A group of Seattle restaurateurs and local industry professionals gathered for an “Accelerate” event hosted by What Now Media Group at Nomadic Wine Dispensary, located at 700 Broadway E, Suite A. The event provided a valuable opportunity for Seattle’s restaurant community to connect, exchange ideas, and explore growth strategies in an increasingly competitive market.
Nomadic Wine Dispensary, an innovative wine bar and tasting room on Capitol Hill, hosted the free event that brought together more than two dozen representatives from businesses featured on What Now Seattle. This included local restaurants and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners. Attendees networked while enjoying the venue’s self-serve wine experience before participating in presentations and discussions focused on thriving in today’s hospitality landscape.
The evening was hosted by What Now’s CEO and Founder, Caleb Spivak, along with one of its newest event hosts, Marian Ebhamen, and its chief technology officer, Daichi Ishikawa, who helped facilitate conversations throughout the night.
Representatives from a variety of Seattle restaurants participated in the event. Among them was Edward Bunker of Lingon, known for its Nordic-inspired seafood and Swedish flavors. Also in attendance were Brett Bankson and Leah Engel of Cafe Lolo, celebrated for its fresh pasta and a local-grain-forward menu. Lekha Majhi and Manash Majhi of KHA-BAR, a new Seattle barbecue concept, were also present. From Woodinville, Lauren Jackson and William Gall of Jackson House joined to discuss their cocktail-forward restaurant. Nathan Talbot of Picklewood Paddle Club discussed his upcoming entertainment-driven restaurant in SoDo, and Ndikumana Rasheri of Ku Manas Burundian Cuisine shared insights on bringing authentic Burundian flavors to West Seattle. The event also welcomed Luca Sacchetti of Fortuna Bottega, known for his sandwich shop inspired by family legacy, and Jody Elsom of Elsom Cellars, a women-owned winery transitioning into a new chapter in Edmonds.
Representatives from several of What Now Media Group’s Preferred Partners also attended to offer expertise and support for local operators. Ryan Sakamoto of Auris: HR/Payroll discussed workforce and payroll solutions tailored for hospitality teams. From Global Payments, Schuyler Fischer and Ben Fortine provided insights into point-of-sale systems that streamline ordering and payment processing. Tom Hoare of Green Air Supply explained how beverage carbonation solutions can enhance drink service while reducing operational complexity. Adam Linden of Restaurant Technologies, Inc. discussed how automated cooking-oil management systems improve kitchen efficiency. Antone Pepino of SpotOn highlighted comprehensive POS and customer engagement tools that help restaurants grow their repeat business.
The restaurant owners and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners shared valuable insights, operational highlights, and expert advice, creating an engaging and informative evening that was both enriching and beneficial for all attendees.
This prompted Caleb Spivak to take the conversation further by discussing critical business priorities, including developing an exit plan and managing operations efficiently after expanding to multiple locations. After Caleb and the guests shared their tips, insights, and concerns, everyone quickly became interested in learning more about their businesses and how they could help one another.
This event provided a valuable platform for restaurant owners and industry partners to collaborate, brainstorm, and build new connections. It’s clear that the Seattle restaurant community is eager to continue innovating and evolving, and What Now Media Group’s Accelerate events provide the perfect space for these conversations to take place.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 33 cities across North America, breaking news, and provides timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 33 cities annually.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2026. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
Click here for a complete list of our partners. To learn more about becoming a preferred partner, click here.
