In this week’s episode, we discuss our building anticipation of the real beginning of the re-opening of the hospitality sector. Amidst the excitement, there is also the realization that our industry’s recovery will likely not be linear and straightforward. With a patchwork and often erratic recovery, it will take a great deal of positivity to continue to see our way forward. So, this week, we offer up a few simple and easy tips for keeping our individual positivity at a high level and why its important that do that. &nbsp; Four quick tips, plus a couple of bonus tips – all within our own individual control and best of all, at no cost. Staying positive is always a choice. Make it yours.

Positivity: Simple Tips for Brighter Days

This week, we are joined by England’s . Matt is well known in British culinary circles for his creative storytelling and his packaging of chefs, restaurants and their associated stories. In the more recent times, Matt has also become known for his extraordinary phone photography skills. In fact, he is so well regarded in that area he has turned to conducting workshops on helping others to improve their storytelling with images taken from our smartphones. Matt’s workshops and his 3 elements for success form the core of this week’s episode.  We also touch on Matt’s other creative talents, including his thoughtful and reflective writing. Matt takes us through his writings and his thoughts on being kind to others and why that is particularly important in these current times.  Matt Inwood is a man of depth and many creative talents. Our conversation will allow you insights into who he is, what motivates him and what he knows that can be of help to all of us.

Matt Inwood: Packaging of The Story thru Phone Photography

Welcome everyone to the Every Other Thursday podcast where in each episode we bring you suggestions for improving the guest dining experience, AND, our industry roundtable where we tackle the industry issues of the moment. Every Other Thursday is an approximately 30 minute presentation featuring our industry experts who are never shy about offering up their thoughts and ideas. Every Other Thursday is brought to you by  TabletopJournal – where we celebrate the products, the people, and the places in the world of hospitality tabletop.

Introduction to the Every Other Thursday Podcast

With this inaugural episode of Every Other Thursday podcast for the foodservice and hospitality industry, the format of showcasing very cool products or ideas that can easily – and relatively inexpensively – elevate the overall guest dining experience is front and center. In this first episode, you will be reminded of a classic, but often overlooked, item that can very easily - and inexpensively - add to the guest experience and the pocketbook of a growing number of restaurant operators. In our roundtable segment discussion, we kick around the future of trade shows, along with food &amp; beverage trends and their impact on the tabletop category. We finish up our roundtable with our initial discussion on the impact of cannabis on the hospitality dining experience. No doubt this will be only the first of many discussions on this new and interesting addition to the F&amp;B industry. All this, in approximately 30 minutes, and brought to you by .

A Classic Returns and The Topics of The Week

This mid-January episode of Every Other Thursday has the Greg and the Gang of 3 talking tajines – both big and small. With many different uses and reasons for being, Greg explains how versatile tajines can be and how they help create the all important dialogue between the salesperson and the operator. And, let’s not forget the impact on the guest experience! In our Roundtable discussion segment, the conversation turns to distribution – where it’s at and, more importantly, where it’s going. With an emphasis on small-medium size suppliers, the Gang of 3 take on the subject of how manufacturers should think about going to market and how these decisions can make or break a brand or product line. If you are interested at all in the distribution of non-food products in the foodservice and hospitality sector, you’ll want to listen in on the Roundtable discussion in this episode of  All this, in approximately 30 minutes, and brought to you by .

Talking Tajines; Roundtable: Distribution Challenges for The New Decade

Our Gang of 3 talks about the restaurant re-opening happening around the and how they are going in the first real week of action. No conversation about hospitality and restaurants these days can not include discussion on the protests and the impact that the vandalism and looting in cities across America. The Gang gives their thoughts and opinions as only they can do. &nbsp; And, finally… this week’s episode includes Greg with reminding us of a few of his “Small Ideas” for the tabletop that can have “BIG Impact” on the guest experience as we all get used to going back to dining-in. Good ideas for discussion when operators and dealer salespeople get together.

