Eating at a Meeting

To kick off Women's HERstory Month, and just ahead of and to celebrate Ramadan, I am elated to welcome the incredible Yvonne Maffei, MA, founder of My Halal Kitchen, as my next guest on Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE. Internationally recognized chef, author, recipe developer, and niche marketer in Halal cuisine and the global Halal industry, Yvonne's culinary journey is a tapestry woven with flavors from around the globe, including her Sicilian and Puerto Rican roots. Through her advocacy, teaching, and culinary demonstrations, she showcases Halal as not just a dietary choice, but a mindful, ethical, and sustainable way of eating that's making waves worldwide. 🕌🌿 Get ready to elevate your culinary skills as we share how planners and chefs on can provide Halal options at events while learning, exploring, and savoring the richness and the deeper meaning of Halal cuisine and why Yvonne's passionate about preserving culinary traditions. 🌿🍋 Join the Eating at a Meeting Community Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com

🎂 Get ready to indulge in a sweet episode as I sit down with the legendary Ron Ben-Israel, the mastermind behind Ron Ben-Israel Cakes in New York City. 🍰✨ From humble beginnings baking in his mother's kitchen to gracing the most prestigious events with his stunning creations, Ron's journey is as delectable as his cakes. In this episode of Eating at a Meeting from the exhibit floor of Catersource, we uncover the layers of Ron's success, from chance encounters with Martha Stewart, yes, "Martha," to the careful craftsmanship that goes into every cake. 🎤 We delve into the importance of inclusion in the wedding industry, creating cakes that celebrate love in all its forms, and the art of adapting to different cultural preferences. 🌟 Discover Ron's commitment to catering to diverse dietary needs, his innovative sustainability practices, and the intricate process behind designing his edible masterpieces. From the secrets of his bakery's seasonal rhythms to the structural engineering supporting his gravity-defying creations, Ron's insights will make you crave more. 🌈🌿 Find out more about Ron Ben-Israel's passion for pastry art, his creative collaborations, and the heartwarming stories behind his cakes that capture the essence of each celebration. Join us on this delectable journey, where every slice tells a story! Join the Eating at a Meeting Community on Facebook facebook.com/groups/eatingatameeting Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com

As National Wedding Month wraps up, I'm honored to be talking with Zoe Slaughter, the influential voice behind Invisibly Allergic on this week's episode of Eating at a Meeting Podcast. Join us as we discuss the unique challenges and considerations of planning a wedding with severe food allergies. Our conversation will go beyond Zoe's personal narrative, touching on her powerful advocacy work, her aspirations for legislative change in food allergy policies, and a sneak peek into the memoir she's penning about her food allergy journey. 🥜 Zoe's story is a compelling one, marked by resilience and determination. From ensuring a safe, allergen-free wedding day to her advocacy for transparent food labeling and healthcare reform, her efforts underscore a commitment to making the world safer for those with food allergies. This discussion is an essential listen for anyone impacted by food allergies, those planning a wedding, or supporters of food allergy awareness and policy reform. Zoe offers practical advice for navigating life's big moments safely and her vision for a more inclusive and understanding society. Tune in to discover how Zoe's experiences and advocacy are shaping a future where food allergies are not just visible but actively accommodated, ensuring that everyone can celebrate life's milestones without fear. Join the Eating at a Meeting Community Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com

