June 25, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with internationally renowned chef, entrepreneur and author Matthew Kenney to discuss his journey from New York's restaurant scene to becoming one of the world's leading voices in plant-based cuisine. Matthew shares the story behind his latest venture, BESOS in downtown Birmingham, reflects on the evolution of consumer dining trends, sustainability and hospitality, and discusses how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are helping shape the future of food and restaurant operations.