Today on our episode #390 of All in the Industry®, Shari Bayer’s guest is Christina Grdovic, or Chris, an influential and inspiring leader in America’s culinary world. Chris was previously the Publisher of Food & Wine for over a decade, and is currently the Head of Partnerships at Marc Lore’s Wonder, a new kind of food hall, transforming delivery and mealtime. Chris is known for devoting the same endless energy and investment in nurturing people and culture as she does to refining strategy and building brands. With this powerful, focused combination, she has left an indelible mark on the companies and teams she’s led. When Marc founded Wonder, Chris joined to identify and recruit chef and restaurant partners for the platform and help develop concepts for chefs José Andrés, Michael Symon, Marcus Samuelsson, Esther Choi and beloved classics DiFara Pizza and Tejas Barbecue, among others. As Publisher of Food & Wine, Chris transformed the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, fortifying its status as America’s premier food and wine festival. She launched myriad partnerships with culinary festivals in the U.S., Caribbean, and Mexico to create robust year-round offerings. Chris also spearheaded the partnership with Bravo that launched the network’s Emmy Award-winning blockbuster hit, Top Chef. After departing Food & Wine, Chris founded a strategic consultancy advising the Infatuation, Fever Tree, and other culinary brands.
Today’s show also features Shari’s PR tip to wonder; Industry News on James Kent, also known as Jamal James Kent, an outstanding chef, restaurateur, husband, father, and friend, who suddenly passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from a heart attack at the young age of 45 — a heartbreaking loss for our industry and beyond; as well as Industry News on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 in Las Vegas and James Beard Awards 2024 in Chicago, which Shari attended for our “On the Road” coverage; plus, Shari’s Solo Dining experience at Clark’s Oyster Bar in Aspen during the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen 2024. Listen at Heritage Radio Network, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow us @allindustry. Thanks for being a part of All in the Industry®.
** Check out Shari’s book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon, Spring 2023), available wherever books are sold! #chefwisebook**
Listen at Heritage Radio Network; subscribe/rate/review our show at iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify. Follow us @allindustry. Thanks for being a part of All in the Industry®.
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