The Secret Ingredient Behind Every Great Menu (With Awo Amenumey)

We spend a lot of time talking about menus—what's trending, what's next, what guests want. But what we don't always talk about is what actually makes those menus work.In this episode, I'm joined by Chef Awo Amenumey—a Chopped competitor and culinary strategist whose work bridges creativity and execution. From celebrating her Ghanaian roots through pop-ups to supporting operators across the industry, Awo brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective to how great menus come to life.We talk about procurement differently—less as a back-of-house function, more as a strategic tool that shapes everything. From simplifying operations and easing labor strain to building menus that are both inspired and executable, this conversation is a reminder that great ideas need strong systems to succeed. Strategic procurement supports effective menuing and operations, and Awo embodies that philosophy in everything she does.Sponsored by Foodbuy Foodservice, who resources Members to develop effective procurement strategies. You can find more information here: https://www.foodbuy.com/#WiRLPOWER