Culinary Craft: Building Profitable Menus with Barb Colucci, Corporate Executive Chef of Del Taco

Titans of Foodservice

In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Barb Colucci, Corporate Executive Chef of Del Taco, a culinary trailblazer with a remarkable journey in the food service industry. Barb's expertise spans across full service restaurants, quick service restaurants, and manufacturing. She has worked with renowned brands and has left her mark through her commitment to culinary excellence and innovation. The conversation covers topics such as Barb's favorite Halloween candies, her dream dinner guests, her love for fresh pasta, and her passion for unique food combinations. Barb also shares insights into her work as a consultant and the process of developing menu items for chains like Del Taco and Shakey's.

Quotes

• "Chefs are salesmen because they always want to sell you what they're making. No matter what it is, it doesn't matter who. It could be leadership. It could be a customer." -Barb Colucci [19:31]

• “I mentor a lot of kids in high schools. They always ask me, why are you still in this business so long? And I go, because I wake up every day and I think about food. I love what I do. There are hard days. There are difficult days, but then there are really great days. This is why I'm in this business.” -Barb Colucci [22:28]

TIMESTAMPS

01:47 | Chef Barb's expertise in culinary excellence and innovation

05:34 | One dish from traveling that more people should know about

10:11 | Notable menu items from Del Taco and Shakey's

18:25 | Transferable skills and experiences in working with different chains

25:49 | Reflections on career successes, failures, and funny moments

28:46 | Barb emphasizes the importance of passion and hard work

RESOURCES

Portillo Sales

CONTACT

Nick: [e-mail]

Barb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefbarbcolucciconsulting/