How does a legacy diner institution stay relevant after 76 years without losing its core identity? NORMS President & CEO Mark Politzer joins host Callie Evergreen to unpack a career that stretches from Michelin-star dining to leading one of Southern California’s most beloved legacy brands.
All content for The Restaurant Innovator is the property of FSR magazine and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
How does a legacy diner institution stay relevant after 76 years without losing its core identity? NORMS President & CEO Mark Politzer joins host Callie Evergreen to unpack a career that stretches from Michelin-star dining to leading one of Southern California’s most beloved legacy brands.
‘Top Chef’ Competitor Manny Barella on Balancing BBQ, Fatherhood, and the Roses and Thorns of Reality TV
The Restaurant Innovator
49 minutes
1 month ago
‘Top Chef’ Competitor Manny Barella on Balancing BBQ, Fatherhood, and the Roses and Thorns of Reality TV
After trading law books for chef whites, Manny Barella’s journey from Monterrey, Mexico, to the “Top Chef” Season 21 stage has been a whirlwind. Now, the James Beard Award semifinalist and fan‑favorite contestant is channeling his heritage and hustle into his new Denver restaurant, Riot BBQ—a Texas-style barbecue concept with Mexican flavor. In this conversation, Barella opens up about the “roses and thorns” of how being on reality TV changed his life; the challenges of building a Mexican‑ins...
The Restaurant Innovator
How does a legacy diner institution stay relevant after 76 years without losing its core identity? NORMS President & CEO Mark Politzer joins host Callie Evergreen to unpack a career that stretches from Michelin-star dining to leading one of Southern California’s most beloved legacy brands.
