Guests: RYAN LINDQUIST, General Manager of Luxbar in Chicago, Ryan shares his journey from his early days in hospitality to transforming Luxbar into a beacon of dining and mixology. He also provides behind-the-scenes insights into what makes Luxbar a premier destination, including themed nights, exclusive tasting events, and an impressive cocktail program. ALDO FEDRIGHINI, on-premises spirits consultant for Empire Merchants, on-premises spirits consultant for Empire Merchants, renowned for his expertise and hands-on approach in the bar and restaurant scene, has made unparalleled efforts to enhance customer experiences. Christina will explore his role in the spirits industry, highlighting his innovative strategies and contributions.

Guests:&nbsp;RYAN LINDQUIST, General Manager of&nbsp;<a href="https://luxbar.com/">Luxbar</a>&nbsp;in Chicago,&nbsp;Ryan shares his journey from his early days in hospitality to transforming <a href="https://luxbar.com/">Luxbar</a> into a beacon of dining and mixology. He also provides behind-the-scenes insights into what makes <a href="https://luxbar.com/">Luxbar</a> a premier destination, including themed nights, exclusive tasting events, and an impressive cocktail program. ALDO FEDRIGHINI, on-premises spirits consultant for Empire Merchants, on-premises spirits consultant for Empire Merchants, renowned for his expertise and hands-on approach in the bar and restaurant scene, has made unparalleled efforts to enhance customer experiences. Christina will explore his role in the spirits industry, highlighting his innovative strategies and contributions.

Each week, on CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Christina Cates - a seasoned foodie who has worked at some of the New York City's top restaurants, will share her passion for the culinary world.
Whether you're a professional chef, a restaurant enthusiast, or a lover of good food, Christina dives into the heart of hospitality - exploring the trends, triumphs, and challenges facing the food service profession...And you won't want to miss her chats with some of the most interesting and influential industry voices.
CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Sunday nights, at 9PM...exclusively on AM 970 The Answer.

Each week, on CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Christina Cates - a seasoned foodie who has worked at some of the New York City's top restaurants, will share her passion for the culinary world. Whether you're a professional chef, a restaurant enthusiast, or a lover of good food, Christina dives into the heart of hospitality - exploring the trends, triumphs, and challenges facing the food service profession...And you won't want to miss her chats with some of the most interesting and influential industry voices. CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Sunday nights, at 9PM...exclusively on AM 970 The Answer.

Culinary Confidential with Christina Cates

Ryan Lindquist / Aldo Fedrighini

Ever watch someone lick their knife at the dinner table and thought, “Humanity is doomed,” Culinary Confidential has just the episode for you!

Christina Cates welcomes Thomas Farley, better known as “Mr. Manners” for a chat all about etiquette at the dinner table and beyond. Farley has spent years helping people navigate the social, professional, and cultural moments that make up everyday life. His work spans television, corporate workshops, and public speaking, all rooted in the idea that etiquette isn’t just about memorizing rules. It’s about understanding people. In a world featuring short attention spans and distractions multiplying by the minute, this message could not be more relevant.

This conversation takes a wide-angle look into how we behave, whether it’s at the table, online, in the workplace, and everywhere in between. Farley breaks down the evolution of dining customs, the collision between digital and real-world communication, and the new complexities of dating in an era where half of the conversation happens on a screen. He also examines shifting expectations around workplace professionalism, from tone to timing to the etiquette of hybrid meetings. The discussion is sharp, grounded, and refreshingly unpretentious, offering a practical roadmap for navigating daily interactions with a little more clarity and a lot less chaos.

Because if you can’t manage basic manners, the least that can be done is listening in and pretending to try.

Ever watch someone lick their knife at the dinner table and thought, &ldquo;Humanity is doomed,&rdquo; Culinary Confidential has just the episode for you!
Christina Cates welcomes Thomas Farley, better known as &ldquo;Mr. Manners&rdquo; for a chat all about etiquette at the dinner table and beyond. Farley has spent years helping people navigate the social, professional, and cultural moments that make up everyday life. His work spans television, corporate workshops, and public speaking, all rooted in the idea that etiquette isn&rsquo;t just about memorizing rules. It&rsquo;s about understanding people. In a world featuring short attention spans and distractions multiplying by the minute, this message could not be more relevant.
This conversation takes a wide-angle look into how we behave, whether it&rsquo;s at the table, online, in the workplace, and everywhere in between. Farley breaks down the evolution of dining customs, the collision between digital and real-world communication, and the new complexities of dating in an era where half of the conversation happens on a screen. He also examines shifting expectations around workplace professionalism, from tone to timing to the etiquette of hybrid meetings. The discussion is sharp, grounded, and refreshingly unpretentious, offering a practical roadmap for navigating daily interactions with a little more clarity and a lot less chaos.
Because if you can&rsquo;t manage basic manners, the least that can be done is listening in and pretending to try.

