What You Don't Know About Italian Food, with Sysco's Chef Bennett DePew
NC F&B Podcast · NC F&B Podcast
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Show Notes
Chef Bennett Depew, Director of Italian for Sysco of the Carolinas. The discussion covers the rising popularity of Italian cuisine in America, particularly in the Carolinas, and the evolution of Italian cooking from traditional dishes to novel ingredients like 'nduja and Taleggio cheese. Chef Bennett shares insights on how the Italian segment of the restaurant industry uniquely thrived during the pandemic due to the travel-friendly nature of Italian cuisine. They delve into how restaurants can maintain profitability amidst changing trends like gluten-free diets and the use of technology to streamline operations. The conversation also touches on the importance of work-life balance in the restaurant industry, the role of Cisco in supporting local businesses, and the benefits of utilizing technology and local sourcing to improve restaurant operations and menu offerings.
00:00 Welcome to the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast
00:49 Introducing Chef Bennett Depew: A Deep Dive into Italian Cuisine
01:13 The Evolution and Resilience of Italian Food in America
04:57 The Art and Zen of Pasta Making
10:32 Navigating the Business Side: From Chef to Cisco Specialist
16:40 The Journey to the 'Dark Side': Transitioning from Chef to Sales
22:45 Reflecting on the First Day and Sales Experiences
22:56 The Evolution of Work-Life Balance in the Restaurant Industry
24:02 Improving Quality of Life for Restaurant Workers
25:45 The Impact of Minimum Wage Laws on the Restaurant Industry
27:55 Rethinking Tipping and Sales Commissions in Restaurants
29:17 Leveraging Technology for Restaurant Efficiency
33:35 Exploring Italian Cooking Trends and Ingredients
39:10 The Significance of Local Sourcing and Cisco's Role
42:13 Big Business Supporting Small: A New Era of Convenience
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