Behind the Tab · 2026-07-30 · 24 min
James Passafaro, VP of Restaurant Operations and Strategy at GoTab, joins Behind the Tab to explore how chefs and restaurant leaders can unintentionally become bottlenecks - and what it takes to build systems that help their teams operate with greater confidence and autonomy. Drawing on his experience in restaurant kitchens, operations and technology, James discusses the difference between documenting a process and creating a system people will actually use. He also shares how thoughtful systems can improve consistency, simplify training and give leaders more time to coach their teams, solve bigger problems and focus on the guest experience. James has an amazing background in hospitality and is an all around nice guy. His customers adore him and the platform he helped build is saving them thousands of dollars each year and, more importantly, countless hours of their time. We hope you'll enjoy this conversation as much as we did.
Bar Automation, Explained by a Master Sommelier | Will Costello, SmartBar USA79 / 100Creating Reasons for People to Gather: Lessons From Europe's Food Halls | Michael Motz74 / 100The Labor Problem Hiding in Plain SightWhat if the best time to market to a guest isn't after they leave - but the moment they walk through your door?How Brewery Operators Can Cut Through Technology Hype and Focus on What Actually Works | Mike Wakerly, Taplist