Hospitality & Politics with Andrew Rigie

Celebrity Chef David Burke on The Legendary River Cafe & The Birth of American Cuisine

David Burke is a legendary chef, restaurateur, and culinary pioneer. In this episode, Chef Burke takes us back to his formative days at the iconic River Cafe in 1985—working alongside Charlie Palmer during a time he describes as the "Lennon and McCartney" era of the culinary world. Discover how a bold, experimental crew on the Brooklyn side of the river helped ignite the birth of modern American cuisine and competed with the best view in the world. Chef Burke also pulls back the curtain on the grueling transition from being a creative force in the kitchen to managing a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants and navigating the brutal economic realities of the modern hospitality industry. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  * 0:00 - Intro * 0:38 - David’s company and restaurants * 4:16 - David’s experience working at the River Cafe * 17:27 - Mentorship in the restaurant industry * 20:40 - What does David look for when he’s at one of his restaurants? * 25:07 - Ensuring value for diners in a competitive market * 29:14 - David’s passion for menu development * 32:33 - Where does David like to go out to eat? * 34:42 - Work-life balance * 41:10 - David’s approach to building his personal brand * 51:51 - David ‘s volunteer and charitable work #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

How This Brooklyn Restaurant Blazed a Trail for Caribbean Fine Dining

Kevol and Ria Graham, the husband-and-wife team behind the authentic Caribbean and Jamaican restaurant Kokomo in Brooklyn. They join the show to discuss the state of the Caribbean restaurant scene in NYC, opening at the onset of the pandemic, and balancing their family and personal lives with running the business. In this conversation, we explore their Caribbean roots and exciting menu, how they utilized vulnerability on social media to build a passionate audience, and their plans for the future of Kokomo. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:30 - The vision behind Kokomo 3:35 - The Caribbean restaurant scene in NYC 7:41 - Opening Kokomo during the pandemic 15:35 - Applying lessons from other careers to the restaurant business 19:00 - Hiring for a new restaurant 21:12 - Storytelling and connecting with customers 24:00 - Balancing personal life and running a restaurant 29:16 - The biggest challenges of operating a restaurant 36:39 - Utilizing social media to share the struggles of running the business 42:00 - The state of the NYC restaurant industry 46:26 - What have Kev and Ria done most successfully at Kokomo? 48:04 - The must-haves on the Kokomo menu 51:05 - What’s next for Kokomo? #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

The Recipe for Reinvention: How Paulie Gee and Mrs. Gee Built a Community Around Pizza

Paulie and Mary Ann Gee, the husband-and-wife team behind the acclaimed Paulie Gee's pizzerias, started with no professional restaurant experience and built one of New York City's most beloved pizza brands. They join the show to discuss the leap of faith that led them to open their first shop, what it's like running a business as partners in both life and work, and how they've maintained quality and culture while expanding beyond Brooklyn. In this conversation, we explore the story behind the Paulie Gee's brand, whether New York water really makes a difference, and how a neighborhood pizzeria earned a devoted following far beyond New York City. https://www.thenycalliance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thenycalliance/  0:00 - Intro 0:30 - Paulie Gee’s Pizza origins 11:41 - What makes a good pizza? 15:13 - How to maintain consistency in the restaurant business 21:19 - Running a business as husband and wife 24:24 - The skills needed to run a restaurant 28:50 - What Paulie & Mary Ann look for when hiring 33:50 - New York water 36:20 - What do Paulie & Mary Ann look for when visiting one of their locations? 39:00 - The brand behind Paulie Gee’s 41:24 - Paulie Gee’s cookbook 45:40 - What’s been the most fulfilling part of this journey for Paulie & Mary Ann? #newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness

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