00:29:53,643.819 We all have that experience. 553 00:29:53,643.819 --> 00:30:05,43.819 Whether, you're sitting eating, but if you don't know what that's like on the other side, you, there's a lack of empathy that you have and you also just don't understand how amazing that is and how hard it is. 554 00:30:05,73.819 --> 00:30:08,613.819 'cause the whole idea of having a servant, like you mentioned you're, that you're a funny story. 555 00:30:08,613.819 --> 00:30:17,893.819 Like you're not my, you're not my servant, you're my wife is a weird, I can picture everyone thinking that, Yeah. 556 00:30:17,893.819 --> 00:30:21,753.819 Just say, oh you're, you cook for us, you serve us, you are servants. 557 00:30:21,793.819 --> 00:30:26,293.819 And that's a weird thing in America because the middle, any, most of us have never had servants. 558 00:30:26,293.819 --> 00:30:31,63.819 I'm sure some people do, but I don't, I'm sure I know that it exists somewhere. 559 00:30:31,63.819 --> 00:30:31,363.819 but. 560 00:30:32,668.819 --> 00:30:33,118.819 That. 561 00:30:33,238.819 --> 00:30:33,508.819 yeah. 562 00:30:33,508.819 --> 00:30:39,988.819 I just find I, that I have always have a connection and, and one of the things I always like to share is whenever, like another chef, I always are our, our scars. 563 00:30:40,348.819 --> 00:30:40,528.819 Oh, yeah. 564 00:30:40,528.819 --> 00:30:43,498.819 Because see, servers, you have emotional scars. 565 00:30:43,858.819 --> 00:30:48,298.819 We chefs have, actual scars on our faces hands. 566 00:30:48,298.819 --> 00:30:51,748.819 Like they never, and I haven't been for decades. 567 00:30:51,838.819 --> 00:30:52,648.819 For decades. 568 00:30:52,648.819 --> 00:31:03,713.819 I think, My favorite thing about moving from serving to management Is that since I am no longer in any tip pools, my servers have to take it when people treat them that way Oh God. 569 00:31:03,793.819 --> 00:31:04,513.819 That's my favorite thing. 570 00:31:04,513.819 --> 00:31:07,393.819 To be able to come in and defend them when it's okay, that's enough. 571 00:31:07,393.819 --> 00:31:11,163.819 I'm just gonna deal with them and I'm gonna be perfectly fine and not anymore than that. 572 00:31:11,688.819 --> 00:31:12,858.819 Oh, that's fantastic. 573 00:31:12,888.819 --> 00:31:13,98.819 Yeah. 574 00:31:13,488.819 --> 00:31:17,28.819 No, I wonder if that's one of the reasons why you actually were attracted to the wine school. 575 00:31:17,28.819 --> 00:31:25,58.819 Because one of the lines I have is I, we're not servants and like any of my instructors, I was like, you can't wear, you never wear a white shirt. 576 00:31:25,58.819 --> 00:31:27,198.819 You never wear a white shirt and a jacket, ever. 577 00:31:27,388.819 --> 00:31:29,908.819 you do not come across, you cannot come across as a waiter. 578 00:31:29,958.819 --> 00:31:32,148.819 there needs to be more respect for people. 579 00:31:32,228.819 --> 00:31:34,293.819 and I'm very sensitive to that because I was a waiter. 580 00:31:34,343.819 --> 00:31:38,183.819 I chef mostly, but when I actually needed to make money, I started waiting tables. 581 00:31:38,233.819 --> 00:31:42,233.819 And I was pretty good at it, even though I was a hot mess, good. 582 00:31:42,483.819 --> 00:31:44,373.819 but I made a lot more money than when I was a chef. 583 00:31:44,533.819 --> 00:31:48,373.819 that whole thing, it's very tricky 'cause people don't know how to behave. 584 00:31:49,33.819 --> 00:31:57,803.819 Are you their wife or are you the wife or the maid? that's a weird combination, but that's, it's always a little sticky, for a lot of people it's a little sticky, a little icky. 585 00:31:57,853.819 --> 00:31:58,333.819 but yeah. 586 00:31:59,293.819 --> 00:31:59,623.819 Yeah. 587 00:31:59,683.819 --> 00:32:07,523.819 I do love it when people try to like, try to talk down to be, or one my, or instructor because Yeah, they don't go very far. 588 00:32:08,423.819 --> 00:32:08,903.819 Exactly. 