MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ASSOCIATE: Joe Carbonara, FE&S Magazine - Feb/Mar 2025

Meet Joe Carbonara, FE&S Magazine:
Change the status quo.

Name: Joseph Carbonara 
Company: FE&S Magazine
Title: Editorial Director
Years in "The Biz": 19 as the editor of FE&S
Interviewed by: James Mincks, Principal, Kelly-Mincks

Joe Carbonara is editorial director for Foodservice Equipment & Supplies and restaurant development + design. In 2013, he was awarded with CFESA’s Outstanding Support from an Allied Association/Press Partner. In 2017, he was a finalist for Editor of the Year at the Folio Awards. In 2022, he was presented with MAFSI’s Market Mover Award. In 2024, the Association for Healthcare Foodservice presented Joe with its Presidential Service Award. And in 2025, he was awarded FCSI's Rod Collins Allied Summit Award. 

1. What's your favorite non-work activity, and why?
   
   

   Going to Wrigley Field and taking people around the surrounding neighborhood. I have tremendous memories of going there first with my father and grandfather, then with my friends and now with my family. It’s a place that drips with history and it’s fun to share that with people. The atmosphere around the park on game day is pretty special and I am fortunate enough to experience it.

2. Guilty Pleasure: What can you not live without?  (e.g, Reality TV, specific junk foods, 80’s hair bands, etc.)
   
   

   Attending a basketball game, usually high school but college is just as good, and soaking up the atmosphere. There’s nothing like being in a hot gym on a Friday night with the band playing, stands full and the smell of popcorn wafting in the air. 

3. If you could eat anywhere for your next meal, where would it be and why?
   
   

   It would be a steak house. Not sure which one. I’ve eaten at so many, it’s hard to pick just one. We had a great experience this summer at Gibson’s Italia and last year Ocean Prime knocked my socks off. My love of steak houses traces back to when my career was just starting out. A friend and I would go to dinner at Ruth’s Chris the night before Thanksgiving and felt like big shots. From there we started to realize there were tons of great options. So for me, exploring is the fun part. 

4. What’s one piece of advice you have for a young person in the industry?
   
   

   There’s no substitute for hard work and preparation. The foodservice industry rewards those two traits better than any other business segment that comes to mind.

5. What is your favorite foodservice trend that you see right now?
   
   

   Distributed dining. It used to be you had to go to a restaurant or another foodservice operator to get a high-quality meal. Today, though, the high-quality meal comes to you or at least it comes closer to you. Yes, there’s delivery and to go sales but look at what operators are doing on school and healthcare campuses. They keep finding new and innovative ways to bring the food closer to their customers, which is really intriguing. 

6. What’s your favorite part of being a MAFSI member?
   
   

   The organization’s energy. Everyone is so enthusiastic and there’s great camaraderie among MAFSI members. Yes, they often compete with one another but they are friendly competitors. 

7. Last vacation you went on?
   
   

   Toured Oregon’s Willamette valley with my wife and some friends. The pinot was great and the company was even better. And you can’t beat the scenery. That’s an under appreciated part of the country. 

8. Last concert?
   
   

   Wilco at Chicago’s Riveria theater. They played three consecutive nights and my lone regret was that I did not purchase tix for all three shows. The place was packed and hopping.

9. Last book you read?
   
   Pappyland by Wright Thompson. MAFSI members Chris East and Duane Guidry gave it to me. Absolutely fascinating read about one of the most sought-after spirits – Pappy Van Winkle – and how that intersects with family and more. 
   
   
10. Are you a good cook? If so, what's your best dish? 
    
    Most people tell me I am a pretty good cook. Two of my better dishes are carne asada and jambalaya. But I am up for trying to cook most things. I love the challenge. 
    
    
11. What is your preferred drink of choice at the bar?
    
    Any local craft beer. It’s fun to try new beers. Although, I am developing a taste for bourbon. Angel’s Envy is my go to.
    
    
12. What brings you the most satisfaction in your current role?
    
    Knowing that what we publish in the magazine helps people do their jobs better. People often share how they use the information in the stories FE&S publishes to solve problems or inspire them. And that’s pretty cool.
    

As we all know, there’s considerably more to MAFSI members than being a rep or manufacturer, and we want other members to know about it!

Are you passionate about a particular philanthropic cause? Are you a huge foodie? Maybe you’re an avid skydiver? Whatever it is – we want to know about it — and SEE you doing it!

If you’re interested in participating, or nominating a fellow member, click here.