Just the Tip Podcast by F+B Miami

From Ecuador to Michelin Recognition in Miami | Chef Alejandra Espinoza on Cotoa & Authentic Hospitality

What does it actually take to introduce an entirely different cuisine to Miami… and make people care? In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Ecuadorian chef and restaurateur Alejandra Espinoza, the founder behind Cotoa Miami and Somos in Quito, to talk about resilience, authenticity, and building one of Miami’s most respected emerging culinary concepts. Alejandra’s story spans continents. From Ecuador to Michelin-starred kitchens in France, to rebuilding and growing her vision in Miami, she shares the reality behind becoming a chef and operator in one of the most competitive hospitality cities in the country. This conversation goes far beyond food. It’s about culture, discipline, sustainability, leadership, and the challenge of staying true to your roots while adapting to a constantly evolving restaurant industry. Alejandra breaks down how she introduced Ecuadorian cuisine to American diners, the importance of training and sourcing, and why authentic hospitality will always outlast hype. 🔥 In This Episode: * Alejandra Espinoza’s journey from Ecuador to Miami’s culinary scene * Working in Michelin-starred kitchens in France * The story behind Cotoa Miami and Somos Quito * Bringing authentic Ecuadorian cuisine to the U.S. market * Why sustainability and sourcing matter in modern hospitality * The importance of team culture and operational discipline * Lessons from surviving COVID as a restaurant operator * Why authenticity beats trend-driven dining long-term 🧠 Key Insights for Restaurateurs & Operators * Great hospitality starts with consistency and training * Authentic cultural concepts can succeed in Miami when executed properly * Sustainability is becoming a core part of restaurant operations * Persistence matters more than overnight success * Community and word-of-mouth still drive the strongest restaurant brands 🗣️ Standout Moments “Nothing is impossible if you’re willing to open yourself to it.” “If you do things right, you go farther.” “You should be able to serve food in a paper cup and people will still come back.” 🎧 Subscribe to Just the Tip for real conversations with the chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality leaders shaping Miami’s future. 👇 Comment below: What’s the most underrated cuisine in Miami right now?

From Latin Grammy Winner to Miami Hospitality Icon | Jorge Moreno on Boho House, Music & Creativity

Before Miami became the cultural powerhouse it is today, people like Jorge Moreno were already shaping its sound, energy, and identity. In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Grammy-nominated, Latin Grammy-winning artist Jorge Moreno to talk about the intersection of music, nightlife, creativity, and hospitality in Miami. Born into a Cuban family deeply connected to the music industry, Jorge grew up around recording studios, artists, and the creative process from an early age. That foundation led him to a successful music career — including being signed to Madonna’s Maverick Records — before eventually expanding his creative vision into hospitality concepts like Moreno’s Cuba and Boho House. But this conversation goes deeper than restaurants and nightlife. It’s about building experiences that actually feel authentic in a city constantly evolving between culture, commerce, and trend cycles. From Miami’s early Latin alternative music scene to the rise of experiential hospitality, Jorge shares lessons on creativity, partnerships, branding, and staying true to your artistic identity while building businesses that last. 🔥 In This Episode: * Jorge Moreno’s journey from Miami musician to hospitality entrepreneur * Growing up in a Cuban family immersed in the record business * Being signed to Madonna’s Maverick Records * The rise of Miami’s Latin alternative music movement * The story behind Moreno’s Cuba and Boho House * Why hospitality and performance are more connected than people think * Lessons on partnerships, creativity, and building authentic brands * Future projects blending wellness, nightlife, music, and culture 🧠 Key Insights: * The best hospitality concepts feel like artistic experiences * Miami’s culture was built by local creatives long before the boom * Authenticity matters more than trend-chasing * Networking opens doors — but creativity creates longevity * Music, nightlife, and hospitality are deeply interconnected industries 🗣️ Standout Moments: “I see everything I do as an extension of performing.” “Networking brought me in. Creativity set the path.” “You have to stay true to yourself.” 🎧 Subscribe to Just the Tip for real conversations with the artists, restaurateurs, operators, and entrepreneurs shaping Miami culture. 👇 Comment below: What makes a hospitality concept actually feel authentic today?

