Terms of Service

Send us a textOn this fresh drop of Terms of Service, we're joined by the inimitable Rob Carter — chef, curator, and visionary behind Diaspora Chicago, the celebrated culinary pop-up series that explores food through the lens of cultural lineage and radical intention.In this dynamic episode, we explore -His journey into hospitality and the pivotal moments that reshaped his approach.The origin and ethos of Diaspora—what it means, why it matters, and how it's built.The tension between authenticity and perception, and the nuance required to create storytelling through food.The real-life obstacles of running a pop-up rooted in cultural identity.What's next for Diaspora—and how it's shaping the future of hospitality from the inside out.As always, we want to thank Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, and Spearhead Spirits for the support. See you out there; The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Send us a textIn this special recap episode, we unpack the layered impact of UTILITY 2025, a revolutionary trade space (not just a trade show) hosted by Tilit NYC. Recorded from Chicago — a city that cooks, builds, and refines — this episode explores how UTILITY prioritized culture over consumerism, exchange over exhibition, and people over products.Utility 2025 wasn't about hype — it was about healing.From honoring the emotional weight of labor to centering conversations around sustainability, equity, and mental health, UTILITY felt like a gathering for real industry change-makers.Chicago as a Co-Creator.The city didn't just host the show — it shaped it. Its influence was felt in every conversation, every connection, and every community exchange.The Pitch Competition: Venture Community over Venture Capital.More than just business ideas, each pitch was a story of resilience and reimagination. Congratulations to Charles Wong of Umamicue, the grand prize winner — and to all who made the room matter.Tilit's Quiet Leadership.Through inclusive design, sustainability, and community-first values, Tilit continues to redefine what workwear means — as both armor and advocacy.Echoes of Terms of Service.Themes from UTILITY paralleled our ethos: equity, identity, labor, and legacy in hospitality. This was culture work in action. Special thanks to Tilit NYC, Jenny Goodman, Alex McCrery, all the collaborators, and Chicago's vibrant hospitality community. Your truth, intention, and presence made UTILITY 2025 a space for real work and real change.See you out there, - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Send us a textA double header this week with Lavell Miller as we recap our dynamic conversation surrounding Spearhead Spirits. In this drop of T o S, we sit down with Lavell Miller to explore the dynamic world of Spearhead Spirits and the exciting evolution of African spirits in the global market. Lavell shares his journey into the spirits industry and how his hospitality background shapes Spearhead's approach to brand development and consumer engagement.   We delve into Spearhead Spirits' deep roots in African heritage and craftsmanship, and how this resonates with Lavell's personal and professional mission. Lavell also discusses the brand's commitment to sustainability, from ethical sourcing and production practices to educating consumers on the cultural and environmental impact of their choices.   Join us as we uncover how Spearhead Spirits amplifies African artistry and craftsmanship, fosters economic empowerment within sourcing communities, and collaborates with African creatives to bring authentic storytelling to the forefront. We also tackle the challenges and opportunities for African spirits in the U.S. market, and how Spearhead differentiates itself while staying true to its rich heritage.   Tune in to discover Lavell's insights on navigating the spirits industry, building a brand with purpose, and the exciting future of African spirits on the world stage.As always - thank you to our partners at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation. See you soon, - The T o S CrewNeed to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Send us a textAye! We have been gone for TOO long but we are so excited to be back with Naomi Kubo of Sushi by Scratch here in Chicago. In this fresh drop of T o S, we sit down with Naomi to explore the intricate world of omakase and the unique dining experience at Sushi by Scratch. Naomi shares her journey into the culinary arts, her passion for sushi, and the philosophy behind creating an intimate and immersive omakase experience.  We delve into the challenges and rewards of bringing a culturally specific style of dining to a modern market, the evolution of the sushi scene, and the importance of craftsmanship and sourcing high-quality ingredients. Naomi also discusses the significance of the chef-diner connection, the cultivation of community and hospitality, and her vision for the future of Sushi by Scratch. Tune in to discover the artistry behind omakase, the secrets to creating a memorable dining experience, and Naomi's insights on the ever-evolving world of her craft and how she arrived to be who she is within the Chicago culinary scene. As always, we thank our partners at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, the crew and above else - YOU for keeping up with us every step of the way. See you out there, - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Send us a textWelcome back to Terms of Service; it's been awhile. In this episode, we sit down with Chef Sarah Stegner and Darren Gest to discuss Chicago Chefs Cook, a community-driven initiative bringing together culinary professionals to support humanitarian causes. Chef Sarah Stegner, a 2X James Beard Award-winning chef and co-founder of Chicago Chefs Cook, shares insights on how the culinary community mobilizes to provide aid, uplift local food systems, and advocate for sustainable industry practices. Darren Gest, Deloitte Partner and co-founder of Chicago Chefs Cook - discusses the importance of collaboration and community impact in the food world.As we have always expressed, Terms of Service is a community resource and this episode is a tangible reminder of how alignment for the greater good can provide collective cultural impact. Dive into this powerful narrative to learn more about the mission of Chicago Chefs Cook, how Chefs and Restauranteurs can drive meaningful social change, the impact of food-related activism on local and global communities and the role of partnerships in strengthening culinary philanthropy. As always, we want to thank Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, the entire T o S production crew and the brilliance of Chicago Chefs Cook for rising to the occasion time and time again. Also, please join us for a live episode recording at The Four Seasons Chicago on March 20th in support of The 'I Cook For' Benefit with Chicago Chefs Cook. We'll see you there. - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Send us a textFresh drop with Ricky Lee Barnes and it's a true Midwestern gem. Ricky talks to us about how he came to be in Dayton, OH and his journey to Chicago. Speaking in depth about his introduction to the hospitality industry, we examine his trajectory and finding himself amongst queer spaces. This episode speaks in depth about our individual ideologies while discovering commonality amongst our independent experiences. Ricky builds out a beautiful narrative that empowers a reality to actualize your very own self worth. As always, we thank Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Ritual Zero Proof for the product, Lavell Miller of Bayab Gin for the support alongside Chiyo Takemoto of Coquetel Collective, Ashley Lindsey for stepping in for garn:t and Quari Ice. Let this special episode truly sit with you as its brilliantly something special. Take care out there; see you soon. - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Send us a textNew episode with Carlos Matias and its chock-full of industry insider information but drives a narrative that is a robust roadmap for consumer expectation and the true ethos of hospitality professionals. Carlos speaks about his diverse background within the industry while unveiling improper practices that he experienced. Given his background and trajectory, Carlos has crafted a unique path of empowerment and accessibility within all spaces that he has been apart of. We often talk about how diverse experiences influence our behaviors moving forward yet its inspiring to see it in real time - to ensure we combat unfortunate circumstances with a commitment to shift our experiences into something accessible for our colleagues at large. This episode is a very "no one left behind" mentality and it is of a pivotal point within the reality of what hospitality has been and how it should be moving forward. This is true gold. As always, we want to thank the homies at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Coquetel Collective for the support and Quari Ice for the product. Take care out there; see you next time. - The T o S CrewNeed to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Send us a textWe are a bit late but it's too worth the wait. Happy to announce this episode with Chef Faiz Ally and this DELUXE drop engages multiple facets of the industry experience through necessary gems of child care, leadership, empowerment, leadership etc.We begin with a dynamic overview of Faiz's background and his philosophy within multiple environments. From his Pakistani nationality to upbringing through Tennessee to Washington D.C. - aka Chocolate City to Chicago; we explore diverse iterations of industry hazing, from both sides of the coin. Faiz talks to us about the value of ascension through direction, mentorship and transparency. As a bridge to equity - this is a must listen. We create an all encompassing conversation that drives social positivity (negatives included) and addresses industry wage increases and the reality that follows. T o S couldn't be happier to welcome Chef Faiz to our community of dialogue and this episode highlights the shine of the industry while also shedding light to unspoken corners of hospitality.Consumers deserve to be educated and talent deserves to empowered to the best of their ability.As always - we thank Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation,  Ritual Zero Proof for the support, Chinola for the product and KT MCourt for stepping in for the garn:t crew.Remember - you are worth your vision and what it entails at your pace.Community is an act of support to the person next to you and we can't wait to see what Faiz does next. - T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Send us a textAnd we're back at it! So excited to be joined by Desi Mullins to share their dynamic perspective from NYC to the Chicago culinary scene. This episode is a heartfelt good time as we explore her respective background and find her within the reality of her authentic hospitality experience. We dive deep in the understanding of understanding ones individual and collective value while contributing to a larger scale ecosystem. This episode is a brilliant reminder that you are so much more than your position and your value is yours and no one can minimize it. As always - we want to thank our partners at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Chinola for the support, Insólito Tequila for the product and KT McCourt for stepping in to support garn:t on the beverages to support this episode. Stay golden out there; happy to be back. - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Send us a Text Message.It's been widely too long but WE ARE BACK - and it's with Daniel Reguiera and Sean Ellis of Chicago Cane Cooperative and it's everything that we've needed. Before you get into it - we've missed our audience [YOU]  too much and sometimes life happens and you have to take a moment. You always have to take care of you and we appreciate you too much to not acknowledge real industry shit - from mental health, unfortunate circumstance and ingrained impostor syndrome.Sometimes life gives you too much to handle but we are doing our best every day while being mindful of what our reality is for the community we are dedicated to serving. This is wild delayed but the narrative is eternal and we can't thank our guests enough. Daniel & Sean start off with their independent backgrounds while crafting a narrative that brings them and their respective experiences together. We want to give our boys the necessary shine in regards to how they create their product, promote equity and actualize labor for their staff. This deluxe episode is for EVERYONE but most specifically - how the labor force deserves recognition, respect and overall enthusiasm to our commitment to culture and equity not only domestically and abroad. Get into their journey and we can't wait to see what we can do - collectively. We're back and it's too good. - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

