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PODCAST

Dine & Dish

Welcome to Dine & Dish, the podcast hosted by Michele DiMeo, the Restaurant Diva. Join Michele as she dives into the heart of hospitality, service, and the restaurant world, sharing stories, trends, and insights from chefs, restaurateurs, and industry insiders and leaders. From dining culture and behind-the-scenes tales to tips for guests and professionals alike, Dine & Dish celebrates the art, passion, and joy of great food and exceptional service. Whether you"re a foodie, a hospitality

arts food

All Episodes

47:10

The Art of Franchising with Michael Lassen

Dine & Dish ·

2026/03/04

In this episode of Dine & Dish, host Michele DiMeo sits down with Michael Lassen to break down the art of franchising—what it really takes to scale a fast-casual brand the right way. From knowing when you're truly ready to franchise, to building the systems, culture, and unit economics that support long-term growth, Michael shares real-world insights, tips, and cautionary lessons every restaurateur should hear before expanding. Whether you're just starting to think about franchising or actively

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49:02

The Real Cost of Food: Quality, Sourcing &...

Dine & Dish ·

2026/02/25

In this episode of Dine & Dish, we're diving deep into the world of food sourcing, quality, and profitability with Brian Saval, President of 1932 Specialty Produce & Meat and EVP of Saval Foodservice. Brian shares insider insights on navigating today's ever-changing restaurant landscape, from protecting margins without sacrificing quality, to building strong supplier-operator partnerships, and understanding what really drives success in the kitchen and the dining room. Whether you're a

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38:28

Valentine's Day Edition - Partners in Life, Partners...

Dine & Dish ·

2026/02/18

This Valentine's Day, we're talking about a different kind of love story—the kind built in the trenches In our business. In this special Valentine's Edition episode, we sit down as a married couple, Michele and Gennaro DiMeo who have spent years building businesses, navigating pressure, chasing big dreams, and learning how to work together without losing each other. From laughter and late nights to disagreements and growth, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to balance

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48:06

Food as Medicine, Nutritional Science & the Future of...

Dine & Dish ·

2026/02/11

What if the food we serve—and eat every day—could actually heal us? In this episode of Dine & Dish, host Michele DiMeo sits down with Jorgina Colyn, nutritional science expert and wellness advocate, for a powerful conversation on food as medicine and what it truly means for today's diners, operators, and hospitality leaders. Together, they explore the science behind nourishment, gut health, inflammation, and how intentional food choices impact energy, mood, longevity, and performance—both in and out

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48:14

Design That Sells: Feng Shui, Flow & Creating...

Dine & Dish ·

2026/02/04

This episode of Dine & Dish is all about design that works as hard as you do. Host Michele DiMeo sits down with Vanessa DeLeon, internationally recognized interior designer, TV personality, and founder of Vanessa DeLeon Associates, to talk about the powerful role design plays in restaurants, hospitality spaces, and brand experience. From feng shui and flow to creating spaces that drive guest comfort, staff efficiency, and profitability, Vanessa shares how intentional design can elevate not just how

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43:12

Branding, Social Media, Grand Openings & Restaurant...

Dine & Dish ·

2026/01/28

Branding isn't just a logo — it's how people feel when they hear your name. In this episode of Dine & Dish, we sit down with Michelle Soudry, founder and owner of The Gab Group, to talk all things branding, social media, and what it really takes to stand out in today's crowded marketplace.

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43:28

Building It Right: From Blueprint to Grand Opening

Dine & Dish ·

2026/01/21

Opening a restaurant is exciting—but building it can make or break your business. In this episode of Dine & Dish, Restaurant Diva host Michele DiMeo sits down with seasoned general contractor and managing partner of Madison Construction Steve DiPietro to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a restaurant the right way—from planning and budgeting to timelines, permits, and avoiding costly mistakes. We cover what owners should do before signing a lease, how to choose the right build

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42:37

The Lease Can Make or Break You: Navigating...

Dine & Dish ·

2026/01/14

Before the menu, before the build-out, before the doors open—there's the lease. In this episode of Dine & Dish, host Michele DiMeo sits down with Paul Stanton, commercial real estate and legal expert, to unpack the legal realities every restaurant owner needs to understand before signing on the dotted line. From hidden lease clauses and CAM charges to personal guarantees, build-out responsibility, and exit strategies, this conversation delivers practical guidance and hard truths that can save

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46:12

Steps to Success: What It Really Takes to Open a...

Dine & Dish ·

2026/01/07

Opening a restaurant isn't just about great food—it's about strategy, capital, leadership, and resilience. In this must-listen episode of Dine & Dish, host Michele DiMeo sits down with Gennaro DiMeo, seasoned restaurateur and operator, and Stephen DesLauriers, restaurant systems and operational support, to break down what it actually takes to open a restaurant from the ground up. From concept and location to leases, build-outs, staffing, cash flow, and opening-day realities, this episode pulls back

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40:01

New Year, New You (DiMeo Edition)

Dine & Dish ·

2025/12/31

Ring in the New Year with Restaurant Diva host Michele DiMeo, her husband and business partner Gennaro DiMeo, and special guest Aviva (Vivi) for a lighthearted, feel-good episode full of laughs, honesty, and family perspective. From New Year's resolutions (and reality checks) to food, fitness, goals, and what growth really looks like at every age, this episode proves that fresh starts don't have to be perfect—they just have to be real. With three generations of opinions at the table, the DiMeos

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43:19

Allergens, Menu Transparency & the State of the...

