by Shawn Wenner | Aug 25, 2016 | Interviews
With a stellar career that has taken him across the globe, Chef Bernd Mueller sat down with us to share his experience and lessons he’s learned along the way.
As someone who’s cooked for dignitaries and royalty, been honored with awards and designations, and works to push the industry forward each day, Chef Mueller gave us some great insights.
With his experience as an executive chef and culinary entrepreneur, our questions were targeted to find out lessons he’s learned throughout his career, building up his consultancy practice, advice for aspiring consultants, and his version of a “recipe for success.”
by Shawn Wenner | Aug 16, 2016 | Interviews
On paper, it reads like fiction.
Even hearing the story may leave doubt.
But there’s one important fact…
…it’s all very much true.
What story you ask?
The one about a Math Professor pursuing a “professional interest,” guest cheffing to build an audience and opening a restaurant with his wife in the middle of a recession.
Oh and I forgot…
…Building the restaurant to become highly acclaimed, securing a James Beard nomination and authoring a book – you know, in all the free time.
The interview with Hari Pulapaka reveals his journey to restaurant ownership, which is compelling, inspiration and instructional in nature.
With restaurants being some of the toughest businesses to open and sustain, Hari and his wife Jenneffer prevailed.
And they did so at a time when businesses were boarding up, stock charts resembled cliffs, and mass panic was the new norm.
by Shawn Wenner | Aug 10, 2016 | Interviews
In four years after the launch of Restaurantware, Chief Executive Officer Jamil Bouchareb propelled the company with his leadership and passion to #366 on the Inc. 5000 List.
Now for the incredible part…
…The company was completely bootstrapped from the start!
As you’ll read in the interview, Jamil and his partner injected their own capital into the company and they were switch-hitting positions to get the company off the ground.
So what exactly is the Inc. 5000 list?
The list ranks the country’s top 5000 fastest-growing private companies. And for the year Restaurantware was listed, revenue grew by 1307%!
by Shawn Wenner | Aug 1, 2016 | Interviews
Imagine teaching your kids about business and suddenly turning the idea into a full-fledged operation employing around 20 people and serving over 15,000 families. Well, that’s exactly what Chef Gigi Gaggero did (among many other things)!
Chef Gigi is recognized nationally as an expert in culinary education. She specializes in children and families to help increase nutritional awareness and help take some of the stress out of being a busy-aware parent.
Having coached thousands of children and adults through her hands-on classes, private events, public speaking, websites, writing, professional culinary demonstrations, television and radio engagements, she’s had an incredibly impactful career.
by Shawn Wenner | Jul 26, 2016 | Interviews
In 1988, the American Academy of Chefs established its Culinary Hall of Fame. In 2013, Chef Louis Perrotte was inducted. During that time period, roughly 80 chefs had been honored with this designation.
Chef Perrotte’s list of accomplishments are nothing short than spectacular. To include serving as the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Continental Director for the Americas, President and Vice President for ACF Central Florida Chapter, owning & operating a top rated restaurant in the country (Le Coq au Vin), and receiving numerous awards through the ACF, such as several President’s Medallions, Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award, and the Southeast Chef Professionalism Award.
by Shawn Wenner | Jul 21, 2016 | Interviews
As a teenager, while most girls her age were obsessing about fashion, Susan was obsessing about food photography. It was a passion deep inside, and one she knew would someday be her livelihood.
Despite those around her saying “it couldn’t be done,” Susan took a leap of faith to build her company Visual Cuisines and begin carving her own path. And as you’ll read below, it all started with a logo, business cards, and dogged determination.
by Shawn Wenner | Jul 14, 2016 | Interviews
Introducing Chad Minton What if I said you could build a lifestyle brand that unites professional cooks from around the globe while working full-time, having little capital and starting with no official plan? You’d say I’m crazy, but that’s exactly... 
by Shawn Wenner | Jul 6, 2016 | Interviews
Introducing Kristin Barone With 3.5 million people watching your every move, could you cook at your very best? Furthermore, could you describe the entire experience as feeling “normal?” Well, that’s exactly what happened for Kristin Barone as she plowed her way... 
by Shawn Wenner | Jun 26, 2016 | Interviews
Introducing Chris Hill Chef Chris Hill is an entrepreneurial chef, best-selling author, and public speaker who has built a personal brand and garnered over 100,000 fans across the globe. He’s the type of entrepreneur you cross and take a step back wondering “how does... 
by Shawn Wenner | Jun 22, 2016 | Interviews
Introducing Alain Braux With 45 years and counting, Chef Alain Braux has been extremely busy throughout his culinary career. As a Certified Executive Pastry Chef and Certified Master Baker, he’s won various culinary competitions, worked as a counselor,... 
