What happens when you spot a gap in the market that should exist… and decide to build it yourself?

BagelFest was born from that exact moment — an idea that didn’t make sense not to exist. In today’s episode, Chef Kimberly sits down with the “Bagel Ambassador” himself, Sam Silverman, to explore how a first-time festival in Bushwick evolved into the beating heart of global bagel culture.

This episode dives into:

• The surprising origins of BagelFest
• How proof of concept shaped every stage of growth
• Why community is the true engine behind this movement
• The mindset shift Sam had to make when the business didn’t go as planned
• How the Growth Lab and Industry Mixer are rewriting what’s possible for emerging bakers
• What separates scalable bakeries from struggling ones
• The trends redefining the bagel world — in the U.S. and abroad

If you’re a baker, founder, or industry professional who’s tired of building alone, this conversation will remind you that your niche matters, your community matters, and your ideas deserve real oxygen.

Sam’s journey is a masterclass in staying curious, staying committed, and building something that lifts an entire industry.

Connect with the Bagel Community:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bagelfest

Website: https://www.bagelfest.com/

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What if one cake could change everything?

In this heartfelt episode of The Perfect Rise Podcast, Chef Kimberly Houston sits down with Tracy Quisenberry, founder of Icing Smiles, a nonprofit that brings joy to critically ill children and their families through custom celebration cakes made by volunteer bakers.

Tracy’s journey didn’t begin in the kitchen—it started with service. After years as a tax professional and volunteer for Make-A-Wish, she found her true calling through a single homemade cake that sparked smiles, connection, and purpose. Today, Icing Smiles includes more than 14,000 volunteer bakers—called Sugar Angels—who create “dream cakes” across the country, each one a reminder that compassion and creativity can change lives.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll hear:
• How Icing Smiles began and what drives its mission
• The story behind the first “rubber duck” cake that started it all
• How one cake transformed a child’s final day into a celebration of life
• Why Tracy believes faith, service, and purpose are inseparable
• How bakers can get involved and become Sugar Angels themselves

If you’ve ever needed a reminder of why you fell in love with baking—or proof that your work can make an impact—this conversation will stay with you long after you listen.

📍 Learn more & get involved: https://www.icingsmiles.org

🎧 Listen to The Perfect Rise Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

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What if the same passion that drives your success is quietly breaking you down?

In this powerful episode of The Perfect Rise, Chef Kimberly Houston sits down with Jasmin Vitolo Parks-Papadopoulos, Chief Growth Officer at CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach & Wellness), to unpack the unspoken truth of life in hospitality — and what it really takes to build healthier kitchens.

You’ll hear:
• The emotional story behind CHOW’s founding after Anthony Bourdain’s passing
• The “temperature take” check-in every kitchen needs to know
• Why burnout, anxiety, and substance misuse show up differently in our industry
• How the Amuse’ course helps leaders spot and support struggling staff
• The real language to use in hard conversations — thanks to CHOW’s legally vetted Scripts for Challenging Conversations
• One tiny, real-world action every owner, chef, or manager can take this week

CHOW’s mission is simple: Serving those who serve us.
Every meeting, every resource, every story is designed by people who’ve lived this life — chefs, bakers, servers, and owners committed to creating a more sustainable future for our industry.

💡 Get Involved
Join a free CHOW meeting or access resources: https://chowco.org
RBA Members: Find CHOW resources inside RBA Connect
Free Tools: Amuse’ Course • Workplace Wellness Toolkit • Scripts for Challenging Conversations

Become a Member