Re-Openings and Encounters

In today’s episode, we are extremely excited to have well-known foodservice trend and research expert Nancy Kruse join us. Nancy is a nationally recognized authority and widely quoted expert on food and menu trends. As founder and president of , which is based in Atlanta, Georgia, she tracks trends and reports on hot-button issues in both the restaurant and supermarket industries. &nbsp; Writer, speaker, and frequent lecturer, Nancy Kruse is the expert when it comes to what Americans like to eat – and where they like to eat it. Nancy gives us her take on what the growth in bologna sales might mean, where fine dining is heading and the menu items that will be changing the scene in 2021, along with their impact on tabletop products used to serve them. You’ll even hear why she calls today’s restaurants “America’s Test Kitchens”. &nbsp; In addition to being a genuinely nice person, Nancy is a prolific food writer and a contributing editor and author of The Kruse Report, a popular column that appears in Nation’s Restaurant News. She also creates monthly feature stories for Restaurant Hospitality magazine. Always in demand as a speaker, Nancy served as executive vice president for Technomic, Inc., where she conducted a wide range of assignments for Fortune 500 food and restaurants companies.

Nancy Kruse:  Predicting the Future for Fun and Profit

Food has always been a part of David Kramer's life since he was 12 and working in a family grocery business – all the way up to his current position as Chairman and Professor of the Culinary Arts Program at College of DuPage where he is training the great restaurateurs and chefs of tomorrow. From early on, David turned his interest turned into a passion, which he now shares with his students in the Culinary and Hospitality Management program. And throughout his career, David Kramer has always valued the experience. He himself is a graduate of COD's Foodservice Administration program, as well as of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and of Northwood University. David worked his way up from a dishwasher/prep cook to executive chef. Lovers of the Chicago dining scene will recognize the many restaurants where Kramer has worked, including Lawry's The Prime Rib, The 95th, Hyatt Hotels, the Art Institute of Chicago and Marriott Hotels. We were fortunate to have David join us for a few moments in this week’s episode. In our conversation, we covered a number of topics including the very progressive Culinary Arts Program at College of DuPage, how his experience helps David in his teaching role and, of course, his passion for inspiring the next generation of foodservice leadership.

David Kramer: A Passion To Inspire Others

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave starts off with the Stat of the Week. This week’s stat comes from Pricewaterhouse Coopers with the 2019 daily rate forecast for the hotel occupancy in the US. This week’s re-cap on the latest industry news and products include NAFEM, Bowls, Figgio and their OSLO Coffee Service, and Fiestaware color. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don &amp; Company. In this segment, Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about pottery and pottery-like products in restaurants today and if this trend will continue. The final segment is a commentary piece and covers the customer journey and what that means in the hospitality/tabletop sector. &nbsp; For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out www.TabletopJournal.com or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

The Customer Journey

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. In this episode Dave covers several topics in the industry including the Marriot data breach, Steelite and Bon Chef. Our feature segment is 60 Seconds with Shannon of Edward Don &amp; Company where Dave asks the question of the week in relation to the tabletop industry. This week, Shannon talks about the new trend-forward magazine SHIFT, and why they launched a hard copy of a magazine in today’s digital world. The final segment is a commentary piece where Dave talks about Brand Energy and why all brands want it. Welcome to Dave Turner’s SEAT YOURSELF Podcast Series. Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information from all over the world on the hospitality tabletop industry. Dave is the globally known Chief Evangelist and Editor for TabletopJournal.com. A non-traditional journalist, Dave has spent nearly 30 years as a sales and marketing executive in the world of hospitality. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out www.TabletopJournal.com or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Brand Energy…We All Want It

