Andrew Talks to Chefs: Recent Episodes
Andrew Friedman
Our top chefs, as you’ve never heard them before. Author Andrew Friedman, one of the nation's chief chroniclers of professional kitchen life, interviews a diverse cross-section of the best and biggest names in the business, bringing his personal relationships and industry knowledge to bear in coaxing personal and professional revelations from his guests.
Andrew Zimmern returns to the pod to talk about his new Food Network show Pitmasters--a fresh reality-competition program that debuts this Monday, July 13, at 9pm ET. He and host Andrew also get into the 1980s NYC chef and restaurant scene (the subject of host Andrew's book Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll), what qualifies as a successful run for a restaurant, the importance of inviting others into your headspace, and myriad other personal and professional subjects. One of our classic convos, in our humble opinion.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
Thanks also to Gage & Tollner for providing our location. Please keep Gage & Tollner in mind for drinking and/or dining in Downtown Brooklyn, and for special and private occasions.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Episode host/producer/editor/mixer: Andrew Friedman
Videographer: Jason Anello
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Caroline Glover took a fascinating path to the pro kitchen. Leaving college after two years, she found herself working in the kitchen at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, which led her to the Culinary Institute of America, then to New York City, and finally to Colorado where she opened Annette restaurant a decade ago, followed two and a half years ago by Traveling Mercies Cocktails & Oysters, both in Aurora, Colorado, just over the Denver city line.
Go check out the new zine, Mother Sauce, discussed in this episode--and sign up for their mailing list!
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
- photo of Caroline Glover by Dan Richard
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Claudette Zepeda returns to the pod after seven years to discuss her wonderful new book Cooking the Borderlands: Spice and Smoke Between Mexico and the United States. This is a compelling conversation that comprises Mexican cuisine, culinary vocabulary, the craft and business of cookbooks, and much more. Go pick up a copy of Claudette's book--it's terrific!
(Listen to Claudette's previous appearance on the pod.)
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Before opening her new restaurant Cynthia—an intimate tasting-menu spot in NYC’s West Village—Sherry Cardoso was the secret weapon of chef-restaurateurs like Greg Baxtrom and Marcus Samuelsson. In this episode, Sherry takes us through her time in multiple generations of landmark NYC restaurants—from Le Cirque to Per Se to Metropolis and Olmsted, among many others. She also shares a little about her time on Top Chef, and the backstory of Cynthia restaurant.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Allison Robicelli, our old friend, whom longtime listeners will remember from our Shelter en Place movie conversations, returns to the pod for a long overdue biographical conversation. In addition to weaving tales of growing up in 1980s outer-borough New York City, we get into Allison’s singular travel tips, the joys of Baltimore, and just about anything else she and Andrew could think of.
If you are an aspiring chef younger than 30, or think you might know of one who’d thrive in this program, please check out S.Pellegrino’s Young Chef Academy Competition, or go directly to the application. Andrew has interviewed many past competitors and observed several competitions, and personally recommends applying.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
Two weeks ago, we took Andrew Talks to Chefs on the road, and recorded a LIVE! show as part of the inaugural Cookbook Week in San Francisco. The subject was Forgotten Cookbook Classics. The guests were two of San Francisco's favorite chefs, Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski (State Bird Provisions, The Progress, The Anchovy Bar). The location was Civic Kitchen. Before an enthusiastic audience, we discussed books by Jacques Pepin, Gordon Ramsay (!), and Claudia Fleming, among many others.
We were honored to share the bill with Michele Norris and her wonderful Your Mama's Kitchen podcast. If you're not familiar with the show, we suggest you check it out--it's great!
If you are an aspiring chef younger than 30, or think you might know of one who'd thrive in this program, please check out S.Pellegrino's Young Chef Academy Competition, or go directly to the application. Andrew has interviewed many past competitors and observed several competitions, and personally recommends applying.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
As he prepares to introduce his Tatale dining series to NYC, Ghanaian-British chef, restaurateur, and interdisciplinary creative Akwasi Brenya-Mensa discusses his life and career to date. He and Andrew get into his African-focused upbringing in London, his adventures in the music world, and eventual commitment to the culinary realm. Please note: Andrew misspoke in this episode's introduction; Akwasi's spring/summer 2026 dinner series runs for 12 weeks, not 10. Our sincere apologies for the error!
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
Thanks also to Gage & Tollner for providing our location. Please keep Gage & Tollner in mind for drinking and/or dining in Downtown Brooklyn, and for special and private occasions.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Episode host/producer: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Roderick Alleyne
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
This is a good one! Scott Conant and Andrew go back a long way, and boy, does it show in this friendly and expansive conversation that covers everything from Scott's newish line of pasta sauces Martone Street, to his restaurants, to his longtime role as a key cast member on TV's Chopped. They also touch on the evolution of celebrity chef culture, how restaurants change over time, and a few of the industry characters they've both enjoyed knowing over the years. We're going a little long on this episode ... stick around for all of it, and hope you have as much fun as Andrew and Scott did!
