Best of the Chef Series Food, Family, and the Realities of the Restaurant Business

Best of the Chef Series Food, Family, and the Realities of the Restaurant Business

In this special Best of the Chef Series episode of Grit Won't Quit, we're serving up some of our favorite moments from past Chef Series conversations. Featuring clips from conversations with Joe Leone, Chef James Avery, Chef Chris Brandl, James Costello, Doug Walsh, and Roy Rollins, this episode highlights the passion, perseverance, and grit that define the food industry. From restaurant ownership and entrepreneurship to food trends, hospitality, leadership, staffing challenges, competition, and the love of creating memorable dining experiences, these chefs share insights earned through years of experience. Whether discussing the impact of COVID on the industry, the importance of staying true to traditional flavors, building strong teams, or adapting to an ever-changing marketplace, each guest brings a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in the culinary world. If you're a restaurant owner, aspiring chef, entrepreneur, or simply someone who appreciates great food and great stories, this episode is a collection of some of the best moments from the Chef Series.

Building Trust and Growing Your Business with Benson Fischer of ZivZo Marketing Group

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Benson Fischer of ZivZo Marketing Group to talk about entrepreneurship, marketing, and what it takes to stand out in today's business landscape. Drawing from decades of experience building and operating businesses across multiple industries, Ben shares lessons on branding, digital advertising, and the importance of building trust with your audience. The conversation explores how video has become a powerful tool for connecting with customers, but also why authentic storytelling, strong testimonials, and understanding your local market are just as important. Tom and Ben also discuss common marketing pitfalls, avoiding empty SEO promises, creating transparency with clients, and why business owners need to understand where their advertising dollars are going. This episode is all about adapting to a changing world, embracing new technology, and building a business that creates lasting relationships with its customers.

Finding Balance Through Holistic Healing with Nicole of Discover Your Root Wellness

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Nicole of Discover Your Root Wellness to talk about mental health, holistic healing, and helping people create lasting change through wellness. With a background in psychology and personal struggles with anxiety at a young age, Nicole shares how her own experiences led her toward yoga, holistic health, and eventually building a business focused on helping others feel better physically and mentally. She explains why she believes wellness is never "one size fits all" and how she tailors her yoga classes and wellness coaching to the energy and needs of each individual. Tom and Nicole also discuss her experience discovering she had Lyme disease, the eye-opening moments she had working alongside holistic doctors, and why she became passionate about focusing on root causes rather than simply masking symptoms. This episode is a real conversation about wellness, patience, and making small consistent changes that can lead to a healthier life over time. 🎙🔥

Turning a Personal Challenge into Innovation with Maya Bundesen-Magier of Map My Milk

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Maya Bundesen-Magier, founder of Map My Milk, to talk about how a personal experience led her to create an AI-powered platform helping parents better understand infant food allergies and sensitivities. A former occupational therapist with no coding background, Maya shares how she taught herself the tech side of building a startup after struggling to find tools that connected a mother's diet to a baby's reactions. What started as a personal challenge became a mission to create a more useful, user-focused solution for families navigating difficult health questions. Tom and Maya also dive into the realities of building a health tech company from scratch, the role of AI in healthcare, and the importance of staying mission driven while creating something that genuinely helps people. This episode is all about innovation, persistence, and turning personal challenges into meaningful solutions. 🎙🔥

Chasing the American Dream with Leo Cervantes of Chilangos Restaurant

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Leo Cervantes of Chilangos Mexican Restaurant for an inspiring conversation about hard work, opportunity, and perseverance. Originally from just outside Mexico City, Leo shares his journey of coming to America in search of a better future. From getting his first job as a dishwasher without even knowing what a dishwasher was, to learning English while working as a busboy, Leo opens up about the challenges, risks, and mindset that helped him grow. Tom and Leo also talk about opening his first restaurant with only $500 in his pocket, the people who believed in him along the way, and how Chilangos has now been part of the Atlantic Highlands community for over 25 years. They also touch on his time serving as a councilman in Highlands and the story behind his book Chilangos in House. This episode is a real conversation about chasing the American dream and never being afraid to knock on the next door.