ON THE PASS

The Podcast

A Top 100 Food Podcast serving up inspiring conversations with dynamic figures in the food + beverage, hospitality and travel space. Hosted by industry expert Gabriel Ornelas.

Featured

On The Pass. Engaging conversations with industry icons, offering an intimate glimpse into their unique minds and creative processes.

Hot Spot. Spotlighting the hottest emerging brands and the people behind them.

High Tea. Providing weekly insights and recommendations from industry trailblazers, keeping you in the know.

the host

GABRIEL ORNELAS

Collector of interesting people.

Purveyor of memorable experiences.

Gabriel Ornelas is a strategist and producer who consults with entrepreneurs, marketers, creators, and brands across hospitality, food and beverage, entertainment, and lifestyle categories. An entrepreneur himself, Gabriel has spent his career developing and producing compelling branded experiences through content, media, and partnerships.

His global work experience and unique point of view has positioned him to successfully drive growth, through new business and marketing campaigns for clients that include Faena Group, SBE, Mercedes-Benz, Perfect Day Foods, Citi, Perrier-Jouët Champagne, Moët Hennessy and Valrhona to name a few.

Gabriel is the host, creator and producer of On The Pass, a Top 100 podcast on the Food charts, serving up inspiring conversations with leaders in the food and beverage, hospitality and travel space.

Gabriel graduated from USC’s Marshall School of Business and Universidad International in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

Connect with gabriel

OUR SPONSORS

GUEST TESTIMONIALS

"With On the Pass Gabriel Ornelas brings his years of experience in the hospitality industry to the forefront with dynamic and in depth conversations with an extremely diverse group of individuals from the hospitality industry. He builds a bigger community through deep discussions and reminds us why we love what we do!"

Lynnette Marrero
Award Winning Mixologist
Episode 24
“I enjoyed being a guest of On The Pass and Gabriel was a really fun host. Thank you for creating a space to have meaningful gastronomy conversations.”

Fatmata Binta
Chef, Dine on a Mat, Fulani Kitchen Foundation
Episode 46
"Gabriel's wonderful On The Pass podcast is an amazing insight into the world of food and hospitality. Gabriel brings his wealth of knowledge in the world of restaurants to each interview and was able to draw out the most interesting and fun things we do with mushrooms at Fable Food Co. Since being a guest on the podcast I've become a regular listener and love it!"

Michael Fox
Co-founder and CEO, Fable Food Co.
Episode 10
“A consummate host, it was a real treat to be interviewed by Gabriel and an honor to be on his show. Too often, good work goes unacknowledged, which is why it’s so important to have people like Gabriel who seek to celebrate and shine a light on the hospitality industry’s most prominent thought leaders. We stand so much to learn from each other—On The Pass has helped facilitate that exchange.”

Christian Lachel
Chief Creative Officer, BRC Imagination Arts
Episode 42
"Spending time with Gabriel is always like a gourmet feast; there is no one more knowledgeable and interesting on all topics culinary. I enjoyed being a guest on Gabriel’s podcast almost as much as I enjoy listening to it! It’s so much fun to listen in on these great conversations with Gabriel and his guests, an amazing community of bon vivants and experts who share my enjoyment of and fascination with the very best in food, wine and hospitality."

Sebastien Silvestri
CEO, Dinex Group - the Restaurant Group of Chef Daniel Boulud
Episode 51
“It’s always fun to speak with Gabriel. I’m very happy to be a part of the On The Pass family. I’m looking forward to all the new upcoming content, not only to be a part of it, but to keep following. I love to keep track of the incredible guests, what they are saying, posting and tuning into all these great interviews.”

Santiago Lastra
Chef and Co-owner, KOL London
Episode 38
"If you think On The Pass Podcast is just another podcast with interviews, you're wrong. It's a dialogue between Gabriel and his guests that is more delicious to your ears than a simple interview. It feels like an invite into Gabriel's living room where the conversations weave in between purpose, career, and impact, in the most unassuming way. "

Nina Oduro
CEO, Dine Diaspora and Black Women In Food
Episode 58
"Gabriel is one of a kind and excels at supporting entrepreneurs and building businesses. He’s a connector at his core and a natural marketer.”

