Beyond the Bottle: The Ethical Vision of Spearhead Spirits.
Send us a textA double header this week with Lavell Miller as we recap our dynamic conversation surrounding Spearhead Spirits. In this drop of T o S, we sit down with Lavell Miller to explore the dynamic world of Spearhead Spirits and the exciting evolution of African spirits in the global market. Lavell shares his journey into the spirits industry and how his hospitality background shapes Spearhead's approach to brand development and consumer engagement. We delve into Spearhead Spirits' deep roots in African heritage and craftsmanship, and how this resonates with Lavell's personal and professional mission. Lavell also discusses the brand's commitment to sustainability, from ethical sourcing and production practices to educating consumers on the cultural and environmental impact of their choices. Join us as we uncover how Spearhead Spirits amplifies African artistry and craftsmanship, fosters economic empowerment within sourcing communities, and collaborates with African creatives to bring authentic storytelling to the forefront. We also tackle the challenges and opportunities for African spirits in the U.S. market, and how Spearhead differentiates itself while staying true to its rich heritage. Tune in to discover Lavell's insights on navigating the spirits industry, building a brand with purpose, and the exciting future of African spirits on the world stage.As always - thank you to our partners at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation. See you soon, - The T o S CrewNeed to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.
--------
1:31:19
The Art of Omakase.
Send us a textAye! We have been gone for TOO long but we are so excited to be back with Naomi Kubo of Sushi by Scratch here in Chicago. In this fresh drop of T o S, we sit down with Naomi to explore the intricate world of omakase and the unique dining experience at Sushi by Scratch. Naomi shares her journey into the culinary arts, her passion for sushi, and the philosophy behind creating an intimate and immersive omakase experience. We delve into the challenges and rewards of bringing a culturally specific style of dining to a modern market, the evolution of the sushi scene, and the importance of craftsmanship and sourcing high-quality ingredients. Naomi also discusses the significance of the chef-diner connection, the cultivation of community and hospitality, and her vision for the future of Sushi by Scratch. Tune in to discover the artistry behind omakase, the secrets to creating a memorable dining experience, and Naomi's insights on the ever-evolving world of her craft and how she arrived to be who she is within the Chicago culinary scene. As always, we thank our partners at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, the crew and above else - YOU for keeping up with us every step of the way. See you out there, - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.
--------
1:13:58
The Importance of Cultural Community.
Send us a textWelcome back to Terms of Service; it's been awhile. In this episode, we sit down with Chef Sarah Stegner and Darren Gest to discuss Chicago Chefs Cook, a community-driven initiative bringing together culinary professionals to support humanitarian causes. Chef Sarah Stegner, a 2X James Beard Award-winning chef and co-founder of Chicago Chefs Cook, shares insights on how the culinary community mobilizes to provide aid, uplift local food systems, and advocate for sustainable industry practices. Darren Gest, Deloitte Partner and co-founder of Chicago Chefs Cook - discusses the importance of collaboration and community impact in the food world.As we have always expressed, Terms of Service is a community resource and this episode is a tangible reminder of how alignment for the greater good can provide collective cultural impact. Dive into this powerful narrative to learn more about the mission of Chicago Chefs Cook, how Chefs and Restauranteurs can drive meaningful social change, the impact of food-related activism on local and global communities and the role of partnerships in strengthening culinary philanthropy. As always, we want to thank Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, the entire T o S production crew and the brilliance of Chicago Chefs Cook for rising to the occasion time and time again. Also, please join us for a live episode recording at The Four Seasons Chicago on March 20th in support of The 'I Cook For' Benefit with Chicago Chefs Cook. We'll see you there. - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.
--------
1:28:01
Perceiving Your Needs.
Send us a textFresh drop with Ricky Lee Barnes and it's a true Midwestern gem. Ricky talks to us about how he came to be in Dayton, OH and his journey to Chicago. Speaking in depth about his introduction to the hospitality industry, we examine his trajectory and finding himself amongst queer spaces. This episode speaks in depth about our individual ideologies while discovering commonality amongst our independent experiences. Ricky builds out a beautiful narrative that empowers a reality to actualize your very own self worth. As always, we thank Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Ritual Zero Proof for the product, Lavell Miller of Bayab Gin for the support alongside Chiyo Takemoto of Coquetel Collective, Ashley Lindsey for stepping in for garn:t and Quari Ice. Let this special episode truly sit with you as its brilliantly something special. Take care out there; see you soon. - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.
--------
1:35:25
The Bridge of Industry.
Send us a textNew episode with Carlos Matias and its chock-full of industry insider information but drives a narrative that is a robust roadmap for consumer expectation and the true ethos of hospitality professionals. Carlos speaks about his diverse background within the industry while unveiling improper practices that he experienced. Given his background and trajectory, Carlos has crafted a unique path of empowerment and accessibility within all spaces that he has been apart of. We often talk about how diverse experiences influence our behaviors moving forward yet its inspiring to see it in real time - to ensure we combat unfortunate circumstances with a commitment to shift our experiences into something accessible for our colleagues at large. This episode is a very "no one left behind" mentality and it is of a pivotal point within the reality of what hospitality has been and how it should be moving forward. This is true gold. As always, we want to thank the homies at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Coquetel Collective for the support and Quari Ice for the product. Take care out there; see you next time. - The T o S CrewNeed to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.
Join industry natives, Nariba Shepherd & Justin Arnett - Graham as they explore dark side of the plate conversations. All glitter's not gold out here but it doesn't mean we can't do something about it. Poised but funny, specific yet inclusive - we aim to shed light on the human costs of the hospitality experience. Tilting the microphone to those that are often forgotten and overlooked - we commit to not only discussing the realities in the industry, but provide tangible resources to enact a more equitable landscape for all. Crafted as post shift conversations - listen in as we talk some sh*t, learn a bit, highlight unique perspectives and empower community action together. After all, this is the industry as it should be heard and its on your terms.
New Zealand