Hospitality Bites with Colleen Silk

Hosted by Colleen Silk

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Jan 2025

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SPECIAL SEASON FALL 2026 | 86 the Stigma, a CHOW podcast powered by Hospitality Bites Media This season, Hospitality Bites is teaming up with CHOW for 86 the Stigma, a special season about the people and conversations that don't always make it beyond the kitchen, bar, or dining room. We're talking mental health in hospitality, burnout, hustle culture, recovery, leadership, workplace culture, parenthood, and everything that happens when life doesn't stop just because you're on the schedule. Through candid, unfiltered conversations with chefs, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders, we're going beyond professional accomplishments to explore the lived experiences that shape their careers and lives outside the industry. From mental health, burnout, and hustle culture to leadership, workplace expectations, personal growth, and navigating change, we're challenging long-standing industry norms, sharing different perspectives, and exploring what a more sustainable future for hospitality could look like. How do we build a more sustainable hospitality industry without losing sight of the humans behind it? Welcome to 86 the Stigma. This season is proudly sponsored by Hoshizaki America and US Foods® — We're grateful for their support in bringing these conversations to the table. ABOUT HOSPITALITY BITES Hospitality Bites is hosted by Colleen Silk — mompreneur, hospitality hustler, storyteller, and founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM). After years of working in and around hospitality, one thing hasn't changed: my love for this industry and, more importantly, the humans who make it what it is. What started as a podcast grew into Hospitality Bites Media in 2023, built around something I've always believed: everyone has a story worth sharing, regardless of title, accolades, or where they are in their journey. For me, storytelling isn't about having all the answers. It's about being curious, listening, learning from one another, and having conversations that challenge what we thought we knew. Through podcasting, documentary filmmaking, events, and creative collaborations, HBM makes room for voices and lived experiences across hospitality, food, and beverage. Hospitality is more than what happens during service. It's the relationships, creativity, challenges, successes, failures, and everything in between. We spend a lot of time talking about the business of hospitality. I want to spend just as much time getting to know the people behind it. From chefs and bartenders to restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, educators, and advocates, we go beyond professional accomplishments to explore the humans behind them. Some conversations make us laugh, others challenge our perspectives, and some remind us we're not alone. Through it all, we're creating space to navigate honest conversations, share different perspectives, and connect through the experiences that make us human, both in and beyond hospitality. Hosted by Colleen Silk | Produced by Hospitality Bites Media Interested in collaborating or future projects, connect with Colleen on LinkedIn or at HospitalityBites.com DISCLAIMER Views, opinions, comments, and personal experiences shared on this podcast belong to individual guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect those of CHOW, Hospitality Bites Media, our sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Mental health and wellbeing discussions are for education and conversation, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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24 recent

October 18, 2024Episode 21 hr 5 min

Hospitality Bites--Kris Hall, CEO of The Burnt Chef Project

Welcome to Hospitality Bites! Today, I'm thrilled to have Kris Hall, the founder and CEO of The Burnt Chef Project, joining me. We delve into the remarkable expansion of The Burnt Chef ambassador network, Kris's transition from sales to discovering his true calling in hospitality, and the vital significance of mental health awareness within the industry. Kris openly shares his personal challenges and the pivotal moments that spurred the inception of The Burnt Chef Project, highlighting the crucial role of how community support and the power of shifting perspectives in life and hospitality. Our discussion also explores the impact of COVID-19, the responsibility of managers in promoting mental well-being, the tools and resources needed to run and operate businesses successfully, and the value of cultivating respectful customer relationships. If you're interested in learning more about The Burnt Chef Project and our efforts to change the narrative around mental health in the hospitality industry, please visit t heburntchefproject.com . Feel free to contact me directly at csilk.HBM@gmail.com if you'd like to have a conversation. We will be attending NAFEM i n February, along with other members of our North American team. Be sure to visit our booth and follow me on social media for details about our Welcome Happy Hour meet and greet with our team! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am also working on a brand new, unscripted series Beyond the Burn Out , which is in early production, but I need your help to bring it to your screens! I am looking for sponsors who believe in the #hospitalityindustry and want to see these taboo subjects go beyond passing conversations and actually change and evolve the industry. If you want to learn more about #BeyondTheBurnOut, please email me directly at CSilk.HBM@gmail.com or sponsor directly here!

March 6, 2023Episode 257 min

Hospitality Bites 🍺🥃🍕🤯

Welcome to Hospitality Bites! Join me as we get to know the innovators, shakers, and makers of the Hospitality and F&B Industry! We are taking the 'cloche' off, skipping past the appetizers and getting to the main course to discuss what makes our industry unique, taxing, exciting, and everything in between. Be part of the next show https://f.chat/GzjS

June 8, 2023Episode 757 min

Hospitality Bites--Creative Writer & Branding Strategist

Welcome to Hospitality Bites and the final episode of season 2! Listen to our conversation about her beginnings with #FoodFictionProject , navigating the industry as a writer and brand specialist during the pandemic, and how setting boundaries has guided her to work with mission-driven brands that make our industry safer and more inclusive. We also talk about some amazing companies and brands she loves that are making such positive impacts, such as Sipwell Wines and Kalamata's Kitchen. To learn more about Sabrina and the work she does and the services offered, visit her website: SabrinaMedora.com _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM) . HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast. The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry. If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn !

July 11, 2023Episode 146 min

Hospitality Bites--The Future of Leadership

Welcome back to our third-season debut of Hospitality Bites, with your host Colleen Silk! Today's guest joining me from the UK is the intelligent, engaging, and witty Michelle Moreno. With over twenty-five years of hospitality experience under her belt, she is now spreading her wealth of knowledge as the founder of QAB Leadership . We discuss her background, services, and hope for the industry. Be sure to follow and connect with Michelle on LinkedIn and Instagram. Where she offers daily free tips on how to improve your leadership skills.

March 6, 2023Episode 11 hr 12 min

Hospitality Bites 🤯🍺 Welcome to the Neighborho

July 13, 2023Episode 245 min

Hospitality Bites--The Sweet Spot King of Asian Flavors

Today's guest is a multi-James Beard Award nominee; his desserts have received several notable recognitions from the New York Times to Pellegrino's The Worlds 50 Best , a guest judge on some of your favorite food competition shows, cookbook author of The Sweet Spot . He is completely self-taught--the incredibly talented and kind Chef Pichet Ong. He has worked with several notable culinary giants and iconic brands such as Jean- Georges Vongerichten, Max Brenner, Peter Chang, Kit Kat, and Häagen-Dazs. We discuss his journey to becoming a pastry chef and his deep-rooted love for hospitality, bringing immersive, sweet, savory, and beautiful Asian flavors to the forefront in the 90s and early 2000s. The closure of his restaurant due to the financial crisis in 2008, how he picked himself back up by traveling globally as a restaurateur and consulting, the discovery of his passion for traveling and exploring other cultures and food, opening the highly anticipated Chang Chang by Peter Chang, and much more. Chef Pichet reminds us that our life is a constant education, evolving and changing is essential for restaurants, and his hope for future chefs and the hospitality industry. To learn more or connect with Chef Pichet follow him on Instagram @pichetong. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM) . HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast. The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry. If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn !

December 21, 2023Episode 752 min

Hospitality Bites--Mind Open-Fork Ready with Derek Wallace

In this episode, I am joined by Derek Walla ce, the co-founder of Kalamata's Kitchen and Golden Fork Media. We discuss how people's perceptions of dining out are changing and why it's crucial to create more inclusive culinary environments, including family diners. We also highlight some of Kalamata's Ambassadors , including culinary visionaries such as Eric Ripert, Eric Adjepong, and Kristen Kish, among others. Additionally, we explore the expansion of opportunities for Golden Fork Media and the importance of taking risks and embracing failure. We also discuss the future and the exciting developments in store for Kalamata's Kitchen and the hospitality industry as a whole, and much more! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM) . HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast. The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry. If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn !

August 15, 2023Episode 443 min

Hospitality Bites--Restaurant After Hours

On today's episode, we are joined by chef, mental health advocate, and founder of Restaurant After Hours , Zia Sheikh, and Marketing and Social Media Manager Taylor Bauer. We discuss Restaurant After Hours's inspiration and back story, the free resources and offerings you can find on their website, and much more. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please get in touch with any of the following resources below or visit--https://www.restaurantafterhours.org/resources.html National Suicide Prevention Hotline (24/7) Dial 988 (US Only) Or call (800) 273-8255 Call (888) 628-9454 for Spanish suicidepreventionlifeline.org Crisis Text Line (24/7) Text "HOME" to 741741 (US & Canada) Text "HOME" to 85258 (UK) Text "HOME" to 50808 (Ireland) crisistextline.org _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM) . HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast. The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry. If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn !

April 13, 2023Episode 545 min

Hospitality Bites-Hospitality Content Writer

Welcome to Hospitality Bites! Join me as I chat with Bilingual Hospitality Content Writer Maria Navarro! Born and raised in Mexico, Maria is blending her passion and experience in Hospitality with her love for writing with creative content, copywriting, and more. Want to learn more about Maria and the services she offers, be sure to visit her website MariaWriting.com _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hospitality Bites is a podcast hosted by Colleen Silk, who is also the founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM) . HBM aims to promote the human side of hospitality and create a brand that amplifies individual voices while encouraging the industry to prioritize mental well-being, create sustainable workplaces, and foster a culture of inclusivity and support. HBM provides consulting services for restaurateurs, sells products and digital toolkits, and hosts events, workshops, and this podcast. The hospitality industry is known for its high standards, achievements, and recognition. However, these pressures of perfection and the constant need to be "on" have led to a mental health issue that has been hidden for too long. It is time to bring awareness to these struggles, highlight smaller successes, and offer different career avenues within the industry. This podcast features conversations with a variety of hospitality experts, from lesser-known individuals to celebrities, with the goal of destigmatizing, enlightening, and normalizing a more realistic expectation of the industry. If you want to work with HBM or be a guest on the show, don't hesitate to reach out and follow Colleen Silk on LinkedIn !

October 7, 2024Episode 11 hr 6 min

Hospitality Bites--Michael Tipps, Co-Founder of Maverick Theory

Today's episode features Michael Tipps, a seasoned food and beverage expert, Co-Founder of Maverick Theory , and advisor for The Bar and Restaurant Expo . We discuss his journey into the hospitality industry, his time in the entertainment industry (including acting, producing, and his time on ‪ ‪@BarRescue‬ ), and the evolution of becoming the go-to mixologist. We also chat about the challenges faced by restaurant owners, the importance of setting standards, and the mission behind Tipps' consulting firm, Maverick Theory. The conversation highlights the need for integrity in consulting, the significance of guest experience, and the future plans for Maverick Theory as a resource for hospitality professionals.