Loren (Brill) Castle
Founder and CEO, Sweet Loren’s
Episode 13
"The success of a project depends on the commitment of each involved, and Gabriel is a determined person with an incredible eye for all talents. I felt very honored to be part of his podcast and to be interviewed by him! Congratulations and my enormous gratitude."

Manu Buffara
Chef-Owner of Restaurante Manu
Episode 36
"Not every podcast host makes you feel like you want the conversation to keep going, but Gabriel is that guy. His podcast, On The Pass, stars countless big-name chefs and hospitality legends. Sometimes he even pulls in a journalist, and I loved it!"

Larissa Zimberoff
Author and Journalist
Episode 27
"The thing I loved the most about being a guest at On The Pass was the realness of the conversation. Gabriel's approach to the interview is refreshingly casual and fun, creating an atmosphere that feels like you’re just hanging out with a friend. He was able to draw out the most interesting stories and insights, that I rarely get to share, but enjoy talking about. His ability to tap into the heart of his guests love and passion for what they do, creates depth in the conversation that I truly appreciate. I am a fan!"

Beny Ashburn
Co-founder and CEO, Crowns & Hops Brewing Co.
Episode 16
“Gabriel has the ability to get interested in people and their life purposes, which he captures in his podcast posing questions that are delicious to answer. His empathy and intuition mean that beyond showcasing talents or professions, listeners can get to know more of the people behind these incredible projects.”

Leonor and Laura Espinosa
Chef and Sommelier, LEO
Episode 66
"Gabe is one of the most charming, generous, and hospitable hosts you’ll ever meet. Within minutes of speaking with him he’ll make you feel like family - a lost foodie brother you just discovered. The secret to Gabe is that he cares. He cares about you, about your story, and about how best to share your story to the world. "

Yiming Lin
Food Ethnographer, Literally.starving
Episode 67
“Gabriel is an amazing host and true professional in not only his understanding of the hospitality industry but the podcast world. I had a great time catching up and chatting about our experiences. I look forward to seeing what acclaimed guests he has on each episode and how he navigates the ever changing industry.”

Sean MacDonald
Chef -Owner, Bar Monette
Episode 63
"We are incredibly grateful to have been part of this new season of On The Pass. Gabriel is on this mission to shine a light on the work done by our peers in this industry and tell the stories of the incredible people and the unique challenges behind it. For us in the industry, often isolated in our work bubbles, it's both an inspiration and a source of energy to hear our peers’ stories and see that we are not alone on this path. We think these are stories that need to be told, as many people out there can relate to them, either small entrepreneurs in other industries or aspiring chefs, restaurateurs, and all related professions to the food and beverage industry. We wish we had had access to these stories when we were learning the ropes in hospitality school or on our first jobs; for this reason, we strongly believe in what Gabriel is doing and want to thank him for making our industry a better place."

Franco Sampogna and Bernardo Silva
Chef and Co-owners, FREVO
Episode 71
"Being a guest of Gabriel was an honor as much as it was a good time. Having a lot in common made it an “at home feel” from right away. The international background which is at the core of On The Pass as well as the very interesting and diverse characters that make it to the mic keeps you very entertained and Gabriel’s wealth of knowledge in the industry makes him the perfect host. I look forward to coming back for more in-depth talk with my amigo."

Pietro Brembilla
CEO, Sogno Toscano
Episode 80

featured episodes

On The Pass Episodes

Listener Reviews

Testimonials

Maranelo F.

“Listened to the latest one this morning. Hooked. Now, I’m listening to the first ones and it’s crazy that i didn’t subscribe sooner. What I love about this is how deep, diverse, yet focused the episodes are. Discussions that carry the same depth we have in the food and beverage industry. Solid!”

S. Lonis

“I can literally listen to him all day. Also, his depth of knowledge in the food and hospitality space is impressive :)”

Krio G.

“Really great and thoughtful conversations! Definitely one of my favorite podcasts, always tuned in and will never miss an episode. Keep it coming!”

Victoria S.

“Just found this podcast and I love it! I loved your conversation with Manu Buffara and I'd love to learn more about Brazilian cuisine. Can't wait for the next episode!”

Charles A.

“So great listening to the many interesting episodes on this podcast! Gabriel does an excellent job curating and hosting! With the diversity of guests on each season, every episode holds its own! Highly recommend listening to get an insight on everything that is hospitality, food & beverage!”