Meet Michael Nicastro

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Nicastro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.

Hi Michael, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Everyone’s purpose is different, and so is the path to finding it. I’m not here to tell you what to do—only to share that it is possible to walk an uncertain path if it feels right in your heart.

Society often conditions us to prioritize stability and certainty, and I understand that following your heart isn’t always practical. Life happens. Bills need to be paid. Rent is due. And sometimes, the people closest to you won’t support your choices—not because they don’t care, but because they’re projecting their own fears or limitations.

For me, purpose came from pain. I grew up as an only child in a semi-traditional household, half Chinese and half Italian. I often felt like I didn’t fit in—too different to belong anywhere fully. That longing for connection led me down a path of bringing people together. One thing that always brought my family together was sharing a meal, even when everything else felt out of sync. I didn’t realize how powerful that was until much later.

After landing my first corporate job in advertising, I read Setting the Table by Danny Meyer, and something clicked. Hospitality spoke to me—it was about more than food. It was about creating experiences that make people feel seen and cared for. On weekends, I started working at Chipotle just to be around that energy. I ended up liking it more than my desk job. So, I took a leap: I left advertising and dove into restaurants full-time, starting as a backwaiter and working my way up to manager. I went to culinary school, became a certified sommelier, and spent three years giving it my all.

I may not work on the restaurant floor now. I have pivoted to virtual cooking classes, and a popup bakery during the pandemic, content creation, and restaurant marketing. I just quit my job and pursuing my own restaurant marketing company. I am still helping restaurants and creating hospitality experiences for guests before and after they dine in the restaurant.

My advice? Try new things. If you feel called to something—follow it. If it doesn’t work out, you can always pivot. But you’ll never know until you take that first step.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m currently really excited about storytelling—specifically helping restaurants share their stories in an authentic way. That’s what led me to launch Manager Meal Media, a content agency focused on creating short-form videos that showcase what makes each restaurant unique. From the food to the people behind it, every spot has something special worth sharing.

My journey into content creation started during the pandemic, when I began filming my Chinese grandma’s recipes as a way to document and preserve her cooking. But even before that, back in 2019, I was experimenting with hospitality videos in NYC—working with a professional cameraman and awkwardly trying to figure it all out in front of the camera.

Now, the mission is clear: I want to help restaurants become their own best storytellers. I believe the owners, chefs, and staff are the most powerful voices behind any brand. I just provide the tools, strategy, and support to bring their stories to life—and ultimately help grow their business and guest loyalty. I took all the lessons learned from working with restaurants and my entrepreneurial spirit the last couple years and brought it all together.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The most impactful part of my journey has been learning to follow my heart. I truly believe everything happens for a reason—but you have to be willing to take that first step. In 2018, I left a successful restaurant career and moved to China for a year. It was a big risk, and while things didn’t go as planned—I had hoped to work in a restaurant there—it ended up changing my life. That setback turned out to be divine protection. It forced me to let go of the rat race and face parts of myself I had been avoiding.

At the time, my self-worth was deeply tied to my career. When that was taken away, I felt empty. I ran away from everything familiar, even from a romantic relationship that was wonderful, because I didn’t know how to speak up or express what I really needed and I take responsibility. That experience was uncomfortable, but it helped me wake up. It gave me space to slow down, reflect, and begin to understand who I am outside of titles or accomplishments.

I’ve learned that self-awareness is key—knowing when to push forward and when to pause. Life has seasons, and it’s okay to rest. To those who are younger: take time to explore what truly brings you joy. Don’t be afraid to walk the less traditional path. If I had listened to my inner voice earlier, I probably would’ve gone to culinary school instead of university. But in the end, every twist in the journey has its purpose. You just have to be brave enough to take that first step and also communicate!

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my family did for me was something I didn’t fully recognize until much later. I was raised by my grandma, and when I was younger, I didn’t always respect or appreciate her. She would speak to me in Chinese, and I’d ask her to speak English instead—pushing away something that was really a gift of love, culture, and connection.

Now she’s 90, and the roles have reversed—I take care of her. It’s been a healing journey, but I’ll be honest: it’s not always easy. It’s frustrating at times. She carries a lot of unresolved trauma from a very difficult life, and that pain still shows up in different ways. But being present for her now has helped me understand her more deeply, and in turn, understand myself.

This experience has taught me that life moves in circles. The things we resist when we’re young often return with new meaning. And while it’s not always smooth, there’s beauty in the opportunity to come full circle and offer care to the person who once cared for you.

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