Join host Steve Turk on the Hospitality Mentor Podcast as he dives into the inspiring journey of Brett Friedman, founder of A21. Discover the stories behind Brett's rise in the hospitality industry, from humble beginnings as a pizza delivery guy to leading one of the largest culinary events agencies in the world. Learn essential tips on creating successful events, building a passionate team, and the importance of loving what you do. Plus, get a sneak peek into Brett's exciting upcoming projects including Pebble Beach Food & Wine and the LA Wine and Food Festival.
00:00 Introduction to the Hospitality Mentor Podcast
00:31 Special Announcement: Hospitality Unlocked Book
00:56 Introducing Brett Friedman
02:25 Brett's Early Career and First Job
03:41 Growing Up in Miami
05:06 Transition to Hospitality and Early Ventures
07:08 Working with Alonzo Mourning
10:19 Founding A21
12:56 Partnership with South Beach Wine & Food Festival
17:15 Post-COVID Transformation and Future Plans
19:39 The Importance of Control in Event Management
20:27 Building a Sustainable Company
21:31 Passion and Team Culture
24:37 Advice for Aspiring Event Leaders
25:01 Challenges and Rewards of Event Production
29:49 Upcoming Projects and Initiatives
34:55 Reflecting on Personal and Professional Growth
117.Listener Mail: Climate Change, Digital Nomad Accommodations, & Food Tourism
00:21:16
116.Thatcher Brown | Chief Commercial Officer & Head of Joint Yacht Operations at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Owner and Joint Operator of Four Seasons Yachts
01:10:34
115.Said Haykal | Most Downloaded Episode of 2023!
01:00:06
114.Shawn Tarter - Founder of Realtime Reservation
00:37:05
113.Steve Turk on Behind the Stays
00:53:48
112.Fontainebleau, Missing Ring Incident, and the year of Surprise Travel?
63.Norman Love - Founder of Norman Love Confections
00:54:20
62.Wisdom From The Top: The Best Advice, Stories and Tactics from World-Class Hotel General Managers
00:57:24
61.Culinary Wisdom: Top Chefs Share Their Favorite Stories and Secrets to Success
00:55:51
60.Nicolas Milo - District Manager of New Development Properties
00:56:52
59.Stephanie Farr - CEO & Founder of Maya Luxe
00:52:58
58.Steven Minor - Corporate Director of Beverage at SH Hotels & Resorts
00:49:50
57.Ken Muskat - Managing Director Scenic Group USA | Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours | Emerald Cruises
00:57:27
56.Jeremy Gall - Founder & CEO of Breezeway
00:46:09
55.Richard Garcia - Senior Vice President of F&B Remington Hotels
00:52:41
54.Laura Barbieri - Corporate Human Resources Director I Executive & Life Coach
00:56:20
53.Euan McGlashan - Co-Founder and CEO, Valor Hospitality Partners
00:47:30
52.Patrick Goddard - President at Brightline Trains
00:59:01
51.David Burke - Celebrity Chef, Entrepreneur and Inventor
00:50:11
50.Mary Rogers - General Manager of the Montage Laguna Beach
00:38:40
49.Trisha Pérez Kennealy - Owner and Culinary Educator of the Inn at Hastings Park
00:54:24
48.Thatcher Brown - Chief Commercial Officer & Head of Joint Yacht Operations at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Owner and Joint Operator of Four Seasons Yachts.
01:10:34
47.Patrick Huey - General Manager at We Care Spa
00:56:12
46.Nick Falcone - Chief Executive Officer at Rentyl Resorts
00:42:50
45.Armando Campos - Vice President of F&B at Fontainebleau Miami Beach
00:52:31
44.Raul Leal - Chief Executive Officer at SH Hotels & Resorts
00:43:14
43.Chef Donatella Arpaia - Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur and Attorney
00:49:24
42.Adam Harris - CEO and Cofounder of Cloudbeds
00:54:07
41.Cessie Cerrato - Founder of Cessie C. Communications
01:01:38
40.Jennifer Kaminski - Managing Partner at 2 Korean Girls & Social Media Marketer
00:59:03
39.Memphis Garrett - Founder/CEO of Garrett Hospitality Group
00:55:07
38.Jeffrey Klein - Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Williams Island
01:16:38
37.David Arraya - General Manager at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
01:03:19
36.Jorge Ramos - Culinary Director, Americas at Hilton
01:08:50
35.Luca Zambello - CEO at Jurny
00:45:30
34.Chef Sean Bernal - Executive Chef at The Mayfair House Hotel and Garden
00:59:56
33.Josh Johnston - CEO & Co-Founder at TrayAway
00:52:53
32.Robin Moncrieffe and Nikki Wade - Hosts of Don't Look Under The Bed Podcast
00:39:38
31.David Burke - Celebrity Chef, Entrepreneur and Inventor
00:49:55
30.Andrea Foster - Senior Vice President of Development, Marcus Hotels & Resorts
00:48:15
29.Patrick Goddard - President at Brightline Trains
00:58:45
28.Kenroy Herbert- President and Founder of Leviticus Lifestyle & Travel
00:38:53
27.Phillipe Roederer - Brand Consultant
00:47:04
26.Matt Dinkel - General Manager at Mandolin Aegean Bistro
01:07:49
25.Patrick Fisher - Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Fontainebleau Miami Beach
00:42:11
24.Santi Rodriguez - General Manager at Nobu Hospitality
00:46:15
23.Carlos Garcia - General Manager at Sonesta Miami Airport
00:53:15
22.Chef Gordon Maybury - Director of Culinary JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
01:07:18
21.Amy Johnson - General Manager - The Confidante Hotel, Member of Hyatt’s Global Inclusion and Diversity Council
00:55:49
20.James Ferguson - Author of The Confetti Culture Playbook
00:45:36
19.Peter Ricci - Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Hospitality & Tourism Management Program
00:51:46
18.Ron Green - Chief Entertainment Officer
00:47:55
17.Frederic Delaire - Executive Chef
01:00:57
16.Stephanie Leger - Chief Excellence Officer of First Rate Hospitality
00:54:27
15.Wil Slickers - Founder of Hospitality.FM // Co-Founder & COO at Recreation Rentals
00:51:58
14.Victoria Taylor - Experience & Experiential Consultant
00:37:01
13.Loni Paige - CEO of Mixology Mixer & Loni Paige Events
00:46:45
12.Chef Allen Susser - James Beard Award Winner
00:50:09
11.Buzzy Sklar - CEO at Tropical Distillers
00:38:15
10.Zack Bush - Ball & Chain Co-Owner
00:40:02
9.Paul Breslin - Managing Director at Horwath HTL
00:57:55
8.Ben Potts - Partner at Unfiltered Hospitality
00:47:33
7.Brian Proctor - Founder & CEO of Leeds Hospitality Group
00:49:44
6.Dr. Jeffrey O - CEO of the International Hospitality Institute
00:37:46
5.Gabriel Constantin - Managing Director at Trump International Hotel & Tower
00:43:18
2.Victor Feria - Founder of Tangy Managment
00:37:10
3.Mohan Koka - General Manager of the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
00:38:46
4.Mary Rogers - General Manager of the Montage Laguna Beach
