In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Talia Samuels, President of Outshine Public Relations, a company that specializes in PR and marketing for the culinary and hospitality industry. In this episode, Talia shares her journey from being a Spanish linguistic major to starting her PR agency at the age of 23. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of running a business, the importance of delegating, and the strategies she uses to help her clients stand out in a competitive market. Talia also talks about her future goals, including expanding her business to new markets and helping her clients earn Michelin stars.
Author: Nick Portillo
C-Suite Cuisine: Porter Hinton’s Journey to Becoming a Foodservice Industry COO
In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Porter Hinton, COO of Canteen. Porter discusses the growth and success of Canteen and talks about the challenges and opportunities in the industry, such as labor shortages, regulations, and inflation. Porter emphasizes the importance of listening, learning, and being adaptable in order to succeed in the food service industry. He also highlights the significance of customer service and likability in building strong relationships with clients. Porter shares his advice for aspiring COOs, including the value of continuous improvement and taking on stretch assignments.
Tim Strand, President of RESCO’s Marketing Playbook for Building Foodservice Brands
In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Tim Strand, President of RESCO. Tim shares his background and how he got into the food business, growing up in a family-owned company. He discusses RESCO’s focus on providing exceptional sales support for food service manufacturers, including lead generation and marketing materials. Tim shares his perspective on listening to customers and focusing on their needs, as well as the value of personalization and experiential marketing in the industry. He also highlights the power of creating memorable connections with customers and the importance of staying focused in a rapidly changing industry.
Beyond Distribution: Empowering Communities with Eric Goodman, President/CEO of Mountain View Services
In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks to Eric Goodman, President and CEO of Mountain View Services. Eric shares his journey in the food service industry and his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. He discusses the unique niche of his business, which provides full-line grocery service, medical supplies, and janitorial supplies to group homes for developmentally disabled individuals. Eric also talks about the importance of community building and the value of networking.
Feeding the Soul: Darling Culinary’s Founder, Rosalyn Darling on Culinary Compassion
In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks to Rosalyn Darling, a culinary innovator and entrepreneur, who shares her journey from marketing to the food service industry. She discusses her passion for food and how she developed her unique mindset of culinary compassion. Rosalyn emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in creating meaningful culinary experiences. She also talks about her work in recipe development, new product formulation, and teaching at the Culinary Institute of America.
Dishing Out Success: A Deep Dive into Foodservice Sales with Scott Tomes, CRO of Bongards Creameries
In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Scott Tomes, CRO of Bongards Creameries. Scott shares his remarkable journey in the food service industry, starting as a division manager at Schwann’s. Today, he is a trailblazer in the industry, leading Bongard’s to new heights of success. Scott discusses the challenges he faced, the strategies he implemented, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. He also talks about the value of perseverance, leadership, and building strong relationships in the food service industry.
Mastering K-12 Sales: Insights and Strategies for Success with Jack Crawford, SNA Industry Chair
In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Jack Crawford, a sales expert in the K-12 food service industry. He currently serves over 900,000 students daily and is the industry chair for the School Nutrition Association. Jack shares his insights on the tactical steps that make the K-12 industry successful. He discusses the importance of bids, the role of distribution, and the process of commodity processing. Jack also highlights the collaborative nature of the K-12 community and the challenges faced by school districts in providing meals to students.
Savoring Success: Dropout Multi-Millionaire Brian Will’s Recipe for Restaurant Profits
In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Brian Will, a renowned entrepreneur, author, and titan in the world of business and sales management. He has an impressive track record of success, having co-founded and led seven highly successful companies across diverse sectors that reached a valuation of over half a billion dollars at their peak. Brian shares insights from his exceptional acumen for innovation and growth and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. He shares how agile processes and principles from multiple perspectives can set companies apart. Brian also discusses the importance of community and his commitment to its growth.
Putting the Guest First: Craig Haley, President of Smokey Mo’s BBQ’s Secrets to Creating a Memorable Guest Experience
In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Craig Haley, President of Smokey Mo’s Texas Barbecue. Craig shares his journey and insights into the food service industry. Starting as a delivery driver in high school, Craig fell in love with the restaurant industry and worked his way up to become a restaurant manager. Craig’s passion for operations and guest experience led him to his current role at Smokey Mo’s, where he focuses on strategies to grow the brand and build better teams. He emphasizes the importance of quality, service, and creating a fun and enjoyable environment for both employees and guests.
Innovations in K 12 & Non Commercial with Marlon Gordon, Founder & CEO of NextGen Network
In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Marlon Gordon, Founder and CEO of NextGen Network. Marlon is transforming the education and non-commercial space through his groundbreaking initiatives and creative marketing agency. From a digital magazine for K-12 to the revolutionary platform known as First Taste TV, Marlon’s team is pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible. Marlon also talks about Ignite, an event focused on the power of partnerships and building relationships to drive progress in the industry. Tune in to hear about Marlon’s journey and the inspiring work he’s doing in the food service industry!

