Episode 18 - Kris Esqueda & Ryan Costanza Artwork

How Did I Get Here? With Ryan Poli

Chef Ryan Poli dives into the restaurant industry alongside a multitude of guests, from importers of rare products to highly-esteemed chefs, with the overarching question, "how did I get here?" We'll take deep dives into the lives and stories of some of your favorite farmers, restauranteurs, and--of course--chefs.

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How Did I Get Here? With Ryan Poli

Episode 18 - Kris Esqueda & Ryan Costanza

May 19, 2023 • The Ryan Poli Podcast • Season 1 • Episode 18

In this week's episode, Ryan does something rather unorthodox by sitting down with two of his friends to talk horror stories starting out in the restaurant industry and to share their knowledge and experience traveling the globe. Kris Esqueda, formerly of 3 Michelin-Starred Saison Hospitality Group in San Francisco, now resides in Nashville and has left the restaurant world for a real estate venture. Ryan Costanza, whose combination restaurant/sake bar/bodega concept Present Tense just opened its doors, is a world-traveler and appreciator of culinary cultures from around the globe.

The guys talk everything from getting started in menial front-of-house positions to the magic of the coveted Bloomin Onion, all while shuffling in little nuggets of travel wisdom and sharing some hilariously entertaining stories along the way.