2 Barstools and a Knife

05/04/2021

https://www.facebook.com/groups/letseatsouthflorida/permalink/871618546727723/

04/09/2021

What a treat for the 2 Barstools and a Knife team to be joined by world-acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author, and all-around awesome person Chef Norman Van Aken. While we did not get a chance to talk about chef's multiple James Beard awards, we did talk about his humble beginnings doing odd jobs from "hot tarring" roofs to his first entry into the culinary world as a short order cook. Chef tells some amazing stories about the long list of culinary talent that has flowed through the ranks of his restaurants, to the eternal friendship he developed with Chef Charlie Trotter. We could not agree with Chef more when he shared his advice on getting into the culinary/hospitality world: "This business chooses you. You don't choose it." and his drive to be a "lifelong learner." We know you will hear the same passion we did, which will make you hungry to learn and hungry to eat some of Chef's delicious food! We close out the show with some Speed Rail Key West recommendations from the guys & Chef Norman. Please take a listen, enjoy this episode, and be sure to check out any of Chef Norman's six cookbooks and his personal memoir . We certainly enjoyed the conversation and could have spoken for hours!!!!

04/06/2021

Bacardi Center of Excellence is kicking off the spring with 3️⃣ very talented hospitality professionals this Thursday April 8th @ 1 PM

Sign up now at Bacardi.fiu.edu/talks to hear from Richard Coraine, senior advisor & co-founder of Union Square Hospitality Group, Kate Amos, general manager of MARTA and Alan Zurita, HR business partner of Union Square Events
You don’t want to miss this!

Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

Listen to our first Bacardi Talks https://hospitality.fiu.edu/2barstoolsandaknife

04/02/2021

How lucky are we here at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and at the 2 Barstools and a Knife podcast? We teach our students daily to surround themselves with the best and brightest. Today, we helped them in that effort with our guest speaker Heidi Hinkle Vargas who is one of the best and brightest on Pete Carr's team over at Bacardi North America, who just happens to be the Chaplin School's partner in all things spirits. Heidi discusses her role as VP and Managing Director of On-Premise for Bacardi and her career path in getting to that position. Heidi shares stories overcoming the challenges of a huge hotel opening in Vegas and now working through the current challenges with Covid. Heidi discusses some "hot off the presses" news and stats with our students that really give us all cause for optimism in the Hospitality world. Heidi also shares the thoughtful philanthropic work Bacardi has done to give back to our community. Heidi closes our show with some great student advice and reminds us of Bacardi's vision for this year: Outsmart, Outwork, Outperform. It is a vision we share here at 2 Barstools and a Knife and at the Chaplin School...enjoy this episode!

John Noble Masi, BP Connors

04/02/2021

The industry expert speakers don’t stop at ! 👏

Bacardi Center of Excellence is kicking off the spring with 3️⃣ very talented hospitality professionals.

Sign up now at Bacardi.fiu.edu/talks to hear from Richard Coraine, senior advisor & co-founder of Union Square Hospitality Group, Kate Amos, general manager of MARTA and Alan Zurita, HR business partner of Union Square Events

You don’t want to miss this!

Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

03/22/2021

2 Spirits professors and a chef talking about what is going on in the hospitality industry and what people are drinking and eating; then, now, and in the future!

03/19/2021

2 Barstools and a Knife is at it again, and together in the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management recording studio with a new guest and a new concept that had Professor Dodge’s head spinning.

This week we were talking to Kyle Billings of Lyre's Spirit Co. The trend of low and non-alcoholic beverages is on the rise and Lyre’s is putting out a high quality, premium non-alcoholic spirit with incredible branding.

We did not completely abandon alcohol this week, as the Speed Rail focused on us and our guest and we had to paint a picture of our perfect cocktail experience. One of our very first fans, Philip, stopped by during our recording and watched how the sausage is made. Thanks Philip and all our great fans out there!

We are shifting to dropping episodes every other week to ensure Quality over Quantity!!!

We also have a couple of surprises in store for you this season, so be sure to watch out for special content as we get it.

New episodes every other week.

03/05/2021

With Saint Patrick’s Day right around the corner, we thought it was time to bring in a Irishman from Boston. This week, the guys have kissed the Blarney Stone and gained the gift of eloquence with Sean O’Toole, President of TEAM (TEAM Enterprises). Sean has a great story, and he certainly experienced the Luck of the Irish when he started his career with an assignment for Pl***oy that lead him to a career in the field of Experiential Marketing.

