Since the early days of America’s great restaurants it has been the restaurateur – the person with the extended hand, warm smile, great stories, nurturing hospitality and firm handle on how to control the fragile finances of operations that defined an industry so essential to American lifestyle.  The need to gather, break bread, enjoy wonderful meals with family and friends, and feel that special touch of sincere welcome is core to a quality life. Those restaurateurs may share the limelight with well-known chefs, but make no mistake - they are the reason why a restaurant may flourish. One of the most prominent restaurateurs in America is Drew Nieporent – the founder and inspiration behind the Myriad Restaurant Group that has opened nearly 40 restaurants around the world over the past 30 years.  Drew, a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School, is responsible for restaurants that we are all familiar with:  Tribeca Bar and Grill, Montrachet, Batard, Corton, and of course: Nobu.  All of his restaurants are award winning, reflecting the level of excellence that he expects – the New York Times and Michelin Guide agree. Join us for a chat with Drew Nieporent on CAFÉ Talks podcast.  Listen in as he shares his thoughts about the current state of the restaurant industry, the challenges ahead, the role of the restaurateur, and what culinary graduates need in their bag of tricks to find success in their chosen career.

What will tomorrow bring? This is a question that keeps many people awake at night. How do I prepare for what is uncertain - is it possible to really plan ahead? Jack Uldrich is a future thinker – a person whom many organizations lean on for guidance as they realize that the only thing that is certain is that change will come with them on board or in spite of them – so they had better collectively become proactive. Join us for another great episode of CAFÉ Talks as Jack Uldrich walks us through a process of “unlearning” so that the stage can be set for effective personal and organizational evolution and a “strategy set to survive and thrive in an era of unparalleled change.” Jack’s work with Fortune 100 companies, venture capital firms, not for profit organizations and regional governments has set him apart as a true visionary on those factors that will alter the way we think, work, and act in the future. This “not to miss podcast” is high energy, focused, and so very relevant-today. Whether you are a chef, restaurateur, foodservice manager, educator, or student – you will feel Jack’s spark of enthusiasm and positive logic as he addresses change process, innovation, and planning for the unexpected.

From his early days growing up in New Jersey within a family deeply rooted in great cooking, Chef Keith Taylor loved everything about the kitchen. Visits to New York City restaurants with his uncle and alignment with his grandmother – a professional cook – Keith would eventually meet and spend quality time in the kitchen with Chef Patrick Clark – a chef of great renown in America. His career was self-determined at an early age and through culinary school and later working at Disney, Hilton Hotels, sporting arenas with teams like the NJ Devils and the New York Giants – Chef Taylor developed a reputation as a solid culinarian who knows logistics, is a strong leader, and a strong personality with the knowledge to run a profitable operation. Now the owner/operator of Zachery’s BBQ and Soul Food and Chef Soul Enterprises, Chef Taylor has earned a reputation as one of America’s premier proponents of Soul Food and the flavors and history of southern style cooking. He is an eloquent speaker, a motivational force, a successful entrepreneur, and a spokesperson for operating kitchens with heart.Join us for a deeply personal and inspirational episode of CAFÉ Talks with Keith Taylor – chef, businessman, leader, husband and father.