Driven by Passion, Guided by Experience
At Tables of Content, we’re dedicated to one mission: helping independent restaurateurs thrive in every aspect of their business. From operations and guest experiences to financial health and team development, we’re here to provide the tools, insights, and community support that operators need to grow confidently and profitably.
Our team brings decades of collective experience across hospitality, writing, business strategy, and operations. We’ve walked in your shoes—leading restaurant teams, creating award-winning dining experiences, overcoming challenges, and finding innovative ways to succeed. Now, through Tables of Content, we’re pooling that passion and expertise into a single resource designed specifically to empower independent restaurants.
The Expertise Behind Tables of Content
The Tables of Content team is small but mighty—a group of restaurateurs, writers, educators, and business strategists who share one goal: to provide independent restaurant owners and operators with resources they can’t find anywhere else.
“Independent restaurant owners and managers are at the heart of Tables of Content. From the smallest family diner to the trendiest gastropub, we create solutions with your challenges, goals, and legacy in mind.”
Our team’s combined background includes:
- Crafting award-winning dining experiences and menus.
- Leading teams of all sizes in both independent restaurants and national hospitality programs.
- Innovating new paths forward in operations, marketing, sustainability, and guest relations.
- Delivering practical solutions for real-world challenges operators face every day.
We believe in curiosity, creativity, and collaboration as the driving forces behind remarkable hospitality. Whether it’s dialing in strategy, engaging teams, or finding sustainable ways to grow, Tables of Content is built on expertise you can trust.
Our Philosophy
We believe running a successful restaurant is about more than just survival—it’s about creating an experience, a vision, and a legacy. We’re here to help independent restaurateurs:
- Unlock their potential through actionable insights and best practices.
- Build stronger businesses, one day at a time.
- Connect with a network of peers, tools, and advice tailored to the unique challenges of this industry.
“We believe curiosity fuels creativity, collaboration builds community, and precision drives results.”
Our focus is, and always will be, on empowering independent operators and their teams—not the big corporate chains who already have their own infrastructure. We know what you face, because we’ve been there too.
Why Tables of Content?
- We’re Built on Expertise. Our team has real-world experience solving the challenges restaurateurs like you face every day—whether it’s balancing creativity and profitability, managing staff turnover, or innovating operations.
- We’re Passionate About Community. Our forum and resources are built to foster collaboration and connection because independent restaurants are stronger together.
- We’re Invested in Your Future. This isn’t just about advice for today—it’s about building a foundation for tomorrow, with constantly evolving tools, strategies, and insights.
Whether you’re a seasoned restaurateur or just starting out, Tables of Content is your partner in navigating the complexities of restaurant life.
Meet the Team
Behind every great resource, blog post, and template are industry professionals who deeply understand independent restaurants. Between us, we’ve tried over 1,000 bottles of wine, folded a few too many napkins, and made one perfectly rebellious move to serve calamari to… everyone.
Meet the people behind Tables of Content:
Thomas Steiner, Founder and Expediter
Thomas brings more than four decades of experience as a restaurateur, wine educator, business strategist, and innovator. From leading award-winning dining programs to helping Napa Valley wineries expand their global reach, Thomas combines a deep understanding of hospitality with a knack for solving problems creatively. At Tables of Content, he blends his entrepreneurial spirit with practical tools and strategies designed to help independent restaurateurs succeed.
Ally Padrick, Editor in Chief
With over a decade of food and beverage experience and an academic focus on writing, Ally brings her communication skills and industry knowledge to the content driving Tables of Content. Her passion for hospitality fuels her mission to provide independent restaurateurs with insights, tools, and curated advice that aren’t easy to find elsewhere.
Xander Steiner, Lead Developer
Xander combines his hands-on restaurant experience with a passion for technology to create tools that empower independent restaurateurs. With a background as both a kitchen pro and a self-taught developer, he brings a unique perspective to his role at Tables of Content. Xander’s mission is to streamline operations and provide practical resources that make life easier for restaurant teams.
Abigail Mundell, Marketing Leader and Strategist
With over 25 years of experience in marketing and leadership, Abby brings strategic vision and hands-on collaboration to growing businesses. As founder of North & Now and a Fractional CMO, she specializes in crafting scalable marketing solutions for passion-driven entrepreneurs. Her deep connection to the restaurant and hospitality industry, born from extensive travel and culinary exploration across the U.S., makes her a trusted partner for businesses that need thoughtful, results-driven strategies.
Stewart Axup, Lead UI & UX Developer
Stewart has a diverse background, having worked both front and back of house in restaurants, which has given him a deep understanding of operations and customer experience. Specializing in User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) development, he combines his technical expertise with a keen eye for design, always striving to create seamless and intuitive user interfaces. He studied game design at the University of California, Santa Cruz, honing his creative and technical skills while learning how to build engaging experiences. Outside of work, Stewart is an avid snowboarder, embracing adventure and challenge. His ultimate goal is to develop world-class, user-friendly inventory and cash flow management software that helps businesses operate more efficiently and thrive.