589 00:32:08,953.819 --> 00:32:09,13.819 Yeah. 590 00:32:09,13.819 --> 00:32:12,103.819 My favorite phrase, I don't have to pull it out very often, but when I do, it's, yeah. 591 00:32:12,283.819 --> 00:32:15,183.819 Oh, because you're protecting your staff, your people. 592 00:32:15,243.819 --> 00:32:15,543.819 Yeah. 593 00:32:15,633.819 --> 00:32:16,923.819 And that's the most important thing. 594 00:32:17,313.819 --> 00:32:18,243.819 You protect your people. 595 00:32:18,593.819 --> 00:32:18,923.819 yeah. 596 00:32:18,923.819 --> 00:32:24,903.819 And I think, that's the other thing, that's really, you find in a really good restaurant, you know That you're protected. 597 00:32:24,943.819 --> 00:32:26,773.819 the manager is the person who has your back. 598 00:32:27,178.819 --> 00:32:31,98.819 No, it was always, it always, that's one of the reason why restaurants are, kitchens are great. 599 00:32:31,98.819 --> 00:32:35,838.819 'cause, usually we're based on a good old military training, right? you just, you do what you're told. 600 00:32:37,308.819 --> 00:32:38,388.819 Military you've ever seen. 601 00:32:38,538.819 --> 00:32:39,78.819 Oh, yes. 602 00:32:39,108.819 --> 00:32:42,588.819 The most would never win any war, but yes. 603 00:32:42,618.819 --> 00:32:43,758.819 But you're damn good food. 604 00:32:44,758.819 --> 00:32:45,268.819 that's fantastic. 605 00:32:45,268.819 --> 00:32:45,538.819 All right. 606 00:32:45,538.819 --> 00:32:50,378.819 So you actually, I was gonna ask you about your autistic background, inform your rest, your leadership style. 607 00:32:50,378.819 --> 00:32:56,828.819 That's very clear that you are just a badass and you protect your people, but you're very kind to people, like those in front of you. 608 00:32:57,628.819 --> 00:33:06,883.819 Or are we all collectively trauma bonded? It's definitely trauma bonding, but I think it's not a coincidence that so many of the people that I've worked with in restaurants are artists. 609 00:33:06,963.819 --> 00:33:08,733.819 Are neurodivergent or both. 610 00:33:09,363.819 --> 00:33:09,573.819 Yeah. 611 00:33:10,113.819 --> 00:33:13,473.819 We're all just a little in our way. 612 00:33:14,23.819 --> 00:33:19,508.819 the kind of instability, the stable instability of working in a restaurant, it works with a certain kind of mind. 613 00:33:19,778.819 --> 00:33:19,988.819 Yeah. 614 00:33:21,308.819 --> 00:33:23,708.819 It does Also, it also instills the a. 615 00:33:25,163.819 --> 00:33:30,503.819 A lifelong, a little bit of, love of anarchy a little bit, just like a little bit of that. 616 00:33:30,753.819 --> 00:33:40,573.819 it's nice, it's fun to be, that, that combination, like not being, and it, I gotta tell you, I, working in restaurants told me that's the only kind of employment I could ever have. 617 00:33:40,903.819 --> 00:33:44,773.819 'cause when I started getting an actual job, like working at a NPR. 618 00:33:45,773.819 --> 00:33:52,253.819 Because I, that even then, even though I had a lot of freedom, it was still top down and I just, I didn't, I needed something different. 619 00:33:52,913.819 --> 00:33:53,153.819 Yeah. 620 00:33:53,203.819 --> 00:34:02,143.819 I think there's a beautiful skill that working in like a, especially a busy restaurant, so like on a Friday night or whatever, seeing things are going wrong, your plan is not gonna. 621 00:34:03,688.819 --> 00:34:06,598.819 And being able to be like, we're just gonna ride this. 622 00:34:06,898.819 --> 00:34:12,928.819 Because there was one night during restaurant week, last fall, we had no host, the other manager had left with very little notice. 623 00:34:13,198.819 --> 00:34:15,358.819 They had 110 on only two servers. 