To slide into the conclusion of Black History Month -  we are very stoked to welcome Jesse Steward Jr. of Alexander James Whiskey to discuss his heritage specific journey in building out his black owned brand. We begin with his inspiration behind the brand and move into how familial tradition affects the intentionality beyond the bottle. Jesse speaks to his Chicago commitment while also discussing how his diverse roots promote the culture of his brand, vision and community engagement. This episode is a kick back for the culture and we couldn't be happier to sit down and shoot the sh*t with the newest homie to the T o S fam. As always - nothing but love to Blind Barber Chicago  for hosting this necessary conversation. This drop is for the culture of the industry community and truly speaks for itself. Get into it and support our dude at Alexander James Whiskey as black owned brands make up such a small percentage of the overall market share but are some of the most sought after. Stay up out there; see you soon, - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Fresh drop with Emily Miller and LeighAnn Hranka of Junior Council and it's a bit different than we have done in the past but oh so fulfilling. We discuss their collective work in supporting Lurie's Children's Hospital through their Snowball Gala at The Drake Hotel Feb. 24th. Emily and LeighAnn discuss their commitment to non profit work, how important it is for brands to come together for the greater good and the brilliant support of their event  at The Drake Hotel.This episode truly embodies the spirit of hospitality and we couldn't be more excited to support Junior Council on this beautiful mission. As always - a supreme thank you to Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Ritual Zero Proof for the support and everything that Junior Council represents for the greater community. See you soon, - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Fresh drop with Art Mendoza of Barrel Aged Hospitality and Felipe Ospina of Sysco  discussing generational hospitality, mentorship and doing right by one's community. We begin with Art and Felipe's respective backgrounds and explore how they their experience within hospitality is varied from the current landscape of the industry. Speaking about large scale operations and the translation to more market specific concepts, Art and Felipe shine a necessary light on past industry trends and how they work to overcome them with the new generation of hospitality. This episode beautifully bridges the gap between how the industry has been and most importantly - what is looks like moving forward. As always - a supreme shout out to Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Athletic Brewing for the product support and our guests for their time and expertise.Stay golden out there; see you soon, - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

New episode drop with Jamie Chambers and its toooo cosmic.We explore her dynamic hospitality journey through the lens of astrology, zodiac and the art of tarot. This conversation is absolutely fascinating and provides deep insight into our behavioral patterns - personally and professionally. Jamie shares her sobriety journey and how her process allowed her to critically analyze herself while making very powerful changes within her life. We also discuss sobriety within the context of her relationship and the value that it has brought them both. This dialogue is quite near and dear to us and it really captures the energy of the New Year and deserves a very present listening. As always, we want to thank the homies at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, No & Low for the support and if anyone is out here struggling or is curious about sobriety  - please reach out to Ben's Friends for any resources that you may be searching for. Push yourself to take the high road, - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

NEW DROP with Josean Irizarry of Smash Jibarito  and it's the communal dialogue that excites us the most. Josean talks about his ascension through the industry, mentorship, anxiety and ultimately - how entrepreneurship has challenged his journey and overall perspective on his business development. We talk about the the impact of the culture of The Bear and the commercialization of realities on how we operate our lives and its effect on our perspective of the industry.We anchor this dialogue through a multitude of lenses that truly meets the industry where they are. This narrative highlights the dichotomy of Josean's journey, his commitment to his craft and how they have navigated their mission to make his mark on the industry that you can feel and access. As always - supreme shout out to Blind Barber Chicago for this necessary conversation, No & Low for the support and the entire crew for making this gem of a dialogue come to fruition. Happy holidays from us to you - enjoy yourself, wherever you find yourself. From us to you, The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

LIVE DROP from the crew featuring Brad Bolt of Mijenta Tequila and Dustin Drankiewicz of Paper Plane Pizza hosted by Blind Barber Chicago. We anchor this conversation on the individual unique journey of our guests while exploring the unique parallels of their respective experiences. Beginning with Brad -  we discuss his background as a former partner of Bar Deville and owner of Neon Wilderness while sharing how he found his sobriety, advocacy and the value pillars of the brand that he represents.Continuing with Dustin - we explore his sobriety journey, ingrained equity practices and how value of community can benefit from acknowledging the collective journey that we may find ourselves on. Brad and Dustin creative a dynamic narrative that addresses diverse industry topics ranging from sustainability, industry equity, empowerment and self fulfillment - on their own terms. Naturally - there are heavy truths, resource sharing and stigma settling. This insight empowers the collective industry experience with entrepreneurship,  self actualization, overall wellness and commitments to yourselves and the community that you aim to serve. As always - we want to give big shine to our homies at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Ritual Zero Proof for their support, Mijenta Tequila for assisting us to facilitate this dynamic dialogue, Flowers for Dreams for the set design, garn:t and the amplification of the industry. Remember - take care of yourself while also providing grace as the industry isn't linear and YOU are what makes it matter. Stay golden, - The T o S CrewNeed to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

We are back at it for OUR FOURTH SEASON of Terms of Service Podcast and we are eternally grateful - for you and the industry at large. Such a phenomenal journey so far and to bring us into our next phase - is Amber Payden  where we explore numerous elements of pop culture, technology within the hospitality space, scalability and the element of 'choosing your stress". This conversation is an exciting ride as we find ourselves separating the different areas of the hospitality industry ranging from AI, technology implementation for systems efficiency while also divulging how the human experience is being reduced to overlooked data. Amber facilitates a brilliant narrative that dives deep into the nuances of tech and how hospitality begins to remove itself and doesn't always speak the language of the industry that was built by us as a community. Collectively - this is such an amalgamation of technology, pop culture and most importantly the cost of culture at the hands of something that was meant to assist not direct. As always - we thank Blind Barber Chicago  for hosting these necessary conversations, Ritual Zero Proof for the support and for handling beverage design.Laugh a little, learn a ton and buckle in for one hell of a conversation that launches us into our fourth season. Stay Golden, - The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

Ayyyooo! Season 3 is a wrap and we are overjoyed with the journey. Lance Watson of Saint Della joins us to round out the season and it's viiiibeee heavy. Lance talks to us about how being a multifaceted industry guy has propelled him to craft his culinary identity through the teachings of his grandmother alongside his evolving lived experience. We also discuss how navigating one's own position[s] within the standards of the industry presents its specific set of direct challenges. This episode is a ride and we couldn't be happier to support Saint Della on their commitment of equity, ambition and overall visibility because if it not done correctly - you ultimately provide a disservice to your staff and ultimately the community in which you serve. Allow us to lean into some gratitude [s/o to emotions] right now. We are so beyond thankful to be able to achieve this milestone. T o S began as a way to amplify necessary and often overlooked narratives with the industry and we are consistently reaffirmed by the support and it's truly all because of the community that holds us in such regard. We want to give a resounding acknowledgement to our partners at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting these necessary conversations and Ritual Zero Proof for their unwavering support. Lastly, we thank the community endlessly and want to let you know how much we acknowledge this platform on behalf of YOU. Terms of Service is nothing without cultural support and our gratitude knows no bounds. Stay Golden, The T o S Crew Need to catch up? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel here and show us some love on the reviews - wherever you get your podcasts. It matters and so do you.

NEW DROP with Michael Baker and Steve Cantu of Wild Edible World Podcast and it's too fresh; pun intended. Michael and Steve discuss their backgrounds, how they teamed up, the history of foraging and the impact of agriculture vs. foraging.This episode is a substantial reminder to get outside and truly enjoy everything that nature has to offer. As always - a supreme thank you to Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Ritual Zero Proof for the support and Cheyenne English for the beverage design. Get Outside, The T o S Crew

This fresh drop feels too soothing and we are wildly thankful. We are joined by Victor Chan of I Am Consciously Curious Podcast and we talk about intention, identity and how we craft the art of hospitality throughout  our experiences. Victor talks about his background as a paramedic to how, and why - he launched 'I Am Consciously Curious. We also talk about the realities of forgoing your own personal goals to sell it to a larger vision and the honest cost of that.This episode has us reflect inward to ensure that we are pouring into ourselves just as much as we pour into others. We'll let this speak for itself because it truly is good for the soul. As always - we want to give a supreme shout out to Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Cheyenne English for the beverage design and Ritual Zero Proof for the support. Touch grass, drink water and take care out there, The T o S Crew

Fresh drop from the crew! We are so happy to be joined by Eve Studnička and Alexis Rice Thomas of Funeral Potatoes and this just feels too good. Eve and Alexis talk us through their journey from a pandemic passion project to their process of fundraising for their brick and mortar restaurant to the importance of not taking yourself too seriously. The dynamic duo also discuss sustainability within their passions and share their authentic thoughts on the impact of ego and creating a space based on inclusivity.This episode brilliantly balances the inspirations of Eve and Alexis while also highlighting the realities of the industry that they have been exposed to. We had too much fun here and we are so excited for what's to come for Funeral Potatoes. Also - support the homies here on their journey to opening their cozy cafe.  A solid thank you to Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Ritual Zero Proof for their support, Cheyenne English  for the beverage offerings and Quari Ice for the product. See you soon, The T o S Crew 

FRESH DROP for the culture with Father Oskar of Birria Ta-Ta-Tacos and this deluxe episode talks about it all. We explore his Guatemalan roots, while also discussing how he began his business practice inspired by Mexican cuisine. This episode is a testament on multiple levels - from respecting the inspiration that you pull from, moderation in regards to sustainability to overall integrity in regards to your community and those that you serve. We are so inspired by the work that Oskar does and welcome you to dive into this extra special episode with the hometown hero. As always - we want to thank our friends at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Mezcal Uniōn for the support, garn:t for the beverages and Quari Ice for the product to keep this fire conversation as chill as possible.Also, if you are interested in industry resources feel free to reach out to our friends and homies at Dish Roulette Kitchen helmed by Jackson Flores. In the words of Father Oskar, Peace, Love and Abundance. See you soon. 

Welcome back; we've missed you and are so stoked to be back. In this fresh drop - we're joined by Chef Francis Pascal, the founder of Vendador, a nomadic[ish] Chicago-based fine private dining company  that focuses on employee forward practices.Originally from Albania - Francis talks to us about how food is the vessel for connection and how he translates that through his cuisine and overall environment as well. After gaining experience at Japonais by Morimoto, Momotaro, and Roister of the Alinea Group, Chef Pascal  decided to launch his own platform. However - he aspired to doing things differently. He wanted to create a workplace culture that prioritized the well-being and growth of his employees while also providing curatorial experiences for his guests. In this drop, Chef Pascal shares his insights into the importance of creating a positive workplace culture, the challenges he has faced, and his overall process. We are fortunate to be a community narrative to showcase realities such as these and it feels too good to have Francis arrive as a stranger and leave as a friend. Also - we'd like to thank Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Ritual Zero Proof for their support, the garn:t crew for the beverages and Quari Ice for the product. Stay Golden Out There, - The T o S Crew 

FRESH DROP for the masses. Jackson Flores of Dish Roulette Kitchen is an operations consultant with over a decade of experience in international, multi-concept dining, and quick service operations. She specializes in developing operational foundations and processes for high volume concepts; built to launch, scale, and sustain profitability from concept to completion. We explore how they keep their community engaged - while also empowering people of color that they are equally deserving of the opportunities that they are presented. This brilliant episode explores the tangible journey from creative discipline to mentorship to ultimately - mindful business ownership. We thank Jackson Flores and the entire D R K crew for the inspiring work, Ritual Zero Proof for the support and Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation. Stay Up Out There, The T o S Crew Support the show

We're back home at Blind Barber Chicago and it feels too good to be back. To celebrate our return to our home base, we are welcoming Jennifer Kim of Alt Economy and Nemanja Milunovic to discuss Balkan cuisine while exploring hard truths of the industry. Jennifer and Nemanja speak on the importance of caretaking, accountability and shows us how fractured this industry is but reminds us to stay hopeful for what's to come. This conversation is a bold reminder that being happy is not a radical idea and ultimately is a practice that you need to commit to. Thank you so much to our guests for their time and conversation, Ritual Zero Proof for the support and the community for bringing us into their space. Also Nemanja is back for Monday Night Foodball at Ludlow Liquors on January 23rd for 'Balkan Promises'. See you there, The T o S Crew Support the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast and subscribe to our newly launched YouTube channel - get into it.

This is how we start the new year; heritage. In 2008 four friends - Alejandro Champion, Toño Vilches, Pepe Islas and Pepe Bezaury, decided to venture into Mezcal. They started a project that represents Mexico's values, culture, and traditions, while generating a positive impact among indigenous communities. Their first mission was to travel to the Sierra of Oaxaca, meeting with different mezcal producers and agave farmers. Mezcal UNIÓN is a project with the goal to support indigenous communities through empowering maestros mezcaleros and agave farmers to become entrepreneurs and suppliers of the brand. As a result, they become owners of their production business while generating opportunities and prosperity. 'Champ' paints  vivid imagery that not only discusses the rich history of mezcal but also his passions within the art community that influence this work through Salón Acme. As always - we laugh, we learn and ultimately left inspired for what's to come and we couldn't be more excited.This dialogue is truly one of a kind and we want to thank our friends at The Albion Manor for hosting this necessary conversation. Take Care Out There, The T o S CrewSupport the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast and subscribe to our newly launched YouTube channel - get into it.

FINAL drop of 2022 and what a beautiful wrap to the year as we are coming to you live from Esmé here in Chicago. We are blessed to sit down with Amanda 'Raspy' Rivera and Tyrone Redic Jr. Quite the husband and wife duo within the hospitality space. Raspy talks to us about her ascension through her artistic practice while also exploring how hospitality is wildly dynamic and is more often than meets the eye. Tyrone has been a compelling powerhouse in all aspects of the industry while also committing to bringing diversity and accessibility with him. Sitting down with the Raspy & Tyrone, they truly paint a beautiful image that highlights the honest opportunity that exists outside of the traditional four walled ecosystem that is hospitality. We want to thank our hosts at Esmé for hosting this necessary conversation, Tia Barrett for the beverage craftsmanship and our community that not only shares space with us but also elevates us through this journey. Happy New Year, The T o S Crew Support the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast and subscribe to our newly launched YouTube channel - get into it.

It's not a pop - up, it's a takeover. Super special holiday drop as we have quite literally given the mic over to our friends at Not 9 to 5 and Healthy Pour. Hassel Aviles and Laura Louise Green dive into emotional intelligence, real world impact of mental health, workplace toxicity and overall industry data as the host of this episode. Hunter Seis and Alex 'AJ' Augustine join this impactful conversation to provide their industry specific realities while sharing how they have empowered their selves and what tools are used to inspire their workplace as well. As the year is winding down - we are so happy to be able to share resources to help combat what is traditionally the most strenuous part of the year industry wide. A resounding thank you to our guests and our hosts that brought such a fresh and informational point of view. Also, thank you to Athletic Brewing for the product and Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this very necessary conversation. Take Care of Yourselves, - Not 9 to 5 x Healthy PourSupport the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast and subscribe to our newly launched YouTube channel - get into it.

This episode with Kristen Kaza is as much of a  vibe as it is a 'party for your eardrums' . We welcome everyone's point of views and experiences and this resonates all too real. Kristen talks to us about what it means to be centrally queer - from her roots in Vermont, to being the founder of Slo Mo Party to collective ownership with REUNION Chicago and ultimately, serving a myriad of matriarchal roles from a party mom to new mother of twins.We talk deep about culturally empowering philosophy, commitment to LGBTQIA+ history and deep responsibility amongst a multitude of environments. Kristen educates us on the terminology of safe space and how intentionality can find itself through action. We explore community expectation with responsibility accountability as we learn that each step leads you to something greater - and that journey is nuanced, difficult and hard to acknowledge. We empower you all to receive this point of view as we revel in the admission of peace in finding ourselves. This is real world soothing right now and this is reminds us that peace isn't insular, it's wildly inclusive. Dive in because this is a smooth dialogue that we all need to hear. Stay up because you deserve spaces that celebrate you - unapologetically. - The T o S Crew Support the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast and subscribe to our newly launched YouTube channel - get into it.

Some holiday seasoning for the dinner table - this is black excellence, black drive, and black spirit. We are with Amanda Harth x Felton Edward Kizer of Monday Coffee talking creative entrepreneurship, the minority experience and all things that are anchored in overall spirited being. This conversation isn't monolithic - this is dynamic, robust and culturally activating. Amanda Harth shares her creative journey, teaching artistry and how hospitality has been an amalgamation of her experience. Felton Edward Kizer explores his rich history in creative direction, strategy and overall hospitality experience while exploring his curiosity of deeper presence within all aspects of his portfolio.  From media highlights to their positioning within this specific facet within the industry - we are so happy to hear how they have found themselves within this ancestral craft. They together have aligned their passions as a way to clear space not only for themselves but for everyone that deserve to take a chance for themselves and ultimately their communities. Get into this episode but more importantly - get into yourselves because your worth is so much more than face value. ⁃The T o S CrewSupport the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast and subscribe to our newly launched YouTube channel!

COMING AT YOU LIVE from Perilla and we are wildly grateful, excited and inspired. We are with Thattu diving into their culinary background and philosophies within their cultural movement. Margaret & Vinod talk to us about their background in corporate America to launching their food stall in 2019, to ultimately finding their respective passions in what they are accomplishing now. As we navigate this conversation - it is of true validation to realize the hard realities that can truly lead to the greatest triumphs. From individualized journeys that have led our guests to one another, the communal support of the industry that has assisted Thattu to realize their ultimate dream of owning and operating their upcoming brick and mortar - we are in awe. As we talk about community equity, Margaret & Vinod also discuss their commitment to wage equity and how this intention aims to be a part of their operations. We thank Perilla for hosting this necessary conversation and providing us with the most delicious meal to elevate this conversation, our guests for the much needed reminder that we are so much more together, our audience along with Johnnie Walker & Tanqueray for the support. Stay Golden, - The T o S Crew Support the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast and subscribe to our newly launched YouTube channel!

NEW DROP with Cheyenne English and it's feels a bit sweeter this time around. We often talk about how Terms of Service is a communal platform and this episode highlights SHOP//talk - which is us placing some well deserved shine on the diverse makers and doers of all facets of the industry. Cheyenne talks to us about her journey within hospitality, the non alcoholic movement, and her brand 'Miss Perfectpour' which provides support to wide ranging charitable causes.This conversation is a significant reminder that where you are doesn't always dictate where you'll end up. We had big fun on this bite size episode and we couldn't be happier.Shoutout to the homies at Blind Barber Chicago for hosting this necessary conversation, Ritual Zero Proof for their support, and the entire crew for the polish on this fire drop. Stay Golden Out There, - The T o S CrewSupport the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast and subscribe to our newly launched YouTube channel!

They say education is power and we couldn't agree more with that sentiment. This episode explores the realities of that terminology within practice. Alex Finnegan and Albert [Berto] Waarnar discuss their contrasting interests within their hospitality spaces and where they find unconventional commonality. Alex hailing from Ireland discusses his experience being a J1 Visa holder and working for one of the most prominent groups in Chicago while unapologetically divulging the disconnect in Irish hospitality here in the States. Albert, a native north side Chicagoan, expresses his point of view while discussing his experiences through the American culinary education system.We are endlessly thankful as they explore their cultural realities and allowing us to balance their narratives.  If you've ever been interested in culinary education in America, outside culture and how they align in a unique discourse - this is for you. As always, thank you endlessly to Alex and Albert [Berto] for their narratives while furthering wider perspectives within the industry here and abroad. Fight the good fight; see ya'll soon. - The T o S Crew Support the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast - stay tuned for merch and your site drop.

S U R P R I S E !We have a [exciting] fresh drop coming to you LIVE from 16th Street Bar with Tia Barrett of Esmé Chicago and Josh Davis of Brown & Balanced. From their backgrounds we launch into a enriching dialogue that explores the realities of the black experience into their ascension within the industry. We look at how they build community, navigate their curiosities, manage expectations, and craft experiences that have truly elevated themselves and their respective cultures. Our hosts take a welcomed backseat as our guests challenge, educate and empower one another. This episode is wildly special and highlights the testament that we have always believed in - we are better together and no experience is insular. We thank 16th Street Bar for hosting this necessary conversation, our guests for their unapologetic expressions and the impact that these dialogues empower. There's not much else that we can express but gratitude - thank you to our sponsors, Johnnie Walker x Crown Royal for their support while also celebrating our audience as T o S is built by the industry, for the industry. See Y'all Out There, - The T o S Crew Support the showWant More? Follow us on IG for deeper context, #bts and a continued vibe at @termsofservicepodcast - stay tuned for merch and your site drop.

New drop with Casey Doody and we are feeling quite empowered and refreshed. Hailing from Naperville, IL - Casey takes us through her eclectic journey from an interest in fashion design, to her on camera audition series for The Dallas Cowboys, Valrhona, landing an executive pastry chef position, her journey through the New York City culinary scene and landing back in Chicago. This conversation is wildly enriching and reminds us how just powerful the energy you put out into the universe can be. Anchoring in manifestation, we discuss how impactful your self worth is in possessing the confidence necessary to claim everything that you deserve - professionally and personally. Our biggest takeaway from this necessary dialogue is committing to trying for yourself in all aspects, even when the journey is non - traditional. This guest is truly magical and we couldn't be more thankful to Casey for reminding us and our audiences just how powerful we can be. Stay up and stay golden - and we'll see you out there. - The T o S Crew Support the show

We're just too happy here. New drop for us and being in the presence of Chef Max Musto of Herbivore has us feeling all types of ways as we talk about escapism, minimization, self care and overall agency of physical health through their culinary philosophy. Conscious, confident, dedicated and impactful are a few words that come to mind but that really just scratches the surface. We are beyond thankful for this dialogue and Chef Max for painting a vivid image in regards to struggle, navigation and most importantly - ascension. [Significant TW] - we touch upon a slew of digest heavy topics such as drug abuse, usage, mental turmoil and physical strife. We hope this episode reminds everyone how much their habits, engagement and overall intention transcends greater than we could ever imagine. This episode is for absolutely everyone - no matter the journey or destination. [In the words of our wonderful guest] Peace, Love and Plants  -The T o S Crew x Herbivore Support the show

WE ARE BACK - season 3, can you even believe it? This has been such a beautiful journey and we simply couldn't have gotten here without the overwhelming support of the community, our sponsors and guests. With that being said, we are beyond thrilled to welcome Hassel Aviles of Not 9 to 5, coming to us in person from Toronto. Hassel is a powerhouse on her own but has dedicated her expertise, time and resources to be a crucial asset to not only her community back in Canada but to the global hospitality industry. As we roll into season 3, we can comfortably say that these conversations are getting deeper - while our collective impact is only becoming more intentional. So much was covered  [trigger warning] in regards to suicide, mental health trauma, wage inequity so tread lightly and feel free to take a break if needed. We are so fortunate to continue to do this work and are eternally grateful to you all - yes, YOU. Thank you again to Not 9 to 5 for sharing space with us, Ritual Beverage for the support, Blind Barber for hosting these necessary conversations, and the entire crew for continuing this magic with us. In addition, check out CNECTING - through the CNECTing platform, they offer courses, Primary Concerns and CNECTed. Both were developed to help identify, understand and respond to mental health crisis situations both in the workplace and interpersonal interactions.But it doesn't end with completing the courses and getting certified. They aim to increase community engagement and support through the CNECTing platform and online events.Stay Up Out There, The T o S Crew Support the show

