To Dine For with Kate Sullivan Season 1 Episode 1 Howard Schultz

To Dine For with Kate Sullivan is a food and lifestyle show that explores the power of food in creating connections and making for a shared experience. It features insightful conversations with some of the world's most renowned personalities as they talk about what brings them together, the food they love, and the routines they have developed around it.

In season 1 episode 1, host Kate Sullivan sits down with Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks. Howard Schultz grew Starbucks from 11 stores to a global chain of over 28,000 cafes in 77 countries. In this episode, Howard shares the story of his rise, the importance of values and the love for coffee.

The episode kicks off at Howard's office in Seattle where he tells Kate about his childhood. Growing up, Howard's family did not have much, but he learned the importance of hard work and determination early on. His journey to Starbucks started when he was just a young man selling coffee makers for a Swedish company. On a visit to Milan, he discovered the importance of cafes to the Italian culture and was struck by how different it was to the coffee culture in America.

Back in the US, Howard joined Starbucks as an employee and was astounded by the potential the company had to bring the Italian coffee bar culture to America. He pitched the idea to the founders to no avail. Determined to make it happen, he left Starbucks to start his own coffee shop, Il Giornale. Eventually, he acquired Starbucks and led the company to where it is today.

During the interview, Howard talks about how important it is to build a values-based company. He discusses the challenges he faced in growing Starbucks, including maintaining consistent quality as the company grew in size. He talks about how they supported coffee growers and how Starbucks was one of the first companies in America to offer health insurance to its employees. Howard talks about his famous "third place" philosophy - the idea that Starbucks could be a place between home and work where people could come together to connect over coffee.

The episode then transitions to a café where Howard reveals his love for coffee. He savors each cup and talks about the social aspect of coffee drinking. He explains how coffee is the "great democratizer" and how it brings people from all walks of life together. Kate and Howard then enjoy a selection of pastries and special drinks at the café.

The episode concludes with Howard revealing his post-Starbucks plans and how he hopes to continue making a difference in the world. He talks about his admiration for his grandfather, who was an immigrant but still fought for American values and his vision for a modern café.

Overall, this episode is insightful and inspiring. Howard Schultz is a true visionary and shares his journey with honesty and candor. Kate Sullivan does an excellent job of leading the conversation and bringing out the best in her guest. The episode strikes the perfect balance between serious conversation and lighthearted moments over coffee and pastries. If you're a fan of coffee or just interested in incredible success stories, this episode of To Dine For with Kate Sullivan is a must-watch.