Hospitality & Politics with Andrew Rigie

The Jimmy Rodriguez Way: Building Restaurants, Relationships, and Unforgettable Nights

From dishwasher to hospitality icon, Jimmy Rodriguez has spent more than three decades shaping New York City's restaurant and nightlife scene. The Bronx-born entrepreneur joins Andrew Rigie to discuss building legendary venues, creating unforgettable guest experiences, hosting everyone from celebrities to world leaders, and navigating the challenges facing restaurants and nightlife today. Along the way, he shares stories, lessons, and insights from a remarkable career in hospitality. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Who is Jimmy Rodriguez? 5:00 - Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe 9:25 - Implementing a dress code 10:33 - Music at Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe 12:03 - Operating in different neighborhoods 16:32 - How Jimmy ensures guests have a good experience 18:03 - Memorable stories from Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe 21:21 - How Jimmy hires and trains staff 24:15 - State of NYC Nightlife Industry 32:17 - The best advice Jimmy has received over the years 35:32 - What skills have led to Jimmy’s success? 38:31 - How Jimmy builds relationships with guests 41:00 - The Bronx’s impact on Jimmy 43:27 - What’s next for Jimmy? #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

The NYC Non-Profit Using the Power of "Food as Medicine" to Heal Thousands

Terrence Meck is the President and CEO of God’s Love We Deliver, the New York based nonprofit that improves the health and wellbeing of people affected by serious illness by ensuring access to medically tailored meals and comprehensive nutrition care. He joins the show to discuss the mission of God’s Love We Deliver, his background working in the restaurant industry, and how he manages an organization with 20,000 volunteers. In this conversation we explore building the right culture for a non-profit, the fundraising events of God’s Love We Deliver, and the special inspiration he draws from to lead the organization. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:36 - God’s Love We Deliver 4:14 - Terrence’s background in the restaurant industry 17:07 - Terrence’s role as CEO of God’s Love We Deliver 20:04 - What is the right culture for a non-profit? 25:00 - Operations of God’s Love We Deliver 30:03 - Restaurant involvement with God’s Love We Deliver 33:00 - God’s Love We Deliver events 40:31 - Who has inspired Terrence? 45:40 - What has Terrence learned through service?  48:10 - Government policy impact on God’s Love We Deliver 50:55 - How people can support God’s Love We Deliver #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

How This NYC Kitchen is Changing the Lives of Refugees Forever

Kira O’Brien is the Chief Impact Officer at Emma’s Torch, where she leads the organization’s culinary training program and social ventures. She joins the show to discuss the mission of Emma’s Torch, the success stories of her students, and how everyone can support immigrants in this current political climate. In this conversation we explore the data and demographics behind Emma’s Torch, the skills she teaches her students to thrive in some of the world’s best kitchens, and building a community through food in the New York City restaurant industry. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:44 - What is Emma’s Torch? 6:50 - Kira’s background and what brought her to Emma’s Torch 11:33 - The demographics and details behind Emma’s Torch 17:17 - The restaurant partners of Emma’s Torch 28:45 - The hard skills and soft skills taught at Emma’s Torch 34:40 - The feel-good stories of students coming out of Emma’s Torch 36:23 - Emma’s Torch cafes and catering 40:20 - Building community through food 43:00 - Supporting immigrants in the current political climate 50:50 - The current state of the NYC restaurant industry  52:30 - What’s next for Emma’s Torch? 53:45 - How to support Emma’s Torch #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

33 Years Behind the Bar: James Shrum of Blue Ribbon Brasserie

James Shrum is a bartender at Blue Ribbon Brasserie and the recent recipient of the NYC Hospitality Alliance’s Bartender of the Year Award. He joins the show to discuss the challenges of running a bar in New York City, the lessons he’s learned over his years at Blue Ribbon, and the importance of creating an environment that makes both patrons and employees want to stick around. In this conversation we explore the recent trends in NYC nightlife, the business side of running a bar, and what James has seen from his time behind the bar. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:45 - Who is James Shrum? 3:33 - Blue Ribbon Brasserie 13:34 - The restaurant industry from a bartender’s perspective 18:27 - The skills James has learned over his time bartending 24:08 - The business side of running a bar 27:30 - How has the business changed from James’ perspective 34:00 - The regulatory challenges of running a bar in NYC 43:00 - Creating an environment where people want to stay 53:03 - James winning the NYC Hospitality Alliance’ Bartender of the Year Award #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

100+ Countries, One Field | John Wang and the Queens Night Market

John Wang is a former lawyer turned food entrepreneur and advocate when he founded the Queens Night Market in 2015. He joins the show to discuss the challenges of putting together New York’s first Night Market, how the diversity of Queens has helped serve up a robust and unique offering of food and vendors, and how his “bad business model” has ultimately led to the night market’s success. In this conversation we explore the best way to experience the Night Market, finding love in a field in Queens, and the leadership lessons John has learned along the way.  https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:35 - What is the Queens Night Market? 10:06 - John’s learning curve of running the Queens Night Market 15:30 - Why has the Queens Night Market been successful? 17:27 - Vendors at the Queens Night Market 25:28 - What is the best way to experience the Queens Night Market? 29:16 - Love at the Queens Night Market 32:17 - How John does Market research 35:09 - John’s advocacy for the restaurant industry 39:07 - The entrepreneurial aspect of John launching the Queens Night Market 42:54 - How the diversity of Queens has been an asset for the Night Market 44:48 - Leadership lessons from building the Queens Night Market 49:49 - John’s cookbook 51:37 - What’s next for John & the Queens Night Market? #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness