"On the Road" at the Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference 2025, Las Vegas

05/22/25 • 79 min

Today on our episode #413 of All in the Industry, Shari Bayer has a special “On the Road” show from the Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference 2025 presented by MAPP & the Women's Hospitality Initiative (WHI), which took place on March 30 & 31, 2025 at the Wynn Las Vegas.
It was an inspiring two-day conference led by Elizabeth Blau (ep #371), CEO & Founder of Blau & Associates, & Co-Founder of WHI; & MAPP's Joanna James (ep #317), with industry leaders, corporate hospitality & celebrity chefs discussing key business strategies & expert advice; plus, hands-on workshops, mentorship speed-dating, & a Legacy Gala at UNLV. This inaugural conference also marked MAPP's 5th year anniversary since launching its Global Women Leadership Initiative.
Shari was thrilled to be a part of the conference, & speak with the following participants:
- Todd-Avery Lenahan, President & Chief Creative Office, Wynn Design & Development; creator of iconic global destinations for the world’s finest resort brands; @toddaverylenahan (11:08);
- Joanna James, Founder & CEO, MAPP; Director, Producer, Editor, & multi-award winning filmmaker with her 1st time film, A Fine Line; @joannajamesfilms (21:29); &
- Antonia Lofaso, Executive Chef & Owner of LA restaurants: Scopa Italian Roots, DAMA, & Black Market Liquor Bar; & TV Personality, including Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition: Heroes vs Villians, Top Chef, & Restaurant Startup; @chefantonia (28:42).
Many thanks to Todd, Joanna, Antonia, Elizabeth, & teams, & Wynn Las Vegas. For more info, go to womenshospitalityinitiative.com & mappimpact.org, & follow @womenshospitalityinitiative & @mappimpact.
Today's show also includes Shari's PR tip to be in it for the long run; Speed Round with Antonia; Industry News on 50 Best (@theworlds50best) launching its inaugural North America's 50 Best Restaurants in Sept at Wynn Las Vegas (1:05:12); & Shari's Solo Dining experience at Golden Steer Steakhouse (@goldensteerlv) in Vegas (1:07:24).
Viva Las Vegas!

Find all of our new & archived shows at AllintheIndustry.com. Listen at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe & leave us a rating/review.

Interested in collaborating with us? Please reach out via our contact page at AllintheIndustry.com, or on social. We'd love to hear from you!

Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon), available wherever books are sold. #chefwisebook

Thanks, as always, for being a part of All in the Industry®!

Find all of our new & archived shows at AllintheIndustry.com. Listen at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe & leave us a rating/review.

Interested in collaborating with us? Please reach out via our contact page at AllintheIndustry.com, or on social. We'd love to hear from you!

Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon), available wherever books are sold. #chefwisebook

Thanks, as always, for being a part of All in the Industry®!

Previous Episode

"On the Road" at Ojai Food + Wine 2025, Ojai, CA; William Bradley, Addison by William Bradley; and Nancy Silverton, Mozza Restaurant Group

Today on our episode #412 of All in the Industry, Shari Bayer has a special “On the Road” show from Ojai Food + Wine 2025, presented by Food & Wine, California's premier epicurean weekend, which took place at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn in Ojai, CA from March 13-16, 2025. Curated by Ojai Valley Inn’s General Manager Ben Kephart, the weekend featured an all-star lineup of chefs, & food & beverage personalities, including Nancy Silverton, Alice Waters, Jeremiah Tower, Mei Lin, Christopher Kostow, Grant Achatz, Sherry Yard, & more! Shari participated as a speaker as “Host” of a Cooking Demonstration: Foothills Cuisine of Blackberry Farm with Chef Cassidee Dabney; and an interview-style conversation with Farmer Lee Jones of The Chef's Garden (ep #36). It was a glorious weekend of delicious eats, drinks & conversations.
Shari sat down with two Ojai F+W participants to talk about their careers & roles:

William Bradley, Chef/Director of Addison by William Bradley, Southern California’s first three-star Michelin restaurant in San Diego. At Addison, William showcases the beauty & allure of California Gastronomy through an experience that celebrates regional ingredients & influences. William participated in Ojai's A Star-Studded Affair. (13:07) And,
- Nancy Silverton, chef/co-owner of Mozza Restaurant Group, including Pizzeria Mozza in LA & Newport Beach, as well as Osteria Mozza, Mozza2Go & chi SPACCA in LA. Nancy also founded the world-renowned La Brea Bakery, & Campanile Restaurant. Early in her career, Nancy was named Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chef.” In 2014, she received the highest honor given by the James Beard Foundation for “Outstanding Chef.” Nancy graced Ojai Food + Wine's magazine cover, & participated in its Opening Night Reception, Best of Rome Dinner with Jonathan Waxman & Evan Funke, Book Signing & Conversation with Phil Rosenthal & Ruth Reichl, & Sunday Grand Tasting. (29:11)
Many thanks & congrats to William & Nancy, Cassidee & Farmer Lee, Ben & the Ojai Valley Inn team, Food & Wine, OpenTable, & everyone involved in the epic weekend! For more info, go to ojaifoodandwine.com & follow @ojaifoodandwine. And mark your calendars for next year's event: March 5-8, 2026!
Today's show also includes Shari's PR tip to aspire for greatness; Speed Round with William; & Shari's Solo Dining experience at Rory's Place in Ojai, CA. (48:28)

Find all of our new & archived shows at AllintheIndustry.com. Listen at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe & leave us a rating/review.

Interested in collaborating with us? Please reach out via our contact page at AllintheIndustry.com, or on social. We'd love to hear from you!

Check out Shari's book, Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World (Phaidon), available wherever books are sold. #chefwisebook

Thanks, as always, for being a part of All in the Industry®!