Episode 24

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Published on:

30th Mar 2026

Episode 24 - Your Brand Doesn't Show on Your Best Day

Most venues look fine when things are calm. Brand shows up when the chef calls in sick, the POS goes down, a customer complains, and the team is stretched. In this episode, Shaun explains why pressure is the real test and how to make sure your venue defaults to its values instead of improvising them.

This week's actions:

  1. Think of a realistic tough service — short staff, tech failure, unhappy guest
  2. Ask: what do we say to customers, what does staff say to each other, and who makes decisions?
  3. If the answers change depending on who's on shift, write down a shared expectation: how we behave when it's hard

Want help with this? Aligning behaviour under pressure is at the heart of the Pantry Review. Get in touch: connect@openpantryco.com

Next episode: Why the strongest brands aren't louder, they're clearer.

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About the Podcast

The Prep List
Short, sharp, ready for service
Start your week with a sharper mindset and a better plan.

Hosted by Shaun de Vries from Open Pantry Co., The Prep List is your under 10-minute Monday hit of hospitality insights, made for venue owners, operators, and team leaders who don’t have time to scroll or sit through an hour-long podcast.

Each week, you’ll get:
– One trend to watch
– One tool to test
– One real-world operator move
– One smart question for your team

If you run a venue, manage a crew, or just want your week to feel a little less chaotic, this is your mise en place for the mind.

About your host

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Shaun de Vries