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Join us for an illuminating conversation with the extraordinary Chef Lance Nitahara as he takes us on a personal culinary journey from the tropical shores of Oahu to the esteemed Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and beyond. Discover how Chef Lance masterfully marries his Hawaiian heritage with classical culinary traditions, transforming these influences into an innovative approach that has earned him global acclaim. In this episode, we also welcome Pooch Rivera, who spices up the dialogue with creative dishes like an Asian-inspired Reuben and lamb fajitas, crafted using versatile Aussie Select products.

Chef Lance shares the thrill and pressure of competing in high-stakes culinary events, drawing deeply from his Hawaiian roots to showcase unique flavors despite logistical challenges such as sourcing authentic ingredients. Amid the cultural shifts he experienced moving from Hawaii to the CIA, Chef Lance

Introducing the SupraCut System - the automated solution that enhances safety, quality, and efficiency, cutting up to 120 perfect citrus wedges per minute, 6 times faster than manual. Patented tech delivers uniform slices, reducing waste and eliminating plastic, while the hygienic, contactless design lowers contamination and injuries, integrating seamlessly to transform your operations and improve profitability - get started at SupraCut.com and ask about risk-free trials.

The following brands and companies help us continue supporting the food industry - have a look below!

Peninsula Foodservice: The Best Beef!

Peninsula Foodservice delivers Creekstone Farm beef, with top-quality meats and #1 service for Chefs

Cured Lamb Loin by Aussie Select

Fully cooked, pasture-raised Australian lamb. Agave rosemary, tikka masala, & more: Aussieselect.com

Crab Island Seafood Co: Quality Dips

Check out Crab Island Seafood Company @crab-island-seafood-dip.com & order yours today!

Metro Shelving

The industry leader in organization and efficiency

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Walk-In Talk Podcast

Where kitchen culture meets raw storytelling.

Hosted by Carl Fiadini, founder of Walk-In Talk Media, this #1 Apple-ranked food podcast dives deep with chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, and frontline pros. From trade shows to short films, we bring the food world to life—one honest conversation at a time.

We’re the Official Podcast Partner for the NY, CA & FL Restaurant Shows, Pizza Tomorrow Summit, and U.S. Culinary Open.

Brand Partners:

RAK Porcelain USA

Metro Foodservice

SupraCut Systems

Aussie Select

Crab Island Seafood

Pass the Honey

The Burnt Chef Project

Citrus America

Walk-In Talk Media proudly serves as the North American media partner for The Burnt Chef Project, supporting mental health in hospitality.

📩 Partner or pitch a story: Carl@thewalkintalk.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Metro Foodservice Solutions

Kitchen and back-of-house systems for better flow and function.

Citrus America

Citrus America – Commercial-grade juicing systems built for speed and yield.

RAK Porcelain USA -Tableware

We use RAK for all in-studio tableware—clean, durable, and designed for chefs.

Auto Citrus Slicer Streamlines Prep

Boost efficiency and cut waste with SupraCut's automated citrus slicer for streamlined prep.

Aussie Select - Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb

Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb—ready to serve and packed with clean flavor.