We were lucky to catch up with Sri Divel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Sri with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I was built in the hospitality industry—and in this industry, we don’t quit. Long hours, back-to-back doubles, no such thing as “off the clock”—it’s where I was forged, and it’s where my work ethic was born.
You learn early that there’s no room for “later” when something needs to be handled now. You show up. You stay late. You solve it. You keep going. Whether it’s a packed dining room, a 911 in the kitchen, or a broken AC unit in the middle of dinner rush—it gets fixed, not tomorrow, but tonight.
As The Culinary CMO, I carry that same mindset into every partnership. I treat every brand I work with like it’s my own four walls. When you work with me, you’re not hiring a consultant—you’re bringing in someone who knows what it’s like to be in the trenches, and who shows up every single day with that same relentless drive to get it done right.
Hospitality built me. And I’m proud to carry that work ethic into every project, every campaign, and every client—because the standard never changes. We just don’t quit.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At The Culinary CMO, I serve as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer for restaurants, hospitality brands, and culinary creators. With over two decades of experience in the restaurant industry—from the back of the house to the boardroom—I bring a deep, operational understanding to every marketing strategy I build. I don’t just “consult”—I embed myself into each brand, treating it like my own, and helping teams unlock their full potential through powerful, customized marketing.
What makes it exciting is the ability to amplify the heart of each restaurant or chef I work with. I get to tell the stories that matter—from the passion behind a dish to the legacy of a family-run operation. The restaurant world is filled with grit, creativity, and soul, and I’m here to make sure that shines on every platform, all the time, consistently.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about The Culinary CMO, it’s this: I was built in the hospitality industry, and that spirit of service, urgency, and excellence is at the core of everything I do. I don’t just love this industry—I live it. And I’m here to help it thrive.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three most impactful things in my journey have been: relentless follow-through, resourceful creativity, and deep industry empathy.
Relentless follow-through is something the restaurant world hardwired into me. In hospitality, there’s no “I’ll get to it later”—you solve problems in real time. Whether it’s a packed house or an unexpected breakdown, you adapt, adjust, and deliver. That mindset has carried into everything I do as The Culinary CMO—showing up, following through, and doing the work with urgency and purpose.
Resourceful creativity has shaped how I approach marketing in an industry where budgets are tight and expectations are high. It’s not about flashy spend—it’s about making an impact with what you have. I’ve learned to turn constraints into creativity, finding fresh ways to tell stories, build traffic, and generate buzz with the tools at hand.
And above all, deep industry empathy. I’ve walked in the shoes of chefs, servers, operators, and owners. I know what it means to run on fumes, to care about every guest, and to take pride in every plate. That experience allows me to build marketing strategies that actually work for the people running the show—not just in theory, but in the real, everyday grind.
For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this: do the hard things—that’s where you grow. Be curious. Learn every role you can. And never forget that hospitality is about taking care of people—if you lead with that, the rest will follow.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely!
Yes—I am always willing to work with enthusiastic owner/operators or chefs. It’s truly my passion and what drives everything I do as The Culinary CMO. Supporting those who pour their hearts into this industry is an honor, and I treat every partnership with the pride, respect, and intensity it deserves. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping passionate operators amplify their story and grow their brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theculinarycmo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theculinarycmo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-culinary-cmo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCulinaryCMO
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
