Christina Cates closes out the Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs series with a true force in New Jersey's brunch culture: Amy Russo, the visionary behind Toast City Diner.

What began in Montclair in 2007 with a simple, joyful mantra - 'Peace, Love, & Pancakes' - has grown into one of New Jersey's most beloved community-driven hospitality brands. In that time, Amy has created spaces that feel like home, serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch with heart, warmth, and unmistakable personality.

Today, Toast thrives across Montclair, Downtown Asbury Park, Red Bank, Cranford, and its newest home in Manalapan, with each location carrying Amy's signature blend of comfort, color, and connection.

From buttermilk pancakes and eggs benedict to vibrant salads, sandwiches, and brunch bowls, Toast is more than just a menu. It's culture. Behind it all is Amy's grit, creativity, and unwavering commitment to people.

As a female entrepreneur in a competitive industry, she's built a model of leadership rooted in community, consistency, and joy.

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Week 3 of the Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs series brings along one of the most imaginative forces in modern dining: Steve Schussler, the visionary behind Rainforest Cafe and founder of Schussler Creative.

Schussler's career reshaped what a restaurant could be. From globally recognized concepts like Rainforest Cafe to immersive destinations like T-Rex Cafe, Yak & Yeti, & Disney Springs' The Boathouse, he built more than just brands. He built worlds. His work blends storytelling, spectacle, and emotional connection, proving that hospitality is as much about experience and escapism as it is about food.

As the founder of Schussler Creative and author of It's A Jungle In There, Schussler brings decades of creative insight, creative risk-taking, and philanthropic purpose to the table. He shares conversations behind scaling concepts internationally, the reinventions that helped shape his path, and the mindset that's required for creating such enduring ideas.

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On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates continues the 'Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs' series in France by welcoming in Thierry Vale - the entrepreneur behind BAGELSTEIN (www.bagelstein.in), the Paris-born bagel concept that turned sharp branding, disciplined systems, and a fearless voice into a fast-casual powerhouse operating across multiple countries.

Together, Christina and Thierry explore the power of a distinct brand identity, how to franchise successfully in new markets, leading teams while protecting the core idea, and the realities of growing a modern hospitality business abroad.

Thierry also breaks down how he built the concept from the ground up, why irrelevance became a strategic advantage, and how he scaled without losing the brand’s original spirit.

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