Season Finale BB!!We have the absolutely I N C R E D I B L E  Alisha Norris Jones of Immortal Milk with us for our finale and to say that we are inspired would be a massive understatement. We will just say it - Alisha is an absolute badass and her background is such a journey. Hailing from Boston, Alisha walks us through her background in the study of religion to how she became apart of the industry here in Chicago and how they landed within the specialty food industry. Speaking transparently about recognizing their trauma signs, she touches upon her introduction to the world of cheese while working at Whole Foods but doing so as a resource to such a richly diverse clientele. We get a bit deeper and discuss how her craft has evolved within a predominantly white centered space and how she continues to carve her way through an industry that is wildly unknown to many facets of hospitality spaces. Alisha approaches this conversation with candor, passion, humor and a vast amount of knowledge that left us craving more and we're utterly thankful that she shared her realties with us. These are the conversations that we love having and we couldn't be happier to round out this season with such a definitive character. We may have wrapped this season but we will be back sooner than later with a fresh resource driven website for the masses and merch for the culture. Also - we must thank our friends at 3 Floyd's Distilling for their support and the garn:t crew for beverages that reach the altitude of Immortal Milk. Stay Up and Stay Golden, The T o S Crew.Support the show

Equitable business ethics is a cornerstone of what we are about and having Ursula Siker of Jeff & Judes on this drop speaks to the core of who we are and what we believe.Ursula realizes that being a leader within her passionate space can and 'has' lead to a bit of ego death. Standard to innovation - we discuss the preachment of autonomy, micro management, and what is truly the equity move. Laughs, accountability, and jokes - we uncover the unfiltered dialogue of a restauranteur that forged their way through with authenticity, intention and overall commitment to their staff. This feels too good. Stay Up Fam - O, The T o S Crew Support the show

New episode for the masses with Dan Mason where we dive into overall restaurant management strategy, providing agency for your staff - no matter their identity or role, and leading with integrity even when it's difficult. We listen to Dan as he talks about his background amongst the industry, how he got started and why he has dedicated his life to this work. The realities of race relations keep arising through these conversations and we want to thank Dan for his transparency in regards to that very specific dialogue. To break up the seriousness, we fall into a brief roundtable of the best jokes you've ever heard. As always, this episode was a ton of fun and we get into all of the things and couldn't be happier. Thank you to our friends at Seedlip for the support and Blind Barber for hosting this necessary conversation. Speak up and stay up our friends - you're worth it. - The T o S Crew Support the show

NEW DROP  with Jeremy Pyrzynski AKA Jeremy Dreads diving into more diverse facets of the industry. We dive heavy into topics of industry gatekeeping, race relations, the origin of the kitchen system aka the brigade system and just about everything else. We also get into how entering spaces with empathy and curiosity may seemingly be for the best, but exclusion and minimization happens in all spaces and to hear this from a white point of view was unique to say the least. This was too much fun and we thank Jeremy for sitting down with us and being apart of such an eye opening dialogue.A supreme thank you to our fiends at Seedlip for supporting this necessary conservation as well. Stay Golden Friends, The T o S Crew. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

[TW] suicide x alcoholism x drug use We're all about mental health yet we also understand that the idea and achievement of physical health isn't always a focal point of overall bodily 'health'. That's where our next guests come in. We're with Hannah Burke of Self Care & The City  and Dr. Sam Pare of Lakeside Spine & Wellness discussing the manifestation of mental turmoil and the physical implications that we simply ignore as a 'cost' to the overall wellness of our bodies. Our guests boldly explore their backgrounds from a lens that is heavy in self actualization, trauma and triumph. We do not give medical advice over here but we do provide resources for you to reach out so you are the best version of yourself - no matter your background, financial status or position in your wellness journey. Also, Lakeside Spine & Wellness is taking it a step further and has introduced an industry evening on Mondays. Get into more details here - and get at them for any needs that you may have. Stay Your Best, The T o S Crew. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

Next drop here with Nic x 'Papi' of  Northwestern Cutlery and we couldn't be more excited. This time around, we are talking about the history of the West Loop, gentrification,  we chip away at the idea of 'celebrity chef' culture, and dive into how Northwestern Cutlery is so much more than meets the eye. We talk a lot about different facets of the industry, but we feel as if the artistry of the craft that is integral in the hospitality experience is often overlooked. Sitting down with Northwestern Cutlery was informative and above all else was entertaining as 'Papi' is a true Chicago character. Get into this additional perspective and go check out our friends at 7138 W Higgins Avenue.Stay Up, The T o S Crew Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

Ayo - we're trippin on this field trip! First drop of #WomensHistoryMonth and we couldn't be happier doing it with Marta Jean Evans. We talk about her history throughout her experience in the cannabis industry, hospitality background and getting back to the 'dark side' of the industry. 'Dark side' being a woman in the industry while doing their own thing - whether it's 'gigs', curation and survival tactics. Marta is a strong and skilled industry worker that believes in creating industry spaces that are all inclusive to promote safe spaces for the overall industry identity. We can't leave these episode notes without a supreme acknowledgement the fact that our livelihood is anchored in problematic behavior. This episode speaks to behavioral survival and how it can touch upon individualistic realities. We are so fortunate to be hosted at Avondale Bowl and we can't thank them enough. Let Marta talk truth to fruition and find yourselves within this candid narrative while also celebrating the fact the The California Clipper is back! We support you and all elements of your industry experience  and the T o S DMs stay open. Stay Golden, The T o S Crew Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

