Episodes

For my final Eating at a Meeting LIVE episode during Food Allergy Awareness Week, I'm diving into the critical world of food allergies advocacy, research, and education with Sung Poblete, RN, PhD—CEO of FARE. 🍽️ 🚫 🎙️I am thrilled to sit...

🎙️ This Food Allergy Awareness Week, I'm thrilled to feature Ben Parris, Executive Head Chef at De Vere Horsley Estate and a private chef for HNWI, on our next episode: "From Planning to Plate: Ensuring Allergy-Safe and Delicious Meals."...

Can your kitchen really say it’s covered when someone reports a food allergy—or have you left a legal gap just waiting to land you in court? Hospitality attorney Ryan Gembala joins Tracy for a reality check on the legal liabilities of allergen mishandling, revealing why training every staff member and documenting those efforts could mean the difference between a defensible incident and a catastrophic lawsuit. Through cautionary tales drawn from real lawsuits, you’ll see what happens when policies go ignored, why “the general manager knows” is never enough, and how event planners, hoteliers, and restaurateurs must communicate and document at every stage—from written contracts to the final buffet label. Walk away with specific action steps and a lawyer’s perspective on best practices that don’t just check the box but genuinely reduce your legal exposure. If you’re responsible for food service, whether in meetings, restaurants, or hotels, this practical guide will help you build susta…

In this episode, we also celebrated World Cocktail Day with a unique blend of advocacy, insight, and the fine art of mixology. I am thrilled to introduce our incredible trio of guests: Erin Malawer, Executive Director and Founder of Allergy Strong,...

🍽️ Back in May, as we honor Gluten-Free Awareness Month, I am thrilled to bring you this episode direct from Michigan! Join me for a heartfelt and informative conversation with Margaret Clegg, the inspiring founder of MI Gluten Free Gal, as we...

Tracy is joined by Amy Graves, owner of Hidden Consumer Consulting and author of the upcoming book The Hidden Consumer. Together, they explore the overlooked world of consumers with unrecognized allergies and disabilities, and the systemic barriers they face in the food service, food service accessibility, and events industry. Amy shares her deeply personal journey navigating life-threatening corn allergies and limited mobility, shedding light on how current food labeling, event planning, and hospitality practices still exclude millions of Americans. This episode tackles the realities of negotiating insufficient accommodations at hotels and conferences, the challenges of advocating for invisible needs, and the urgent need for sustainable, transparent solutions in food manufacturing. Tracy and Amy outline actionable strategies for meeting planners and…

I'm thrilled to invite you to join me for this week's episode where I chat with Melinda Hopkins, Farm and Production Manager at The Farm at Pendry Natirar Hotel and Ninety Acres Restaurant in Gladstone-Peapack, NJ. Her passion for cultivating the...

Hey y'all! On Earth Day — April 22 — I recorded a special episode of Eating at a Meeting to dive deep into an issue that affects all of us in the event planning industry: the pervasive challenge of single-use plastics. Together, we'll explore...

This episode was recorded as an educational session at IACC's 2024 Americas Knowledge Exchange. I was joined by Patrick Berwald, Senior VP of Food and Beverage for Pyramid Global Hospitality, and Felix Maietta, Corporate Executive Chef with Nestle...

🌿 In this episode of Eating at a Meeting, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Rob Vandenabeele, founder of ecofriendlybeer.com. 🍻✨ Rob brings a wealth of knowledge from his deep dive into the craft beer scene, and with his impressive background...

🌿 I'm thrilled to invite you to a special edition of Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE on Global Meetings Industry Day — April 11 — where we'll explore the remarkable sustainability achievements of IMEX Frankfurt 2023. In this episode titled...

In the next episode of Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE, I’m thrilled to host Susan Barocas, a chef, writer, and co-founder of Savor Experience, to share her insights on the depth and diversity of Jewish cuisine. With Passover approaching, Susan...

In this episode, Tracy talks with Robert E. Buchanan Jr., founder and CEO of ADHERE GEAR Technology Corporation, recorded during Food Waste Prevention Week 2024. This is a story about innovation meeting sustainability on the high seas. Imagine cruise ships not merely as vessels of leisure but as forerunners of eco-consciousness, navigating towards a brighter, greener future. Selected by the European Union and Spain, ADHERE GEAR has taken on a pioneering role in the maritime market with its state-of-the-art hashtag#IoT and hashtag#AI technologies. Their mission is close to my heart: dramatically reducing food waste on cruise ships to help these floating giants sail closer to #NETZERO. With their WAVE technology, which features sensors to monitor the freshness of food in real-time, they're not just envisioning a sustainable future but actively constructing it. In this conversation, Robert and Tracy discuss ADHERE GEAR's journey from its early days to its current mission of revolut…

🌸 As Women's History Month comes to an end, I want to introduce you to Cinthia Pedroza, Executive Director of Food and Beverage at Resorts World Las Vegas. 🍴✨ With a vibrant career spanning over 25 years, from the prestigious halls of Four...

Join me, Tracy Stuckrath, as I celebrate 4 amazing years of the Eating at a Meeting podcast journey! 🎉✨ From starting the Eating at a Meeting Facebook group at the onset of the COVID pandemic and doing weekly Facebook lives to the evolution of...

🌟 Join me for the next Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE interview during Women's HERstory Month, where I sit down with the fabulous Cocktail Bandits! 🍹 ✨ In the heart of Charleston, where history meets innovation, Johnny Caldwell and Taneka...

Back in March, during Women's History Month, I re-introduced you to an extraordinary lineup of women I’ve honored over the past four years. These women are making change in the food and beverage industry with their passion, innovation, and...

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...

🎂 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...

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...

On this episode, Tracy sits 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 + TSE 2024 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…

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 men…

Recorded live from Live from the Catersourse + the Special Event Show 2024, Tracy chats with Chef Boris Seymore, the culinary mind behind BDS Catering Productions in West Palm Beach, Florida. Chef Boris shares his innovative techniques for elevating food presentation, including the surprising use of lollipop sticks and sophisticated miniature desserts. We dive deep into the world of catering, exploring the significance of building relationships, the move towards healthier sides, and the challenges of sustainable practices in the industry. Chef Boris also opens up about preserving the rich history and cultural significance of Southern food, especially during Black History Month. Discover how he transforms classic Southern desserts into elegant cheesecakes and his creative twists on deviled eggs. We also tackle the realities of catering budgets and the authenticity he brings to his culinary creations. From sustainability to inclusion, Chef Boris’s insights are a true feast for the…

LIVE from Catersource + The Special Event Show 2024 in Austin, Texas, Tracy chats with speaker Laura Schwartz about how caterers and event planners are the original creators of moments that last a lifetime. In an era of craving 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 Tracy 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 insig…