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. This week’s episode features the latest industry news and companies including Churchill China, RAK Porcelain, BauscherHepp (featuring Jeffrey Heaney) and Royal Crown Derby. Are you a tabletop manufacturer and/or a supplier and may be new to the market? In our segment, "60 Seconds with Shannon", Dave sat down with Category Manager Shannon Tallon of Edward Don &amp; Company and discussed what it takes for a new vendor to get on Edward Don’s radar. In these days of rapid-fire change in the market place, companies need to keep up with the ever-evolving industry. In this week’s Commentary segment, Dave talks about resilience and how it is a crucial skill for those seeking long-term success. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out  or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Resilience: The Critical Attribute in Long-Term Success

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. This week’s episode features the latest industry news, topics and companies including the NRA 100th Anniversary, Porvasal Porcelain, a follow up to Durobor Glass’ bankruptcy, RAK Porcelain, Tuxton China and Villeroy &amp; Boch. In our segment, "60 Seconds with Shannon", Dave sat down with Category Manager Shannon Tallon of Edward Don &amp; Company and discussed private label products v. manufacturer’s brands. The episode wraps up the with Dave’s commentary piece on self-compassion and its importance in the tabletop hospitality sector. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out  or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Self-Compassion

Welcome to a Special Edition of SEAT YOURSELF. As followers of SEAT YOURSELF know, this episode will be a different format than our regular weekly edition and it will feature a single guest.  In this special edition, our host, Dave Turner, will be having a conversation with Thomas Kastl, Director of Dining for the  trade fair held every February in Frankfurt Germany.&nbsp;  In the conversation, Dave talks to Thomas about the planning for next February’s Ambiente trade show and, specifically, its spotlight on the HoReCa sector. You can find all episodes of SEAT YOURSELF at  And, finally, we want to thank the  for sponsoring in-part this Special Edition of SEAT YOURSELF. Edward Don &amp; Company. Everything but the food, for nearly 100 years. Always remember - #TabletopMatters

Special Edition - Thomas Kastl, Director of Dining - Ambiente

SEAT YOURSELF delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. This week’s episode features the latest industry news, topics, people and companies including , ,  and .  econds with Shannon, Dave sat down with Category Manager Shannon Tallon of &nbsp;for a discussion on table linens. A future or not? And if so, where? In this week’s Commentary segment, Dave says a few words on being grateful. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out  or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

A Few Words on Being Grateful

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. This week’s episode features the latest industry news, topics, people and companies including ’s new hard coffee, ,  and much more. In our segment, 60 Seconds with Shannon, Dave sat down with Category Manager Shannon Tallon of . This week Dave and Shannon talk about the future of collateral materials. In this week’s Commentary segment, Dave talks about the importance that consideration of recruiting top talent from outside our industry can play in the success of companies throughout the hospitality industry. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out  or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Considering Candidates from the Outside

Welcome to a Special Edition of SEAT YOURSELF. As followers of SEAT YOURSELF know, this episode will be a different format than our regular weekly edition and it will feature a single guest. In this special edition, our host, Dave Turner, will be having a conversation with Thomas Kastl, Director of Dining products for the  Trade Fair held every February in Frankfurt, Germany. In the conversation, Dave and Thomas give us an update on the HoReCa focus for the upcoming Ambiente Show. You can find all episodes of SEAT YOURSELF at  And, finally, we want to thank the  for sponsoring in-part this Special Edition of SEAT YOURSELF. Edward Don &amp; Company. Everything but the food for nearly 100 years. Always remember - #TabletopMatters

Special Edition - Interview with Thomas Kastl, Director of Dining - Ambiente

This week, we move to the great city of Chicago and catch up with Greg Kirrish to discuss life on the front lines of the hospitality industry. You may recognize Greg’s name from our other podcast Every Other Thursday and we are excited to have Greg bring his perspective as to what is happening on the streets in the Windy City region of the USA. Greg’s wide-ranging background makes him uniquely qualified to discuss the COVID-19 virus situation in foodservice &amp; hospitality from nearly all angles. You’ll particularly appreciate his “think small” approach for what operators – and salespeople - can do during these unprecedented times. Greg’s experience working for the NRA Show also allows him to weigh-in on the future of that show – and trade shows, in general – so you won’t want to miss that conversation. Once again, our intention in each of our On The Frontlines conversations is to get the view of what’s happening in a particular region or sector, but we also want to learn what can be done and is being done as operators and sellers as we all fight our way through this current COVID-19 situation. And, we’re sharing what ideas on actions others are taking so that we can all learn from each other. After all, we are ALL in this together. That’s the greatness of the hospitality industry. Now, more than ever, we are standing together. Thanks for joining our podcast this week on Seat Yourself’s “On The Frontlines” mini-series, featuring this week’s guest – Greg Kirrish.

