297: Norovirus 101: What Event Planners Need to Know About Food Safety
Release Date: 03/25/2025
311: Serving Tea with Intention: A Fresh Take on Event Beverage Planning
Eating at a Meeting
Tea is having a moment—and it's long overdue. In this week's episode of Eating at a Meeting, I’m joined by Amy March, executive chef and co-founder of The Steeping Room and Urban Tea House, to talk about why tea deserves a starring role on your event menu. With over two decades of experience in specialty tea, culinary arts, and holistic health, Amy brings the perfect blend of insight and inspiration for planners looking to serve more than just caffeine. We will explore how tea can create moments of calm, spark cultural connection, support wellness goals, and build community at the...
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310: 5 Ways to Manage Event Food & Bev to Reduce Waste & Budget Effectively
Eating at a Meeting
I'm talking about managing food and beverage at events based on recent events I've attended and questions I've seen on social media or asked about at conferences. Join me to share your management tips. Want to create live streams like this?
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309: Safe, Sober, & Inclusive: How Zero-Proof Bev Are Changing the F&B Industry
Eating at a Meeting
What a month it’s been! As Women’s HERStory Month comes to a close, I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap it up than with a conversation that’s redefining inclusivity in food and beverage. Laura Silverman, founder of Zero Proof Nation and Booze Free in DC, is leading the charge in the non-alcoholic beverage movement, proving that choice and inclusion belong at every table. With 17+ years of sobriety, Laura’s journey is deeply personal. After struggling with binge drinking in college and getting sober at 24, she saw firsthand how limited and uninspiring the non-alcoholic beverage...
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308: Stirring the Pot for Good: How One Social Enterprise is Uplifting Refugees
Eating at a Meeting
This Women’s HERStory Month, I’m celebrating trailblazing women who are reshaping the way we think about food, community, health, and inclusion on the Eating at a Meeting Podcast. This week, I’m introducing you to Jin-Ya Huang—a social entrepreneur, artist, and community leader using food to break down barriers and build bridges. A social practice artist turned “accidental entrepreneur,” Jin-Ya is the founder of Break Bread, Break Borders (B4) — a catering social enterprise empowering refugee women through food, storytelling, and economic opportunity. Inspired by her mother’s...
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307: From Food Apartheid to Food Empowerment: A Story of Change
Eating at a Meeting
In celebration of Women’s HERStory Month, I’m honored to highlight Femeika Elliott, a powerhouse in food justice, maternal health, and community empowerment, on the Eating at a Meeting podcast. How do we reclaim access to fresh, nutritious food and create healthier futures for our communities? Femeika is on a mission to transform food justice, maternal health, and sustainability in Knoxville and beyond. As the founder of Meik Meals, the Lotus Program, and Rooted East Knoxville Collective, she is breaking down barriers to healthy eating, postpartum wellness, and land justice—one meal, one...
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306: Bridging the Gap: Foster Care, Food Security, and Social Impact
Eating at a Meeting
Food has the power to nourish, heal, and connect—and this Women’s HERStory Month, I’m honored to celebrate Ally Smith, a woman making a profound impact at the intersection of food and foster care. As Development Director at Partnerships for Children, a private chef, and the creative force behind the “Gather With” cookbook project, Ally is redefining what it means to support vulnerable children and families through the power of food. Her journey has taken her from case management in the foster care system to a farm-to-table apprenticeship in Italy, where she deepened her understanding...
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305: Secret Food Stories: Chef Asantewaa's Vision for Sustainable Dining
Eating at a Meeting
This Women’s HERStory Month on the Eating at a Meeting Podcast, I’m shining a spotlight on incredible women who are reshaping how we think about food, sustainability, and culture. The third woman I want you to meet is Chef Asantewaa E. L., a culinary powerhouse and advocate for food sustainability in San Antonio. As the founder of Food Horizons and the Secret Food Stories initiative, Chef Asantewaa is bridging gaps between food, culture, and community as the founder of Food Horizons and the Secret Food Stories initiative. Her work is deeply rooted in the African philosophy of ubuntu,...
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304: Building a Food Business That Brings People Together—One Cheese Board at a Time
Eating at a Meeting
This Women’s HERStory Month, I’m celebrating women who are using food to build community, preserve culture, and spark meaningful change. One of those incredible women is Mahfam Moeeni-Alarcon , the founder and co-owner of Mingle + Graze, a cheese shop and eatery in downtown Chandler, Arizona, that is so much more than a place to eat—it’s a space for connection, learning, and inclusion. Mahfam’s journey from selling marinated olives at farmers’ markets to pioneering grazing boards in the Phoenix area is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for hospitality. Drawing...
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303: Food Safety & Allergen Awareness in Restaurants with Denise Baron Herrera
Eating at a Meeting
Women’s HERStory Month on Eating at a Meeting This Women’s HERStory Month, I’m celebrating trailblazing women who are reshaping the way we think about food, community, health, and inclusion on the Eating at a Meeting Podcast. To kick it off, I'm talking with Denise Baron Herrera, Co-Founding Chef and Chief Culinary Officer for Burtons Grill & Bar and Red Heat American Tavern ! Denise is a powerhouse in culinary leadership, setting the gold standard for food safety, allergy awareness, and inclusive dining in the restaurant industry. Under her guidance, Burtons Grill has become one of...
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302: More Than Comfort Food: The Rich History and Future of Soul Cuisine
Eating at a Meeting
To close out 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 I’m sat down with Chef Deborah VanTrece, a culinary visionary 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝. From her days as a flight attendant exploring global cuisines to becoming a 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐟, restaurateur, and 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫, Deborah has built a legacy on honoring tradition while pushing boundaries. 🎙️We dish...
info_outlineFood safety isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s 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.
Francine’s expertise spans the globe, with projects from Peru to Dubai. She’s worked with household names like Target, Marriott, and McDonald’s. From keynote stages to consulting with public health departments, Francine, founder and CEO of Savvy Food Safety, Inc., co-creator and co-host of Don't Eat POOP! A Food Safety Podcast, and author of “Who Watches the Kitchen,” has made it her mission to champion food safety in every corner of the industry.
With norovirus outbreaks on the rise, especially during the busy event season, it’s a crucial topic for meeting planners. Did you know that norovirus spreads easily through contaminated food, surfaces, and direct contact? Unlike COVID-19, hand sanitizer alone won’t cut it, so proper food safety protocols and cleaning measures are essential.
In this episode, we’ll discuss:
How norovirus spreads and why it’s so persistent.
➤ Practical strategies for venues and planners to reduce risk—from the kitchen to the buffet line.
➤ The key questions you need to ask your catering and venue partners to ensure safe practices.
➤ Steps you can take to safeguard attendees and staff, including cleaning high-touch surfaces and promoting thorough handwashing.
Whether planning a corporate conference or a community gathering, this conversation will equip you with the tools to prioritize health, safety, and trust in your food and beverage experiences. Make food safety the backbone of every event, not an afterthought.
📲 Don’t miss this essential episode! Share your questions and insights in the comments. Let’s tackle this together!