The Tech Chef, Restaurant, Hospitality and Hotel Technology Business Podcast

Toby Malbec joins the Tech Chef Podcast to talk about the future of restaurant technology and the key insights from the recent MURTEC Executive Summit. He emphasizes the importance of getting foundational technology in place before diving into advanced innovations like AI. Toby shares his experiences as the Vice President of Global Restaurant Technology for Church's Chicken and highlights how operators need to prepare for upcoming changes in the industry. The conversation dives deep into the collaboration necessary among brands to tackle common challenges and improve operations. Overall, this episode is a serious look at how technology can lead to success in the hospitality sector.Takeaways: Restaurant operators to get their digital house in order before the next wave of technology changes hits the industry. The importance of foundational technology to leverage advanced innovations like AI and machine learning. There is a significant distinction between operational success and the technology tools used, highlighting the need for seamless integration in restaurant operations. Insights on the evolution of hospitality tech and the importance of collaboration among industry leaders to succeed.

In this episode of The Tech Chef Podcast, Skip Kimpel welcomes Chris Herd, co-founder and CEO of Olive, the AI-powered platform that’s redefining how businesses approach vendor selection, RFPs, and strategic sourcing. Chris shares his journey from tech sales to entrepreneurship, the pain points that inspired Olive’s creation, and why the traditional RFP process is fundamentally broken.Together, they explore how Olive eliminates bias, accelerates decisions, and empowers consultants, operators, and vendors to collaborate more effectively. Whether you’re tired of bloated spreadsheets or questioning the future of your consulting model, this conversation offers a refreshing, forward-thinking take on how to evaluate and adopt technology in a smarter way.Key Takeaways:The RFP Is Broken: Traditional RFPs are slow, manual, and often biased. Olive offers a collaborative, agile alternative powered by AI.AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement: Rather than replacing consultants, Olive empowers them to work more efficiently, scale faster, and deliver more value by automating tedious tasks.Vendor Fairness & Objectivity: Olive doesn’t accept vendor payments, reducing bias and ensuring a level playing field in the selection process.Smarter, Faster Decisions: From consolidating stakeholder input to auto-analyzing vendor responses, Olive dramatically shortens timelines and improves project outcomes.Beyond Hospitality: While widely used in restaurants and hotels, Olive’s platform is industry-agnostic and scalable across enterprise sectors.The Future of RFPs? According to Chris, the term “RFP” might be obsolete in five years. Instead, decision-making platforms will lead the wayHow To Contact Me:Websitehttps://SkipKimpel.com (all archived shows and show notes will be posted here)https://magicgate.comInstagram:https://instagram.com/skipkimpelhttps://www.instagram.com/magicgatetech/X (Twitter):https://twitter.com/skipkimpelhttps://x.com/magicgatetechFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/skipkimpel1/https://www.facebook.com/magicgatetechLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/skipkimpelhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/magicgateYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/@magicgatetechYou can always email me at: [email protected]

This week on Tech Chef, host Skip Kimpel dives into a post-MURTEC 2025 recap with first-time guest and hospitality tech veteran Tom Seeker. Fresh off the show floor, they discuss everything from shifting conference venues to the biggest tech themes making waves in the restaurant and hospitality space.Tom brings the dual perspective of a vendor and operator, offering sharp insights on what made this year’s event stand out. The conversation centers on how data has become the true king, replacing cash as the core currency of innovation, and how restaurants must own and control their data to stay competitive.From the evolving role of AI and VR in training and operations to conversations around legacy tech, security, and personalization, this episode is packed with strategic takeaways for operators, tech providers, and hospitality pros alike.Takeaways:Data is the New Currency: The dominant theme of MURTEC 2025 was clear—data is king. Operators need to prioritize data ownership, clean pipelines, and interoperability between systems to future-proof their businesses.AI is Just a Tool: The buzz around AI has matured. It’s no longer seen as a silver bullet, but rather as a data enhancement tool, helping restaurants normalize, visualize, and act on information more effectively.Training is Going Virtual: With limited resources and expanding footprints, operators are increasingly turning to virtual and extended reality (XR) solutions to meet employees where they are. VR-based onboarding and training are on the rise, driven by both need and innovation.Legacy Tech Still a Major Pain Point: Many brands remain handcuffed by outdated systems. There’s a growing push to modernize the tech stack while ensuring data continuity and seamless integration with modern tools.Security Still Matters (Even If It's Not Trendy): While AI dominated past headlines, cybersecurity remains mission-critical. Large restaurant brands continue to be high-profile targets, making awareness and proactive defense essential.The Guest Experience is Assumed, but the Employee Experience is Rising: Guest experience is now table stakes. The bigger surprise? A growing emphasis on employee-facing tech—tools that empower teams, improve shift management, and optimize training.MURTEC Venue Shift & Community Vibes: While there was skepticism about the move from Paris Las Vegas to Caesars Forum, Tom praises the new setup, calling it a “family reunion” with great energy and flow. Still, the familiar charm of Paris has its fans.RTN Standards & Collaboration: The Restaurant Technology Network (RTN) is playing a vital role in shaping the future. From RFP standards to possible mentorship programs and showroom tours, there’s a strong push for industry-wide collaboration.How To Contact MeWebsitehttps://SkipKimpel.com (all archived shows and show notes will be posted here)https://magicgate.comInstagram:https://instagram.com/skipkimpelhttps://www.instagram.com/magicgatetech/X (Twitter):https://twitter.com/skipkimpelhttps://x.com/magicgatetechFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/skipkimpel1/https://www.facebook.com/magicgatetechLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/skipkimpelhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/magicgateYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/@magicgatetechYou can always email me at [email protected] Bootcamp for Business Professionals!Magicgate will be launching an XR Bootcamp for Business Professionals.  This is a low tech / no tech approach to guide you, as business leaders with knowledgeable information to take new ideas to your company and your team member and be able to talk intelligently around the subject matter.  This is a 5 week course (plus a bonus week!) that will get you caught up on terminology, discuss business strategies, uncover devices and services to help you down your XR path as well as how to manage this type of project.  Most importantly, you will given research and tools to help you make a business case for including this in your technology strategy and roadmap.  For more information and to sign up, go to bootcamp.magicgate.com.  LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE!