On The Frontlines with Greg Kirrish

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. This week’s episode features the latest industry news, topics, and people including, ’s Management Top 250 hospitality related companies, an  update and ’s new website. This week, we also present to you a new and creative hospitality tabletop resource  from Tarrytown, NY. In our segment, 60 Seconds with Shannon, Dave sat down with Category Manager Shannon Tallon of . This week Shannon talks about what makes a great vendor. In this week’s Commentary segment, Dave talks about building a better experience for your customer. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out  or email Dave at dt@tabletopjournal.com

Building a Better Customer Experience

Seat Yourself delivers the latest news and information on the hospitality tabletop industry. This week’s episode features the latest industry news, topics, and people including , y,   and much more! In our weekly 60 Seconds with Shannon segment, Dave and Shannon discuss what makes a particular product, or a particular company, attractive to partner with. Of course, Shannon is tabletop and buffetware Category Manager Shannon Tallon of Chicago-based .&nbsp; In this week’s Commentary segment, Dave discusses the power of connection and offers tips on ways to strengthen our B2B connections. For more information and insights on the hospitality tabletop industry, be sure to check out  or email Dave at

The Power of Connection. Now More Than Ever.

This week, we head back to one of our favorite cities – Edinburgh, Scotland – to speak to founder and creative entrepreneur Nikki Gibson about her start up company This talented hospitality veteran seized the opportunity during the current pandemic to create a start to help both hotel properties and those who continue to work from home. Nikki will explain why her company Swurf is of great benefit to both the hoteliers and here Swurfer community, even after the pandemic is over. &nbsp; In addition, Nikki will tell us why she feels challenging times are often the best time to begin something new and what some of her thoughts – and challenges – are in being an entrepreneur. Anybody considering a startup will want to hear what Nikki has to say.

Nikki Gibson – Swurfing into The Mainstream

On this week’s podcast, our “other” nomadic co-host Jay Allie heads back to The Sunshine State to work the St. Augustine Food &amp; Wine event. Jay gives his insights to how people were reacting at event and, in general, as the re-opening of the hospitality industry continues. &nbsp; And, of course, by now everyone knows that with Jay you can always expect a few updates and opinions on glassware trends and more. So, check out what our glassware expert has been up to&nbsp; besides working on his tan in sunny Florida!

On The Road: Jay Returns to Florida

In&nbsp;this week’s episode, friend of the show Greg Kirrish returns to recap his just completed culinary sojourn to the Grand Canyon State of Arizona. Curious adventurer that he is, Greg gives us his food &amp; beverage insights into the dining out goings-on in Tucson and Scottsdale, along with his encounters in the remote outposts of Sedona and Flagstaff. &nbsp; And –&nbsp;bonus&nbsp;– Greg offers up the location for the best tacos he’s had&nbsp;ever! You’ll definitely want to hear of the discoveries that our wandering gourmand has made on his latest trip.

Greg Kirrish: On The Culinary Trail in Arizona

This week’s episode features marketing veteran Marc Broccoli. Marc has been helping start-up and established brands grow for the past 20+ years by combining proven marketing strategies and tactics with both traditional and leading-edge methods. Recently, Marc has turned his attention to marketing within the foodservice sector. &nbsp;So, in&nbsp;today’s conversation, we discuss with this veteran marketer how he views marketing versus sales and where he feels the future of marketing in foodservice is headed. &nbsp; Marc’s experience includes working with companies of all sizes in both consumer and the B2B channels. To add to his marketing expertise, Marc started his business career in operations and, in addition, he has also spent time on the agency side of the brand building equation. &nbsp; With a background of such wide –&nbsp;and deep&nbsp;– experiences, we were excited to sit with Marc Broccoli and get his take the future of marketing, in general….&nbsp;and what he sees as the future role of brands in foodservice.

Marc Broccoli – Whole Business Marketing Coming to Foodservice

In&nbsp;this week’s Every Other&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;episode host Greg Kirrish welcomes&nbsp;Janet Ady. Janet is an experienced economic development and site selection consultant, author, and speaker who focuses on helping both communities and companies meet their growth and diversification goals. Her knowledge and experience of the foodservice &amp; hospitality sectors, along with multiple other industries, allows her to provide value to individual businesses as well as communities and regions targeting specific sectors. &nbsp; Among the topics they discuss, Greg and Janet talk about how important foodservice is when it comes to creating great economic development success stories. After all, as Janet says&nbsp;“People want to live in cool places and cool places have great restaurants.” &nbsp; President and CEO of her own company -&nbsp;&nbsp;- for the past 17 years, anyone who is interested in foodservice and economic growth, in general, will definitely want to listen to what Janet Ady has to say.

Janet Ady – Location, Location, Location

This week’s episode features Roger Least, Director of Dining Services for Brightview Senior Living. Drawn to his current company by their culture, in our conversation Roger explains why that culture is so important in the senior living segment and what it especially meant during the pandemic. &nbsp; And, since we have tabletop in our DNA, we asked Roger his view of how the role that tabletop plays in the senior dining experience and just why the dining experience is so important in this growing sector. After our conversation it is easy to understand why Brightview is a regional leader in this all important segment and why they continue to attract top talent at all levels.

Roger Least – A Culture of Serving in Senior Living

Coming of a well-deserved break, the Gang of 3 is back with a quick re-introductory episode of Every Other&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;where they tell listeners who they are, what they’ve been up to and give a peek into where the podcast is headed in this new Version 2.0. &nbsp; As always, you’ll hear the uncut skinny on what these foodservice and hospitality experts think of the current industry state of affairs, along with trends and a bit about other thought leaders that they’ll be bringing in on future episodes.

Foodservice 2022, Unvarnished and Unafraid - Back with Version 2.0

In this episode of Every Other&nbsp;Thursday, foodservice and hospitality expert Marsha Diamond joins us. Marsha has a uniquely diverse background that spans the full range of foodservice from operations to sales/marketing, to being a Professor in the International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, to business developments and solution selling, and to executive management of a national association. With a Masters in Foodservice Business Administration from New York University, a Bachelor of Arts in Food and Nutritional Science from Queens College, a Registered Dietitian and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, it is little wonder that Marsha is in demand to work with foodservice operators of all types. &nbsp; Today, Marsha gives us her perspective on the current state of our industry, the latest trends in menu development and the overall future –&nbsp;both short and long-term&nbsp;- of hospitality.

Marsha Diamond - Talking Trends: From Flavor & Taste to Tabletop & Takeout

In&nbsp;today’s episode of our&nbsp;Every Other&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;Podcast, marketing and brand expert&nbsp;Larry Deutsch&nbsp;joins us. Having spent his entire career driving business outcomes for brands both big and small, Larry Deutsch has an uncanny ability to take the complex and make it simple &amp; straightforward. Currently, CEO &amp; Co-Founder of Chicago-based&nbsp;DVK Marketing, Larry is a real-world marketer who also believes that great marketing does not always have to come from big budgets. &nbsp; You will want to hear how Larry’s views on what makes a brand and where they are created, along with what he’ll be looking for at the upcoming National Restaurant Show. &nbsp; You can learn more about Larry and his company by visiting&nbsp;

