BACK OF HOUSE PODCAST

So You Want To Run a Restaurant?

Restaurant owners open up about what it really takes to make it in the industry.

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Go behind the scenes with restaurant owners and operators across the country to talk candidly about the realities of the restaurant business. From the wins to the burnout to the late nights–and all the lessons learned along the way.
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Recent Episodes

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Chef Paul Smith: So You Want to Be Appalachia’s First James Beard Award Winner?

Chef Paul Smith: So You Want to Be Appalachia’s First James Beard Award Winner?

35 min
Sep 16, 2025

From his Appalachian roots to becoming West Virginia’s first James Beard Award-winning chef, Chef Paul Smith is redefining what it means to cook with heart, heritage, and hospitality.

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Cultivating Culture and Growing Thoughtfully with Molly Irani of Chai Pani

Cultivating Culture and Growing Thoughtfully with Molly Irani of Chai Pani

39 min
Apr 17, 2023

We spoke with Molly Irani, co-founder of Chai Pani Restaurant Group, about building a different kind of restaurant culture while also creating a thriving, decorated restaurant group with five concepts across three cities and a popular CPG line.

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Leaning into Sustainability with Edwin Gallardo and Robin Janse of Seven Stars Resort & Spa

Leaning into Sustainability with Edwin Gallardo and Robin Janse of Seven Stars Resort & Spa

49 min
Sep 16, 2023

Discover innovative sustainability initiatives from Seven Stars Resort & Spa and practical tips for implementing eco-friendly practices in your restaurant.

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Guest Spotlight

We aim to connect with independent restaurant owners and operators, first-time restaurateurs, multi-unit operators, and behind-the-scenes pros - anyone with a story and scars to prove it.

Amanda Cohen

Michelin-starred Chef,
Dirt Candy

Ellipse 2

Aya Fukai

Michelin-starred Pastry Chef

Ellipse 2 (1)

Cynthia Wong

6X James Beard finalist and owner of Life Raft Treats

Ellipse 2 (2)

Brian Jupiter

Food Network’s Chopped Winner

Ellipse 2 (3)

Chef Suzanne

Chef & Owner, Atlanta’s Buttermilk Kitchen

Ellipse 2 (4)

Elyssa Kaplan

Culinary Operations for World Central Kitchen

Ellipse 2 (5)

Anthony Tayoun

Co-Founder of Dexai Robotics Company

Ellipse 2 (6)

Kristen Harper

Chef & Owner, Cleo’s Southern Cuisine

Ellipse 2 (7)
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YOUR HOSTS

Meet the Hosts

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Spencer Michiel

Co-Host of SYWTRAR

Spencer brings over 20 years of restaurant industry experience, having worked nearly every position from busser to operations manager. He got his start bussing tables at his father’s restaurant, soon after, he was cooking in kitchens across independent restaurants. At Back of House, Spencer combines his hands-on restaurant experience with deep tech knowledge to help operators find the right tools to streamline thier operations and boost performance.

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Claudia Saric

Co-Host and Producer of SYWTRAR

Claudia has spent years behind the scenes of the food world, working with the innovators and operators shaping the future of dining. At Relish Works, Gordon Food Service’s innovation hub, she helped scale Food Foundry, a founder community and accelerator for cutting-edge food and foodservice businesses. She’s also runs the popular @ChicagoFoodie Instagram account and is the founder of Centered Strategies.

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With tens of thousands of downloads and a loyal audience across the foodservice industry, this show is built for - and by - the people who make restaurants run.
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