Sean and his TEAM work with legendary brands, such as a 30 year relationship with Bacardi North America, MillerCoors, BMW/Mini Copper and Lavazza Coffee, just to name a few. They dive a little deeper into what Experiential Marketing is and how TEAM creates one-of-a-kind ‘experiences’ for their partners. They wrap up the show with a Speed Rail ‘Boston Edition,’ and they all agree no green beer on Saint Patrick’s Day! Listen, Learn and Laugh!

Learn more about the amazing work and career opportunities with TEAM. (https://www.teamenterprises.com/)

New episodes every Friday: https://hospitality.fiu.edu/2barstoolsandaknife

02/22/2021

Today is National Margarita Day. Let's look back all the way to Episode 24 when we had a great conversation with Manny Hinojosa from Tequila Cazadores.

New episodes every Friday, but it is fun to listen to some of the older shows too.

https://2barstoolsandaknife.buzzsprout.com/1080893/5491798-episode-24-manny-hinojosa-tequila-cazadores

02/19/2021

Let’s talk about wine and the future of the industry! This week the guys are joined by the leadership behin Wine Future 2021 - Pancho Campo, Master of Wine & David Furer, Wine Educator - and the fabulous Dr. Laura Catena of the renowned Bodega Catena Zapata winery in Mendoza, Argentina - a fourth generation Argentine vintner, physician, and author.

Wine Future 2021 is a multiple-day virtual conference that kicks off next week. The conference is designed to address the challenges that the wine industry is facing. Pancho and David also talk about the amazing lineup of industry speakers such as our own DeanMichael Cheng, the legendary Mel Dick of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, and Francis Ford Coppola Winery just to name a few.

Laura Catena will also be a moderator at the virtual conference, discussing the Impact of COVID-19 on the wine industry. We had the chance to ask the good Doctor about her family business, what the past year was like for the Mendoza, Argentina region, and some helpful advice for our female students wanting to start a career in the wine industry. This was an insightful and informative show and we wrap it up with a wine-driven Speed Rail with Professor Connors. Listen, Learn and Laugh!

Learn more at https://www.winefuture2021.com/en/

New episodes every Friday: Hospitality.fiu.edu/2barstoolsandaknife

Nathan Dodge, John Noble Masi, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

02/13/2021

Happy Valentine's Day from your favorite FIU Chaplin Hospitality podcast crew! Professor Nathan Dodge, Dr. Hertz (sitting in for Professor Connors), and Chef John Noble Masi were joined by guest service expert and all-around hospitality heavy hitter, Michael Fiato. As the Senior VP of Customer Experience with Compass Group, Mike has "literally" written the book on keys to a GREAT guest experience. Mike discusses his restaurant days and his transition into the corporate foodservice world that began while on a vacation to Disney World. Mike shares an amazing story about how his Disney experience changed his view on the delivery of hospitality moving forward. We all talk about what is most important in delivering an exceptional experience, and Mike reminds us that it starts with a smile - which people can be seen even through your mask! Mike also reveals how Covid allowed him the opportunity to write his new book "Hospitality Edge." Finally, he imparts how his visits to various customer service-focused companies like Southwest, Disney, Pike's Place Fish Market, and others have shaped his view that the hospitality experience is just as much "emotional" as it is "technical." We could not agree more! Cheers to a great weekend! New episodes every Friday!

Hospitality.fiu.edu/2barstoolsandaknife

02/05/2021

That’s another show in the can!” ...well, at least a Ready-to-Drink (RTD) can. This week, Professors Dodge, Connors, and veteran back-up host, Professor Gabe Urrutia, had the privilege of speaking with Gabriela McCoy about the state of the beverage industry and the new 2021 Bacardi Cocktail Trend Report. It was an interesting conversation, discussing what is hot right now in the cocktail arena from the RTD’s, to Tequila, to the classic cocktails making a comeback. Connors finished off the show with his Speed Rail, talking about cocktail trends from days gone by that were fabulous or flops. Listen, Learn and Laugh! New Episodes every Friday.

Take a look at the Bacardi 2021 Cocktail Trends Report https://go.fiu.edu/bacarditrends for more information.

Hospitality.fiu.edu/2barstoolsandaknife

02/04/2021

Our boy Professor Connors visited with Modern Bar Cart podcast this week. Some of the topics they discussed include:

• His travels through the world of hospitality and education, including stints at Cornell, and Johnson & Wales, time spent in Ireland and at Michelin star restaurants in France, and even a little bit of chef work on private yachts.

• How Brian thinks about generalists and specialists in the hospitality space and what you can do to apply your unique skill set to a bar or restaurant career.

• What Florida International University and Bacardi are doing to explore the new face of hospitality during a pandemic and prepare the next generation of chefs, bartenders, and managers for the challenges they’ll face moving forward.