🎙️ On this episode, I sit down with Cazoshay Marie, a professional speaker and disability advocate, sharing her powerful insights on the importance of inclusion in event planning and the business benefits of creating truly accessible experiences. 🎤 🤝 I met and interviewed her at Catersource where she was presenting an education session on the significance of inclusivity in events, not only from a compassionate standpoint but also as a strategic advantage for businesses. 💼 Her personal journey of living with disabilities after a life-changing event fuels her passion for making events more inclusive and welcoming for everyone. 🌈 Discover how simple accommodations and thoughtful planning can transform events into inclusive spaces that cater to diverse needs. 🧠 From discussing different disabilities to sharing practical tips on event planning with inclusivity in mind, Cazoshay's expertise offers a fresh perspective on creating events that truly resonate with all attendees. ✨ 🔍 Don't miss out on Cazoshay's valuable advice for event planners, the financial opportunities ingrained in inclusivity, and the transformative power of universal design. 🌍 Learn how small adjustments and proactive communication can revolutionize the event experience for individuals with disabilities and enhance attendee satisfaction across the board. 📲 Connect with us and share your thoughts on this insightful episode. Join the Eating at a Meeting community and let's continue the conversation on creating events that embrace diversity and inclusivity. ✉️ Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com and stay tuned for more engaging discussions on how food, events, and inclusion intersect. 🌮 🌿 Join the Eating at a Meeting Community Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com

🎉 This week on the Eating at a Meeting Podcast, I'm thrilled to bring you Joshua House from the JDK Group, who I chatted with on the bustling floors of Catering Source in Austin, Texas. With a solid six-year track record in catering following his intense years in the restaurant scene, Joshua brings a fresh and enlightened perspective to the art of food presentation and culinary aesthetics. 🍽️✨ We dive deep into the philosophy that "we eat with our eyes first," exploring how Joshua's experiences and artistic approach enhance every dish he crafts. He shares his transition from the fast-paced restaurant world to the creatively fulfilling realm of catering, where even a 12-hour shift becomes a canvas for innovation. 🎨👨‍🍳 Listen as Joshua enlightens us about incorporating restaurant-quality presentations into large-scale catering, leveraging negative space and vibrant colors to transform plates into visual feasts. We also touch on the evolution of catering to accommodate dietary preferences and the importance of inclusivity in menu planning, ensuring each guest enjoys a memorable dining experience regardless of their dietary needs. 🌱🍖 From fascinating dialogues on using unconventional ingredients to make vegan dishes shine, to the role of chefs in guiding client choices while respecting their wishes, this episode is packed with insights that food enthusiasts and industry professionals will not want to miss. 🌟 📚 Learn how Joshua and his team at the JDK Group tackle the challenges of catering, pushing culinary boundaries, and ensuring safety, sustainability, and inclusion in every event they cater. Connect with me at tracy@thrivemeetings.com. Join the Eating at a Meeting Community

Live from the Catersourse + the Special Event Show...a conversation with Chef Boris Seymore about how we can and should preserve the historical food and beverage traditions and culture of the south. Join the Eating at a Meeting Community Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com

I'm thrilled to bring several episodes I did LIVE from Catersource + The Special Event Show in Austin, Texas. Right after she jumped off the keynote stage, Laura Schwartz, author, emcee, keynote speaker, and a person whom I have known and admired for more than two decades, joined me to discuss how Caterers and event planners are the original creators of moments that last a lifetime. In an era craving for immersive experiences, it's crucial for us to stay ahead of the curve — innovative, dynamic, and authentic. Laura's guiding principle? Our shared "Common Ground." As the former White House Director of Events and a storied career that spans the globe, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge on creating transformative experiences through food, drink, and stellar event execution. In this conversation, Laura and I dive deep into the art of making every event memorable, focusing on integrating high-quality, accessible food and creating spaces that foster genuine connections and community. From the importance of strategic food placement to avoiding long lines and ensuring the perfect lighting, they cover all bases to guarantee event success. 🍽️💡 Laura shares insights from her time orchestrating high-profile events at the White House, emphasizing the crucial role of 'third places'—spaces where people can gather outside of home and work to engage and exchange ideas. She discusses the emotional bond formed when breaking bread together and the magic of face-to-face interactions that technology cannot replicate. 🍀🤝 🌍 Plus, learn how Laura and Tracy tackle the challenges of sustainability in cuisine, advocate for transparency in food origins, and contribute to the events community through education and support for non-profits like the Search Foundation. Join us to discover the nuances of event planning with a pro who knows how to turn every gathering into a headline-worthy affair. Don't miss this blend of practical tips and heartwarming stories that'll leave you eager to host your next big event. 🥂❤️ Join the Eating at a Meeting Community Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com

