Episode 49

full
Published on:

8th Nov 2023

Culinary Craft: Building Profitable Menus with Barb Colucci, Corporate Executive Chef of Del Taco

In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Barb Colucci, Corporate Executive Chef of Del Taco, a culinary trailblazer with a remarkable journey in the food service industry. Barb's expertise spans across full service restaurants, quick service restaurants, and manufacturing. She has worked with renowned brands and has left her mark through her commitment to culinary excellence and innovation. The conversation covers topics such as Barb's favorite Halloween candies, her dream dinner guests, her love for fresh pasta, and her passion for unique food combinations. Barb also shares insights into her work as a consultant and the process of developing menu items for chains like Del Taco and Shakey's.




Quotes

  • "Chefs are salesmen because they always want to sell you what they're making. No matter what it is, it doesn't matter who. It could be leadership. It could be a customer." -Barb Colucci [19:31]


  • “I mentor a lot of kids in high schools. They always ask me, why are you still in this business so long? And I go, because I wake up every day and I think about food. I love what I do. There are hard days. There are difficult days, but then there are really great days. This is why I'm in this business.” -Barb Colucci [22:28]




TIMESTAMPS

01:47 | Chef Barb's expertise in culinary excellence and innovation

05:34 | One dish from traveling that more people should know about

10:11 | Notable menu items from Del Taco and Shakey's

18:25 | Transferable skills and experiences in working with different chains

25:49 | Reflections on career successes, failures, and funny moments

28:46 | Barb emphasizes the importance of passion and hard work









RESOURCES

Portillo Sales



CONTACT 

Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

Barb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefbarbcolucciconsulting/

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About the Podcast

Titans of Foodservice
Nick Portillo shares with you the things he has learned on his own journey of building a successful business in the food service industry.

About your host

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Seth "Creek" Creekmore

Seth Creekmore, or “Creek,” as he is known by most of his friends has been studying the Enneagram for almost 10 years now. Having completed training under Lynda Roberts & Nan Henson, he continued learning the Enneagram through a smattering of other teachers and books and eventually completed the Awareness to Action program. He was one of the original founders of the popular Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast and now serves as the resident Millennial for the Awareness to Action Podcast. He creates Cinematic Folk music under the name Creekmore and enjoys, hiking in cold places, cooking in warm places and traveling to all the places.