Episode Details

During a recent book research trip to Chicago, Andrew made time to sit down with industry legend Rich Melman, founder of Lettuce Entertain You; Lettuce Entertain You president R.J. Melman; and executive partner Jerrod Melman. On the occasion of the company's 50th year in business, the family open up about the company's origins, evolution, and management style, as well as other aspects of running restaurants and managing teams. This is a rare and fascinating chance to learn about a philosophy of hospitality from some of the best in the business.

And in The Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, NYC restaurateur Vicki Freeman of The Bowery Group calls in to talk about their new restaurant Shukette (with chef Ayesha Nurdaja at the helm), and the ups and downs of opening and operating restaurants at this delicate moment in time.

In our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill.  (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.

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