Lessons on Food and Life with Tom Colicchio

What is true hospitality? Is it the service that we receive, or is it something more?

Hospitality is the cornerstone of Tom Colicchio’s approach to restaurants. He understands that creating an atmosphere of genuine hospitality goes beyond simply serving exceptional food; it encompasses every aspect of the guest's experience, from the moment they step through the door to the time they leave with a satisfied smile on their face.

Hospitality isn’t just about the customer experience either, it’s about the good you do for the world at large. Tom’s philanthropy and career is a great example of what I call “doing well by doing good” - the idea that we can be successful by helping others.

For the past few years, we at Smile Farms have partnered with Tom and his team at Crafted Hospitality to find meaningful work opportunities for developmentally disabled adults. Having a personal tie to many of the issues we are trying to solve, Tom has become one of our biggest supporters.

In this podcast episode, we discuss Tom’s prolific career as a chef and restaurateur, but our conversation goes far beyond the food. We cover topics including family, immigration, sustainable agriculture, food insecurity, and so much more, tying it all back to the restaurant industry and hospitality.