We wanted to do something a bit different here at T o S for Black History Month AKA Black Futures Month. We're here with Kenyatta Forbes of Trading Races - a card game that is one part party game, one part educational and 100 percent thought provoking. Race is a sensitive topic within any arena and we are excited to use Trading Races as a vehicle for empathy, conscious dialogue and factual conversations as it pertains to the realities of the hospitality industry. Things get a bit heated but we had a great time and absolutely adore how this game centers all aspects of the black experience through a multitude of lenses. Dive in to this extra special episode and if you are interested in getting Trading Races for yourself, or anyone - feel free to do so here. As per Vice News - this is the "blackest card game ever created" and we couldn't agree more. Stay Up Out There, The T o S Crew. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

AND ANOTHER ONE. Wildly fortunate to be here with THE Liz Pearce of Fighting 69th Whiskey and here we are talking about her humble beginnings in Fargo, SD to media acclaim, navigating male dominated spaces, mentorship and specifically the late Joseph Fiely. We also talk about how industry elevations  are an obstacle and sadly not an asset to the overall labor force. Oddly enough we explore the discourse of Zoom meetings, the 'ponderosa' that affects the most silent of the hospitality experience - performers. All of this is to say that your dollar matters - where it's spent, how its spent and what the expectation is when you decide to 'vote with your dollars'. The industry is getting back to 'normal' but for whom? This is a point of a reckoning and in Liz's own words, "be kind until it's not warranted". We're here and overwhelmingly present with every damn word Liz has shared with us - we're inspired yet empowered by her point of view. When we say that the industry 'talks' - we wouldn't think of anyone but this dynamic guest who has a textured background yet a grounded point of expectation as to how the hospitality experience can be so much better for you and yours. Your Dollar Matters, The T o S CrewSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

Next up is Zak McMahon & Jeremy Barrett formerly of Billy Sunday talking to us about their background hailing from St. Louis through their experience through Soho House Chicago and the now shuttered Green River. They also speak quite extensively about their passion through the artistry of bartending and how that craft is a point of fulfillment and enrichment not only personally but intrinsically. Join us as they share their stories, point of views, and how they are formulating an equitable business model with their new concept, Lemon. We love these guys and we are so happy to be a small part of their journey as they go from employees to ownership. Also! This is our first episode highlighting our deeper tilt to the community to highlight the makers and doers of the industry alongside the T o S platform. To start us off, we highlight Josefina Aletky of Spritzology for our first SHOP//talk segment with their delicious bottled cocktail offerings. As always, this platform is yours and we are so excited to share it with you all. Stay Golden, The T o S Crew. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

First episode of the New Year! We're here with Steve Newman of Regalis Foods discussing the impact of the supplier point of review within the hospitality industry. We also discuss his journey from back of house here in Chicago to Nashville and back to Chicago once again - while navigating his own happiness in the industry. Getting a bit deeper, we discuss how they pivoted to be a resource to the community and their restaurant clients as well. When we think of significant supply, its not just tangible items but how you take stock of yourself for yourself. This episode really speaks for itself so we will let it do just that. Stay golden out there friends, The T o S Crew. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

Happy New Year Everyone! We wish you the best in the new year and we wish US a Happy Birthday as we're now a YEAR old! This episode is a bit of a year end review allowing us to take stock, accountability and acknowledgement of the past year. We've been getting our feet wet this past year but it hasn't been without the community of YOU. Join Nariba Shepherd x Justin E. Arnett - Graham as they go over the past year while making a few [terrible] jokes, speaking truth as reality and acknowledging the ponderosa we are still within. More now than ever - stay up, stay healthy and do your best to stay golden. This birthday isn't only ours but yours as well - so T H A N K Y O U. See you in 2022, The T o S Crew. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

Aye! Great to see you again - we hope you've been well.With this newest drop; we are highlighting deeper identity with the industry as it pertains to so much more than the topical aspect of the industry. Get to know a bit below. We're with Ambrosia Borowski of cider operations for Northman Cider Co and beverage director of the Commonwealth Venture Group in Chicago. They founded Chicago Cider Week and is the former general manager of both The Northman Cider Pub and The Northman Beer & Cider Garden.Yo Yarborough has spent the better part of the last five years honing their craft as a distiller at CH Distillery in Chicago. What began as an interest in the science behind distillation and a curiosity for infusing different flavor profiles, has evolved into a true passion for producing premium distilled spirits. In their tenure at CH, they've had an integral role in mastering the art of making Malört - Chicago's most notorious libation. When they're not filling bottles of liquid gold, you can find Yo cycling, camping or most likely hanging out with their dog, Brody Artemis. This episode truly speaks for itself; happy holigayz! Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)

Yo, yo! It's good to see you. This episode hits a bit different for us as it's coming to you from the community because we're with a listener this time around! We always talk about how this platform is for you by us and we have Shawn Clendening with us as we explore the topic of bad behavior within the industry. As always, we put on spin on this heavy topic but it's so important for us to shed light on the mechanics of bad behavior, where it comes from, how it can manifest and how we acknowledge toxicity while finding our way to redemption. Let us know your thoughts and we are ecstatic to have met Shawn as a listener but have him leave us a homie. Stay up out there, The T o S CrewSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tospodcast)