FOODIE & THE BEAST: DECEMBER 21,2025

This week’s show was truly something special, an amazing panel discussion on the State of the Plate and the real realities facing the DC hospitality industry right now.

We brought together leaders from every corner of the industry:

– Shawn Townsend, President & CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, grounding the conversation in hard data—from closures to the vanishing middle of DC dining.
– Greg Casten, of ProFish and Fish & Fire Group, sharing what’s happening in the supply chain, especially around seafood, protein pricing, and what operators haven’t felt yet.
– Daniella Senior, Co-Founder of Colada Shop, offering insight into staffing, brand loyalty, community, and how thoughtful growth can still happen in tough times.
– Michael Babin, CEO of Neighborhood Restaurant Group, with a big-picture view on labor models, unions, guest expectations, and adapting in real time.
– Chris Schmid, from Prestige Ledroit, bringing the beverage lens—how people are drinking, trading down, and navigating wine, spirits, beer, and looming tariffs.

We tackled labor, Initiative 82, rising food costs, consumer behavior, policy pressure, and what’s broken—and what still gives us hope as we head into 2026.

This wasn’t doom and gloom. It was candid & necessary conversation.

If you care about restaurants, hospitality workers, or the future of dining in DC, this episode is a must-listen.

It’s Amazing that we have been talking the hospitality industry on this show for over 18 years. So grateful to all of you for joining us every Sunday at 11am on 1500am or on your favorite podcast platform or right here  - Consider this episode a little gift form us to you and have a wonderful holiday season. We will be back in the New Year!