In this episode of The Industry Podcast, we’re joined by Toronto-based hospitality professional Dylan Nowo, whose path into bartending and the cocktail world is anything but typical.

After starting on the brand side in beer, cider and spirits sales and events, Dylan is now making the transition behind the bar — offering a unique perspective on the hospitality industry, cocktail culture, and what it really takes to build skills in bartending. We talk about breaking into Toronto’s bar scene, learning the craft from the ground up, and navigating imposter syndrome along the way.

Dylan also shares his experience competing in the Montenegro cocktail competition, his approach to cocktail experimentation, and how the Toronto hospitality community has supported his growth.

Whether you’re a bartender, working in the spirits industry, or just passionate about cocktails, this episode is a great look at carving out your place in hospitality and developing your craft over time.

@mr_nowo

A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out!

Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports.

Links

kyppsaunders@gmail.com

@sugarrunbar

@the_industry_podcast

email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

This weeks guest is Geoffrey Toffetti, who joins us from Orlando, Florida. Geoffrey is the CEO of Frontline Performance Group, a global company that helps hotels and hospitality brands unlock revenue growth by empowering their frontline teams. With more than two decades of experience across hospitality, operations, and technology, Geoffrey specializes in helping organizations transform everyday guest interactions into meaningful service experiences that also drive measurable business results.

Geoffrey’s career began in the hospitality industry, where he worked his way up from roles such as valet and front desk agent to leadership positions in guest services. This hands-on background shaped his belief that the frontline employee—often the first point of contact with a customer—is the most powerful driver of both guest satisfaction and revenue growth.

At Frontline Performance Group, Geoffrey has helped lead the company’s evolution from a consulting and training organization into a technology-driven SaaS platform. Its flagship system, IN-Gauge, combines training, analytics, and performance tracking to help hospitality companies improve service, engagement, and revenue outcomes.

Today, Geoffrey works with some of the world’s largest hospitality brands—including major hotel groups—to help leaders build high-performance cultures, motivate frontline teams, and use data to improve the guest experience and bottom line.

LinkedIn - Geoffrey Toffetti

Frontline Performance Group

A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out!

Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports.

Links

kyppsaunders@gmail.com

@sugarrunbar

@the_industry_podcast

email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

This week, we sit down with Jeremiah Tomas, General Manager at The Pine in Creemore, Ontario where Jeremiah works alongside an incredibly talented team focused on building one of Canada’s most thoughtful and ambitious dining experiences — currently holding 1 Michelin Star.

Jeremiah’s been working in hospitality since his teenage years, and over the years he’s had the privilege of learning in exceptional dining rooms with some of Canada’s top culinary talents. More than anything, Jeremiah cares about the daily work of improving service, building strong teams, and creating memorable experiences for guests. Jeremiah is deeply passionate about fine dining and about exploring how far Canadian hospitality and cuisine can go, guided by curiosity, humility, and a constant desire to learn.

@jeremiahjtomas

@the_pine

A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out!

Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports.

Links

kyppsaunders@gmail.com

@sugarrunbar

@the_industry_podcast

email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

This weeks guest is Alex Black, Director of Bars at Our House Hospitality Company. With over 20 years immersed in the world of bars, Alex has refined his craft and passion for hospitality to a high level. Originally from Winnipeg, Alex had the privilege of working in some of Canada’s most esteemed establishments. In 2011, he began calling Vancouver home, significantly contributing to the city’s vibrant cocktail scene. In 2024, Alex embarked on a new chapter in Toronto, excited to explore fresh opportunities and bring my experience to a new and dynamic community.

Alex’s journey is supported by a broad range of certifications and credentials, establishing him as one of Canada’s most knowledgeable and certified bartenders. Alex holds a Level 3 Diploma in Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), as well as certifications from the International Sommelier Guild, Beverage Alcohol Resource Group, West Indies Rum and Spirit Producers Association, Consejo Regulador del Tequila, Society of Wine Educators, and Pernod Ricard & École Hôtelière de Lausanne.

Alex’s career has also been enriched by valuable time spent working in distilleries across the globe, deepening his understanding of the craft from the ground up. In 2018, Alex was honoured with the title of Vancouver’s Best Bar Personality and the Global Winner at the Tahona Society Bartender competition, a recognition that reflects his dedication to advancing mental health conversations within the hospitality industry. As managing partner and creative director for acclaimed Vancouver establishments, Alex played an instrumental role in securing accolades, including being named Canada’s Best New Bar by Canada’s 100 Best and earning regional honours for World’s Best New Cocktail Bar by Tales of the Cocktail.

blacktending.com

@blacktending

A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out!

Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports.

Links

kyppsaunders@gmail.com

@sugarrunbar

@the_industry_podcast

email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

This weeks guest is Paul Lachowich - Director of Operations & Head Distiller, Elora Distilling Company. As the first employee hired by Elora Distilling Company, Paul has been instrumental in shaping the company’s operations and product offerings.

Paul’s career highlights include the following:

Head Distiller: Recipient of 2 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals at the Canadian Artisan Spirit Awards ; Designed and launched a diverse product line, including over 40 products such as gin, liqueurs, RTDs, rum, vodka, and whisky

Beer, Brewing, and RTD Blending: Brewed beer and blended ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, combining technical expertise with creativity. Served as a beer judge for the Canadian and Ontario Brewing Awards, showcasing deep industry knowledge.

Hospitality: Developed and curated the tap list at Birreria Volo, a premier Toronto craft beer destination.

Paul’s extensive hospitality background provides a unique understanding of consumer preferences and market trends, enabling him to craft products that resonate with customers while demonstrating a mastery of distillation. This combination makes him a key figure in Canada’s growing craft spirits landscape.

@plachowich

@eloradistillingco

eloradistillingcompany.com

A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out!

Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports.

Links

kyppsaunders@gmail.com

@sugarrunbar

@the_industry_podcast

email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

This weeks guest is Nadia Hrkać, a Toronto based Luxury Food Importer who works closely with farms and producers in Europe - mainly Italy, to create custom recipes, and private labels. She will introduce you to the highest quality artisanal products from around the world.

Nadia has been importing Fresh Truffles particularly from Italy, Croatia, Spain, France and Australia for many years and supplying restaurants, hotels and specialty food shops in Canada. Nadia’s catalogue of products also includes extra virgin olive oils and vinegars, caviar, sea water spirits, and wine plus many other artisanal foods. Given her Holistic Nutrition background, Nadia is also very conscious of ingredients when selecting items for her catalogue.

You can find more information on Nadia's product line at nadiyya.com

A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out!

Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports.

Links

kyppsaunders@gmail.com

@sugarrunbar

@the_industry_podcast

email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

This weeks guest is Vanessa Gouachi who joins us for in person interview. With over two decades in the industry, Vanessa has enjoyed a long and storied career. Initially starting as a dishwasher, Vanessa moved to numerous roles in the family business from back of house, to front of house and eventually bartending. Eventually Vanessa moved to Toronto for school and continued in the Industry by working in corporate restaurants, night clubs and events. Eventually, Vanessa moved out west and left the industry.

After experiencing difficulty getting a suitable job in the industry despite the wealth of experience, Vanessa landed a job working at a hotel and discovered a new world of hospitality. Since that time, Vanessa has worked at numerous hotels that have allowed her to work in locations such as Pender Island in British Columbia, Muskoka in Ontario and the Cayman Islands.

Vanessa eventually moved back to south western Ontario, and has spent the last decade opening restaurants, developing cocktail menus, and training bar teams. Today, you can find her running the beverage program for the Charcoal Legacy group as the beverage manager for the Charcoal complex in Kitchener which includes - Del’s Italian Kitchen, Martini’s Bar & Patio and the Charcoal Steakhouse.

@nesstothesess

@muddypawstreatco

A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out!

Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports.

Links

kyppsaunders@gmail.com

@sugarrunbar

@the_industry_podcast

email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club

This weeks guest is Chef Franck Desplechin, author of the new book Relentless Growth: Cultivating a Chef’s Mindset for Professional Fulfillment. Chef Franck is not just another chef with battle scars from the kitchen. He has a remarkable journey: entering kitchens at 15, dedicating over 25 years to leading Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels, and now helping professionals unlock deeper fulfillment through his consulting firm, Incrementum.

Relentless Growth skips the usual surface-level advice and goes straight into the real world pressures, resilience, and mindset that drive authentic leadership. Franck’s perspective is as direct as it is motivating—he understands that technical skills get you started, but it is the relentless pursuit of growth that carries a career to the next level. He’s passionate about showing how grit and adaptability aren’t just survival tactics, but the keys to evolving in any industry.

cheffranck.com

@chef_franck_84

Franck Desplechin

Relentless Growth: Cultivating a Chef’s Mindset for Professional Fulfillment

A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out!

Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at kyppsaunders@gmail.com for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports.

Links

kyppsaunders@gmail.com

@sugarrunbar

@the_industry_podcast

email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club