

Eating at a Meeting
Tracy Stuckrath, CFPM, CMM, CSEP, CHC
Eating at a Meeting explores a variety of topics on food and beverage (F&B) and how they impact individual experience and inclusion, sustainability, culture, community, health and wellness, laws and more.
The mission of Eating at a Meeting is to share authentic stories that illustrate the financial, social, emotional, and mental impact food and beverage have on individuals, organizations, and the earth. I see it being threefold:
● Help individuals and organizations understand how F&B
impacts employee, customer and guest experience, the
planet and the bottom line.
● Help those growing, producing, preparing, and serving
F&B understand the duty of care they hold in food safety
and inclusion as well as the opportunity they have to
create experiences that are safe and inclusive.
● Support those with dietary needs by gathering their
insight on eating at a meeting with dietary needs,
helping them better advocate for themselves and
educating them on the processes found on the other
side of the kitchen door.
The mission of Eating at a Meeting is to share authentic stories that illustrate the financial, social, emotional, and mental impact food and beverage have on individuals, organizations, and the earth. I see it being threefold:
● Help individuals and organizations understand how F&B
impacts employee, customer and guest experience, the
planet and the bottom line.
● Help those growing, producing, preparing, and serving
F&B understand the duty of care they hold in food safety
and inclusion as well as the opportunity they have to
create experiences that are safe and inclusive.
● Support those with dietary needs by gathering their
insight on eating at a meeting with dietary needs,
helping them better advocate for themselves and
educating them on the processes found on the other
side of the kitchen door.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 31, 2021 • 17min
93: Entering a New Year of Conversations
It has been a year - 52 weeks - that the Eating at a Meeting podcast has been a thing. The recordings started as interviews for my blog (thrivemeetings.com/blog) and then Facebook live videos inside the Eating at a Meeting Facebook group. I'm in awe that I have interviewed and recorded 93 episodes in the 52 weeks. The wealth of knowledge and expertise my guests have provided to me and you, the listeners is incredible. Thank you for listening. I cannot wait to see what comes out of the next 52 weeks. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Aug 24, 2021 • 50min
92: How Food is Culture
The Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFAB) was founded in 2004 by Liz Williams, who wanted a place where the intersection between culture and food could be studied. Through exhibits, classes, library, entrepreneurships, and podcast, Liz, SoFAB and the National Food & Beverage Foundation are dedicated to the discovery, understanding and celebration of food, drink and its related culture and folklife in America and the world. Liz joins Tracy for this Eating at a Meeting episode to discuss how food and beverage are culture. Links www.southernfood.org https://www.facebook.com/liz.williams.75873708/ Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Aug 17, 2021 • 53min
91: The Black Tie Experience — No Matter What You Eat or Don't Eat
Bob Pacanovsky knows catering. He also knows customer service. With 25+ years of experience in the hospitality industry, he is going to chat with Tracy about how both Service Excellence and Hospitality are needed to separate yourself from your competition, especially when it comes to serving food and beverage at events and meetings. His expertise helps planners, caterers and organizations improve the skills of the staff, retain and earn new customers and improve the bottom line. Connect with Bob www.BobPacanovsky.com https://www.facebook.com/BobPacanovskyBlackTie https://www.instagram.com/black_tie_experience/ https://twitter.com/BobPacanovsky https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-pacanovsky-/ Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Aug 10, 2021 • 43min
90: Understanding the Unique Characteristics of Fine Water
Did you know that water, like wine, has unique characteristics and terrior giving waters from around the world and sources different tastes and stories? In this episode of Eating at a Meeting, I'm chatting with Fine Water Sommeliers Cori Bokath and Christine Hilgert about the journey, story, and distinct differences of fine waters. Spring and artesian waters are just the start, as tree, rain, and iceberg waters boast their own bountiful beauty. Learn why to drink these fine waters and how to incorporate them into your catering beverage programs and/or events. www.h2ufinewater.com Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Aug 3, 2021 • 44min
89: Managing the Minutia of Event Menus and an Autoimmune disease
Jennifer Johnson, general manager of The Johnson Meetings Group, LOVES her job helping clients achieve their meeting and event vision, including what they eat. With 25+ years of experience planning small, intimate gatherings to full-blown conferences across the US and internationally, she has planned her fair share of events and managed the minutia of menus for a variety of dietary needs, including her own. Join Tracy & Jennifer as they talk about how she manages Hashimoto's Disease, gluten intolerance and having to avoid raw cruciferous vegetables (oral allergy syndrome) while helping create special events for her clients. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jul 27, 2021 • 42min
88: Blueberries, Strawberries, Oh My!
For June — fresh fruits and vegetable month — Tracy chats with James Beard Award winning cookbook author and chef Cynthia Graubart who recently published two cookbooks using blueberries and strawberries. With both savory and sweet recipes (food and drink), Tracy and Cynthia talk about the simplicitiy of her recipes, the history of both fruits and how to enjoy these summer treats in a variety of ways. www.cynthiagraubart.com Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jul 20, 2021 • 27min
87: Celebrating Independence & Freedom
What does independence and freedom mean when it comes to Eating at a Meeting? Tracy talks about how to create dining experience that give every guest the opporunity to independently and freely eat at an event. Useful Links https://thrivemeetings.com/2018/07/celebrating-independence/ https://thrivemeetings.com/2020/07/celebrating-independence-in-2020-food-insecure/ Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jul 13, 2021 • 51min
86: Inclusive: The New Exclusive in Food Service
Heather Landex is Food Safety Expert, Inclusivity Consultant & Trainer for Restaurants & Food Service Industry in Denmark and across the European Union. In her new book, Inclusive: The New Exclusive in Food Service How the Food service Industry Can Stop Leaving Money on the Table," she talks about how to earn more revenue while reducing risk. In this episode, Tracy and Heather chat about ways meeting professionals and food service providers can create more inclusive dining experiences so everyone can eat. Useful Links www.heatherlandex.com https://www.facebook.com/heatherlandex1 https://www.instagram.com/heatherlandex/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherlandex/ Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jul 6, 2021 • 40min
85: How to Host a Virtual Cocktail & Tasting Event
Cocktail and tasting events are important aspects of many events. Now that we've been virtual for a year, what are the best practices for doing them online with attendees from all over the world? How can we ensure those who don't drink alcohol or have dietary needs are included. Join Tracy as she chats with Nicole Hassoun and Thy Parra, founders of Cocktail Curations, about how they have combined their mastery in mixology, culinary arts, spirits, and event planning to create safe, inclusive, delicious and fun virtual food and beverage experiences. Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com

Jun 29, 2021 • 44min
84: Don Ross, VP Operations for Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas Region
Tracy sits down with Don Ross, Vice President of Operations for Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas Region just as MPI WEC kicks off. Listen in as they chat about his role, the new Caesars Forum. Useful Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-ross-9665a78/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/caesars-entertainment-inc/ https://www.facebook.com/CaesarsMeetings https://www.instagram.com/caesarsmeansbusiness/ Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com


