Building a Food Community That Actually Shows Up

Staying Hungry returns with an episode every restaurant owner, operator, and hospitality marketer should hear. This week, Michael D’Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with Alyssa Guidice - the force behind Dine LI - to unpack what it really takes to build a food community that doesn’t just “like” posts, but actually shows up, supports restaurants, and moves real dollars.With the perspective of a smart, boots-on-the-ground restaurant critic, Alyssa shares how she grew Dine LI into a 50,000+ member community without charging restaurants, selling ads, or chasing clout. From pandemic survival playbooks to the psychology of positivity, this conversation digs into why authenticity beats algorithms - and why restaurants that engage locally win long-term.The episode also explores Alyssa’s path through hospitality, wine & spirits, small business ownership (A Pound & A Half), and community-led fundraising efforts that have generated nearly $500,000 for local causes. If you’re a restaurant owner wondering how to cut through the noise, rebuild nightlife, or create loyalty beyond discounts, this episode delivers.Timestamps:0:00 – Why Long Island needs more local food experiences  2:30 – Welcome to Staying Hungry + introducing Alyssa Guidice  6:15 – From baker to wine & spirits: Alyssa’s hospitality journey  12:40 – Building Pound & a Half Cookies while working full-time  18:55 – The true cost of baking, pricing pressure & food inflation  25:30 – How Dine LI started — and why it grew so fast  32:10 – Why positivity beats negative reviews in food communities  38:45 – Pandemic pivots: keeping restaurants alive through visibility  45:20 – Pizza Strong, community fundraisers & real impact  52:30 – Why Alyssa refuses to charge restaurants  58:15 – The decline of nightlife & what guests actually want now  1:06:40 – Lessons for restaurant owners trying to stand out  1:13:00 – What’s next for Dine LI and in-person events