Welcome to Living Xtreme Hospitality! In today's episode, titled "The Consequences When You Don’t", we delve into a critical aspect of the hospitality industry: the profound impact of customer experience on business success. Join us as we explore firsthand insights with Councilwoman Monica Riley, who brings a compelling personal experience to light. Discover how neglecting hospitality can lead to unexpected consequences, affecting both reputation and revenue in ways that every business owner should heed.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am excited about today’s guest. Let me ask you…. How important do you think Human Resources are to running a successful business? Does HR work for the benefit of the employee or management? My guest believes in putting the "human" back in human resources, creating a synergy between them that can drive success to your business. My guest, Sonya Atkins-Goodman, a distinguished business leader and founder of Human Edge Resource Solutions, who has over 30 years of experience in HR. She strategically fosters positive cultures and champions employee engagement, emphasizing servant leadership to drive profitable business. We have titled this podcast: Living Xtreme Hospitality – Fostering Synergy Between Human Resources and Operations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am excited about today’s guest. Let me ask you…. How important do you think Human Resources are to running a successful business? Does HR work for the benefit of the employee or management? My guest believes in putting the "human" back in human resources, creating a synergy between them that can drive success to your business. My guest, Sonya Atkins-Goodman, a distinguished business leader and founder of Human Edge Resource Solutions, who has over 30 years of experience in HR. She strategically fosters positive cultures and champions employee engagement, emphasizing servant leadership to drive profitable business. We have titled this podcast: Living Xtreme Hospitality – Fostering Synergy Between Human Resources and Operations. Welcome Sonya…

Have you ever pondered the intricacies of running a hospitality-centric restaurant or food service establishment? Picture a place where every team member is fully aligned in their dedication to serving guests with utmost care. Surprisingly, it all begins with the education and guidance provided to restaurant staff. Prior to the launch of Michael's Backstreet Cafe in Irvington, New Jersey in 1989, I was fortunate to learn from esteemed chefs like the late Chef Leah Chase of Dookie Chase in New Orleans and the late Austin Leslie of Chez Helene, also in New Orleans. The philosophies they imparted were invaluable to my journey toward success. Now, let me introduce you to Chef Daniel, an instructor at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Missouri. He has elevated his teaching beyond merely shaping aspiring chefs; he's grooming them for the realities of the industry. Acting as both mentor and trainer, Chef Daniel instills in his students not only culinary prowess but also the mindset and discipline needed to excel in the professional realm. Their focus? Winning the hearts of those they serve and seamlessly integrating into the larger framework of service within an organization. Listen in as Chef Daniel shares his insights and best practices—it's a masterclass in culinary education and service excellence.

In this podcast I want you to hear from a restaurant consultant who has seen hospitality in action, and inaction throughout his 50-year career in the restaurant industry. Chris Tripoli has managed, owned, and consulted with many restaurant concepts and developed multi-unit concepts. As I dug into the depth of his experience, I was encouraged by what he shared, and I believe you will be too. My vision is that Xtreme Hospitality will be the backbone of all we do as restauranteurs. let me know what you think?

My next guest is Chef Santiago De La Cruz (Chef Jimmy). My Podcast is called, "Living Xtreme Hospitality - From The Back Of The House Forward." Chef Santiago is the kind of chef who rewards his staff for excellence, mentors them, and spends a lot of time in the dining room greeting his guests. Learn how an Xtreme Hospitality chef not only creates amazing dishes but drive guests experience from the back of the house forward.

It is with immense joy and anticipation that I announce our esteemed guest for the inaugural episode of "Living Xtreme Hospitality" — Russell Ybarra. Russell's journey in the restaurant industry began at the heart of his father's company, El Toro Mexican Restaurants, where he honed his skills from dishwashing to mastering every aspect of the business. In 1986, he ventured into entrepreneurship with El Matador Foods, a tortilla factory in Baytown, Texas. However, it was in 1993 that his vision truly flourished with the inception of Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen. Transforming a space in Pearland that had seen four failed ventures, Russell's commitment to serving top-quality Tex-Mex at affordable prices captured the community's hearts. Over the years, Russell, alongside his devoted team and franchise partners, expanded his empire to 20 locations, including beloved concepts like Jimmy Changas, Bullritos®, The Lunch Box, and Burger Libre. With annual revenues soaring beyond 110 million dollars in 2019, Russell's dedication to his team and community remains unwavering. As the President and CEO of Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen & Jimmy Changas restaurants, he understands that true success transcends mere profit margins. Join us as we delve into Russell's extraordinary journey and philosophy that places people and purpose above all else. Welcome, Russell Ybarra, to "Living Xtreme Hospitality"!