We’re thrilled to welcome Leesa Leclaire, President & CEO of the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association (GNHA), to the podcast today!
In this episode, Leesa breaks down the important work the GNHA is doing to support and advocate for local restaurants and hospitality businesses. We dive into the current state of the industry in Nashville, the challenges operators are facing, and the exciting ways GNHA is stepping up to make a difference.
From workforce development to legislative advocacy, Leesa is leading impactful initiatives that are shaping the future of hospitality in our city — and we were honored to have her join us in studio for this conversation.
If you care about the restaurant and hospitality community in Nashville, you don’t want to miss this one.
🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
📲 Follow us on Instagram @nashville_restaurant_radio for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
This special episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio was recorded live at Team Hidi 2025, Giving Kitchen’s annual fundraiser hosted at iconic Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. The energy was electric, the cause was powerful, and the stories were unforgettable.
We set up our mobile studio and spent the evening speaking with passionate supporters of Giving Kitchen, an organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance to food service workers. Our mission? To learn what drives these individuals to support the cause — and what Giving Kitchen means to them personally.
In this episode, you’ll hear from:
Megan McCarthy – Chef & Culinary Connector
Jim and Kelly Chasteen – Founders of ASW Distillery
Julie Wade – Head of Marketing at Taziki’s Mediterranean Café
Emma Backham – Event Manager for Tito’s Vodka (GA)
Anita Hsu – Owner of Lazy Betty
Phil Handley – Owner of Dash Hospitality
Wendy Gajadharsingh – Food influencer known as @thebubblytalk
Courtney May – Senior Marketing Manager at Empire Distributors Atlanta
And a heartwarming conversation with three generations of one family who volunteered together at the event
This episode is a celebration of generosity, community, and the restaurant industry’s enduring spirit. Tune in and be inspired by the people who show up, give back, and lift others in times of need.
In this episode, we hit the road to Waynesboro, Tennessee, to sit down with Jason Crews, owner of C&B Linen. Get ready—this company is shaking up the linen rental industry in a big way.
C&B Linen is all about transparency and simplicity. No contracts. No sneaky “creative” fees. Just top-tier quality and unmatched service. Sounds too good to be true? We thought so too—until we heard how they’re making it happen.
Jason shares the story behind the business, what sets C&B apart from the rest, and why so many restaurants are making the switch to this more honest, customer-first model.
Trust us—you’re going to want to take notes and get in touch with them.
🎧 Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you're listening!
📲 Follow us on Instagram for more: @nashville_restaurant_radio
Today’s guest is the amazing Olivia Britton – Publisher of NFocus Magazine and Executive Director of the Music City Food and Wine Festival!
We dive deep into all the details of this year’s event – from how it’s coming together behind the scenes to what attendees can expect during one of Nashville’s most anticipated weekends. Olivia walks us through the full experience, including the highly-anticipated Iron Fork, which is happening right in the middle of the Grand Tasting!
We break down the list of contestants, chat about who we think has the edge this year and why, and share some of our favorite Iron Fork memories from years past. Plus, we catch up on where life has taken us and what’s next on the horizon.
This episode is packed with energy, stories, and a look behind the curtain of an event that celebrates the very best of Nashville’s food scene.
🎟️ Grab your tickets now at musiccityfoodandwinefest.com – this is one event you don’t want to miss.
Cheers!
We’ve got something truly special for you today! This episode was recorded live from the TN Flavors event at Nashville State Community College, home of the incredible Randy Rayburn School for Culinary Arts. It was an amazing night filled with food, community, and conversation—and we had so much fun capturing it all!
We spoke with a fantastic mix of chefs, entrepreneurs, city leaders, and hospitality pros—each with their own unique story and perspective. It’s a celebration of everything that makes Nashville’s food and hospitality scene so vibrant.
👥 Here’s who you’ll hear from, in order of appearance:
Lous the Sous & Chef Christopher from Café Margot
Travis McVey, Founder of Heroes Vodka
Carmelo & Corrado Savarino, Owners of Savarino’s Cucina
Tom Druffel, Director of Hospitality at Nashville State & Metro Council Member, District 23
John Drake, Chief of Police, Metropolitan Nashville
Leesa LeClaire, President of the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association (GNHA)
Craig Clift, Partner at Elliston Place Soda Shop & Midtown Café
Alyssa Gangeri, Partner at Buttermilk Ranch
Joy Styles, Metro Council Member, District 32
Every conversation brought something fresh—from passion for local ingredients and entrepreneurship to the power of culinary education and community connection.
🎧 Whether you’re in the industry or just love good food and good people, this episode is for you. Tune in, enjoy, and let us know what you think!
🔗 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow food lovers!
