Josh Kesler is a musician-turned-entrepreneur and the visionary behind some of Pennsylvania’s most community-defining projects. As the founder of The Millworks—a hybrid art collective, farm-to-table restaurant, and craft brewery—Josh has helped transform an underutilized urban neighborhood into a thriving hub for food, art and culture.
On this episode of Forktales, Josh talks about the risks and rewards of betting on a neighborhood, how amenities can drive revitalization and how ramen, beer and creativity continue to fuel his work.
Served Up in Your Inbox
Why check back for updates when you can have Forktales served up piping hot and fresh to your inbox?
Forktales is a podcast and video series that feeds the food, beverage, restaurant, and hospitality industries with insights, innovations, and incredibly entertaining stories. Each episode we interview the industry's leaders from veterans to the up and comers, to get a glimpse of trends, trials, tribulations, and more.
Josh Kesler – Restaurateur, community builder and champion of local food and art
Josh Kesler is a musician-turned-entrepreneur and the visionary behind some of Pennsylvania’s most community-defining projects. As the founder of The Millworks—a hybrid art collective, farm-to-table restaurant, and craft brewery—Josh has helped transform an underutilized urban neighborhood into a thriving hub for food, art and culture.
On this episode of Forktales, Josh talks about the risks and rewards of betting on a neighborhood, how amenities can drive revitalization and how ramen, beer and creativity continue to fuel his work.
Peter Newlin – Chief Vision Officer of Gastamo Group
Peter Newlin is the Chief Vision Officer of Gastamo Group and a driving force behind some of Denver’s most community-rooted and experience-focused restaurant concepts. He also brings a unique perspective to the restaurant industry that fuses brand creation, tech innovation and guest connection.
On this episode of Forktales, Peter shares why restaurants should serve the communities they’re in, not just their bottom lines. He talks about launching with a startup mindset, using AI to reduce risk and improve operations, and why loyalty programs should prioritize recognition over rewards.
Stephanie Jaeger – President of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI)
Women make up more than half of the hospitality workforce, yet hold only a small fraction of leadership roles. Stephanie Jaeger wants to change that. Stephanie currently serves as President of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI), a global organization dedicated to supporting and elevating women in food, beverage, and hospitality.
In this episode of Forktales, Stephanie shares how she got involved with LDEI, the power of mentorship, the need for representation in culinary leadership and how LDEI is expanding its global impact. She also highlights barriers women still face in today’s hospitality industry.
Yanni Hufnagel – Founder of Lemon Perfect
Yanni Hufnagel knows how to build a winning team, whether on the basketball court as a former assistant coach for powerhouse programs like Harvard, Vanderbilt, and Nevada or in the beverage aisle. As the founder of Lemon Perfect, he’s turned a simple idea into one of the fastest-growing brands in the industry, proving that great taste and better-for-you ingredients can go hand in hand.
In this episode of Forktales, Michael and Yanni talk about the parallels between coaching and entrepreneurship, how an unplanned endorsement from Beyonce gave the brand a boost, moving the brand from Los Angeles to Atlanta (just a few miles from Coca-Cola) and a sneak peek at the new Lemon Perfect packaging.
Jeff Broadhurst – CEO of Eat’n Park Hospitality Group
Jeff Broadhurst has built a career centered on creating memorable dining experiences and bringing joy to guests with Eat’n Park’s iconic smiley cookies. As CEO, he’s helped shape Eat’n Park into more than just a restaurant, it’s a place where smiles are always on the menu.
In this episode of Forktales, Michael and Jeff talk about the success of the Eat’n Park and Parkhurst Dining brands, the joys of working in a family business, the importance of taking care of your team and some of the best things on the Eat’n Park menu.
Clara Paye – Founder & CEO of UNiTE Food
In this episode, we sit down with Clara Paye, founder and CEO of UNiTE Food, a company shaking up the protein bar industry with globally inspired flavors like Churro and Mexican Hot Chocolate.
Clara shares her journey from the plumbing industry to entrepreneurship, highlighting her mission to create a more inclusive wellness community by offering diverse and nostalgic tastes that resonate with a wide range of consumers.
