Monica Rothgery: Lessons from the Drive Through
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
Release Date: 04/30/2024
The Bottomless Cup: A Memoir of Secrets, Restaurants and Forgiveness by Kevin Boehm
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
Congratulations to on the launch of his compelling book In this Kitchen Chat, Kevin shares the highs and lows of his personal life along with key components of success in his professional life. He also discusses the importance of mental health. You will be inspired by his story and strength. Link to the book (Launching November 4, 2025) Margaret McSweeney and Kevin Boehm first met in 2016 at in Chicago after their first Kitchen Chat. Kevin is the co-owner and co-founder of the highly acclaimed and award winning which he started with . In 2019, Kevin and Rob were the recipients...
info_outline
Estelle Manor: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
Host takes us to the Oxfordshire countryside to Estelle Manor, one of the "hottest" destinations in England. Originally built in 1780 in Georgian style and rebuilt in 1908 in Jacobean style, Estelle Manor sits on 85 acres and is surrounded by 3,000 acres of parklands and gardens. In 2023, Ennismore opened this beautiful property as a private club and hotel. The kitchen gardens provide a bountiful and beautiful harvest of greens for the salads at the Glass House, one of the hotel's restaurants. Margaret enjoyed chatting with one of the chefs who was collecting the day's harvest from...
info_outline
Gleneagles: The Glorious Playground of Scotland
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
“Scotland is a land of mountains, glens, and islands, a land of myth and legend” - Walter Scott. Join Kitchen Chat host as she celebrates the 100th anniversary of , located at the base of the Scottish Southern Highlands. After its grand opening in 1924, media proclaimed that Gleneagles was the "8th Wonder of the World" and called it "The Glorious Playground." Learn more at Tee and Tea are hallmark experiences at this timeless resort. With three championship courses and a nine-hole course, golfers can test their skills amidst the lush landscape. In 1921 (before the hotel opened),...
info_outline
Cromlix: A Luxury Country House Hotel in Scotland
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
Welcome to a very special episode of Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History & Hospitality. Today, we're traveling to a storybook setting in Scotland. Let's visit Cromlix (https://www.cromlix.com/), the breathtaking Victorian mansion and five-star luxury country house hotel near Dunblane, owned by tennis legend, Sir Andy Murray and his wife, Kim (https://www.cromlix.com/about-us/our-history/) #AndyMurray #ScottishLuxury #LuxuryTravel Cromlix welcomes guests with both timeless Scottish heritage and contemporary luxury with resplendent interiors designed by renowned designer . This is a...
info_outline
Brown's Hotel and the Mayfair Bun
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
Welcome to a special edition of Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History, and Hospitality. Host Margaret McSweeney takes you to the heart of London's Mayfair, a place synonymous with timeless elegance, to visit the incomparable , Brown's is more than just a hotel; it's a living piece of history, where the past whispers from every corner. Founded in 1837, this is London’s very first hotel, and its legacy is rich with stories. It's where Rudyard Kipling wrote The Jungle Book, and where Alexander Graham Bell made Britain's first-ever telephone call. Today, this historic landmark has been...
info_outline
The Meathead Method: The Art, Soul and Science of Outdoor Cooking
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
"I like to think that whatever you cook indoors. you can cook it even better outdoors" Meathead Goldwyn. On this special episode of Kitchen Chat, host visits the living legend of grilling in his kitchen for an insightful conversation and a Masterclass on one of America’s most revered traditions. She is joined by the celebrated pitmaster, culinary scientist, and seminal voice in outdoor cooking, , author of the landmark book, This episode presents an inspiring approach to the craft, intricate science and storied history of American barbecue. In a conversation that brings...