624 00:34:15,538.819 --> 00:34:19,508.819 And so I just walk up to my expo, I'm like, you ready to get our shit rock? Okay. 625 00:34:19,598.819 --> 00:34:22,328.819 110 people? Yeah. 626 00:34:22,988.819 --> 00:34:23,828.819 Two servers. 627 00:34:24,308.819 --> 00:34:25,828.819 Two servers, a bartender and me. 628 00:34:26,68.819 --> 00:34:26,548.819 Oh, wow. 629 00:34:27,58.819 --> 00:34:27,718.819 that is brutal. 630 00:34:27,878.819 --> 00:34:29,618.819 I'm having anxiety just thinking about this. 631 00:34:29,618.819 --> 00:34:31,598.819 I can actually feel it in my bones. 632 00:34:33,578.819 --> 00:34:33,818.819 Fine. 633 00:34:34,608.819 --> 00:34:35,148.819 just keep moving. 634 00:34:35,208.819 --> 00:34:35,508.819 Yep. 635 00:34:35,508.819 --> 00:34:35,923.819 Just keep it moving. 636 00:34:35,923.819 --> 00:34:36,258.819 Keep moving. 637 00:34:36,318.819 --> 00:34:36,588.819 Yeah. 638 00:34:36,768.819 --> 00:34:41,98.819 all right, now I That you're basically in this industry for life. 639 00:34:41,98.819 --> 00:34:43,978.819 It seems like this seems to be where you're heading into, yeah. 640 00:34:45,298.819 --> 00:34:53,968.819 And so what's the pie in the sky? Like, where do you want to take this? where would you like to be? Yeah. 641 00:34:53,968.819 --> 00:35:00,388.819 I think pie in the sky, the dream would be a bottle shop by day. 642 00:35:00,988.819 --> 00:35:08,548.819 A wine bar with a bubbles focused by night that's meant to make sparkling wine more approachable to people with nice little small plates that keeps industry friendly hours. 643 00:35:09,628.819 --> 00:35:14,428.819 So like 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM instead, then come by after work. 644 00:35:14,428.819 --> 00:35:19,48.819 Have a nice glass of wine, have some nice food at an affordable price point. 645 00:35:19,48.819 --> 00:35:21,448.819 Have the bottle shop and just, yeah. 646 00:35:21,448.819 --> 00:35:24,478.819 I think especially sparkling wine, people get really intimidated by it. 647 00:35:24,658.819 --> 00:35:28,468.819 There's so much and such a variety and it's so cool. 648 00:35:28,468.819 --> 00:35:29,548.819 There's so many different things you can do. 649 00:35:29,548.819 --> 00:35:30,938.819 And so I think it's, that's the dream. 650 00:35:31,748.819 --> 00:35:33,218.819 That's fantastic. 651 00:35:34,98.819 --> 00:35:43,698.819 So start a little, and are you gonna dip your toes into wine making at all? Because I definitely, I'm interested in that. 652 00:35:43,748.819 --> 00:35:45,428.819 when I was working in the distillery. 653 00:35:46,73.819 --> 00:35:49,223.819 I did a little bit of we would help with the blind tasting for the blending. 654 00:35:49,353.819 --> 00:35:51,63.819 to maintain the consistency. 655 00:35:51,163.819 --> 00:35:52,183.819 So I've definitely thought about that. 656 00:35:54,953.819 --> 00:35:55,823.819 I'm definitely, interested. 657 00:35:55,823.819 --> 00:35:58,973.819 I think my heart more so lies in getting to talk about it Yeah. 658 00:35:59,573.819 --> 00:36:00,969.819 Than in the creation of it. 659 00:36:00,974.819 --> 00:36:08,513.819 But I definitely think that it's an important thing to be intimately familiar with if you're gonna talk about the final product, to know and see it happen. 660 00:36:11,453.819 --> 00:36:12,233.819 Fantastic. 661 00:36:12,233.819 --> 00:36:15,683.819 So you wanna be out in front, I swear to God, you'd be so good at it. 662 00:36:15,683.819 --> 00:36:16,313.819 You'd be so much better. 663 00:36:16,343.819 --> 00:36:17,783.819 I would love to teach people. 664 00:36:17,783.819 --> 00:36:19,313.819 I think like education would be great. 665 00:36:19,313.819 --> 00:36:21,953.819 this little bottle shop wine bar? Yeah. 666 00:36:21,983.819 --> 00:36:22,823.819 classes there. 667 00:36:22,913.819 --> 00:36:24,173.819 Yeah, that'd be great. 668 00:36:24,653.819 --> 00:36:25,403.819 That'd be fantastic. 669 00:36:25,403.819 --> 00:36:25,523.819 Yeah. 670 00:36:25,523.819 --> 00:36:27,773.819 I think it'd be absolutely phenomenal at that. 671 00:36:28,463.819 --> 00:36:28,703.819 yeah. 672 00:36:28,703.819 --> 00:36:31,703.819 No, you're just the right amount of dark and funny and smart. 673 00:36:32,573.819 --> 00:36:33,323.819 Charismatic. 674 00:36:33,443.819 --> 00:36:38,373.819 and a little scary sometimes I've seen that face when it turns, it's just, I was like, oh shit, she's angry. 675 00:36:40,623.819 --> 00:36:43,263.819 Deep pools of rage hidden behind the baby face. 676 00:36:45,798.819 --> 00:36:46,473.819 I know, I see. 677 00:36:46,473.819 --> 00:36:47,913.819 everyone I know, which is Yeah. 678 00:36:47,963.819 --> 00:36:48,623.819 Always true. 679 00:36:48,623.819 --> 00:36:50,153.819 The baby face always hides the rage. 680 00:36:50,283.819 --> 00:36:53,733.819 my problem is that I have rusting wasp face, I always look like I'm angry. 681 00:36:53,943.819 --> 00:36:54,153.819 Yeah. 682 00:36:54,153.819 --> 00:36:56,163.819 I'm never like, it's like I'm, no, I'm very happy. 683 00:36:56,733.819 --> 00:36:56,913.819 yeah. 684 00:36:56,913.819 --> 00:37:00,933.819 My wife after 20 years, she has finally figured it out. 685 00:37:02,618.819 --> 00:37:02,908.819 Good. 686 00:37:03,908.819 --> 00:37:05,83.819 Oh, that is fantastic. 687 00:37:05,83.819 --> 00:37:06,823.819 And it was so great talking today. 688 00:37:06,823.819 --> 00:37:07,463.819 And this. 689 00:37:09,98.819 --> 00:37:14,768.819 and we're gonna, and this podcast, there's gonna be, I know there'll be stories out about you. 690 00:37:15,138.819 --> 00:37:15,348.819 yeah. 691 00:37:15,348.819 --> 00:37:20,598.819 So you don't know this, but yeah, there's already there will be announcements and all like the major, publications as well. 692 00:37:21,328.819 --> 00:37:22,348.819 yes, absolutely. 693 00:37:22,348.819 --> 00:37:27,198.819 Oh yeah, no, and, yeah, and we'll schedule like a picture so that we can, so that you can, so people will know what you look like. 694 00:37:27,228.819 --> 00:37:27,768.819 So I can see the. 695 00:37:30,528.819 --> 00:37:31,68.819 we'll get it there. 696 00:37:31,368.819 --> 00:37:31,848.819 We'll get it. 697 00:37:31,848.819 --> 00:37:34,718.819 We'll have AI as they, I Thank you. 698 00:37:34,718.819 --> 00:37:35,708.819 That's better than what I was thinking. 699 00:37:35,758.819 --> 00:37:36,358.819 We're on the same page. 700 00:37:36,408.819 --> 00:37:36,798.819 All right. 701 00:37:36,848.819 --> 00:37:40,598.819 Thank you for coming down and thank you for just jumping outta your house and into Uber. 702 00:37:40,628.819 --> 00:37:44,908.819 'cause I totally screwed up the, the scheduling of this and I really appreciate that. 703 00:37:45,298.819 --> 00:37:47,518.819 No, I was super fun, really excited. 704 00:37:47,518.819 --> 00:37:48,628.819 I love the wine school. 705 00:37:48,628.819 --> 00:37:50,758.819 Little funny group of weirdos you got here. 706 00:37:52,168.819 --> 00:37:52,738.819 Oh my God. 707 00:37:52,858.819 --> 00:37:53,518.819 Oh God. 708 00:37:53,518.819 --> 00:37:53,938.819 I know. 709 00:37:53,938.819 --> 00:37:56,188.819 I want you here forever, even though I know you're not gonna be here forever. 710 00:37:56,278.819 --> 00:37:58,708.819 I do want you, and not in a weird, creepy way either. 711 00:37:59,98.819 --> 00:37:59,248.819 you. 712 00:38:00,318.819 --> 00:38:01,998.819 Thanks for listening to After Wine School. 713 00:38:01,998.819 --> 00:38:11,558.819 If you liked this episode, share it with your favorite restaurant lifer, poet, or goblin-in-disguise—and don’t forget to rate and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 714 00:38:12,38.819 --> 00:38:14,848.819 Thank you and have a great day, you beautiful, beautiful goblin.