Life tastes better when shared
Doesn't it, Phil? Plus, former Soho House CMO launches club and social sports hit the city.
🍒 This week on connection: Former Soho House CMO opens his own version of a members’ club. Andre Agassi invests in latest social sports concept in the US. The food show that isn’t about the food. And more…
Before you continue - a small favor: most of you here are passionate about redefining hospitality. By filling out this 5-minute survey on boutique hotels, you’ll be helping a friend do just that and you’ll enter the chance to win a €250 credit for a one-night stay at a boutique hotel of your choice (I have plenty of names in mind if you win and need help picking!).
Dare to connect,
Andy
NEW HERE? WE’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU
Welcome to Casa Cinco, a home for people reimagining connection to ourselves, others, and the planet. It starts with our weekly curation of resources and reflections. But it doesn’t end there...
💌 GOING ON AT CASA CINCO
As you’ll see in this week’s Curating Connection, I’m deep into Season 8 of Somebody Feed Phil. To me, more than a food show, it’s an unexpected masterclass in hospitality and human connection.
Phil Rosenthal doesn’t just eat around the world - he connects with it. And in doing so, he reminds us how much more alive life itself is when shared.
Let’s call this a work-in-progress analysis, as I need to dive much, much deeper into Phil’s magic. But for now, here are three things Phil gets exactly right about being human:
Everything tastes better when shared: Phil rarely eats alone. He’s always joined by someone - even if it’s his producers. But here’s the thing: being at the same table isn’t the same as sharing the experience. You can offer someone some of your fries without actually connecting. Real sharing means engaging. Listening. Being present. Sharing not just food, but the moment - our humanity. Worries, dreams, and food taste better when shared. Phil does this exquisitely.
It’s not about you: Despite being the host, the show is never about Phil. He turns his full attention to those around him - their stories, their food, their communities. Almost every episode highlights a local nonprofit or special initiative, which he also features on his website, offering them global exposure they could never afford. Phil understands something profound: Somebody Feed Phil is most meaningful when the show is not centered on him, but on others.
Energy is contagious: Phil seems to light up every city he visits. But this doesn’t just happen. Phil takes it upon himself to be silly, playful, and funny - not because he is the most of any of these things, but because doing so implicitly gives others permission to be that way too. In the end, he brings out the best in people around him.
We’re all human - all hungry for food and connection. And when we put ourselves out there, like Phil does, we feed that hunger in ourselves and others.
If you asked me now, I honestly couldn’t tell you exactly what he ate or even where.
But I do remember how he made people feel. How he made us, the viewers, feel.
And that, to me, is the ultimate test of hospitality. It’s not just the plate. Not just the place. It’s the feeling you leave behind on the people you shared both with.
🌍 CURATING CONNECTION
Hey London, a new members’ club is coming to town. But not in Central London this time. Former Soho House CMO (and son of Richard Caring), Jamie Caring, is launching Lighthouse Social in Fulham. The site looks incredible, and the whole take on community feels more grounded and contemporary than some of its central counterparts: “...suitability of membership isn’t defined by professions or personas…”. Plus: pricing is surprisingly reasonable for those riverside views. (Reminder: this is London. Nothing is cheap.) Anyone thinking of joining?
Unpopular opinion: food shows shouldn’t really be about the food. Think about it - when was the last time you sat at a table and only focused on the food? The meal is the means, not the end. At its best, food is about sharing, hosting, listening... it’s about connection. I believe many food shows miss the chance to lean into that, except for the one person who absolutely gets it: Phil Rosenthal in Somebody Feed Phil. Season 8 just dropped on Netflix and, although I’m not a binge-watcher by nature, I’m already on episode 3... and I’ve cried three times. We must protect this man at all costs.
From Netflix to pickleball: Ballers is bringing the country club to the city. Backed by the rise of wellness and racquet sports (pickleball, padel, squash), Ballers is opening in Philadelphia later this year with impressive offerings: five sports, bar, restaurant, spa, and event space. In short: your childhood country club meets your urban lifestyle. The start-up just raised $20 million Series A, with tennis legend Andre Agassi among the investors. I’m curious to see how this one plays out - and how the concept grows into its valuation…
Need a break from Madrid? Consider Finca Aldeallana. Just 75km outside the city, this five-room boutique hotel sits on 100 hectares of farmland and promises unmatched, personalized service. With only five rooms, I’d believe it - it’s a lot easier to be intentional at that scale (at 150+ rooms? That’s another story... though my friend Issy Sharp knows a thing or two about this). One question for the hoteliers in the room: how is this model financially sustainable?
Have lectures at bars popped up on your IG feed too? I didn’t pay much attention at first - other than appreciating the type of gathering. But a friend recently told me about Olio - a NY-based platform “for lifelong learners”. They started a decade ago, hosting casual lectures at bars as a way to make learning social. Turns out, people were coming less for the lecture and more for the connection. Their community has since grown rapidly, and just last week they announced they’re exploring a physical space: the Olio Club. Are you already part of their world, or curious to join? They’re co-creating it now - check out their survey here.
💡 YOU’RE INVITED
Inspired by Somebody Feed Phil, and Phil himself: What unexpected joy could you offer a stranger today?
Maybe it’s sharing a kind word with someone on the bus (“Your outfit is killing it today!”). Maybe it’s pausing to pump up the person who made your coffee (“This is THE BEST COFFEE EVER”). Or how about buying a treat for the person behind you in line at lunch?
Whatever it is - notice how making someone else’s day tends to make yours too.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
Are you a founder or investor on connection? Interested in sponsoring Casa Cinco? Reply to this email and let’s connect.
Want to build a more connected world?
“The food, the service, and the design are simply ingredients in the recipe for human connection”
Will Guidara