The Tech Chef Podcast takes listeners deep into the world of hospitality technology with episode 92 featuring Jason Marsh of Flow Immersive. The episode kicks off with an introduction to the latest trends in restaurant and hospitality tech. Skip Kimpel, the host, sets the stage for a discussion about immersive data visualization, a groundbreaking approach to understanding complex data in a more engaging way. Jason shares the fascinating journey of Flow Immersive, starting from its inception at a hackathon to its current capabilities that allow users to interact with data in 3D space using AI. This technology, he explains, transforms dull business meetings into lively discussions, where stakeholders can visualize and manipulate data dynamically, fostering better decision-making and collaboration.As the conversation unfolds, listeners gain insights into the practical applications of this innovative technology across various industries. Jason emphasizes how immersive data experiences can enhance understanding in sectors like hospitality. He illustrates this with an example of a life expectancy dataset visualized in 3D, showcasing how historical data can reveal trends and insights that are not visible in traditional 2D formats. This immersive approach encourages shared understanding, which is crucial for data-driven decisions in business environments. The episode also highlights the importance of collaboration and how immersive experiences can lead to more effective teamwork.Listeners are invited to think about the future of data presentation and how immersive technology can become a staple in boardrooms. The discussion wraps up with Jason expressing his vision for Flow Immersive to integrate seamlessly into everyday business practices, making data visualization a natural and intuitive experience. This episode serves as a compelling invitation for listeners to explore the evolving landscape of hospitality tech and embrace the future of data interaction.Takeaways:Flow Immersive started nine years ago when the speaker wanted to build Ironman and invited others to join in.The speaker believes immersive data visualization is the future of data interaction and collaboration.Businesses can use Flow Immersive for better data interpretation, especially in supply chains and financial services.Augmented reality provides a shared data experience in meetings, allowing for interactive discussions and real-time collaboration.The future of data visualization will be about integrating technology seamlessly into the human experience, making it feel natural and engaging.

The podcast features a deep conversation Unai Extremo and John Cunningham, of Virtualware to discuss the innovative platforms developed especially focusing on their flagship product, VIROO. This platform is designed to assist industries in adopting immersive technologies, particularly in training and operational efficiency. Unai explains how VIROO aims to enhance competitiveness and sustainability in companies by leveraging real-time 3D technology.He emphasizes the platform's ability to support various training scenarios, enabling organizations to create immersive training experiences while protecting their proprietary information. John shares his journey with Virtualware, highlighting the company's commitment to providing a user-friendly experience and the importance of having trusted partners in the industry.The episode dives into the specific applications of VIROO in sectors like hospitality, where it can revolutionize training processes and operational efficiencies.Overall, the episode conveys the exciting potential of XR technologies in transforming traditional business practices, urging listeners to consider how these advancements can be integrated into their operations.Takeaways:The Tech Chef Podcast dives into the latest innovations transforming the hospitality industry, focusing on XR technology. Virtualware is helping companies become more competitive by using real-time 3D technology in their operations. The partnership between Magicgate and Virtualware aims to enhance XR adoption in the hospitality sector. Training and collaboration using XR can improve efficiency and effectiveness in various hospitality functions. John and Unai from Virtualware discuss the importance of security and scalability in implementing XR solutions. The discussion highlights how XR technology can streamline training processes in hospitality and improve guest experiences.