281: How to Enhance Events with Sustainable & Inclusive Travel Practices
Release Date: 12/03/2024
301: Why Black Culinary History Matters in Events: Food as a Cultural Experience
Eating at a Meeting
This Black History Month, I sit down with my friend Tie Whittaker, owner of Buttermilk Boutique. A professional pastry chef with over 13 years of experience, Tie blends her Southern roots and culinary expertise to create stunning pastries and elevated Afternoon Tea experiences that are redefining hospitality in North Carolina. Afternoon Tea may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Southern food, but Tie is transforming it into a space for nostalgia, storytelling, and exquisite flavors. Inspired by her grandmother Angel, whose baking was legendary in her...
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300: The Biggest Lessons from 300 Episodes on Food Safety, inclusion & Sustainability
Eating at a Meeting
This is episode 300 of Eating at a Meeting! After five year and 300 episodes, one thing is clearâfood and beverage are never just about whatâs on the plate. Theyâre about safety, inclusion, transparency, and creating experiences where everyone feels valued. For this milestone episode, Iâm bringing back some of the most insightful and impactful guests to unpack the biggest lessons weâve learned about making food and beverages safer, more accessible, and more sustainable. Join me and Tess Vismale, Erin Malawar, Ewan Phillips, Suzanne Morrel, and Laurel J. Francoeur as we dive into: â ...
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299: Taylor Swiftâs Mocktail Success: Event Planners, Are You Taking Notes?
Eating at a Meeting
Taylor Swiftâs Eras Tour wasnât just a cultural phenomenonâit was also a showcase of unforgettable food and beverage experiences. For the last three U.S. stops and her grand finale in Vancouver, Sodexo Live! delivered the perfect menu to celebrate the end of an era, crafting mocktails and drinks as iconic as the music itself. This week, Tracy is thrilled to welcome Sam Stewart, Senior Director, Beverage Alcohol for Sodexo Live!, to talk about the magic behind those drinks and what event planners can learn from their success. From the themed beverages that struck the right chord with...
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298: Sodexo Live! San Diego Convention Center
Eating at a Meeting
Ready to go Behind the Plate? This week on Tracy chats with Sufi Karaien, Executive Chef at the San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCC), where he leads culinary operations for one of the busiest convention centers in the United States. Chef Sufi is redefining event catering by incorporating innovative, plant-based dishes into large-scale menus that cater to diverse dietary needs. From portobello mushroom "pulled pork" to allergen-friendly creations, he balances creativity, safety, and practicality to serve groups as large as 4,000. If youâre curious about how to elevate...
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297: Norovirus 101: What Event Planners Need to Know About Food Safety
Eating at a Meeting
Food safety isnât just about whatâs on the plateâitâs about protecting everyone who gathers to share a meal. This week on Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE, join me as I chat with food safety expert Francine Shaw, CP-FS, FMP, about one of the most contagious viruses threatening events today: norovirus. Francineâs expertise spans the globe, with projects from Peru to Dubai. Sheâs worked with household names like Target, Marriott, and McDonaldâs. From keynote stages to consulting with public health departments, Francine, founder and CEO of Savvy Food Safety, Inc.,...
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296: Carrying Intentionality into 2025_ Food Safety_ Inclusivity_ and Hard Conversations
Eating at a Meeting
Unity at the table is more than gathering people; itâs about creating spaces where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Reflecting on my December commitment to make every table safe and welcoming, I recognize that intentionality isnât just an idealâitâs a responsibility and it requires action. In this solo episode of Eating at a Meeting, Tracy discusses how we can take the lessons of 2024âlike the importance of thoughtful inclusion and the courage to address tough conversationsâand bring them to life in 2025. Stories like Dominique Brownâs tragic passing due to a...
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295: Trends Report: Vegan Food and Non-Alcoholic Drinks Take Center Stage
Eating at a Meeting
The way we eat, drink, and celebrate at events is evolving, and the numbers prove it. This week on Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE â the first episode of 2025 â Iâm sitting down with Hugo Campbell, co-founder of Togather, to talk about their new report tracking food and drink trends at over 100 UK festivals attended by 10 million people in 2024. đąđš ⤠Vegan food sales rose 28% compared to last year, with plant-based burgers and fries leading the way. As the number of people identifying as vegan in the UK grows by 10% annually, itâs clear this trend is here to...
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294: Beyond the Bar â A Recap to End the Year and Kick off 2025
Eating at a Meeting
David T. Stevens and I will recap the "Beyond the Bar" panel discussion he led and I participated in during IMEX at the Jimmy Kimmel Comedy Club in Las Vegas. During the discussion, we dove into the growing trend of non-alcoholic and wellness-focused events. We discussed everything from authentic mocktails to the importance of inclusivity in today's social and corporate gatherings. Whether you're sober or just health-conscious, it's about time we elevate our event experiences for everyone.
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293: How Food Defines Us: A Dialogue with Author Psyche A. Williams-Forson
Eating at a Meeting
Iâm thrilled to welcome Psyche Williams-Forson, cultural food scholar and author of âEating While Black: Food Shaming and Race in America,â to the podcast! đ¤đ˝ď¸ Food is so much more than whatâs on our platesâitâs identity, belonging, history, and survival. In her groundbreaking work, Psyche unpacks the deeply rooted biases and shaming that often surround Black food traditions, shedding light on how mass media, public policy, and cultural norms shape perceptions and reinforce inequities. Weâll explore critical questions like: ⤠How does...
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292: Ensuring Everyone Can Attend - The Key to Inclusive Event Planning
Eating at a Meeting
Tracy chats with Jami Paronto, Senior Global Account Director at HPN Global, about creating accessible food and beverage experiences for all attendees. I met Jami at a recent event and was struck by some of the barriers she faced to simply participate. To enter the room, Jami, who uses a wheelchair, had to be taken outside in the rain to access an exterior door because the main entrance was a flight of stairs. Once inside, the challenges didnât stopâbuffet tables were set too high for her to comfortably reach. These moments are not uncommon, but theyâre entirely...
info_outlineTracy chats with renowned traveler and cultural connoisseur, Susheda Raval. đ With a staggering 120 countries under her belt, Susheda brings a world of experience in sustainable and inclusive travel practices to the table.
We delve into the heart of authentic travel, where Susheda shares her secrets for uncovering genuine local experiencesâfrom savoring street food in Bangkok to exploring 200-year-old vineyards hosted by local families. đˇđŽ Discover her passion for involving local communities in event planning to create richer, more meaningful experiences. Whether itâs incorporating authentic cuisines or fostering cross-cultural communication through food, Sushedaâs insights are invaluable for anyone planning impactful events.
Susheda also introduces us to her childrenâs book series, "Beato Goes to Japan," where her cat, Beato, explores different cultures, imparting crucial lessons on community and respect. đđž These books aim to expose young readers to global cultures, inspired by Sushedaâs own travel experiences.
Not to be missed are stories from her recent travels to Uganda, where she highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of local women and the innovative sustainability practices of eco-lodges.
⨠Explore the beauty of connecting through food with Susheda Raval on "Eating at a Meeting." đ¤đ˝ď¸ Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, follow us on social media for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes fun, and if you love the show, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts! đ