info_outline
Fashion Icon Nigel Barker Launches an Espresso Martini
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
Step onto the runway of flavor and fashion in this special episode of Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality. Host Margaret McSweeney joins world-renowned fashion photographer and TV personality Nigel Barker at a Chicago philanthropic fashion show benefiting WINGS Program Inc. Discover how Nigel turned his creative eye from couture to cocktails, crafting what’s been called “the most fashionable cocktail in the world.” It’s a conversation where glamour meets giving—and style is served in a glass. Margaret was especially delighted to meet Nigel as both she and...
info_outline
The Market at Pepper Place: A Culinary Renaissance
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
On this very special episode of Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality, host takes us on a sweet, very personal journey home. Broadcasting from the vibrant culinary heart of her beloved hometown, Birmingham, Alabama, Margaret has a Kitchen Chat with the dynamic Executive Director of . Margaret and Leigh are both members of and first met during the I conference in Birmingham. Margaret serves on the board for IACP. The Market at Pepper Place is celebrating its 25th anniversary and is a thriving farmer's market place which serves as the city's epicurean epicenter. The Market...
info_outline
Great British Tea Party and Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
Through their shared passion for the rich traditions of afternoon tea, Margaret and Claire celebrate the global success of the GBTP, a global community Myers-Lamptey built which now connects nearly 300,000 enthusiasts worldwide, and to make a very important announcement. Kitchen Chat will now also air on Great British Tea Party's Facebook page. The strategic partnership and friendship will provide the GBTP's global community with direct access to new Kitchen Chat episodes. This collaboration officially unites Kitchen Chat's award-winning decade of culinary storytelling with the GBTP's...
info_outline
Baccarat New York: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality
Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney
Join Kitchen Chat host Margaret McSweeney as she visits the truly sparkling Baccarat Hotel New York. Margaret is known to spotlight the brightest and most brilliant examples of Luxury, History, and Hospitality, and this hotel, a stunning blend of heritage and modern opulence aptly fits this description. Opened in 2015, this Manhattan gem is the first hotel from the legendary 260-year-old French crystal house, Baccarat. Conveniently located across from the Museum of Modern Art, each detail of the hotel beautifully reflects the artistry and whispers the timeless elegance of...
info_outlineMonica Rothgery, former COO of KFC US, part of Yum Brands, shares inspiring lessons about excellence along with surprising insights into fast food kitchens. Monica's recent book, "Lessons from the Drive-Thru: Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders" goes beyond optimal team management practices and provides great advice for everyone who is pursuing excellence in their lives.
A great tip to attract and retain loyal employees and to create an environment where team members feel valued is to invest both monetary and relationship capital. Engagement is essential. Take the time to learn about your team members and always show respect. The team members impact the customer experience. Monica's advice to optimize customer service is to not overreact or take things personally. She taught her team members to respond to a frustrated customer by saying: "That shouldn't have happened. Let me fix it for you." That validating response can help diffuse emotions. Her customer service tip can be applied in many home or business life situations. She emphasized that frontline management greatly impacts people, not only the team members but also the customers. Many first jobs are at fast food restaurants. Management needs to realize that they have the power to positively change lives.
You may be surprised to learn about the time and effort KFC and Yum Brands take to innovate new flavors and offerings. The Food Innovation Team even studies trends in fine dining as part of their innovation and creation approach. Chicken and Waffles and Nashville Hot are examples of this practice.
Bottom line, Monica encourages everyone to increase the top line of life, i.e. finding and doing the things that bring joy. She recommends writing down what depletes you and what brings you joy and fulfillment and to focus always on the joy. Monica reminds us that abundance follows joy.
Savor the day!
Link to the book "Lessons from the Drive-Thru: Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders", https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Drive-Thru-Wisdom-Frontline-Leaders/dp/B0CWYWXRXL
Be sure and visit https//www.KitchenChat.info for more interesting interviews with top chefs and personalities and subscribe to the audio podcast on Apple.com https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/kitchen-chat-margaret-mcsweeney/id447185040
#FrontlineLeaders #customerservice #teammanagement #employeeengagement #fastfoodsecrets #kfc #joyfulliving #lifelessons #leadershiptips