24.2022 Edition

Editor: Justin Khanna​

Hey Reader,

I had a student as part of the current Cohort of Total Station Domination ask a question this week that I wanted to elaborate on.

It was in regards to a practice that some of you might do every single day: cutting tape to label mise en place & supplies.

​I made a quick Reel of my answer, but to share even more value with you newsletter folks, a couple bullets stand out:

• No one gets promoted because they cut the tape - no micro-tactic, organizational "flex" or flashy technique ends up being what makes you stand out. Think about co-workers you respect, and I'd challenge you to think of the other reasons why that's so.
• Cutting the tape forces you to slow down - it's not always about going faster. Chef Adoni Aduriz talks about why using tweezers during plating also forces him to decrease his speed, and be more exacting with how components are placed.
• You can't fake it - no amount of micro-tearing with your fingernails or a quick rip will create the results that a blade or scissors will on masking tape.

Don't get me wrong, a lot of folks get out of environments where the tape is "religiously" cut for everything and never want to do that again. But it's important to understand why the practice exists and some additional benefits (and misconceptions) come with the practice that has seeped into restaurants all over the world.

I'm serious about watching that Reel (and following Repertoire on IG), I share some pretty cool tips at the end 😉

Top Highlights 💡

​The Best Wines Right Now​

If you're like me, you have your go-to wines that you order, or you might keep an eye out for a label that you've seen floating around on Instagram.

This global list spans across opinions from 150+ somms & retailers to give a wide range of what the pulse feels like right now.

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"In our first attempt to capture the American wine zeitgeist in one semi-comprehensive sweep, what we stumbled into instead was a group of winemakers and growers who embody a deep intellectual engagement with the continuum of wine’s history, shot through with a streak of exuberant curiosity..."

Our Take: Is this list actually a reflection of "the best"? Maybe. But if you're not steeped in tastings and managing a bottle inventory as part of your day to day, a more interesting use of this piece is to pay attention to how producers are being written about. What grapes are getting popular. What descriptions are being applauded. What regions are attracting winemaking talent. (P.S. - if you're a hospitality creator that's read this far that would ever want to contribute to this newsletter, simply respond to this email!)

​It's James Beard Award Season​

The media awards dropped this week, and the TL;DR as reported by Eater:

Cookbook author Kristina Cho was a double winner, taking home the Baking and Desserts award for her debut cookbook Mooncakes and Milk Bread, in addition to earning the foundation’s Emerging Voice award in the books category.

Elsewhere, Judy Rodgers and her legendary The Zuni Café Cookbook was inducted into the 2022 Cookbook Hall of Fame, while fellow San Franciscans Brandon Jew and Tienlon Ho won the Beard in the Restaurant and Professional category with their book Mr. Jiu’s in Chinatown.

Alexis Nikole Nelson, better known through her handle @BlackForager, took home the award for Social Media Account. Soleil Ho of the San Francisco Chronicle won the Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Review Award, which the foundation notes “recognizes discerning criticism that contributes to the larger discourse on cuisine or restaurants."

For those that don't know, the awards will happen over the next few days at an in-person awards show in Chicago (after a 2-hear hiatus).

Our Take: It's not the end-all-be-all of recognition, but for folks that are interested in pursing a specific city for a job, the nominees list can be a fantastic place to start.

It's often full of recently opened spots & high-performing teams that are (clearly) on the verge of getting a surge of press & traffic. Playing it right can often nail that sweet spot (that certain folks crave) where the chef/owner is still part of daily operations, but it isn't hyper competitive to get a position yet.

Same goes for the media awards...look at the list like a "filtered" selection of work that's already been recommended.

Quick Hits 💥

​How Restaurants Can Take Back Control of On-Demand Food - During the pandemic, online ordering and delivery services have emerged as everyone’s lifeline, from restaurants to consumers, which is why third-party delivery services have seen an increase in revenue from $11 billion in 2021 to $128 billion in 2022. How do restaurant and online ordering industries look like moving forward post-pandemic? Check out this article to find out.

​The Best Coffee Roaster in Every State - Check out this list of the best coffee roasters in America- from Alabama to Wyoming.

​Robots in Restaurants—No Longer Just a Fantasy - Finding staff has been increasingly difficult. That is why Rachel’s Kitchen introduced the Servi robot in its Henderson, Nevada, location last December with the goal of providing an extra pair of hands for front-of-the-house employees. Check out the full article here and see how restaurants can use robots to their advantage.

ICYMI 🤳

​“Chef Worship”, Hospitality Creator Spotlight, and Mise Footwear | Ep. 151​

For this SOLO podcast (yes, we're back), I share my two cents on some recent industry news. I also test a new segment called the "Hospitality Creator Spotlight" and get a bit spicy towards a food writer's take on a $700/pp dinner.

To Peep 👀

​Should you apply to get a MAD Scholarship?

​MAD Academy is an educational institution based in Copenhagen, Denmark for hospitality professionals. The academy is a part of the MAD Foundation, which was founded in 2011 by René Redzepi, chef and owner of restaurant Noma in Copenhagen.

LA Scholars Award presented by Audi includes full tuition to one of MAD Academy’s five-day programs in 2022, as well as roundtrip airfare to Copenhagen, six nights’ accommodation, meals, and program materials.

The deadline for applications is August 19, 2022. Check out more about the scholarship here.

Quote I'm Pondering 💭

Thanks for reading,

👊Justin​

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