Recorded on National Wear Red Day to bring greater attention to heart disease as the leading cause of death for Americans and promote steps we can take to protect our hearts and our attendees. Tracy was joined by the inspiring and amazing Eliz Greene to discuss the profound impact of stress on heart health and the importance of recognizing subtle symptoms of heart problems, especially in women. Eliz shares her deeply personal experience of having a heart attack at 35 years old while being 7 months pregnant with twins. Like my story, it changed the trajectory of her career. Eliz shares the vital significance of understanding and addressing stress as a significant yet often overlooked risk factor for heart disease. We talk about how to managing stress and how to help our event attendees, friends, and family members manage the stress related to dietary restrictions or other health related issues. The stress our attendees or we have when eating at a meeting is real because we have no control over what is served, how the food is prepared, or how servers do not know what they are serving. Eliz emphasizes the importance of respecting and accommodating diverse dietary preferences and allergies in personal and professional settings. Eliz even discusses the fact that #MeetingProfs have one of the top five most stressful jobs and provides valuable insights into how stress impacts heart health and the role of food in managing internal pressure, making it a compelling listen for all those looking to prioritize their heart health in today's fast-paced world. Listen to learn more about the significance of embracing your heart health and making small changes that can lead to significant differences. Join the Eating at a Meeting Community Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com

As we bid farewell to hashtag#DryJanuary, I'm thrilled to bring you an exciting chat on the Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE with Marcos Salazar 🍺🍷🥃, the co-founder and CEO of the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA) a few days after he co-produced the incredible Mindful Drinking Fest in Washington, DC. Join us as we dive deep into how ANBA is championing mindful drinking and working towards creating a world where non-alcoholic beverages are the norm throughout the year and at every event, not just in January. Our commitment to values like inclusivity, sustainability, and social wellness will be at the forefront as we explore the promising growth opportunities in the non-alcoholic beverage market. But that's not all! Marcos Salazar, in addition to leading ANBA, is also the Co-Founder + CEO of Be Social Change, a community that supports professionals in the social impact sector. We'll gain valuable insights about making a positive impact in the world. So, mark your calendars and stay tuned for an engaging discussion about the future of non-alcoholic beverages and their role in making social gatherings enjoyable for everyone, encouraging social wellness and personal growth. Join the Eating at a Meeting Community Connect with Tracy at tracy@thrivemeetings.com

🥂 Attention hashtag#MeetingProfs, hashtag#Caterers, and hashtag#FoodService Experts: Let's Elevate Your Events with Non-Alcoholic Drinks! 🍹 I'm thrilled to invite you to the next episode of Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE! to learn how to elevate your events with non-alcoholic beverages. 🎙️ Join me for a compelling conversation with Cate Faulkner and Jen Gilhoi of Zero Proof Collective to celebrate Dry January and discuss "7 Compelling Reasons to Serve Elevated Non-Alcoholic Drinks at Your Next Event." Cate, Jen, and I have carefully curated a discussion that promises to revolutionize the way we approach event planning and catering to create an inclusive experience at the bar. It can also help hashtag#EventProfs make their F&B minimum and hashtag#HotelsAndResorts increase revenues at the bar. Together, we'll unveil the secrets to crafting extraordinary non-alcoholic beverages that will captivate our clients and guests. Here's why this episode is a must-listen for us: ➜ Inclusivity — yes, we need this at the bar ➜ Creativity — zero-proof cocktails that rival their alcoholic counterparts ➜ Wellness Focus — rising demand for health-conscious drink choices ➜ Event Excellence — leave a lasting impression on attendees ➜ Revenue/Spend — NA beverages can and do increase spending and revenue If you're as passionate as I am about taking our events to the next level, this conversation will be your secret weapon. It's time to level up our event experiences and lead the way in our industry.