Shows / Say Grace
Say Grace
A soulful exploration of the hospitality industry through the eyes of celebrated restaurateur and author Steve Palmer. Combining the richness of grace—a pre-meal tradition in the South, a gift freely given, and a timeless virtue—with the transformative journey of hospitality, this podcast dives deep into the stories behind the industry. With heartfelt conversations, Palmer uncovers personal journeys of resilience, mental health breakthroughs, and sources of inspiration, showcasing how lives are…
Episodes
- Say Grace
S3 EP 3: A Conversation with Gregory Gourdet of Kann
Gregory Gourdet is a three-time James Beard Award-winning chef, best-selling author, two-time Top Chef finalist, and one of the most influential voices in…
- Say Grace
S3 EP 2: A Conversation with June Rodil, Felipe Riccio, and Austin Waiter of Goodnight Hospitality
June Rodil, Felipe Riccio, and Austin Waiter are the team behind one of Houston's most acclaimed hospitality groups, Goodnight Hospitality. June, CEO and…
- Say Grace
S3 EP 1: A Conversation with Simon Kim of Gracious Hospitality
Simon Kim is the Founder and CEO of Gracious Hospitality Management, the group behind acclaimed concepts including COTE Korean Steakhouse, COQODAQ, and…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 30: A Conversation with Sam Fore of Tuk Tuk Snack Shop
Sam Fore is a Sri Lankan-American chef and recipe developer based in Lexington, Kentucky, whose cooking blends her Sri Lankan heritage with her upbringing in…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 29: A Conversation with Jeremiah Langhorne of The Dabney
Jeremiah Langhorne is the chef and co-owner of The Dabney in Washington, D.C., a restaurant that has helped redefine modern American cooking through a deep…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 28: A Conversation with Kyle Knall of Birch and CASSIS
Kyle Knall is the Culinary Director at Stone Bank Farms and chef/co-owner of Birch in Milwaukee, which he operates with his wife, Meghan. At Birch, he…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 27: A Conversation with Yia Vang of Vinai
Yia Vang is the executive chef and owner of Vinai in Minneapolis, where he honors the past, present, and future of Hmong cooking. Born in a Thai refugee camp…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 26: A Conversation with Legendary Chef Nancy Silverton
Nancy Silverton is a five-time James Beard Award–winning chef and co-owner of the Mozza Restaurant Group, which includes eight locations worldwide. Her…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 25: A Conversation with Matt and Ted Lee of The Lee Bros
Siblings Matt and Ted Lee grew up and learned to cook in Charleston, SC. They founded The Lee Brothers Boiled Peanuts Catalogue, a mail-order source for…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 24: A Conversation with Vinnie Cimino of Cordelia and ROSY
Vinnie Cimino is a Cleveland, Ohio-based chef who has built his reputation on Midwest values, exceptional ingredients, and genuine hospitality. At his…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 23: A Conversation with Jon Bassford, Founder of Lateral Solutions
Jon Bassford is a best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and founder of Lateral Solutions, an operations consulting and advisory firm. With a background spanning…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 22: A Conversation with Alyssa Maute Smith of Charleston Wine + Food
Alyssa Maute Smith is the Executive Director of Charleston Wine + Food, where she led the organization into its 20th anniversary year in 2026 with a focus on…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 21: A Conversation with Bill Addison of the Los Angeles Times
Bill Addison is the restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times, where he writes influential reviews and guides that spotlight the diversity of the Southern…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 20: A Conversation with Rose Previte of Maydan
Rose Previte is the owner of Washington, D.C.’s acclaimed restaurants and bars Compass Rose, MICHELIN-starred Maydan, Medina, and Maydan Market in Los Angeles…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 19: A Conversation with Chef Alex Harrell of The Gloriette and Ben’s Friends
Chef Alex Harrell brings a blend of classical technique and deep respect for Southern technique and seasonal ingredients to his cooking. Raised in southeastern…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 18: A Conversation with Justin and Mia Devillier of La Petite Grocery
Chef Justin Devillier and Mia Devillier are the husband-and-wife team behind New Orleans’ beloved La Petite Grocery, where Justin serves as Chef/Owner and Mia…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 17: A Conversation with James London of Chubby Fish
James London is a Charleston native whose culinary career began at age 14. After graduating from the College of Charleston and training at The French Culinary…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 16: A Conversation with Kat Kinsman of Food & Wine
