The Repertoire Podcast

In this episode, Justin breaks down Michelin's new Grapes designation and what it means for the wine industry. He also shares a Bloomberg review of EMP that is surprisingly critical, as well as the rise of private dinner clubs in 2026. Ray shares what makes a four-star restaurant, in the New York Times Critics' own words. He also discusses how pizzas are getting smaller and more expensive, and the groundbreaking lawsuit by California against food companies over ultra-processed food. #michelin #wine Links: Michelin Grapes DistinctionNY Times Four-Star BreakdownBloomberg on EMPSmaller Pizza, Fewer ToppingsPrivate Dining Clubs on the RiseChef2NiteCalifornia Lawsuit (Ultra-Processed Foods)Enjoying the episode? Keep up with Repertoire:💌 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the Repertoire Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ – Get industry insights, links, and podcast extras delivered weekly.🎙 ⁠⁠⁠Share the Podcast⁠⁠⁠ – Pass it on to your team, group chat, or fellow chefs.📸 ⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ – Behind the scenes, quotes, and quick takes.Affiliate Disclosure:We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through Amazon or other affiliate links provided in this episode.Thanks for listening to Repertoire. 👨‍🍳🎧

In this episode, Ray breaks down the risk Italian pasta faces due to tariffs and how implementing this policy could literally halt pasta exports from Italy. He covers Chipotle's new Thanksgiving strategy, AI-slop Thanksgiving recipes, and how restaurants are winning diners over to grocery this holiday. He also discusses the disgusting story about a Campbell's Soup VP, the odd case of a dine-and-dash influencer, the closure of a Tyson Beef Plant, and some important GLP-1 data.Links:Pasta Apocalypse (NYT)Pasta Tariffs (Grub Street)Chipotle Thanksgiving StrategyThanksgiving AI “Slop”Thanksgiving Restaurant SalesCampbell’s Soup VP LawsuitDine-And-Dash Influencer (NYT)Tyson Plant ClosureGLP-1 2030 User PredictionEnjoying the episode? Keep up with Repertoire:💌 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the Repertoire Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ – Get industry insights, links, and podcast extras delivered weekly.🎙 ⁠⁠⁠Share the Podcast⁠⁠⁠ – Pass it on to your team, group chat, or fellow chefs.📸 ⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ – Behind the scenes, quotes, and quick takes.Affiliate Disclosure:We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through Amazon or other affiliate links provided in this episode.Thanks for listening to Repertoire. 👨‍🍳🎧

Eating out feels unaffordable—and the data backs it up. In this episode, Justin and Ray unpack why menu prices keep rising, why value perception has flipped for fast-casual, and what the future may hold. We also explore Picnic, a workplace lunch app that could shift weekday demand, and the Seattle Times' recent review of Canlis.#affordableproducts #costofliving #savingmoney #restaurant 0:00 Intro1:55 Restaurant Affordability Crisis23:29 The Chipotle/Sweetgreen Issue34:15 Michelin Coverage Response51:46 Picnic1:00:40 Canlis Seattle Times Poor Review1:11:49 Josh Henderson Eater ArticleWhat we cover:📈 Pricing trends & the RPI🧾 Fast-casual value perception (Sweetgreen)💸 Why Americans say dining out is “too expensive”🍽️ The Canlis review and price expectations⚠️ Operator lessons from rise-and-fall stories🥪 How Picnic could change weekday lunch patternsMost Americans Priced Out Of Dining OutHow Restaurant Prices Keep Getting More ExpensiveFast-Casual Pricing Problem (Sweetgreen)Restaurant Performance Index (Sept 2025 PDF)Restaurant Menu Pricing Data (Restaurant.org)Seattle Times Canlis ReviewHow To Build, Then Lose, A Restaurant EmpirePicnic (Workplace Lunch App)Enjoying the episode? Keep up with Repertoire:💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to the Repertoire Newsletter⁠⁠ – Get industry insights, links, and podcast extras delivered weekly.🎙 ⁠⁠Share the Podcast⁠⁠ – Pass it on to your team, group chat, or fellow chefs.📸 ⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠ – Behind the scenes, quotes, and quick takes.Affiliate Disclosure:We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through Amazon or other affiliate links provided in this episode.Thanks for listening to Repertoire. 👨‍🍳🎧

