Hospitality On The Rise

EP 69: Greg Root

Greg Root, Partner at Defined Hospitality, shares his journey from a 13-year-old golf caddy to helping lead one of Philadelphia's most celebrated restaurant groups. He reflects on cultivating an early career at Burger King, the invaluable lessons from his 13-year tenure at STARR Restaurants, and how those experiences prepared him for restaurant ownership. Greg also discusses Defined Hospitality's role in transforming Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood through passion projects including Suraya, Pizzeria Beddia, and the 2026 James Beard Award-winning Kalaya, revealing how shared values, intentional growth, and a people-first philosophy have fueled the group's lasting success. Links - Instagram - Greg Root: https://www.instagram.com/greg__root/ [https://www.instagram.com/greg__root/] - Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/ [https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/] - Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-69-greg-root [https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-69-greg-root] ************ Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com. Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com. For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents. Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

EP 68: Ochi Latjuba Vongerichten

Ochi Latjuba Vongerichten, Co-Owner of Wayan and Ma•dé, shares her journey from growing up in her mother's large-scale catering business in Indonesia to building a restaurant group spanning New York City, the Hamptons, Aspen, and Miami. After leaving an accounting path to study at The Culinary Institute of America, she built expertise in both the kitchen and front of house, shaping her people-first leadership style. Ochi shares lessons on navigating the chaos of opening a restaurant, leading with your team first, and trusting your timing. Links - Instagram - Ochi Latjuba Vongerichten: https://www.instagram.com/ochilatjuba/ [https://www.instagram.com/ochilatjuba/] - Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/ [https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/] - Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-68-ochi-latjuba-vongerichten [https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-68-ochi-latjuba-vongerichten] ************ Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com. Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com. For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents. Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

EP 67: Erik Battes

Chef Erik Battes, Executive Vice President of Food and Beverage at STARR Restaurants, shares a candid look at a career built without a blueprint. From his years with the Jean-Georges group to leadership roles in venture-backed food startups, he reflects on the lessons learned from scaling businesses, raising millions in capital, and navigating a sudden company shutdown. Now leading food and beverage growth at STARR Restaurants, Erik offers practical advice on career transitions, strategic job searches, and why your identity should never be defined by your title. Links - Instagram - Erik Battes: https://www.instagram.com/ebattes/ [https://www.instagram.com/ebattes/] - Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/ [https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/] - Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-67-erik-battes [https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-67-erik-battes] ************ Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com. Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com. For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents. Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

EP 66: Megan Sullivan

Megan Sullivan, Vice President of Operations at Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), reflects on a career defined by intuition and deepening roots within top restaurant groups. She details her bold move from Australia to New York City just months before the pandemic and her rapid ascent from Assistant General Manager at The Modern to overseeing a portfolio of eight iconic USHG brands. Megan shares her secret to finding a unique leadership voice and why true professional sustainability requires acknowledging when your "gas tank" is running low. Links - Instagram - Megan Sullivan: https://www.instagram.com/megan.l.sullivan/ [https://www.instagram.com/megan.l.sullivan/] - Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/ [https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/] - Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-66-megan-sullivan [https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-66-megan-sullivan] ************ Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com. Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com. For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents. Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

EP 65: Bob Bennett

Bob Bennett, Executive Chef of Zingerman's Roadhouse, reflects on his decades-long journey within the Midwest food empire, from working the sandwich line to leading one of its most celebrated kitchens. He shares the challenges of balancing culinary school with the Roadhouse’s opening, the lessons that helped him move beyond the “line cook mentality,” and his evolution into a leader, educator, and advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry. Links - Instagram - Bob Bennett: https://www.instagram.com/chef.bob.bennett/ [https://www.instagram.com/chef.bob.bennett/] - Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/ [https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/] - Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-65-bob-bennett [https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-65-bob-bennett] ************ Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com. Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com. For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents. Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.