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

On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates continues the 'Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs' series in France by welcoming in Thierry Vale - the entrepreneur behind BAGELSTEIN (www.bagelstein.in), the Paris-born bagel concept that turned sharp branding, disciplined systems, and a fearless voice into a fast-casual powerhouse operating across multiple countries.

Together, Christina and Thierry explore the power of a distinct brand identity, how to franchise successfully in new markets, leading teams while protecting the core idea, and the realities of growing a modern hospitality business abroad.

Thierry also breaks down how he built the concept from the ground up, why irrelevance became a strategic advantage, and how he scaled without losing the brand’s original spirit.

On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates continues the 'Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs' series in France by welcoming in Thierry Vale - the entrepreneur behind BAGELSTEIN (www.bagelstein.in), the Paris-born bagel concept that turned sharp branding, disciplined systems, and a fearless voice into a fast-casual powerhouse operating across multiple countries.
Together, Christina and Thierry explore the power of a distinct brand identity, how to franchise successfully in new markets, leading teams while protecting the core idea, and the realities of growing a modern hospitality business abroad.
Thierry also breaks down how he built the concept from the ground up, why irrelevance became a strategic advantage, and how he scaled without losing the brand&rsquo;s original spirit.

Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs: Thierry Veil

On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates kicks off her 'Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs' series by welcoming in Max Tucci - third generation partner and Global Ambassador of Delmonico's, THE restaurant that helped define American fine dining. Since 1837, Delmonico's has shaped the way we eat by introducing dishes such as Demonico Steak, Eggs Benedict, and Baked Alaska while setting early standards for service, wine programs, and the modern dining room.

Max brings a rare blend of history, storytelling, and forward-thinking vision to the table. His work honors nearly two decades of tradition while guiding Delmonico's into a new era of hospitality, culture, and global relevance.

Beyond Delmonico's, Max also owns TUCCI, his namesake restaurant where elevated Italian cuisine meets warmth, family, and connection. He's also host of Welcome To My Table on LA Talk Radio and author of The Delmonico Way, a deep exploration of timeless hospitality principles and what it truly means to welcome people to the table.

On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates kicks off her 'Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs' series by welcoming in Max Tucci - third generation partner and Global Ambassador of Delmonico's, THE restaurant that helped define American fine dining.&nbsp;Since 1837, Delmonico's has shaped the way we eat by introducing dishes such as Demonico Steak, Eggs Benedict, and Baked Alaska while setting early standards for service, wine programs, and the modern dining room.
Max brings a rare blend of history, storytelling, and forward-thinking vision to the table. His work honors nearly two decades of tradition while guiding Delmonico's into a new era of hospitality, culture, and global relevance.
Beyond Delmonico's, Max also owns&nbsp;TUCCI, his namesake restaurant where elevated Italian cuisine meets warmth, family, and connection. He's also host of&nbsp;Welcome To My Table on <a href="https://www.latalkradio.com">LA Talk Radio</a> and author of&nbsp;The Delmonico Way, a deep exploration of timeless hospitality principles and what it truly means to welcome people to the table.

Spotlight On Hospitality Entrepreneurs: Max Tucci

This week on Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes back Dr. Ian K. Smith - physician, bestselling author, and a trusted voice in health and nutrition - for a clear and grounded look at one of the biggest shifts in American dietary policy in years.

With the release of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the traditional food pyramid has now been inverted, prioritizing protein and healthy fats while placing stronger limits on ultra-processed foods and added sugars. 

Dr. Smith breaks down what these changes mean for everyday eating, how they align with current science, and why this new pyramid challenges decades of conventional wisdom. Christina and Dr. Smith explore how these guidelines may influence home cooking, menu development, and the broader nutrition culture, while offering a practical and accessible way to navigate through the noise.

They also discuss Dr. Smith’s latest book, The Last 15: Say Goodbye to Those Most Stubborn Pounds, a science-based, seven-week program designed to help readers overcome weight loss plateaus without gimmicks or deprivation. He shares the research behind the plan, the psychology of stubborn pounds, and the real-world strategies that make sustainable change possible.

If you’re trying to make sense of the new nutrition guidelines, curious about the future of American nutrition, or looking for smarter ways to cook, this week’s episode delivers clarity and context without the extra confusion.

This week on Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes back Dr. Ian K. Smith - physician, bestselling author, and a trusted voice in health and nutrition - for a clear and grounded look at one of the biggest shifts in American dietary policy in years. With the release of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the traditional food pyramid has now been inverted, prioritizing protein and healthy fats while placing stronger limits on ultra-processed foods and added sugars.&nbsp;
Dr. Smith breaks down what these changes mean for everyday eating, how they align with current science, and why this new pyramid challenges decades of conventional wisdom. Christina and Dr. Smith explore how these guidelines may influence home cooking, menu development, and the broader nutrition culture, while offering a practical and accessible way to navigate through the noise.
They also discuss Dr. Smith&rsquo;s latest book, The Last 15: Say Goodbye to Those Most Stubborn Pounds, a science-based, seven-week program designed to help readers overcome weight loss plateaus without gimmicks or deprivation. He shares the research behind the plan, the psychology of stubborn pounds, and the real-world strategies that make sustainable change possible.
If you&rsquo;re trying to make sense of the new nutrition guidelines, curious about the future of American nutrition, or looking for smarter ways to cook, this week&rsquo;s episode delivers clarity and context without the extra confusion.

Ryan Lindquist / Aldo Fedrighini

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