Announcement from Michelin____________________Enjoy the pod? Get more from Repertoire:💌→The Repertoire Newsletter🎙→Share the Podcast📸→Instagram__Disclaimer: We earn commission income through qualifying purchases made via Amazon’s Affiliate program

In this episode, Justin and Ray react to Alinea losing its third star and what this means for the Michelin Guide in 2025. Justin then breaks down how Michelin's "meta" has changed and how restaurant owners should be looking at the Guide.Ray breaks down the claim that "Dining Out Is Dead" and discusses the beef price-fixing accusations by the DOJ against major beef companies. Justin then shares an article he read regarding food critics and how they could change (for better or worse).Links: Grant Achatz Instagram PostMichelin Guide Ceremony AnnouncementDeath of Dining Out (YouTube)Beef Price Fixing – Trump DOJ Case (AP)The Man in the Arena Problem (Substack)Enjoying the episode? Keep up with Repertoire:💌 ⁠Subscribe to the Repertoire Newsletter⁠ – Get industry insights, links, and podcast extras delivered weekly.🎙 ⁠Share the Podcast⁠ – Pass it on to your team, group chat, or fellow chefs.📸 ⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠ – Behind the scenes, quotes, and quick takes.Affiliate Disclosure:We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through Amazon or other affiliate links provided in this episode.Thanks for listening to Repertoire. 👨‍🍳🎧

In this episode, we dive into the Uncrustables lawsuit against Trader Joe’s and what it signals for the future of food product development, intellectual property, and the battle between CPG giants and private labels. As Smucker’s defends its iconic crustless sandwich, we explore how legal strategies are becoming a new line of defense in a fiercely competitive grocery landscape.We also cover the biggest food and beverage headlines shaking the industry this week:📉 Chipotle’s sales decline among low-income and Gen Z consumers🍗 KFC's shift away from bone-in chicken — is the fried chicken era changing?🥫 Heinz consumer sentiment hits decade lows ahead of a major corporate split🧠 Gen Z’s anti-algorithm movement and how it's reshaping digital food discovery🚨 The evolving SNAP shutdown fallout, with DoorDash, Feeding America, and ABC News sharing critical updates🥑 Whole Foods' 2026 food trend predictions — what's next in natural foods?💼 Whether you're in food tech, brand strategy, or retail operations, this episode unpacks the legal and market shifts shaping tomorrow’s menus and grocery aisles.👇 Explore the full stories below:Uncrustables Lawsuit (Reuters)Uncrustables & Private Label (Food Dive)Chipotle Sales SlumpHeinz Sentiment Drop (Bloomberg)KFC Ditches BonesAnti-Algorithm MovementWhole Foods 2026 TrendsDoorDash Waives Fees (SNAP Shutdown)Feeding America (Shutdown Impact)ABC: How to Help Food BanksEnjoying the episode? Keep up with Repertoire:💌 Subscribe to the Repertoire Newsletter – Get industry insights, links, and podcast extras delivered weekly.🎙 Share the Podcast – Pass it on to your team, group chat, or fellow chefs.📸 Follow us on Instagram – Behind the scenes, quotes, and quick takes.Affiliate Disclosure:We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through Amazon or other affiliate links provided in this episode.Thanks for listening to Repertoire. 👨‍🍳🎧

In this episode, Ray breaks down the recent AWS outage and the devastating impact it had on restaurants. He discusses the Trump administration's proposal on beef imports from Argentina and the fight over Prop 12 in the upcoming farm bill. Ray also covers Nestle's announcement of 16k job cuts, the rally in Beyond Meat's stock, and a new cookbook utilizing recipes from gravestones. AWS Outage Disrupts Restaurants (NRN)Houston Restaurant Loses 25% of Business (Chron)Reddit AWS Outage Response (Toast)Argentina Beef Policy (AP)Prop 12 Policy Fight (Civileats)Joel Salatin Congressional StatementNestlé Cuts 16K JobsBeyond Meat Meme Stock SurgeGravestone Recipe Cookbook (Rosie Grant)Enjoy the pod? Get more from Repertoire:💌→The Repertoire Newsletter: https://www.joinrepertoire.com/newsletter🎙→Share the Podcast: https://geni.us/repertoirepodcast📸→Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinrepertoire__Disclaimer: We earn commission income through qualifying purchases made via Amazon’s Affiliate program and other affiliate links in this description.🙏Thank you for listening.