Thomas Farley (Mr. Manners)

Christina Cates closes out the Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs series with a true force in New Jersey's brunch culture: Amy Russo, the visionary behind Toast City Diner.

What began in Montclair in 2007 with a simple, joyful mantra - 'Peace, Love, & Pancakes' - has grown into one of New Jersey's most beloved community-driven hospitality brands. In that time, Amy has created spaces that feel like home, serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch with heart, warmth, and unmistakable personality.

Today, Toast thrives across Montclair, Downtown Asbury Park, Red Bank, Cranford, and its newest home in Manalapan, with each location carrying Amy's signature blend of comfort, color, and connection.

From buttermilk pancakes and eggs benedict to vibrant salads, sandwiches, and brunch bowls, Toast is more than just a menu. It's culture. Behind it all is Amy's grit, creativity, and unwavering commitment to people.

As a female entrepreneur in a competitive industry, she's built a model of leadership rooted in community, consistency, and joy.

Christina Cates closes out the Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs series with a true force in New Jersey's brunch culture: Amy Russo, the visionary behind&nbsp;Toast City Diner.
What began in Montclair in 2007 with a simple, joyful mantra - 'Peace, Love, &amp; Pancakes' - has grown into one of New Jersey's most beloved community-driven hospitality brands. In that time, Amy has created spaces that feel like home, serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch with heart, warmth, and unmistakable personality.
Today, Toast thrives across Montclair, Downtown Asbury Park, Red Bank, Cranford, and its newest home in Manalapan, with each location carrying Amy's signature blend of comfort, color, and connection.
From buttermilk pancakes and eggs benedict to vibrant salads, sandwiches, and brunch bowls, Toast is more than just a menu. It's culture. Behind it all is Amy's grit, creativity, and unwavering commitment to people.
As a female entrepreneur in a competitive industry, she's built a model of leadership rooted in community, consistency, and joy.

Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs: Amy Russo

Week 3 of the Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs series brings along one of the most imaginative forces in modern dining: Steve Schussler, the visionary behind Rainforest Cafe and founder of Schussler Creative.

Schussler's career reshaped what a restaurant could be. From globally recognized concepts like Rainforest Cafe to immersive destinations like T-Rex Cafe, Yak & Yeti, & Disney Springs' The Boathouse, he built more than just brands. He built worlds. His work blends storytelling, spectacle, and emotional connection, proving that hospitality is as much about experience and escapism as it is about food.

As the founder of Schussler Creative and author of It's A Jungle In There, Schussler brings decades of creative insight, creative risk-taking, and philanthropic purpose to the table. He shares conversations behind scaling concepts internationally, the reinventions that helped shape his path, and the mindset that's required for creating such enduring ideas.

Week 3 of the&nbsp;Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs series brings along one of the most imaginative forces in modern dining: Steve Schussler, the visionary behind&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rainforestcafe.com/store-locator/">Rainforest Cafe</a> and founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.schusslercreative.com">Schussler Creative</a>.
Schussler's career reshaped what a restaurant could be. From globally recognized concepts like Rainforest Cafe to immersive destinations like&nbsp;T-Rex Cafe, Yak&nbsp;&amp; Yeti, &amp;&nbsp;Disney Springs'&nbsp;The Boathouse, he built more than just brands. He built worlds. His work blends storytelling, spectacle, and emotional connection, proving that hospitality is as much about experience and escapism as it is about food.
As the founder of Schussler Creative and author of&nbsp;It's A Jungle In There, Schussler brings decades of creative insight, creative risk-taking, and philanthropic purpose to the table. He shares conversations behind scaling concepts internationally, the reinventions that helped shape his path, and the mindset that's required for creating such enduring ideas.

Ryan Lindquist / Aldo Fedrighini

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