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
The NYC and American chef community lost a beloved and influential figure last week with the sudden death of Chef Tom Valenti after a short illness. Tom presided over the kitchens of such fabled restaurants as Alison on Dominick Street, Cascabel, Butterfield 81, Ouest, and Cesca, among others. In addition to becoming known for a bold, lusty culinary style, Tom helped found the Windows of Hope charity to raise money for the families of restaurant workers who perished in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York City. He also possessed a quick wit and abiding gift for silliness. (In addition to all of that, he authored three cookbooks in collaboration with Andrew, who was also his publiciast in the 1990s.) In this episode, Andrew shares some remembrances of Tom, and airs a conversation with Tom that they began in 2020, and which was never finished.
We recommend you read the NY Times obituary of Tom Valenti mentioned in this episode.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
Writer, author, and Fine Dining Lovers managing editor Paul Feinstein joins the pod for the first of many planned monthly appearances in which he and Andrew will kick around various industry topics.
In this episode, they discuss two recent articles on Fine Dining Lovers: One (by Andrew) on the problem with awards, the other by Heather Platt, about the Rise of Neighborhood restaurants. They also share some lingering Noma-related odds and ends.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
Before founding meez, the recipe operating system for hospitality professionals, Josh Sharkey was a NYC chef who came up in the legendary kitchens of such OGs as Rick Moonen, and the late David Bouley, Floyd Cardoz (Tabla), and Gray Kunz (Lespinasse). He also owned and operated Bark, a multi-unit artisanal hot dog concept in Manhattan and Brooklyn. In this conversation, Josh--also an old friend of Andrew's--discusses his culinary evolution and gradual and successful shift to entrepreneurism.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Episode host/producer/editor/mixer: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Roderick Alleyne
Videographer: Victor Michael Thelian
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
Jordan Frosolone, who's turning out some of Andrew's favorite food in NYC at the moment at Borgo restaurant, joins us in this episode. Jordan recounts his midwestern upbringing, time in Italy, and formative jobs with chefs and restaurant groups including the late David Bouley, the Momofuku group, and Marco Canora's Hearth restaurant.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Episode host/producer/editor/mixer: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Roderick Alleyne
Videographer: Edison Koo
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
As the original Craft restaurant turns 25, Tom Colicchio sits down with Andrew to discuss the restaurant's recent menu-format change, Craft's influence on dining in the US, and a few hot topics, such as industry staging culture, the growing Noma scandal, and the problem with awards.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Episode host/producer: Andrew Friedman
Producer/editor/mixer: Roderick Alleyne
Videographer: Edison Koo
LISTEN (audio only) to our live show from 2019 in which Tom tells the Craft origin story.
Here's the article Tom and Andrew talk about, about how food media's focus on restaurants conditions customers to do the same.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
Armond Joseph has been with the live-fire restaurant Léon 1909 since it opened on Shelter Island, NY, about four years ago, first as sous chef and now as chef. Drawing from area purveyors and farms--including the restaurant's own--Armond employs fire as his muse in his never-ending search for what "Shelter Island tastes like." This fascinating conversation, recorded from before the open kitchen at Léon 1909, takes on deeper and deeper meaning as it reaches its coda, with a tour of the restaurant's 15-foot hearth.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Episode host/producer: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Roderick Alleyne
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
Alexia Duchêne's West Village (NYC) restaurant Le Chêne opened about eight months ago, and has already found its rhythm as a home for Alexia's personalized yet unmistakably French cuisine. In this conversation, the still-young chef--who cooked in Paris and London before moving to the US--shares the familial and professional influences that helped unleash her culinary style; what her Top Chef experience was like; and some principles of hospitality that every aspiring chef and/or restaurateur should hear. She also discusses her love of New York City, and the journey that led her to open Le Chêne.
Episode host/producer: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Roderick Alleyne
Videographer/editor/mixer: Victor Michael Thelian
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
Oscar Lorenzzi’s career has taking him from 5 Napkin Burgers to fine dining. In today’s episode, Oscar tells Andrew about his childhood in Lima, Peru, and the familial and cultural influences that sparked his interest in food, as well as the NYC gigs that led to his current restaurant, Nuyores.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
Thanks also to Gage & Tollner for providing our location. Please keep Gage & Tollner in mind for drinking and/or dining in Downtown Brooklyn, and for special and private occasions.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Episode host/producer: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Roderick Alleyne
Videographer/editor/mixer: Victor Michael Thelian
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube. Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
We're thrilled to welcome Wylie Dufresne back to the pod. In this conversation, the accomplished New York City-based chef takes us through the evolution of his focus on pizza, which grew from a pandemic-era fascination to the foundation of his Stretch Pizza restaurants.He and Andrew also kick around thoughts on mentorship, constant learning, the lure of restaurants, and other subjects.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
Thanks also to Gage & Tollner for providing our location. Please keep Gage & Tollner in mind for drinking and/or dining in Downtown Brooklyn, and for special and private occasions.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Episode host/producer: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Roderick Alleyne
Videographer/editor/mixer: Victor Michael Thelian
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
[New episodes of ATTC are now available in video! You can watch on Spotify, or YouTube Or you can just keep on listening in all the same places you usually do.]
