About the Podcast

Conversations at the intersection of food and culture with guests from around the globe that have unique experiences to share

30+
Years in the Industry
1+
Episodes Published
100+
Restaurant Brands Served
1+
Downloads & Counting
Jay Bandy, host of the Food and Culture Podcast

Your Host

Jay Bandy

President of Goliath Consulting Group

His passion for food began at age ten when he baked his first pie from scratch sourcing the blackberries from fence lines near his home.  Now he develops new recipes at home weekly taking ideas from cuisines from around the world. Along with a passion for food, he's an avid fly fisherman, traveler, and loves all types of art.

Jay owns Goliath Consulting Group, a restaurant consulting company based in Decatur, GA. He has built a broad foundation of expertise during his 30 plus years in the restaurant industry. His clients cover all types of restaurants in the US and internationally.

Jay is the author of Keys to Being a Successful Restaurant Leader: A Guide to Skills and Behaviors Restaurant Managers Need to Succeed.

Your Co-Host

Amanda Leesburg

Founder of Leesburg PR

A 27-year veteran of the public relations industry, Amanda Leesburg has deep experience in local, regional, and national media relations, currently specializing in promoting hospitality, restaurants, chefs, wellness and sustainability. As an independent publicist, Amanda has partnered with television networks such as Discovery and has worked one-on-one with celebrity clients.

She has secured three front page stories in The New York Times as well as front page coverage in other major market publications including the L.A. Times, Washington Post, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Chicago Tribune. Her broadcast media successes include Oprah, Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, FOX News, CBS, NBC, PBS, The View, NBC Nightly News, CBS Sunday Morning, Entertainment Tonight, E! News, Access Hollywood, Bloomberg, HGTV, DIY, ESPN, Associated Press, WWD, VOGUE, Vanity Fair, Lucky, Glamour, Town & Country, W, USA Today, Redbook, Woman's Day, People Magazine, InStyle, Los Angeles Times, Traditional Home, Veranda, Southern Living, Forbes, Fortune and The Wall Street Journal.

Amanda Leesburg, co-host of the Food and Culture Podcast

Why This Podcast Exists

Food & Culture exists to explore the people, experiences, and stories that connect us through food. We go beyond what’s on the plate to have authentic conversations with chefs, restaurant owners, celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and other fascinating personalities. Because every meal has a story—and every story is part of our culture.

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