• Why Bar Project 2021 took a page out of the tech industry’s playbook by incorporating a sort of hospitality hackathon into their program.

• Where Brian and I think the industry is headed as we continue our march into 2021 and beyond.

• How to survive a drunken trip to Oaxaca with Hunter S. Thompson,

• And much, much more

https://www.modernbarcart.com/podcast/episode-177-future-of-hospitality-brian-connors-bar-project-2021

Eric interviews Professor Brian Connors of Florida International University about the future of the hospitality industry and his latest undertaking: Bar Project 2021.

01/29/2021

“Life is too short to drink bad wine.” I know we have said it before, but that is because it's true. This week, the Chaplin School's finest are conversing and sipping with Ana Fabiano, author of The Wine Region of Rioja. “It feels like we are actually on a culinary & wine vacation touring the wine regions of Spain, and I need a vacation!” said Professor Dodge. Ana has a knack for great storytelling and Connors, Masi, and Dodge were just soaking it all up. It really has been a long time since some of us have traveled, and heading to La Rioja wine region, Spain is now at the top of our lists.

It was not all about the stories; Ana also went into detail about the new Rioja Wine Academy (RWA) certifications and their partnership with FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, launching this spring. “Certificates really help to make a resume pop and get noticed in the modern hospitality industry,” states Chef Masi. We finished up with a "Lovely Day" twist to the Speed Rail and talked about our past, present, and future travel aspirations! Listen, Learn & Laugh!

New Episodes every Friday: hospitality.fiu.edu/2barstoolsandaknife

01/22/2021

The future is bright! On this week’s episode, some hospitality powerhouses join the Gents! It is all about people development in the new world of hospitality education. Professor Mary Connors and Dr. Chris Muller are launching the FIU Chaplin School’s latest innovation, the Professional Hospitality Development (PHD) Program.

We ask Dr. Muller, a leading expert in multi-unit restaurant development and leadership, about the state of the restaurant segment. He has some amazing insight as to why he feels we will see a tremendous ‘green shoots movement’ and a new age of restaurants. Professor Connors, also a sought-after Global Consultant, added her thoughts on the future of ‘people development’ and our new approach to learning. We all agree their timing is perfect to launch the new Professional Hospitality Development (PHD) Program that will help hospitality professionals at all levels grow and expand their skills & knowledge. “We are looking forward to creating ‘THE NEW’ for the hospitality community that has experienced many challenges this past year,” said Mary Connors. We wrap-up this marvelous conversation with an entertaining Speed Rail when we discuss the best & worst things about teaching and why we all love it! Listen, Learn and Laugh!

New Episodes every Friday!
Hospitality.fiu.edu/2barstoolsandaknife
BP Connors, Nathan Dodge, John Noble Masi, Cristina Moguel, Yuli Sosa, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

01/15/2021

The guys are back for more! To start season two, we are joined by one of our favorites: Greg Lambrecht the Chairman and inventor of the Coravin. Greg is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for need-based inventions. He is also a great storyteller with a love of wine and creating a better wine world. Greg started his career in the medical industry and found his niche in inventing problem-solving medical devices that lead him to the invention of the Coravin Wine Preservation Systems, which gives us the freedom to enjoy any wine, anytime.

The guys talk about how the restaurant segment is utilizing the Coravin System to create a better wine experience, increase revenue, and minimize loss for by-the-glass programs. “You’re lucky when you can change a segment and change consumer behavior,” says Greg. Learn about Greg and his team's next invention and how sparkling wine is next on the horizon. We talk about sustainability and finish out with the Speed Rail featuring an entrepreneurial twist! Listen, Learn, and Laugh!

New Episodes every Friday:
hospitality.fiu.edu/2barstoolsandaknife

Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, BP Connors, John Noble Masi, Yuli Sosa, Cristina Moguel, Center of Excellence

01/10/2021

They guys are back and excited for another season of "2 Barstools and a Knife". They kick it off with Greg Lambrecht founder and inventor of Coravin. New episodes every Friday.

12/18/2020

We’re wrapping up the year and season 1 of “2 Barstools and a Knife” with a pretty, little bow. Professors Dodge, Connors, and Masi reminisced about their favorite episodes over these last nine months. They chatted about what they liked the best, what they were surprised by during the first year’s episodes, and what they are looking forward to during season 2 of the show. Listen in for some Christmas ideas, wine suggestions, and the guys enjoying each other’s company for the last time in 2020. We’ll see you with exciting, new episodes in 2021!

https://hospitality.fiu.edu/2barstoolsandaknife/