My Insights on Getting the Restaurant Industry Back on Track
Welcome to The Awakening, by Audarshia Townsend.
I’m a Chicago-based author/editor/writer/television presenter/podcast host/expert storyteller who has more than 25 years of experience covering the restaurant and bar industry. Here, you’ll get my unique, sometimes unconventional, perspective on an industry that desperately needs resetting.
There is uncertainty, of course, but there is still community. There is also much hope, yet operators should be realistic about the future. I chat with industry leaders almost daily during my “Instagram Live! Culinary Series” about their businesses and how they’re working hard to survive.
With The Awakening, I’d like to share these stories of survival; help end the ugliness of homophobia, sexism, racism and transphobia running rampant throughout the industry; and keep the public informed on how they can help. I will also write original content about marginalized culinary folks who are too often left out of narratives.
My insights are based on my experience as managing editor of Restaurant Inc. magazine, covering the foodservice industry, plus years of contributing food and drink content to consumer-focused media outlets, including the Chicago Tribune, Essence, Michigan Avenue, Upscale, Los Angeles Times, playboy.com, World’s Best Bars, the Travel Channel, WGN-TV, FOX-32, CLTV, Digital City, NBC-Chicago, ABC-7, and numerous radio stations and websites.
Storytelling is my passion. Solutions are my end goal. Sign up now so you don’t miss an issue.
In the meantime, tell your friends!