Kat Kinsman is the Executive Features Editor at Food & Wine. She is the author of Hi, Anxiety: Life with a Bad Case of Nerves, host of the award-winning…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 15: A Conversation with Culinary Icon Wolfgang Puck
Wolfgang Puck is a chef, restaurateur, and culinary pioneer whose name is synonymous with innovation in modern cuisine. Born in Austria, he worked in some of…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 14: A Conversation with Andrew Zimmern
Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy- and four-time James Beard Award–winning chef, creator, producer, and storyteller who has built a career on the belief that food…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 13: A Conversation with Hospitality Entrepreneur Brooks Reitz
Brooks Reitz is a Charleston-based entrepreneur, investor, and writer. He is the owner of Leon's Oyster Shop, Little Jack's Tavern, and Melfi's, in Charleston…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 12: A New Year’s Message from Steve Palmer
In this special kick-off to 2026, host Steve Palmer and his previous and upcoming guests, including Frank Stitt, Kat Kinsman, Andrew Zimmern, and more, share…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 11: An End-of-Year Reflection from Steve Palmer
In this special holiday episode, host Steve Palmer takes a moment to reflect on the past year and highlight the important work his partners, community, and…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 10: A Conversation with Hunter Lewis of Food & Wine
Hunter Lewis is the Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine, a role he has held since 2017, overseeing the brand’s print, digital, and experiential platforms. He began…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 9: A Conversation with John T. Edge, author of House of Smoke
John T. Edge is the writer and host of the Emmy Award-winning television show TrueSouth on the SEC Network, ESPN, Disney, and Hulu. He also pens a beloved…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 8: A Conversation with Frank Stitt
Frank Stitt is the chef and owner of Highlands Bar & Grill, Bottega, and Chez Fonfon in Birmingham, AL, and one of the most influential voices in modern…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 7: A Thanksgiving Reflection with Steve Palmer
In this special solo episode, host Steve Palmer shares his perspective on navigating the holiday season—a time that can be especially challenging for many—as a…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 6: A Conversation with Jon Murray of Noko
Jon Murray is the founder of Noko and Kase, two acclaimed East Nashville restaurants that blend Southern roots with a global point of view. With nearly two…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 5: A Conversation with Max Goldberg of Strategic Hospitality
Max Goldberg is the co-owner of Strategic Hospitality, the group behind some of Nashville’s most celebrated restaurants and bars, including The Patterson…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 4: A Conversation with Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality
Will Guidara is the author of the New York Times Bestseller Unreasonable Hospitality. He is the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, which under his…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 3: A Conversation with Chef John Fleer
A native of Winston-Salem, NC, Asheville-based Chef John Fleer has earned critical acclaim for the way he transforms local ingredients into world-class dishes…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 2: A Conversation with Graham House, Sean McMullen, and Sarah Charles Hereford of Luminosa
Executive Chef Graham House, Chef de Cuisine Sean McMullen, and Director of Food & Beverage Sarah Charles Hereford are the talented trio behind beloved…
- Say Grace
S2 EP 1: A Conversation with Meherwan and Molly Irani of Chai Pani Restaurant Group
Meherwan and Molly Irani are the husband-and-wife duo behind Chai Pani Restaurant Group and Spicewalla. Since opening the flagship Chai Pani location in…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 23: A Conversation with Simone Reggie of French Truck Coffee
Simone Reggie is the Director of Sales & Marketing at French Truck Coffee, where she leads marketing, community relations, and partnerships across the…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 22: A Conversation with Lilly Jan, Ph.D of Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration
Dr. Lilly Jan is a faculty member at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, where she teaches courses on restaurant design, food and…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 21: A Conversation with Andrew Carmellini of NoHo Hospitality
Andrew Carmellini is the chef and co-founder of NoHo Hospitality Group, which operates celebrated restaurants including Locanda Verde, The Dutch, Lafayette…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 20: A Conversation with Rob Rubba of Oyster Oyster
Rob Rubba is the chef and founding partner of MICHELIN-starred Oyster Oyster in Washington, D.C. A James Beard Outstanding Chef (2023) and one of Food & Wine's…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 19: A Conversation with Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable
Debby Soo is a forward-thinking leader reshaping how the restaurant industry engages with technology and advocacy. As CEO of OpenTable since 2020, she has…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 18: A Conversation with Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern
Michael Anthony is the Executive Chef and Partner at Gramercy Tavern, one of NYC's most iconic restaurants. Under his leadership, the restaurant earned a…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 17: A Conversation with Jim Irwin of New City Properties
Jim Irwin is the President of New City, a commercial real estate development firm based in Atlanta. With a career that spans over $1 billion in new investments…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 16: A Conversation with Ellen Yin
Ellen Yin is the founder and co-owner of High Street Hospitality Group, a powerhouse in the dining scene with restaurants in Philadelphia, New York, and…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 15: A Conversation with Randy Garutti
Randy Garutti is a legendary figure in the restaurant industry, best known for his role as the CEO who transformed Shake Shack from a single hot dog cart in…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 14: A Conversation with Martha Hoover of Won't Stop Hospitality
Martha Hoover is a pioneering American restaurateur and social entrepreneur, best known for founding Won't Stop Hospitality, a collection of acclaimed…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 13: A Conversation with Stephanie Wu, Editor-In-Chief of Eater
Stephanie is the editor-in-chief of Eater, a role she's held since 2022. She leads editorial strategy across more than 20 cities, overseeing writers, editors…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 12: A Conversation with Smith Hanes of Smith Hanes Studio
Smith Hanes is the founder and creative director of Smith Hanes Studio, an interior design firm he founded in 2004. Based in Atlanta with a second studio in…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 11: A Conversation with Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie's
Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel are the husband-and-wife team behind Birdie's, the nationally acclaimed East Austin restaurant known for its…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 10: A Conversation with Neal Bodenheimer of Cure Co. and Tales of the Cocktail
Neal Bodenheimer is the Managing Partner of CureCo., the group behind New Orleans' acclaimed bars Cure, Cane & Table, and VALS, and is a partner in Washington…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 9: A Conversation with Danny Meyer of Union Square Hospitality Group
Danny Meyer is one of the most influential voices in modern hospitality. As the founder of Union Square Hospitality Group, he's built some of New York's most…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 8: A Conversation with Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown of Southern Smoke Foundation
Based in Houston, Texas, Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown are the Co-Founders and husband-and-wife team behind Southern Smoke Foundation, a non-profit…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 7: A Conversation with Lawrence Weeks of North of Bourbon and Ensō
Chef and restaurateur Lawrence Weeks channels Southern tradition, global influence, and personal heritage into his Louisville-based restaurants, North of…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 6: A Conversation with André Natera of Chef's PSA
Based in Austin, TX, André Natera is a best-selling author, public speaker, and host of Chef's PSA, one of the top-ranked chef podcasts globally. With 27 years…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 5: A Conversation with Vivian Howard
Celebrated chef, cookbook author, television personality, and restaurateur Vivian Howard's culinary expertise stretches across multiple mediums while remaining…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 4: A Conversation with Kevin Boehm of Boka Restaurant Group
Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Chicago-based Boka Restaurant Group Kevin Boehm has established himself as one of the world's foremost hospitality visionaries…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 3: A Conversation on Hospitality With Longtime Indigo Road Hospitality Group Teammates
Longtime teammates of the Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG) Jeremiah Bacon, Kimball Brienza, Jennifer Dailey, and Vonda Freeman have played a big part…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 2: A Conversation with Mickey Bakst of Ben's Friends
Maître D, foodie, fundraiser, philanthropist, career restaurateur, mentor, and Charleston ambassador – these are just a few titles bestowed upon Mickey Bakst…
- Say Grace
S1 EP 1: A Conversation with Mike Lata of FIG Charleston
Mike Lata, chef and co-owner of Charleston's FIG and The Ordinary in Charleston, SC, is a James Beard Award-winning chef celebrated for his dedication to local…