Dine & Dish

About Dine & Dish

Welcome to Dine & Dish, the podcast hosted by Michele DiMeo, the Restaurant Diva. Join Michele as she dives into the heart of hospitality, service, and the restaurant world, sharing stories, trends, and insights from chefs, restaurateurs, and industry insiders and leaders. From dining culture and behind-the-scenes tales to tips for guests and professionals alike, Dine & Dish celebrates the art, passion, and joy of great food and exceptional service. Whether you're a foodie, a hospitality professional, or simply love a good story from the table, this is your front-row seat to the world of dining — with a little diva flair.

Publisher

Michele DiMeo

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Sept 2025

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

60 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   How to Trademark Your Business Name & Protect Your Brand | Andrew Price

   Can someone legally take your business name? And what happens if you build an entire brand around a name you don't actually own? In this episode of Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva, Michele DiMeo sits down with longtime friend and intellectual property attorney Andrew Price, Partner at Venable LLP, to DISH about trademarks, protecting your business name, intellectual property, and the costly branding mistakes entrepreneurs and restaurant owners need to avoid. Whether you're opening your first restaurant, growing a franchise, launching a product, creating a personal brand, or building your next big business, understanding how to protect your brand is essential. We're breaking down: What a trademark is and why your business needs one The difference between a trademark, copyright, and patent Why registering an LLC doesn't automatically protect your brand name When you should trademark your restaurant or business name Common trademark mistakes that can cost entrepreneurs thousands What happens when another company uses your business name The difference between ™ and ® Trademark considerations for restaurant franchises and growing brands How AI, social media, and new technology are changing brand protection Why protecting your intellectual property can increase the long-term value of your business And because this is Dine & Dish, we're going beyond the legal world! Andrew is also a touring musician, so we're talking about the surprising connection between trademarks, rock & roll, creativity, and building a brand that lasts. 00:00 — Welcome & longtime connection - Michele introduces trademark attorney and musician Andrew Price, reflecting on their decades-long friendship and shared creative history. 02:17 — Andrew’s creative path - Andrew shares how music, photography, writing, and early artistic ambitions shaped his path to law—and how he continues to perform. 06:08 — Trademarks, copyrights & patents - A plain-English explanation of the differences between protecting a brand, creative work, and invention. 10:56 — Why brands create value - Using Shark Tank, Scrub Daddy, Starbucks, and restaurants as examples, Michele and Andrew discuss why the right brand can be as valuable as the product itself. 16:29 — Building and protecting a new brand - Andrew explains the importance of early research, strategic filing, risk tolerance, and making informed decisions before launch. 23:32 — The trademark process - They unpack registration timelines, proof of use, renewals, opposition, and why waiting to protect a successful business can create real complications. 33:25 — Restaurant branding - The conversation turns to protecting restaurant names, slogans, signature menu items, and social-media identity. 38:22 — Social media, AI & enforcement - Andrew explores how AI can make research and identifying potential misuse faster, while emphasizing that legal judgment still matters. 45:10 — Music, performance & creative energy - Andrew talks about his band, charity performances, live music, and why being on stage is his creative reset. 50:32 — Lightning round - A quick-fire conversation about dream collaborators, memorable brands, trademarks versus trade secrets, and great restaurant experiences. 54:47 — Where to find Andrew - Andrew shares where listeners can connect with his legal work, music, and photography. 55:52 — Closing takeaway - The episode closes with appreciation for their longtime relationship and a clear message for entrepreneurs: if you build a brand, protect it.

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Dine & Dish Podcast | Hospitality in a HighTech World: Why Human Connection Still Wins | Mike Mudrey

