In an industry that idolizes the “next young gun” and often rewards stamina over longevity, chef Dan Jacobs is pushing back and redefining what it means to be a chef. Jacobs, the co-owner of DanDan and EsterEv and runner-up on “Top Chef: Wisconsin,” opens up about navigating the kitchen after being diagnosed with Kennedy’s Disease, redefining leadership beyond the line, and how chefs can evolve as they age without walking away from the craft.

Tony Pham, co-founder of Mecha Noodle Bar, joins host Sam Danley to share how a local ramen shop in Connecticut grew into a multi-state, mission-driven restaurant group. Pham walks through his unconventional path into hospitality and why telling your own story matters as concepts scale. He gets into his “Eat Justice” initiative that ties every bowl sold to community impact and explains why he’s shifting his focus inward, prioritizing team development and personal fulfillment over rapid expansion.

Heirloom Restaurant Group founder Kevin Santiago shares his lessons on revamping and revitalizing restaurant concepts, what he looks for in acquisition opportunities, and how to systematically optimize your business. He also talks about coaching people up and building confidence, giving kitchen staff ownership stakes, and how to weather the current challenges in the economy.

Cesar Vallin, co-founder of Michelin Guide recognized Cloak and Petal, joins host Sam Danley for a candid conversation on rebuilding a career—and a life—in hospitality. Vallin reflects on his first venture’s collapse and the hard lessons that reshaped how he approaches leadership. He opens up about addiction, recovery, and the shift from chasing status to prioritizing purpose. Plus, he gets into Cloak and Petal’s design-forward philosophy and why he’s embracing AI tools to run a smarter, more resilient business.

Chris Curtiss, Corporate Chef and Director of Culinary R&D at North Italia, breaks down how the modern Italian concept keeps raising the bar as it nears 50 locations nationwide. He reflects on his decades in the industry, his longtime affinity for pasta shapes, and what it takes to move beyond the chain-restaurant stigma. He also shares how he reads guest feedback in real time and keeps the menu current without losing the brand’s core identity.

How does a legacy diner institution stay relevant after 76 years without losing its core identity? NORMS President & CEO Mark Politzer joins host Callie Evergreen to unpack a career that stretches from Michelin-star dining to leading one of Southern California’s most beloved legacy brands.

Popmenu co-founders Brendan Sweeney (CEO) and Tony Roy (COO) join the show to talk about the restaurant tech company’s origin story—and why they were determined to put operators back in control of their digital presence. From ditching the static PDF menu to unlocking personalized guest marketing at scale, the duo shares how Popmenu helps more than 10,000 restaurants drive sustainable growth. They also unpack what separates restaurants that are "crushing it" from those just getting by, how AI and guest data are evolving in 2025, and why consistency in marketing might be more important than perfection.

Thank you to Popmenu for sponsoring this episode. To learn more, please reach out to Jennifer Grasz at Jennifer.Grasz@popmenu.com or visit get.popmenu.com for additional information and resources.

Jeremy Walton, owner and managing partner of Quest Hospitality Concepts, unpacks how he built three distinct yet community-driven restaurants along Florida’s scenic 30A. From launching The Citizen during the height of the pandemic to reviving a beloved local gathering place with Fonville Press, and now redefining the sports bar with Scout, Jeremy shares how thoughtful design, operational functionality, and a culture-first mindset shape every project.