Michelin Stars, Concierge Culture & the Truth About the Miami Dining Scene

What actually makes a restaurant succeed in Miami right now? Is it hype? Design? Influencers? Michelin recognition? Or is it something deeper? In this special panel episode of Just the Tip, host Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage brings together three of Miami’s most respected hospitality voices for a real conversation about the future of restaurants, hotels, and dining culture in the city. Featuring: * Alejandra Espinoza — the Ecuadorian chef behind Cotoa, a Michelin-recognized restaurant redefining Ecuadorian cuisine in Miami * Michael Beltran — James Beard–nominated chef behind Ariete, the Michelin-starred Coconut Grove institution, plus concepts like Chug's Diner and Brasserie Laurel * Alex Ringleb — founder of Burgermeister, one of Miami’s most popular independent burger brands built around consistency, hospitality, and community This conversation dives deep into what’s really happening in Miami hospitality right now — from Michelin culture and hotel partnerships to why locals are becoming the most important customer in the city. The panel breaks down the shift away from flashy, transactional dining and toward restaurants that actually have soul, identity, and staying power. If you care about Miami restaurants, hospitality, nightlife, or the business behind the city’s food scene, this episode is packed with insight. 🔥 In This Episode: * Why authentic hospitality is outperforming trend-driven concepts * Michelin recognition and what it means for Miami restaurants * The evolving relationship between hotels, concierges, and operators * Why locals — not tourists — build sustainable restaurants * How restaurant groups maintain consistency while scaling * The danger of “Instagram-first” dining concepts * Why AI can’t replace genuine hospitality and human connection Key Insights from Miami’s Top Operators: * The best restaurants create community, not just content * Hospitality works best when operators are given creative autonomy * Miami’s dining scene is evolving beyond nightlife-driven hype * Consistency and authenticity matter more than aesthetics alone * Relationship-building still drives hospitality success Standout Moments “Hospitality needs to be intentional.” “Look where locals actually go.” “All that shines is not gold.” 🎧 Subscribe to Just the Tip for real conversations with the chefs, operators, and hospitality leaders shaping Miami’s future. 👇 Comment below: What’s the most authentic restaurant experience you’ve had in Miami?

From Apple to BBQ Fame: The Story Behind Apocalypse BBQ | Jeff Budnesky

He left a corporate career at Apple… battled cancer… and built one of Miami’s most talked-about BBQ brands. In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Jeff Budnesky, the founder of Apocalypse BBQ, to break down one of the most powerful stories in Miami’s food scene. Jeff’s path isn’t typical. Raised in a Brazilian-Argentine household in Miami, his love for food started with family and community. But it wasn’t until a life-changing battle with leukemia that everything shifted — forcing him to rethink his relationship with food and ultimately leading him to barbecue. What started as backyard experimentation turned into Apocalypse BBQ, a concept that quickly grew from pop-ups to a full-scale restaurant — driven by authenticity, culture, and community. This conversation goes beyond food. It’s about resilience, reinvention, branding, and what it really takes to build something meaningful in hospitality. 🔥 In This Episode: * Jeff Budnesky’s journey from Apple to pitmaster * How a battle with cancer changed his path * The story behind Apocalypse BBQ and its rapid growth * From pop-ups to brick-and-mortar in Miami * The influence of Argentine and Brazilian culture on his food * Expanding into new concepts like burgers (Lala’s) * How branding and customer experience drive success in hospitality 🧠 Key Insights for Founders & Operators * The strongest brands are built on authentic stories and community * Constraints can lead to creativity and innovation * Pop-ups are a powerful path to validating a concept * Hospitality is about the ripple effect you create around you * Marketing + storytelling matter just as much as the product 🗣️ Standout Moments “Hospitality creates a ripple effect on everything around you.” “I had to figure out what I could do within my limitations.” “You have to be willing to lose everything.”

From Beirut to Miami: The Rise of BeyBey & Cafe Dubai | Tiger Saliba’s Story

He built a nightlife empire in Beirut… lost everything… and did it all over again in Miami. In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Tiger Saliba, the founder behind BeyBey Miami and Cafe Dubai, to break down one of the most powerful stories in hospitality right now. Tiger’s journey isn’t typical. From running some of the most successful bars and clubs in Lebanon during its peak nightlife era, to navigating economic collapse and relocating to Miami — this is a story about resilience, reinvention, and building from scratch… twice. And in Miami, he didn’t just open a venue. He built BeyBey — a space designed like a home, with different rooms, different energies, and a focus on community, culture, and experience. This episode dives into what it really takes to create a concept that lasts — in one of the most competitive hospitality markets in the world. * Tiger Saliba’s journey from Lebanon to Miami nightlife * Building and losing a hospitality empire — and starting over * The story behind BeyBey Miami and its community-driven concept * How Cafe Dubai fits into his expansion vision * Why design, layout, and “flow” matter more than people think * The role of culture in creating unforgettable hospitality experiences * Lessons on handling adversity, criticism, and growth * The best hospitality concepts are built around experience + emotion * Community-driven venues outperform transactional ones * Design and spatial flow directly impact revenue and guest experience * Resilience and adaptability are essential in hospitality * Miami rewards bold, culturally distinct concepts “Every door that closes leads to something bigger.” “I built BeyBey like a home — different rooms, different experiences.” “In Miami, I finally had space to breathe.” 🔥 In This Episode:🧠 Key Insights for Operators & Founders🗣️ Standout Quotes