   Can AI replace hospitality—or will human connection become even MORE valuable as restaurants embrace technology? On this episode of Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva, Michele DiMeo sits down with Mike Mudrey, co-founder of Michigan-based The 601 Group, to talk about the future of restaurants, hospitality, leadership, technology and the one thing AI can't easily replicate: genuine human connection. The 601 Group is behind hospitality concepts including The Local Epicurean, For Crêpe Sake and Brown Butter Crêperie, and Mike believes today's guests are looking for much more than good food. They're looking for an experience—and a place where they feel connected. Mike and Michele DISH about: The difference between service and true hospitality How AI and restaurant technology are changing the guest experience Why human connection may become MORE important as automation grows How to scale multiple restaurant brands without losing their identity Building restaurant culture that doesn't disappear when the owner leaves Leadership lessons from Mike's experience working with senior executives Why founders eventually have to stop being the hero of their businesses Building a hospitality company with your spouse The future of restaurants and experience-driven hospitality Michele also asks a question every restaurant operator should be considering: As AI gets better, does being HUMAN become the restaurant industry's greatest competitive advantage? Technology will continue to change. Restaurant trends will change. But guests will always want to feel welcomed, remembered and connected. Food may bring us to the table—but hospitality is what connects us once we're there. Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva Hosted by restaurant executive and entrepreneur Michele DiMeo, The Restaurant Diva Subscribe for conversations with the restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, executives, innovators and personalities shaping the future of hospitality. #RestaurantHospitality #FutureOfRestaurants #RestaurantTechnology #AIRestaurantTechnology #FutureOfHospitality #RestaurantGuestExperience #HumanConnectionInHospitality #RestaurantCustomerExperience #RestaurantLeadership #RestaurantCulture #RestaurantAutomation #HospitalityTechnology #RestaurantIndustryTrends2026 #HowToImproveRestaurantGuestExperience #ServiceVsHospitality #ScalingARestaurantBusiness #RestaurantEntrepreneur 00:00 — Introduction to Mike Mudrey and his background 01:27 — Moving back to Michigan and starting in hospitality 04:18 — The story behind the first crepery in Lansing 09:17 — Expansion, challenges, and lessons learned 14:17 — The role of leadership and building teams 19:13 — The impact of AI on hospitality and operations 24:10 — Creating memorable guest experiences 29:12 — Balancing corporate and entrepreneurial roles 34:23 — Training, innovation, and menu development 39:28 — Management versus leadership in hospitality 44:13 — Advice for aspiring restaurateurs and entrepreneurs

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   The Aligned Woman: Reinvention, Confidence & Success on Your Terms | D’London | Dine & Dish Podcast

   What does it really mean to WIN as a woman—and are we chasing our own definition of success or someone else’s? On this episode of Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva, Michele DiMeo sits down with D’London, entrepreneur and founder of Million Dollar Thrift StyleHouse, for a conversation about style, confidence, entrepreneurship, women supporting women and reinventing yourself at ANY age. D’London shares the story behind Million Dollar Thrift StyleHouse and why looking like a million dollars doesn't mean spending a million dollars. But fashion is only the beginning. We dive into the message behind D’London’s upcoming book, The Aligned Woman, and explore what it means for women to create alignment across business, family, relationships, identity, dreams and personal happiness. We’re dishing about: Reinventing yourself at any age Confidence and personal style Women in business and entrepreneurship Family, relationships and boundaries Financial independence and defining success Fashion, thrifting and finding your own style Social media vs. real life Women supporting women instead of competing Creating your next chapter Building a life that actually feels like YOURS Can women really “have it all?” What happens when your life looks successful from the outside but doesn't feel right on the inside? And at what point do women stop surviving their lives and start designing them? Plus, D’London takes on the Restaurant Diva Lightning Round—designer vs. thrift treasure, heels vs. sneakers, vintage vs. new, statement pieces vs. quiet luxury and much more. If you're entering a new chapter, building a business, redefining success or simply asking yourself “What's next for me?”, this conversation is for you. Because reinvention doesn't have an expiration date. Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva Hosted by Michele DiMeo — The Restaurant Diva Subscribe for conversations about hospitality, entrepreneurship, leadership, lifestyle and the people creating their own definition of success. #DLondon #TheAlignedWoman #MillionDollarThriftStyleHouse #WomenEmpowerment #WomenSupportingWomen #ReinventYourself #ReinventYourselfAfter40 #ReinventYourselfAfter50 #MidlifeReinvention #WomenOver40 #WomenOver50 #FemaleEntrepreneur #WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenInBusiness #ConfidenceForWomen #PersonalStyle #FashionConfidence #ThriftFashion #ThriftStyle #DefiningSuccess #StartingOverInLife #FindingYourPurpose #NextChapterInLife #PersonalGrowthForWomen #WomensLeadership #MicheleDiMeo #RestaurantDiva #DineAndDishPodcast 0:00 — Introduction to D'London and Her Entrepreneurial Journey 2:03 — The Birth of the Million Dollar Thrift 4:54 — Empowerment Through Fashion 7:53 — The Creative Process and Styling Philosophy 11:02 — Fashion Shows and Future Aspirations 14:54 — Opportunities in Thrifting and Personal Branding 22:25 — The Psychology of Thrifting: Confidence and Identity 35:50 — Finding Hidden Treasures: Thrifts and Valuable Discoveries 35:53 — Empowerment Through Style: The Launch of a Podcast 38:46 — Embracing Virtual Connections 40:13 — The Power of Reinvention 45:35 — Navigating Social Media’s Impact 50:18 — Quickfire Fashion Insights 56:19 — Gratitude and Authenticity

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.