Creating Connection Through Cuisine - Emmie Nostitz & Zach Knight - Tivity - Episode # 226

What happens when hospitality shifts from serving to empowering, when chefs become creators, not just cooks?

In this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Emmie Nostitz and Zach Knight, co-founders of Tivity, a platform redefining private dining by connecting clients with talented chefs for personalized in-home and venue experiences. Together, they explore how Tivity empowers chefs to run their own businesses, foster creativity, and bring hospitality back to its human roots.

Emmie and Zach share how Tivity began as a passion project and evolved into a chef-centered movement operating across the U.S. and abroad. They discuss their philosophy of quality over quantity, the delicate balance between technology and personal connection, and why thoughtful growth matters more than rapid expansion. From intimate dinners to large-scale events, they reveal how every experience becomes a creative collaboration, crafted with care, trust, and authenticity.

You’ll hear insights on what it means to empower creators, how to manage expectations gracefully, and why true hospitality begins with empathy and human connection. Tivity’s story offers a blueprint for sustainable growth, purpose-driven leadership, and a reimagined future for dining.

Takeaways:

• By centering chefs and giving them creative control, Tivity transforms both the chef and guest experience. When people feel trusted and supported, creativity and quality naturally flourish.
• Managing expectations, listening deeply, and fostering genuine connection are at the heart of every memorable event. True care and empathy turn a simple dinner into an unforgettable experience.
• Sustainable success comes from prioritizing trust, quality, and cultural integrity over rapid scaling. Tivity’s slow, deliberate growth proves that meaningful relationships outlast quick wins.
• Smart systems streamline operations, but they can’t replace the power of personal touch. Tivity uses technology to enhance connection—not to automate it away.
• The founders envision a world where booking a private chef is as easy as ordering takeout. By making chef-led experiences accessible and personal, they’re reshaping how we think about dining and hospitality.

Quote of the Show:

“There’s nothing more intimate and human than someone coming into your home, creating a meal, and then sharing that meal.” - Emmie Nostitz

“If the chef has the tools they need to execute a meal, which is their passion or their pursuit, then they’re going to crush it.” - Zach Knight

Links:

• LinkedIn
  • Zach’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-knight-3916931bb/  
  • Emmie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmie-nostitz-23b2545/   
• Company website: https://www.thetivity.com/  
• Instagram
  • Emmie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmienostitz/  
  • Tivity’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_tivity/ 

Shout Outs:

• 8:39 - SharkTank https://abc.com/show/535e2b07-18a9-4d94-9803-9ed8257b9d23 
• 8:46 - Uber https://www.uber.com/ 
• 25:18 - Small Giants by Bo Berlinggain https://www.amazon.com/Small-Giants-Companies-Instead-10th-Anniversary/dp/014310960X    
• 26:40 - Zingerman’s https://www.zingermans.com/ 
• 32:36 - Uber Eats https://www.ubereats.com/ 
• 32:37 - Seamless https://www.seamless.com/ 
• 33:02 - Nobu https://noburestaurants.com/ 
• 38:11 - Uchi Restaurant Group https://www.uchirestaurants.com/ 
• 38:45 - Adobe Illustrator https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html 
• 42:10 - Aspen Mountain https://www.aspensnowmass.com/ 
• 53:2 - Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Memoir-Creator-Nike/dp/1501135910 
• 56:46 - Google https://www.google.com/ 
• 59:03 - OpenTable https://www.opentable.com/ 

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ 

Ways to Tune In: 

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPX
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1s
• Amazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419
• Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/