Episodes

Sept. 8, 2025

Celiac Safety at Events: Legal and Culinary Standards for Gluten-Free…

In this episode, Tracy is joined by Chef Murray Hall, Chef Martha Morgan, and disability rights attorney Laurel Francoeur to discuss an issue that should no longer be happening—venues refusing to provide safe meals for guests...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 1, 2025

320: Getting Gluten-Free Right: Why It’s a Responsibility for Events,…

Tracy welcomes UK-based event professional Clare Beach, Managing Director of Azura Events and passionate advocate for inclusive event planning. Drawing from her lived experience as a gluten-free, neurodivergent attendee, Clare shares eye-opening stories—from disheartening event meals to forming a U…

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 25, 2025

Recipe First, People Always: Rethinking Food Safety from the Inside O…

At the end of Food Allergy and Celiac Disease Awareness Month in May, Tracy was thrilled to chat with Benji Koltai, co-founder and CEO of Galley.  On this episode, Benji brings his personal journey with Crohn’s disease and gluten intolerance, pairing it with his tech expertise to revolutionize f…

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 18, 2025

318: How do you Build Community through Food

How do we truly build community through food? In this episode of Eating at a Meeting, I'm joined by two inspiring professionals—Jenny Ng, Event Planning Senior Manager at National Co-op Kosher, and Rachel, General Manager & F...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 11, 2025

317: Why Food Allergy Safety Must Include Mental Health Awareness

Tracy is joined by Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, a licensed psychologist, food allergy anxiety and trauma expert, and host of the "Don't Feed the Fear" podcast. Together, they delve into the connection between food allergy safety and mental health, exploring why true safety must go beyond physical risk to…

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 4, 2025

316: Two Moms, Countless Events: Lessons on Food Safety & Hospitality

How does being a food allergy mom change how you plan an event menu? This episode, Tracy talks with two powerhouse event planners—Colleen M. Earley, CMP, HMCC and Jessica Hiemenz-Woodbury, CMP, CMM, DES—who are blending personal experience with professional expertise to reshape how we think abou…

Listen to the Episode
July 28, 2025

315: Planning Safe Events with Food Allergies in Mind: A CMP’s Persp…

During Food Allergy Awareness Week this year, I was joined by veteran meeting planner P. Christine Poole, CMP—someone who knows firsthand how a single overlooked ingredient can turn a meal into a medical emergency. With more ...

Listen to the Episode
July 21, 2025

314: Celebrating Celiac Awareness Month: Real Talk on Safe & Inclusiv…

What does it really take to feel safe, heard, and included when you’re dining with celiac disease? In honor of Celiac Awareness Month, this episode of Eating at a Meeting brings real talk—and real solutions—to the table with two powerhouse advocates: Kayla King (@celiacwithkayla) and Gabby Hemond (…

Listen to the Episode
July 14, 2025

313: Building Better Bars at Events: How to Elevate the Attendee Expe…

When it comes to creating unforgettable experiences behind the bar, few have done it better — or longer — than Rob Husted. With nearly three decades of experience in bartending, mixology, flair, and education, Rob is a force ...

Listen to the Episode
July 7, 2025

312: Voices That Matter: Addie & Robyn Lao on Food Allergy Advocacy …

On this episode of Eating at a Meeting, I welcome Addie Lao, a courageous nine-year-old food allergy advocate, and her mom, Dr. Robin Lao, a pediatric nurse practitioner from Sacramento, California. Together, these two inspir...

Listen to the Episode
June 30, 2025

311: Serving Tea with Intention: A Fresh Take on Event Beverage Plann…

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 st...

Listen to the Episode
June 23, 2025

310: 5 Ways to Manage Event Food & Bev to Reduce Waste & Budget Effec…

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 str...

Listen to the Episode
June 16, 2025

309: Safe, Sober, & Inclusive: How Zero-Proof Bev Are Changing the F&…

Each March Tracy celebrates Women’s HERStory Month. To wrap up 2025's celebration, she had 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 tha…

Listen to the Episode
June 9, 2025

308: Stirring the Pot for Good: How One Social Enterprise is Upliftin…

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 Huan...

Listen to the Episode
June 2, 2025

307: From Food Apartheid to Food Empowerment: A Story of Change

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 fre...

Listen to the Episode
May 26, 2025

306: Bridging the Gap: Foster Care, Food Security, and Social Impact

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 P...

Listen to the Episode
May 19, 2025

305: Secret Food Stories: Chef Asantewaa's Vision for Sustainable Din…

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 As...

Listen to the Episode
May 12, 2025

304: Building a Food Business That Brings People Together—One Cheese …

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 Min...

Listen to the Episode
May 5, 2025

303: Food Safety & Allergen Awareness in Restaurants with Denise Baro…

March is all about celebrating inspiring women in food and beverage, and I’m thrilled to kick off Women’s History Month with Denise Baron Herrera, co-founding chef and Chief Culinary Officer at Burton’s Grill and Bar and Red Heat American Tavern. Denise’s journey is not just about crafting memo…

Listen to the Episode
April 28, 2025

302: More Than Comfort Food: The Rich History and Future of Soul Cuis…

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 hon…

Listen to the Episode
April 21, 2025

301: Why Black Culinary History Matters in Events: Food as a Cultural…

This Black History Month, I sit down with my friend  Tie Whittaker, owner of Buttermilk Boutique. A professional pastry chef with over 13 years of experience, Tie blends her Southern roots and culinary expertise to create stunning pastries and...

Listen to the Episode
April 14, 2025

300: The Biggest Lessons from 300 Episodes on Food Safety, inclusion …

This is episode 300 of Eating at a Meeting! After five year and 300 episodes, one thing is clear—food and beverage are never just about what’s on the plate. They’re about safety, inclusion, transparency, and creating experiences where everyone...

Listen to the Episode
April 7, 2025

299: Taylor Swift’s Mocktail Success: Event Planners, Are You Taking …

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour wasn’t just a cultural phenomenon—it was also a showcase of unforgettable food and beverage experiences. For the last three U.S. stops and her grand finale in Vancouver, Sodexo Live! delivered the perfect menu to...

Listen to the Episode
March 31, 2025

298: Sodexo Live! San Diego Convention Center

Ready to go Behind the Plate? This week on Tracy chats with Sufi Karaien, Executive Chef at the San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCC), where he leads culinary operations for one of the busiest convention centers in the United States. ...

Listen to the Episode