In this week's episode of 'Shelling Peas,' Chef Ryan Jennings sits down with Neil Doran, a seasoned restaurant and hospitality expert. They reminisce about their shared experiences working at the Max Rochester family of restaurants and discuss the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. From their early days at the Strathallen Hotel to the challenges faced during large-scale events like the Xerox International Jazz Festival, Neil and Ryan offer insights into adapting to industry changes, the importance of convenience for today's consumers, and the value of innovation in a competitive market. They also touch on the importance of community involvement, the potential of culinary education, and the diverse career paths available in the hospitality sector. This episode is a heartfelt journey through shared memories and professional growth, offering valuable advice for anyone interested in the world of restaurants and hospitality.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings chats with Keith McCullough, Founder and CEO of Junabar, about his inspiring journey from a two-decade career in the video game industry to launching a line of plant-based granola bars. They dive into Keith's background, the evolution of his passions, and the obstacles and achievements he encountered along the way. Highlights include discussions on entrepreneurship, the effects of the pandemic, the rise of AI, and the importance of local production and veganism. Tune in for a compelling conversation about reinvention and reflections on the value of mindful, purpose-driven living.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings is joined by Chris Kisiel, the chef and owner of Bad Apples Bistro in Spencerport. The two chefs reminisce about their journeys in the culinary world, sharing stories from their early days, the challenges they faced, and the camaraderie they built while working together. Chris delves deeply into his experience of starting and running his own restaurant, the importance of having a supportive team, and how becoming a father and choosing sobriety has shaped his approach to life and business. A fascinating and heartfelt look at the world of culinary arts through the eyes of two passionate chefs.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings sits down with Maureen Ballatori, founder and CEO of Agency 29, and a key supporter in Sweet Pea’s 2022 Grow-NY competition win. Following last week’s Grow-NY series featuring a few of this year’s finalists, we're gearing up for the 2024 Summit on November 6th & 7th. As we prepare to hear from this year’s innovators, Ryan and Maureen reflect on the challenges, pivotal moments, and strategies that shaped Sweet Pea's journey to success. Maureen shares her own entrepreneurial story, from growing up on a dairy farm in upstate New York to building a thriving food and agriculture-focused agency, offering candid insights into the power of persistence, strategic pivots, and finding work-life balance in a demanding industry.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

In this final episode of our Grow-NY series, Shelling Peas host Chef Ryan Jennings of Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen sits down with Dr. Tali Feldman Sivan of Meala Food Tech. They discuss Meala’s innovative technology, which transforms plant-based foods by using clean-label, functional proteins to replace artificial binders and additives traditionally used for texture and consistency. The conversation addresses the challenges artificial additives present in processed foods, and explores the wide-ranging applications of Meala’s technology in products from plant-based meats to ice creams, sauces, and more. Dr. Feldman Sivan also shares how being a Grow-NY finalist is accelerating Meala’s journey to expand in the U.S. and beyond.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

This next episode in the Grow New York series features a conversation with Ethan Holmes, the CEO and co-founder of Holmes Mouthwatering. Ethan shares the inspiring story of how he turned a family applesauce recipe into a successful business, starting as a teen in 2008. Now a finalist in the prestigious Grow New York competition, Ethan talks about the challenges and triumphs of his entrepreneurial journey, the impact of the competition on his company, and his ambitious plans for the future. Tune in to learn about his unique products, community initiatives, and the strategic growth that took Holmes Mouthwatering from local stores to Walmart shelves.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

As we look ahead to next week's Grow-NY Summit, Shelling Peas host Ryan Jennings chats with ClearLeaf co-founders and 2024 Grow-NY finalists Néstor Zúñiga and Agustín Büchert. Nestor and Agustin share their remarkable journey from a Costa Rica-based medical device company to pioneering non-toxic, environmentally friendly pesticides for agriculture. They dive into the development of their innovation, the hurdles faced along the way, and the mentors who fueled their progress. In this episode, they discuss their Grow-NY competition experience, tackling regulatory challenges, and the potential of ClearLeaf’s technology to enhance crop safety and longevity. Tune in to hear about their global expansion plans and ambitious vision for the future of ClearLeaf.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Kicking off a week focused on this year's Grow-NY competition, Chef Ryan Jennings sits down with Jenn Smith, Director of Food and Ag Innovation at Cornell's Center for Regional Economic Advancement. In this episode of Shelling Peas, Jenn explores how the Grow-NY competition has transformed the landscape for food and agriculture startups, sharing insights on mentorship, the hurdles for small to mid-sized farms, and the future of sustainable agriculture in Upstate New York. Tune in as Jenn sheds light on the pivotal role of innovation in regional economic development and the promising future of food and agriculture.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com