Speakers

Paul Turano is a restaurant and hospitality advisor for The Business Exchange. Paul is also principal of New England Restaurant Consulting, a hospitality consulting & operations firm serving the Greater New England region.

A graduate of Newbury College, Turano is an award-winning chef with numerous accolades to his name and appearances on: NBC, CBS, ABC and The Food Network. As a successful culinarian and restauranter, he launched numerous successful concepts, and has worked in operations, staffing, vender relations, training, brand growth and property development for over 30 years.

Before founding New England Restaurant Consultants, Paul wasn’t just advising—he was in the kitchen, on the floor, and behind the books. As the founder of Tryst, Spitfires BBQ, Olio, and the Cook restaurants in Newton and Needham, Paul turned concepts into destinations. These ventures didn’t just survive Boston’s competitive culinary landscape—they thrived.

• Olio: Nationally recognized by Zagat’s Top 100 Restaurants.
• Cook: Local favorite with two locations and regional acclaim.
• Spitfires BBQ & Tryst: Community staples with strong brand loyalty and successful exits.

As a business advisor, Turano leads his clients through every step of the restaurant process. From securing a location and creating a meaningful concept, to licensing, vendor management, and menu development, training and staffing. Paul Turano lives in Canton, MA with his wife Melanie, daughter Lia and his son Nicholas.