Digital Hospitality

Latest Episodes
Traditional PR Is Dead
Five years into running a successful barbecue restaurant in San Diego, the team behind Cali BBQ did what every business owner was told to do: they wrote a press release. A good one. It was for their five-year anniversary. They had stayed open through a re
Rising Tides Live: Looking Back At The National Restaurant Association Show
In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef, the community reunited to reflect on the stories, lessons, and breakthroughs from the 2025 National Restaurant Show. Attendees shared tips on balancing content creation with human connection,
How a Barbecue Boss Became One of the Industry’s Leading Content Creators
In the world of food and media, Duce Raymond stands out not just for his barbecue but for his belief in the power of content. As the face behind Sweet Baby Rays Catering, True Cuisine, and Duces Wild, Duce has spent the past few years transforming his b
How A Fight Night Nearly Bankrupt Cali BBQ
Everyone loves a packed house on fight night. The energy, the crowd, the sales. But for Shawn Walchef, owner of Cali BBQ, one of those early nights nearly cost him everything. We were young, hungry, and broke, Shawn said. And we made a choice we though
Rising Tides Live: Mother’s Day Hospitality
In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef,the community gathered to reflect on the power of hospitality through the lens of Mothers Day. From honoring the women who raised us to reimagining family-friendly experiences in restaurants,
From Backyard Lemons to Boardroom Strategy: Jim Taylor’s Mission to Help Restaurants Succeed
At a lively Rising Tides happy hour during the Bar and Restaurant Show in Las Vegas, Jim Taylor found himself explaining labor costs to some incredible kids. But for Jim, thats nothing unusual. Whether hes helping restaurant owners tackle complex financ
Rising Tides Live: Gearing Up For The National Restaurant Association Show
In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef, the community gathered ahead of the 2025 National Restaurant Show to share insights, connections, and strategies for making the most of the industrys biggest event. From first-timers to seaso
We Tested Dynamic Pricing at Our Restaurant
Dynamic pricing isnt new. Restaurants have used it for decadesHappy Hour, early bird specials, breakfast discounts. But as Shawn Walchef, owner of Cali BBQ, explained, using tech to automate those changes is what turns heads today. Every restaurant has
Bringing Sports and Showbiz Lessons into Business
In this session of Rising Tides Live, with Richard Liverman and Mike Bisceglia filling in for host Shawn Walchef, the community came together to explore the powerful parallels between sports, showbiz, and business leadership. From football clubs rebuildin
How Kickfin Helped Riot Hospitality Eliminate the Back-Office Bottleneck
J Goldin isnt your typical tech guy. As Systems Director at Riot Hospitality Group, he plays a key role in how the company delivers memorable experiences across a growing portfolio of nightlife venues. Behind the scenes, Goldin is focused on one thing: m