Continue to Site >>>

Menu Talk

Menu Feed transitions to Menu Talk, a new podcast hosted by yours truly, Pat Cobe of Restaurant Business, and my Informa colleague, Bret Thorn with Nation’s Restaurant News. We are veteran reporters on the menu beat and eager to bring you inspiring conversations about what’s happening in restaurant kitchens, including weekly interviews with chefs, operators and food professionals.

Operations

Restaurateur Billy Dec prepares to open Sunda New Asian in Detroit

 By Bret Thorn and Patricia Cobe on Feb. 10, 2026

Menu Talk: The advocate for Philippine culture and hospitality is also getting ready for the PBS debut of his documentary.

Consumer Trends

How Technomic's 2026 trend predictions are panning out

 By Patricia Cobe and Bret Thorn on Feb. 03, 2026

Menu Talk: A month into the new year, Lizzy Freier, senior director of menu research & insights at Technomic, revisits the team’s top trends.

Food

Mexican spirits expert Max Reis goes beyond tequila and mezcal

By Bret Thorn and Patricia Cobe on Jan. 27, 2026

The beverage director of Miraté and Daisy Margarita Bar in Los Angeles also delves into rum, gin and more.

Food

Kevin Lee is leading a restaurant renaissance in Oklahoma City

By Patricia Cobe and Bret Thorn on Jan. 20, 2026

Menu Talk: Birdie’s and Maht, the Korean-American chef’s restaurants, are two of the destinations that are elevating the dining scene.

Food

David Burke discusses his new restaurant, SeaHawk Prime, while riffing on food trends

By Bret Thorn and Patricia Cobe on Jan. 13, 2026

Menu Talk: The veteran chef also shares his take on the current restaurant climate.

Operations

Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group blends front- and back-of-house expertise to deliver what today's diners want

By Patricia Cobe and Bret Thorn on Jan. 06, 2026

Menu Talk: Partner Tai Ricci shares how the group’s five restaurants craft their menus, service and team culture to cultivate regulars and build success.

Leadership

Chef Te'Sean Glass brings life lessons to True Laurel

By Bret Thorn and Patricia Cobe on Dec. 16, 2025

Menu Talk: The chef of the San Francisco cocktail bar made a gutsy move from St. Augustine and created a life for himself on the West Coast.

Food

How Isabel Coss rose from bread baker to become executive chef at Washington, D.C.'s Pascual

By Patricia Cobe on Dec. 09, 2025

Menu Talk: The former ballet dancer and pastry chef began her culinary journey at 17 in Mexico City, was mentored by several top restaurateurs and steadily achieved her own success.

Food

'Top Chef' alum Nelson German embraces more African influences

By Bret Thorn and Patricia Cobe on Dec. 02, 2025

Menu Talk: The San Francisco chef incorporates elements from cuisines ranging from Cameroon to Ethiopia.

Beverage

Dutch Bros leads with menu innovation and hospitality

By Patricia Cobe on Nov. 25, 2025

Menu Talk: CMO Tana Davila shares how the fast-growing chain differentiates itself in the competitive beverage segment.

  • Page 1