Margaret’s Blog - Upfront and Personal

Follow Margaret with her up close and personal stories of her life, events and the adventures she has with her friends and family.

Margaret's Blog - Upfront and Personal

Follow Margaret with her up close and personal stories of her life, events and the adventures she has with her friends and family.

Monica Rothgery: Lessons from the Drive Thru

Monica Rothgery, former COO of KFC US, part of Yum Brands, shares inspiring lessons about excellence along with surprising insights into fast food kitchens. Monica’s recent book, “Lessons from the Drive-Thru: Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders” goes beyond optimal team management practices and provides great advice for everyone who is pursuing excellence in their…
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CommonThreads Web

Common Threads: The Power of Using Food for Change and Education

“We all know when we eat well we feel better.  We have the energy to rock it out!” Linda Novick O’Keefe, Founding CEO of Common Threads   Over 16 million children in the United States experience hunger.  Common Threads is helping lead the way to empower and educate children across the country.  Recently, Linda Novick…

Grill-Seekers-Web

The Thrill of the Grill with Grill Seeker Chef Matthew Eads

“Anything you can do in the kitchen, I say you should do it on the grill.  It always tastes better.” Chef Matthew Eads Do you want more confidence at the grill? Today’s guest, Chef Matthew Eads shares recipes and tips from his cookbook Grill Seeker: Basic Training for Everyday Grilling As a U.S. Marine for thirteen years,…

Stanley-Cup-Winner-Web

Stanley Cup Winner Daniel Carcillo: Life After the Game

“Hockey mimics life.  It’s important to stay mentally focused no matter if the momentum changes.” Daniel Carcillo, two time Stanley Cup winner, formerly with Chicago Blackhawks Unexpected blows in life can happen to us all.  However, unexpected blows in the hockey rink can change the course of one’s life after the game.  Daniel Carcillo shares…

ChefStaffordDeCambra-Web

Gold Medal Cooking with American Culinary Federation

Food is sport, especially at the IKA/Culinary Olympics.   Chef Stafford DeCambra, President of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) has brought home 11 gold medals.  Recently, Chef Jaime Laurita and I had a pop-up Kitchen Chat with Chef DeCambra at Middleby’s booth at the National Restaurant Show.   ACF is celebrating its 90th birthday this…

KitchenChat_Bolay-Web

Bolay and Chris Gannon: Creating “Comeback Flavor”

“We want to inspire Americans to be the best version of themselves.   That’s our goal.”  Chris Gannon, Founder of Bolay     You never know where my Kitchen Chat journey will bring me.  Recently, I attended an incredible Mastermind Group in the South Florida TikiHut of Fred Fishback.  What was extra special about this…

Chef_Jamie_Margaret-Web

Middleby Corporation: Authenticity and Innovation

“The fun thing about innovation is that it’s exciting.”   David Brewer, COO of Middleby Corporation Today’s foodies appreciate the full experience of what it takes to create and curate a meal, whether it’s in their own kitchens or in restaurants.  We like to understand the chefs’ inspirations and techniques.  We also like to know…

Biscuit-Buddies-Web

Biscuit Buddies: Chef Carla Hall and Chadwick Boyd

  It’s kitchen confession time….. I grew up in the South and never actually made biscuits.  My dear friend Chef Carla Hall along with Chadwick Boyd recently brought Biscuit Time to Kitchen Chat!  How fun to learn how to make biscuits alongside Chef Jaime Laurita in the beautiful Viking and La Cornue Middleby Residential showroom…

GivingKitchen-Web

The Giving Kitchen: James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award

“Giving Kitchen for us is really more about stability for food service than anything else.  And within the financial grant program we’ve been able to award over $2.5 million to over 1,600 members of our community in the state of Georgia.” Jen Hidinger-Kendrick, co-founder of Giving Kitchen In 2012, Jen Hidinger-Kendrick’s husband, Chef Ryan Hidinger was…

DrewNieporent-Web

Drew Nieporent: Master of Hospitality

“Our job is anticipating the guests’ needs.” Drew Nieporent, Founder of Myriad Restaurant Group Drew Nieporent, founder of Myriad Restaurant Group including Nobu and Tribeca Grill, is the perfect matchmaker for the pairing of food and film.  Just hours before joining Chef Jaime Laurita and me for a Kitchen Chat in the Middleby Residential Showroom,…