About Debbie

I've had the privilege of experiencing restaurants from both sides of the table.

My career began in New York's restaurant world, where I became the first female wine captain at the legendary One Fifth. Years later, after building a career as Vice President and Director of Sales for FOX5 New York and MY9, I found myself once again spending countless hours around restaurant tables — this time hosting clients, celebrating wins, building relationships, and discovering just how much business really happens over a meal.

Following my retirement from television, I returned to restaurants — working at Augustine, at Balthazar, and helping reopen One Fifth after the pandemic. Seeing hospitality from the inside once more reminded me how much care, preparation, and teamwork go into every dining experience, and how many people have simply never been taught the small skills that let them enjoy those moments with confidence.

That realization is what led me to write The Business of Dining, an award-winning guide meant to help professionals — and anyone who loves dining out — feel comfortable, prepared, and at ease at the table.

Restaurants have given me extraordinary friendships, unforgettable evenings, and a lifetime of memories. My hope is that after reading the book, or joining one of my seminars, you'll never walk into a restaurant expecting "just a meal" again. Instead, you'll notice the hospitality all around you, appreciate the people who make it possible, and use the table as a place to build relationships, mark life's milestones, and create memorable moments of your own.

Because a wonderful meal is never just about the food — it is about the people gathered around the table.