In this episode, we sit down with Henry Roberts, the Founder and Owner of Two Hands in The Gulch and Franklin. Henry shares his incredible journey, from growing up in Sydney, Australia, to traveling to America, opening his first Two Hands location in New York City, and eventually expanding into Nashville.
We dive into the challenges and triumphs of building a restaurant brand, his experiences in the industry, and what led him to Music City. Along the way, Henry reflects on meeting his wife, the lessons he’s learned as an entrepreneur, and what it takes to create a thriving hospitality business.
We wrap up the conversation with a fun rapid-fire round, covering his favorite bands, best concert experience, favorite movies, and more.
This was a fantastic conversation, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Tune in now and join us for an inspiring episode! 🎙️
Welcome back to another episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio! Today, we’re sitting down with Sean Lyons, Managing Partner of Up Hospitality, the group behind Germantown Cafe, Park Cafe, and their newest addition, Karrington Rowe in Brentwood.
Sean shares his passion for community-driven restaurants, how Up Hospitality approaches hospitality and growth, and the story behind their Park Cafe acquisition. Of course, we also dive deep into their newest concept, Karrington Rowe, and what makes it stand out.
We’re also getting into some hot industry topics, including:
🍽️ Wages and tipping structures
💰 Tip pooling – the good, the bad, and the challenges
👨🍳 Restaurant leadership and culture
🔍 General industry insights and trends
This is a must-listen for anyone in the restaurant world or those who love getting a behind-the-scenes look at the industry!
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @nashville_restaurant_radio
#NashvilleRestaurants #HospitalityIndustry #RestaurantLife #NashvilleDining
In this episode, we’re joined by Elodie Habert, who made the bold move from the South of France to Nashville in 2018 and never looked back. She shares her inspiring journey of opening Cocorico French Bakery & Cafe, the challenges of securing her own brick-and-mortar space, and the importance of building a business rooted in community and local artisan support.
We also dive into her exciting collaboration with Miel, happening on March 20—a can’t-miss event for food lovers! Grab your tickets now at Miel.com.
👉 Visit Cocorico at Buddy Killen Circle (yes, that’s the dancing naked people roundabout—now you know the name!).
Cheers to great food, hard work, and community! 🥐☕
🔗 Follow & Subscribe: @nashville_restaurant_radio📍 Cocorico French Bakery & Cafe📍 Miel
We’re back with an all-new episode, featuring the one and only Claire Crowell! Claire is the President at A. Marshall Hospitality and the CEO of Hattie Jane’s Creamery. This marks her fourth time on the show, and she always brings incredible insights into the restaurant industry.
Claire also writes The Out of the Weeds Collective, where she shares her thoughts on restaurant leadership and leadership in general.
In this episode, we dive into:
✔️ What brought Claire back to A. Marshall Hospitality
✔️ A behind-the-scenes look at her typical day
✔️ Her best leadership advice
✔️ General industry talk—trends, challenges, and opportunities
Don’t miss this one! 🎧
📲 Follow us on socials: @Nashville_Restaurant_Radio
✅ Hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform!
#RestaurantIndustry #Podcast #Leadership #Hospitality #NashvilleRestaurants #ClaireCrowell #OutOfTheWeeds
We’re back with a special bonus episode featuring two incredible guests: Marcio Florez, owner of Limo Peruvian Eatery, and Nick Dillard, an Area Manager for Performance Food Service. But beyond their current roles, both Marcio and Nick are proud alumni of The Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts at Nashville State Community College!
In this episode, we dive into TN Flavors, a premier culinary event that brings together the best of Tennessee’s food scene. We cover:
✅ What is TN Flavors?
✅ Where is it held?
✅ Where does the money go?
Plus, Marcio and Nick share how their time at Nashville State shaped their hospitality careers and helped them get to where they are today.
We’re giving away two pairs of tickets to TN Flavors! Want to win?
👉 Head over to Instagram and follow @Nashville_Restaurant_Radio
👉 Find the post about this episode
👉 Tag your favorite restaurant that you’re excited to taste at TN Flavors!
Cheers, and happy listening! 🎧🍽️
🎟️ The Importance of TN Flavors🎉 Ticket Giveaway!
On this all-new episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, we’re joined by Ken Pelltier and Ian Colon, the COO and CEO of Calexo!
Calexo is a trailblazing hemp-derived THC beverage available in three refreshing flavors: Cucumber Citron, Citrus Rose, and Semi Tropic (my personal favorite!).
In this episode, we dive into:
✅ The process behind creating Calexo
✅ The science that makes it unique
✅ The brand’s origin story and concept
This is Ken’s second time on the podcast—be sure to check out his first interview from January 2024 for more insights!
You can find Calexo at fine liquor stores—and if they don’t carry it, ask them to stock it! For businesses, Lipman Brothers is your go-to distributor.
Tune in now and enjoy the conversation! 🎧
In this episode, we’re joined by Marta Grumberg, an accountant based in Charlotte, North Carolina, who specializes in restaurant accounting. Marta reached out to share her expertise on the unique financial challenges and opportunities in the restaurant industry.We cover a lot, including:How to identify hidden costs in restaurant operations 🔍Practical strategies to optimize cash flow 💡Why proper cost analysis is crucial for setting menu prices 📊How specialized accounting can drive growth and long-term success 🚀Adapting your financial structures to meet current food service trends 📈BONUS: Special tax strategies to help you maximize savings for the rest of 2025! 🛡️Whether you’re a restaurant owner, manager, or just passionate about the business side of food, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Guest: Jen Freeman – Owner of Haunted Murfreesboro, a walking tour exploring the haunted history of downtown Murfreesboro, TN.
👻 Episode Highlights:
🍽️ Also in this Episode:
📢 Connect with Us:
🎧 Listen now and get ready for a spooky and delicious ride!
On today’s episode, we’re kicking off the new year with an incredible guest—Stephen Faust, Chef and Partner at McGuffin Catering. Stephen takes us behind the scenes of life on film sets, sharing fascinating stories from the culinary world of entertainment. We also dive into his inspiring journey of 28 years of sobriety and discuss the challenges he faced evacuating his home during the California fires.
But that’s not all! In the intro, I’ll catch you up on everything I’ve been up to lately, introduce some exciting new sponsors, and share details about a brand-new alliance I’m forming. This initiative is all about helping you increase profits and strengthen relationships with our amazing partner vendors.
There’s so much to cover today—so grab your coffee, settle in, and stay tuned to Nashville Restaurant Radio!
In this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, we’re thrilled to welcome Ray McBride, CEO of Black Sheep Tequila, a Nashville-based tequila brand that’s making waves in the spirits industry.
Ray brings his high-energy style and passion for tequila as he shares:
If you’re a tequila enthusiast, a restaurant professional, or just someone who loves hearing about bold ideas and big wins, this episode is for you.
About Our Guest:
Ray McBride is the visionary leader behind Black Sheep Tequila, a brand that’s redefining premium tequila. With a commitment to quality and an unconventional approach, Ray has helped position Black Sheep as a standout in the industry, earning accolades and growing a loyal following.
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Miller Chandler and LeeAnn James, the powerhouse duo behind the Chandler-James team at Lee & Associates here in Nashville. Together, they share insights into their work, what drives their passion, and their dedication to helping businesses find the perfect location to grow and thrive. With deep expertise in the Nashville market, they know how to pinpoint the ideal spot for any business.
Miller and LeeAnn discuss the most overrated and underrated areas in Nashville for commercial real estate, giving listeners an insider’s perspective on where to look and where to steer clear. If you're thinking about expanding your business, now is the perfect time to reach out to them to start crafting a strategic plan tailored just for you.
John Stephenson made the difficult decision to close his beloved restaurant Hathorne early this past September. We have never really done an episode where we talk to someone who just closed their place, but John was willing to come on and discuss some of the factors that helped him make that tough decision. We want to say a big thank you to John for the vulnerability to share his experience.
This episode has the longest intro we have ever done, almost 45 minutes. After the intro, we talk with Mike and Marino from Joe Muer Seafood. They tell the story, and a lot of operational content as well. Stay tuned next week for John Stephenson, and The Chandler James Team the following week.
Chris Chamberlain (Nashville Scene Writer) and D. Patrick Rodgers (Editor of the Nashville Scene) join Host Brandon Styll as they talk to Chef's and Restaurant owners about their BON 24 wins, and of course, the acceptance speeches.
Featuring..
Jon and Wilson from NOKO- Best Restaurant (readers pick)
Hrant Arakelian- Owner- Lyra- Best Mediterranean
Andrew and Anne- Owners- The Villager- Best Dart Bar
Andy and Cody- Owners Bad Luck Burger Club- Best Burger. Best Food Truck (with special surprise appearance from Big Daddy Sean Porter of Daddy's Dogs)
Tiffani and Andy- The Catbird Seat- Best New Chef addition
Ben Norton- Chef- Husk- Best Restaurant (writer's pick)
Edger Victoria- Owner/ Chef- Alebrije- Best Chef
Chef V joins the show to talk about his new line of sauces called The Flavorsmith. Crystal and Brandon also taste them all. Chef V also tells his story of coming up through the ranks of Jean-Georges, and moving to Nashville to open Maneet Chauhan's first restaurant Chauhan Ale & Masala house. He left there to pursue a restaurant called the Hook with Dale Levitski, and ultimately opened several restaurants for the Honest company. His story is awesome, and inspirational, and we are so excited to share it with you today!
