A new docu-series spotlighting the people, culture, and community that fuel restaurant life.
CHICAGO, IL, April 29, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Family Meal, a new documentary-style YouTube series created by Bottle Rocket Media and hosted by food journalist Ari Bendersky, offers a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what really happens inside restaurants beyond the menu and media spotlight.
Rather than focusing on fame or dramatized chaos, Family Meal features honest, roundtable conversations with chefs, GMs, sommeliers, line cooks, and other hospitality pros. Each episode is filmed inside a real restaurant, revealing the culture, teamwork, and quiet rituals that define modern restaurant life.
The show's namesake is at the center of each episode: the family meal; a pre-service tradition where teams pause to share food, decompress, and reconnect. Often unknown or misunderstood by diners, the family meal is a moment of reflection and camaraderie that reminds restaurant workers why they do what they do.
"This show is a love letter to the people who make hospitality happen," says Bendersky. "We're not just talking about food, we're talking about mentorship, burnout, grit, creativity, and the family dynamic that forms behind the scenes."
The debut episode features Chicago's West Town Restaurant, Brasero, where Chef John Manion and his team explore the highs and lows of life in the industry. The episode centers on shared experiences and the everyday family meal that turns coworkers into a chosen family.
"I've had this concept in my head for years," says Brett Singer, Executive Producer and Principal of Bottle Rocket Media. "I'm not a chef or a foodie, I just deeply respect the people who hold this industry together. This show was born from wanting to show the craft, the chaos, and the community of restaurant life from the inside out."
Created for Hospitality Professionals, Industry Insiders and Foodies
The Family Meal audience spans the hospitality spectrum from back-of-house kitchen staff and general managers to vendors, hospitality leaders, and industry partners. It also resonates with everyday food lovers who want a deeper, more authentic understanding of the people behind the plates.
Early viewership and feedback confirm strong interest from:
- Food & beverage media audiences
- Hospitality brands & service vendors
- Restaurant operators & owners
- Workers across every level of the industry, from prep to plate
Now Seeking Aligned Sponsors
Sponsorship packages include strategic brand integration, custom content creation, product placement, multi-platform visibility across Family Meal's YouTube series, social media, newsletter, and ongoing PR outreach to industry media. Partners also benefit from alignment with a purpose-driven series that resonates with chefs, operators, vendors, and decision-makers. Opportunities are ideal for:
- Agencies and PR firms representing wine and spirit brands
- Beverage brands
- Culinary schools
- Foodservice distributors
- Hospitality tech companies
- Lifestyle and wellness companies supporting worker wellbeing
- Restaurant groups
Watch the Premiere
Episode 1 - Brasero, Chicago, IL - This Is What Restaurant Life Is Really Made Of
For Sponsorship Inquiries, Interviews, or More Info
familymeal@bottlerocketmedia.net
About the Host
Ari Bendersky is a veteran lifestyle journalist and the founding editor of Eater Chicago. His work has appeared in The New York Times, WSJ Magazine, Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, and more. Ari is known for spotlighting the people behind the plate, bringing depth, curiosity, and empathy to every conversation.
About the Production
Family Meal is produced by Bottle Rocket Media, an award-winning full-service, Chicago-based video production, SEO, and video marketing agency that produces videos for clients such as Apple, Dyson, and the National Restaurant Association. With an in-house video distribution and optimization strategy, each episode is designed to have a high impact across digital platforms and industry channels.
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