In this episode of The Mess Hall, we start off the show by looking at some of the brands and products that are killing it right now, from a marketing message from a knife sharpening brand to the Savannah Bananas to one of the best hotels we stayed at in 2025. Then we dive into the Menu Matters Consumer Need for 2026 -- consumers are just looking for the food and beverage industry to keep it real. In a world of AI slop and general distrust, how can brands and companies showcase the real human-focused ideas, solutions, ingredients, and products that will resonate in the year ahead? We also look at the five sub-trends that can help you solve for this need, from cutting through the noise to making food experiences more meaningful.

In this episode, we discuss the decline of deviance. From cults to alcohol, movies to car colors, the evidence is clear that society is afraid to take risks. What does that mean for the food industry -- and humanity at large? Then, now that the controversy has subsided, we dive into what the Cracker Barrel uproar was really about. What can brands learn from Cracker Barrel's missteps, what could Cracker Barrel have done to engage new consumers in ways that honored the brand identity, and why should the food industry take their role in consumers' lives more seriously?

In this episode of The Mess Hall, we talk to Chef Rosalyn Darling about whether there is a place for emotion in the food industry. How do you create new food products, menu items, or experiences that solve for human anxiety, or the need for some excitement in our lives? How do you think through the entirety of the emotional experience, including for food industry workers? Is it possible to weave empathy and compassion into a restaurant or retail experience? Plus, we kick off the episode discussing our biggest hotel pet peeves, from privacy door hangers that fall off every time you open the door to the clever solutions that upgrade the hospitality experience. And Chef Darling answers The Mess Hall Five Questions, including a recommendation for another podcast that she thinks will level up your thinking.