Tyler Akin on Dreaming up Bars and Restaurants Through Form-Function Hospitality

09/03/24 • 51 min

1 Listener

#75. In this episode of The meez Podcast, we dive deep into the culinary world of Tyler Akin, founder of Form-Function Hospitality, and a celebrated chef and restaurateur who has left an indelible mark on the East Coast's dining scene. From his early days in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was inspired by his Southern grandmother's meticulous cooking, to his time at prestigious kitchens like minibar by José Andrés and Michelin-starred Komi, Akin's journey is anything but ordinary.

After leaving law school to follow his passion for food, Akin honed his craft under the mentorship of renowned chefs Johnny Monis and Michael Solomonov. His own ventures, including the acclaimed Stock in Fishtown and Res Ipsa Cafe, have garnered national recognition and cemented his reputation as a key figure in Philadelphia’s culinary renaissance.

Akin's latest project, Bastia, is set to open in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood. This new venture, a collaboration with Foyer Project, will transform Hotel Anna & Bel into a vibrant space, offering a leisurely café experience by day and a coastal Mediterranean restaurant by night, drawing inspiration from the sun-drenched shores of Corsica and Sardinia.

As Form-Function Hospitality continues to expand with concepts like Bastia and the upcoming Caletta, Akin remains at the forefront of creating memorable dining experiences in historic spaces. Join us as we explore Tyler Akin's remarkable career, his passion for preserving culinary traditions, and the exciting new projects on the horizon.
Where to find Tyler Akin:

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

In this episode, we cover:

(05:40): Tyler's Delaware roots
(10:09): How Tyler got into cooking(17:57): The worst kitchen injury Tyler's seen
(23:21): All about Form and Function Hospitality
(30:28): Hotel Du Pont and Le Cavalier
(37:46): Batista Restaurant

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

In this episode, we cover:

Previous Episode

Darleen Scherer on Crafting Coffee and Cultivating Brands

#74. In this episode of The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey reconnects with Darleen Scherer, the founder of Black Sheep and a pioneering force in the specialty coffee world. With over 20 years of experience, Darleen has been at the helm of several successful coffee roasting companies, including Gorilla Coffee, Supercrown Coffee Roasters, and Taylor Lane Organic Coffee. Known as "The Godmother of New York Coffee," she has been recognized by The New York Times, Bon Appétit, Time Out, The Food Network, The Today Show, and The Wall Street Journal for her contributions to the industry.

Darleen brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation, offering insights into coffee agriculture, the art of grading beans, and what it takes to brew an exceptional cup. Beyond coffee, she delves into her alter ego as a marketer, sharing lessons from her early career in NYC ad agencies. Now, with her consultancy, she helps coffee brands grow by meeting owners and executives where they are, leveraging her own successes and challenges in the industry.

Whether you're passionate about coffee or interested in brand building, this episode is a rich source of inspiration and expertise.
Where to find Darleen Scherer:

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

In this episode, we cover:

(05:40): Darleen's background
(09:41): How Darleen got into coffee(15:09): The process of the bean to your cup
(26:02): Frozen coffee
(40:49): A typical margin or EBITDA of a coffee shop when it's successful
(56:06): Black Sheep and marketing on unique qualities

Next Episode

Alice Cheng on Connecting the Industry through Her Company, Culinary Agents

#76. On this episode of The meez Podcast, we sit down with Alice Cheng, founder and CEO of Culinary Agents, a groundbreaking platform connecting talent and businesses in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Alice shares her incredible journey from a role in IBM's mailroom to executive ranks on a global scale at the company.
After a decade-plus career climbing the corporate ladder at lightning speed, Alice made the bold decision to leave and launch her own start-up. Inspired by helping her friends in the restaurant world with resume writing and contract negotiations, she realized the industry lacked the online tools needed for finding jobs and hiring the right people for their restaurants.

In 2012, Culinary Agents was born, a place for workers to easily discover and apply to great opportunities and an all in one hiring and recruiting solution for restaurants. Tune in to hear how Alice turned a personal problem into a pioneering solution that's reshaping the future of hospitality.
Where to find Alice Cheng:

Where to find Culinary Agents:

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

In this episode, we cover:

(01:07): Alice's background
(08:46): What influenced Alice's determination and hard work(14:21): Finding mentors and asking questions
(19:36): Culinary Agents 101
(24:14): How Culinary Agents has changed over the years
(29:33): The future of Culinary Agents
(31:56): What keeps Alice up at night
(33:30): Thoughts on hiring
(43:49): What makes Alice blood boiling mad

The meez Podcast - Tyler Akin on Dreaming up Bars and Restaurants Through Form-Function Hospitality

Transcript

[00:00:00] Josh Sharkey:

You're listening to Season 2 of the meez Podcast, I'm your host Josh Sharkey, the founder and CEO of meez, a culinary operating system for food professionals. On the show, we're going to talk to high performers in the food business, everything from chefs to CEOs, technologists, writers, investors, and more about how they innovate and operate and how they consistently execute at a high level.

[00:00:24]