Larry Deutsch: Clarifying The Complexities of Branding

In&nbsp;today’s episode of Every Other&nbsp;Thursday, our Gang of 3 give their wrap up of the just-completed NRA Show. Greg, Jay and Dave give their overall thoughts on the show after a 3-year absence, along with what impressed them, along with a few of the disappointments and what they thought were missed opportunities. &nbsp; Covering more than just the tabletop sector, in this episode the Gang of 3 comment on food trends they saw, the overall show itself and much more in this episode. And, as always, the conversations is lively and unvarnished. Be sure to check out this episode of our Every Other&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;Podcast and see if you agree –&nbsp;or disagree&nbsp;– with the comments from these experienced foodservice and tradeshow experts.

Gang of 3: Wrapping Up The 2022 NRA Show

In&nbsp;today’s episode of Every Other&nbsp;Thursday, our rescheduled guest is “in the house” as&nbsp;Restaurant Manager Jason Craul&nbsp;joins us to talk about his journey out of the kitchen and into overall general management. Jason talks about the challenges, the opportunities, and why it was the right move for him. You’ll also learn a bit about his current company, a chain leader in an often-overlooked segment of the foodservice and hospitality world. &nbsp; And, of course, we couldn’t let Jason join us without getting his take on current trends and the state of hospitality as we come out of the pandemic and into a time of financial change.

From Back to Front: Jason Craul on Moving Out from Behind The Stove

In&nbsp;today’s episode of Every Other&nbsp;Thursday, we launch a series called RECAST where we will occasionally take one of our past great guest conversations and offer it again for those who may have missed it on the first go round or perhaps are new to our Every Other&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;Podcast. In this first RECAST, we bring to you our conversation with one our most fascinating guests –&nbsp;Philip Preston. &nbsp; Philip Preston is a true entrepreneur and storyteller, whose entire life seems to be built around innovation and problem solving. Listen as Philip tells his story about the “how” and the “why” he brought these life skills to the world of foodservice and hospitality through his company PolyScience.

RECAST: Philip Preston – Innovator, Creator

An interview with Constance and Tonje of the innovative Norwegian dinnerware company Odd Standard.

Talking Tabletop - Odd Standard

In this episode of our  podcast, we start with the exciting announcement of our new series The Creative Spectrum. As we look towards the future, we tell you the “why” behind this very exciting new series and the thought process behind its development. This week’s episode of Seat Yourself also includes a timely commentary on how can use the current coronavirus situation to our advantage and become a stronger – and better – self.

Seat Yourself – The Creative Spectrum/Self Care & 2nd Chances

With the foodservice and hospitality industry undergoing global transformational change, many of us are reflecting on our positions and considering if now is the time to make a few changes. &nbsp; This week, we offer up considerations to ponder before undertaking our journeys of change – whether they be personal or professional. And, we discuss what the rewards can when we achieve our desired destinations.

Upskilling: Sharpening Our Foodservice Saw

If you’re feeling extra stressed these days, its small wonder why. With stricter lockdowns returning in regions all around the world, the chaos of the American elections and the Thanksgiving holiday all playing into our psyches, it’s little wonder why there is so much confusion, distrust and depression in the world. That’s why I thought it might be helpful to us remember and to reflect on some of the great moments we all have in our lives – what they are and why they’re so important. &nbsp; Being grateful for all we have –&nbsp;and understanding what the hospitality industry does to strengthen our cultural fabric – are the central themes for this episode of Seat Yourself. &nbsp; &nbsp; Cheers, Dave

The Greatest Moments

In this week’s episode, we return to a conversation on gratefulness, but with a special perspective on being grateful in the face of great challenge. This past year has seen nearly all of us face challenges both big and small. Both personal and professional. And, while it has been a tough time for everyone, in particular, it’s been difficult for those throughout the hospitality industry. &nbsp; In this year-ending episode, we take a new look at why it is important to know our “Why” and what remaining grateful in the face of great challenge can mean to us and our organization. And, we even get a bit personal along the way.

Gratefulness In The Face of Great Challenge

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