Today on our episode #414 of All in the Industry, Shari Bayer's guest is Pichaya 'Pam' Soontornyanakij, chef/owner of Potong restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand. Pam is an inspirational Thai chef, who has become an international culinary figure, and is serving up progressive, stimulating cuisine in a historic setting. Chef Pam was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2024, and The World’s Best Female Chef Award in 2025 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Originally training to become a journalist, Pam turned to cooking and studied at the Culinary Institute of America, and trained under renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten in NYC, before returning to Bangkok. In 2019, when her family’s 120-year-old Chinese herbal pharmacy building became vacant in Bangkok’s Chinatown neighborhood, she took over the space with her family, and after an extensive renovation, created Potong, a one-star Michelin restaurant; currently #13 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, featuring a tasting menu where she tells stories of her family’s unique heritage through some 20 courses of progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine. Shari had the pleasure of dining at Potong a few days before this in-person interview in late April. Our show also features Shari's PR tip to preserve your family heritage; Industry News on The New York Times appointing Ligaya Mishan and Tejal Rao as co-chief restaurant critics; and Shari's one-of-a-kind solo dining experience at Gaggan Anand's Gaggan in Bangkok, currently ranked #1 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, and #9 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants; plus, Shari's other wonderful dining experiences while in Thailand. Many thanks to all of the chefs, including Pam and Gaggan, Marko Kovac, and teams.

Find all of our new & archived shows at AllintheIndustry.com. Listen at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe & leave us a rating/review.

Follow us @allindustry & @sharibayer on Instagram, & "All in the Industry" on Facebook & our YouTube Channel.

Interested in collaborating with us? Please reach out via our contact page at AllintheIndustry.com, or on social. We'd love to hear from you!

Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon), available wherever books are sold. #chefwisebook

Thanks, as always, for being a part of All in the Industry®!

Today on our episode #413 of All in the Industry, Shari Bayer has a special “On the Road” show from the Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference 2025 presented by MAPP & the Women's Hospitality Initiative (WHI), which took place on March 30 & 31, 2025 at the Wynn Las Vegas.

It was an inspiring two-day conference led by Elizabeth Blau (ep #371), CEO & Founder of Blau & Associates, & Co-Founder of WHI; & MAPP's Joanna James (ep #317), with industry leaders, corporate hospitality & celebrity chefs discussing key business strategies & expert advice; plus, hands-on workshops, mentorship speed-dating, & a Legacy Gala at UNLV. This inaugural conference also marked MAPP's 5th year anniversary since launching its Global Women Leadership Initiative.

Shari was thrilled to be a part of the conference, & speak with the following participants:
- Todd-Avery Lenahan, President & Chief Creative Office, Wynn Design & Development; creator of iconic global destinations for the world’s finest resort brands; @toddaverylenahan (11:08);
- Joanna James, Founder & CEO, MAPP; Director, Producer, Editor, & multi-award winning filmmaker with her 1st time film, A Fine Line; @joannajamesfilms (21:29); &
- Antonia Lofaso, Executive Chef & Owner of LA restaurants: Scopa Italian Roots, DAMA, & Black Market Liquor Bar; & TV Personality, including Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition: Heroes vs Villians, Top Chef, & Restaurant Startup; @chefantonia (28:42).

Many thanks to Todd, Joanna, Antonia, Elizabeth, & teams, & Wynn Las Vegas. For more info, go to womenshospitalityinitiative.com & mappimpact.org, & follow @womenshospitalityinitiative & @mappimpact.

Today's show also includes Shari's PR tip to be in it for the long run; Speed Round with Antonia; Industry News on 50 Best (@theworlds50best) launching its inaugural North America's 50 Best Restaurants in Sept at Wynn Las Vegas (1:05:12); & Shari's Solo Dining experience at Golden Steer Steakhouse (@goldensteerlv) in Vegas (1:07:24).

Viva Las Vegas!

Find all of our new & archived shows at AllintheIndustry.com. Listen at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe & leave us a rating/review.

Follow us @allindustry & @sharibayer on Instagram, & "All in the Industry" on Facebook & our YouTube Channel.

Interested in collaborating with us? Please reach out via our contact page at AllintheIndustry.com, or on social. We'd love to hear from you!

Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon), available wherever books are sold. #chefwisebook

Thanks, as always, for being a part of All in the Industry®!

Today on our episode #412 of All in the Industry, Shari Bayer has a special “On the Road” show from Ojai Food + Wine 2025, presented by Food & Wine, California's premier epicurean weekend, which took place at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn in Ojai, CA from March 13-16, 2025. Curated by Ojai Valley Inn’s General Manager Ben Kephart, the weekend featured an all-star lineup of chefs, & food & beverage personalities, including Nancy Silverton, Alice Waters, Jeremiah Tower, Mei Lin, Christopher Kostow, Grant Achatz, Sherry Yard, & more! Shari participated as a speaker as “Host” of a Cooking Demonstration: Foothills Cuisine of Blackberry Farm with Chef Cassidee Dabney; and an interview-style conversation with Farmer Lee Jones of The Chef's Garden (ep #36). It was a glorious weekend of delicious eats, drinks & conversations.

Shari sat down with two Ojai F+W participants to talk about their careers & roles:

- William Bradley, Chef/Director of Addison by William Bradley, Southern California’s first three-star Michelin restaurant in San Diego. At Addison, William showcases the beauty & allure of California Gastronomy through an experience that celebrates regional ingredients & influences. William participated in Ojai's A Star-Studded Affair. (13:07) And,

- Nancy Silverton, chef/co-owner of Mozza Restaurant Group, including Pizzeria Mozza in LA & Newport Beach, as well as Osteria Mozza, Mozza2Go & chi SPACCA in LA. Nancy also founded the world-renowned La Brea Bakery, & Campanile Restaurant. Early in her career, Nancy was named Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chef.” In 2014, she received the highest honor given by the James Beard Foundation for “Outstanding Chef.” Nancy graced Ojai Food + Wine's magazine cover, & participated in its Opening Night Reception, Best of Rome Dinner with Jonathan Waxman & Evan Funke, Book Signing & Conversation with Phil Rosenthal & Ruth Reichl, & Sunday Grand Tasting. (29:11)

Many thanks & congrats to William & Nancy, Cassidee & Farmer Lee, Ben & the Ojai Valley Inn team, Food & Wine, OpenTable, & everyone involved in the epic weekend! For more info, go to ojaifoodandwine.com & follow @ojaifoodandwine. And mark your calendars for next year's event: March 5-8, 2026!

Today's show also includes Shari's PR tip to aspire for greatness; Speed Round with William; & Shari's Solo Dining experience at Rory's Place in Ojai, CA. (48:28)

Find all of our new & archived shows at AllintheIndustry.com. Listen at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe & leave us a rating/review.

Follow us @allindustry & @sharibayer on Instagram, & "All in the Industry" on Facebook & our YouTube Channel.

Interested in collaborating with us? Please reach out via our contact page at AllintheIndustry.com, or on social. We'd love to hear from you!

Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon), available wherever books are sold. #chefwisebook

Thanks, as always, for being a part of All in the Industry®!