Foodie and the Beast – Dec. 21, 2025

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.

We’re closing out 2025 with a show we’re calling State of the Plate, because if there’s one thing this year demanded from the hospitality industry, it was honesty. So today, we’re setting the table for an honest, forward-looking conversation:

What actually happened in 2025? What’s broken? What’s changing?

And what does it take for restaurants not just to survive — but to thrive — in 2026?

Our guests are:

Shawn Townsend — President & CEO, Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)

Greg Casten — ProFish & Fish & Fire Group

Daniella Senior — Co-Founder, Colada Shop

Michael Babin — CEO, Neighborhood Restaurant Group

Chris Schmid — Prestige Ledroit