In this episode, Ray and Justin dive into the recent viral video by More Perfect Union, discussing how Sysco has become the largest food distributor in the country, and how this may affect the similarity of flavors amongst restaurants. Their answers may surprise you, especially when it comes to Sysco's perceived reach. Justin shares about social media users wanting more in-person experience and the decline of online usage from younger generations, Silo closing, EMP's reintroduction of meat, an interesting graphic on consumer goods, and more. Ray discusses the massive drop in Beyond Meat shares and the battle brewing between Logan Paul and Lionel Messi over their hydration beverage brands.Links:Restaurants All Taste the Same (More Perfect Union)Greg Isenberg on Internet DirectionSam Parr’s AI AdviceBeyond Meat Plummets After Debt Swap2x2 Product Ranking (Connor Fowler)Logan Paul vs. Lionel Messi Lawsuit (Prime Hydration)Tom Sietsema on Food Reviews (Washingtonian)Menu Photo AI⁠7shifts Restaurant Tech Video⁠⁠7shifts Digital Prep List Report + QuizEnjoy the pod? Get more from Repertoire:💌→The Repertoire Newsletter: https://www.joinrepertoire.com/newsletter🎙→Share the Podcast: https://geni.us/repertoirepodcast📸→Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinrepertoire__Disclaimer: We earn commission income through qualifying purchases made via Amazon’s Affiliate program and other affiliate links in this description.🙏Thank you for listening.

In this weekly report: Tyson Foods has settled a record-breaking lawsuit, in which it was accused of conspiring with other pork producers to fix prices. The government shutdown may have effects on the food industry, EJ Lagasse gets 3 stars in the NY Times, and Amazon is creating its own grocery brand for low-cost consumers.Ray breaks down the recent Restaurant Performance Index, and shares some lessons he found from a chef with 30 years of experience in r/KitchenConfidential. 0:00 Intro0:34 Tyson Price Fixing06:54 7Shifts Ad07:34 Government Shutdown12:40 EJ Lagasse NY Times Review19:08 Amazon’s New Grocery Brand21:08 Restaurant Performance Index24:30 Ramblings of an Old Chef7shifts Restaurant Tech Video7shifts Digital Prep List Report + QuizLinks:Tyson Price Fixing SettlementGovernment Shutdown & Food IndustryEJ Lagasse Revives Emeril’s (NYT Review)Amazon's New Grocery BrandRestaurant Performance IndexRamblings Of An Old Chef (Reddit)

In this episode, Justin breaks down the recent collaboration between Airbnb and Chef's Table and how utilizing Airbnb events could be a major win for chefs. He also discusses the Food & Wine awards, the impact of LLMs on restaurant recommendations, a new book he's interested in, and more. Ray discusses the coming matcha shortage, some consumer data from the National Restaurant Association, and a key restaurant that is opening next month.7shifts Restaurant Tech Video⁠⁠7shifts Digital Prep List Report + QuizLinks: Airbnb Chef’s Table ExperiencesMatcha ShortageFood & Wine – Best New Chefs ListEater – Most Influential RestaurantsHigh-Earner DinersNew Rules of Dining Out (Book)Slob Bowls (YouTube)Flynn McGarry Opens CoveEnjoy the pod? Get more from Repertoire:💌→The Repertoire Newsletter: https://www.joinrepertoire.com/newsletter🎙→Share the Podcast: https://geni.us/repertoirepodcast📸→Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinrepertoire__Disclaimer: We earn commission income through qualifying purchases made via Amazon’s Affiliate program and other affiliate links in this description.🙏Thank you for listening.