Dine & Dish ·

2025/12/24

Food allergies are no longer a side conversation in restaurants—they're a business, legal, and brand imperative. In this episode of Dine and Dish, Restaurant Diva host Michele DiMeo sits down with Betsy Craig, Founder and CEO of MenuTrinfo, to unpack the real state of allergen management in today's restaurant industry. From menu labeling and staff training to legal exposure, guest trust, and emerging regulations, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what operators are getting right—and

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43:02

Buying Power, Margins & Making Every Dollar Count...

Dine & Dish ·

2025/12/17

In this episode of Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva, host Michele DiMeo sits down with industry expert John Opdahl to break down the real economics behind restaurant purchasing. From buying power and food contracts to rebates, distributor negotiations, and protecting margins, John pulls back the curtain on where restaurants lose money—and how smart operators keep it. Whether you're a single-unit owner or running multiple locations, this conversation delivers practical strategies to reduce food

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40:53

Year-End Money Matters with Jill Risbon

Dine & Dish ·

2025/12/10

In this essential year-end episode, host Michele DiMeo sits down with finance/ tax and business systems expert Jill Risbon to break down everything owners and operators need to know before closing out 2025 and gearing up for a smooth, profitable start to 2026. From bookkeeping mistakes and tax-saving strategies to tip credit compliance, payroll prep, and avoiding costly audits, this episode is your year-end financial checklist—served with clarity, simplicity, and real-world restaurant insight.

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48:10

Hiring & Staffing for the Holidays

Dine & Dish ·

2025/12/03

This week, Michele sits down with Carl Griffenkranz, a seasoned professional staffing recruiter, to break down the biggest challenges and smartest strategies for hiring and staffing during the holiday rush. From understanding the current hiring market to attracting the right candidates, speeding up the interview process, training seasonal employees, and retaining top performers—this episode delivers real, actionable insights every restaurant operator can use. If your business is gearing up for its

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42:20

Thanksgiving Edition with Michele DiMeo & Gennaro DiMeo

Dine & Dish ·

2025/11/26

In this special Thanksgiving episode, host Michele DiMeo with guest Gennaro DiMeo—serve up a candid look at what the holiday season really feels like in the restaurant world. From the chaos of holiday menu planning and take-home orders to the pressure of delivering flawless service, this husband-wife dynamic duo shares real stories, industry insights, and heartfelt gratitude. Warm, funny, and full of behind-the-scenes truth, this episode captures the true spirit of hospitality during its busiest

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34:10

Hospitality Tech: Helpful or Hurtful?

Dine & Dish ·

2025/11/19

Technology is transforming the guest experience—but is it elevating hospitality or eroding the personal touch? In this episode, Michele and guest Stephen DesLauriers dive into the rising wave of QR codes, handheld ordering devices, AI-driven waitlists, automated kiosks, and all the gadgets reshaping front-of-house operations and some BOH mentions. We break down what tech genuinely improves efficiency, what creates friction for guests, and how restaurant leaders can strike the perfect balance

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39:25

Location, Location, Location

Dine & Dish ·

2025/11/12

In this episode of Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva, Michele DiMeo, we're talking all things real estate, restaurants, and results. Michele sits down with industry expert Lee Block to uncover the secrets behind finding the perfect restaurant location — from visibility and demographics to the gut instincts that separate a good spot from a great one. Together, they explore today's hottest commercial real estate trends, how the NYC dining scene is evolving, and why choosing the right site is one of

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41:39

More than a Stay: The Emotion Behind Exceptional Service

Dine & Dish ·

2025/11/05

In this episode of Dine & Dish, host Michele DiMeo, the Restaurant Diva, sits down with Amanda, the Innkeeper of the charming Foster Harris House, to uncover the heart and soul behind truly exceptional hospitality. Together, they explore what it means to create emotional connections with guests, the art of anticipating needs before they're spoken, and how genuine care transforms a stay—or a meal—into an unforgettable experience. Tune in for heartfelt stories, timeless service lessons, and a reminder

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36:06

To Tip or Not to Tip? The Real Story Behind the...

Dine & Dish ·

2025/10/29

This week on Dine & Dish, Michele and special guest Stephen DesLauriers dive deep into one of hospitality's hottest and most complicated topics — tipping. From its surprising origins in 17th-century England's coffeehouses and taverns (where "To Insure Promptitude" gave us the word "TIP") to its modern-day evolution in American dining culture, tipping has always walked the line between gratitude and expectation. Whether you're a server, restaurateur, or diner who's ever wondered how much is enough,

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40:15

The Vibe Shift – What’s Hot in Restaurants Right Now

Dine & Dish ·

2025/10/22

"It’s not just a meal — it’s a show. Michele and Krista uncover the hottest dining trends, from tableside theatrics and interactive chef experiences to candle-lit dinners, dining in the dark, and AI-driven immersive tables. Learn how restaurants are turning every meal into an unforgettable, Instagram-worthy moment." Keeping it real and bringing it back to Hospitality.

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