Today’s guest is Mavis-Jay Sanders. Mavis-Jay is a chef and activist who works to uplift disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, and cares deeply about social justice. In their conversation, Mavis-Jay tells Andrew about her nomadic childhood, which took her everywhere from the American South and Southwest, to Alaska and Italy, and about the events that spun her culinary career towards its current focus. She also discusses the Community Kitchen project for which she served as chef in fall 2025.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
Thanks also to Gage & Tollner for providing our location. Please keep Gage & Tollner in mind for drinking and/or dining in Downtown Brooklyn, and for special and private occasions.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Episode host/producer: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Roderick Alleyne
Videographer/editor/mixer: Victor Michael Thelian
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
OUR FIRST VIDEO EPISODE!!
It’s a big day here at Andrew Talks to Chefs as we share our first video podcast with you.
(You can watch on Spotify or YouTube, or you can just keep listening in all the same places you always have.)
Our guest on this momentous occasion is Sohui Kim, chef and co-owner of Gage & Tollner and Insa in Brooklyn, NY. Sohui tells Andrew all about about her early childhood in South Korea, move to the United States as a preteen, diversion from academics to the pro kitchen, and the genesis of her current restaurants as well as the first place she and husband-partner Ben Schneider opened, the fondly remembered Good Fork in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It’s no coincidence that we selected Sohui as our first video guest, because our video episodes will be filmed in the private dining rooms at Gage & Tollner.
Our great thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe-operating system for culinary professionals.
And thanks to S.Pellegrino for their longstanding support of the pod.
Thanks also to Gage & Tollner for providing our location. Please keep Gage & Tollner in mind for drinking and/or dining in Downtown Brooklyn, and for special and private occasions.
Episode host/producer: Andrew Friedman
Producer: Roderick Alleyne
Cinematographer/editor/mixer: Victor Michael Thelian
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Jiho Kim discusses his gravitation toward the pro kitchen, love of pastry-making, and evolution on the savory side of cuisine.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Accomplished chef turned consultant, Chris Jaeckle discusses his career in restaurants and shift to his consultancy, Kitchen Connect.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Samir Dhurandhar discusses his childhood in India, training in the US, and his long run at Nick & Sam's steakhouse in Dallas, TX.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Samaya Boueri Ziade shares the origin story of her acclaimed Brooklyn restaurant Sawa.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Anthony Scotto discusses his early life and career in New York City,, and current success with Luogo and Pelato restaurants in Nashville, TN.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Julia Sullivan discusses her restaurants Henrietta Red (Nashville, TN) and Judith (Sewanee, TN), and her career to date.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Author Michael Twitty discusses his fascinating new book, Recipes from the American South, the genesis of the project, and the mission between the recipes.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Charleston chef and restaurateur David Schuttenberg (Beautiful South, Kwei Fei) discusses his NYC training and how he found his way to South Carolina, as well as the origin stories of his two restaurants.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Legendary restaurateur Drew Nieporent (Nobu, Montrachet, Tribeca Grill, et. al) discusses his memoir I'm Not Trying to Be Difficult and opines on the state of the industry in a no-holds-barred and free-ranging conversation recorded over lunch at Nobu in Lower Manhattan.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
Please check out the Cookbook Collection program benefitting Citymeals on Wheels that is described on this episode.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Chef Jeremy Fox, of Rustic Canyon and Birdie G's, discusses his career, and his recently published second book, On Meat.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
Please check out the Cookbook Collection program benefitting Citymeals on Wheels that is described on this episode.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Chef Kyle Knall shares about his formative years in New York City, and how and why he relocated to Milwaukee, where he's found success with Birch restaurant, and plans to open his second venture, Cassis, this winter.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
Please check out the Cookbook Collection program benefitting Citymeals on Wheels that is described on this episode.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Longtime listeners know that Claud restaurant is one of Andrew's favorite places in New York City. And that Penny, the same group's seafood-counter restaurant, has also been a rousing success. In a rare interview, chef of both restaurants, Joshua Pinsky, sits down with Andrew to discuss his personal and professional background, and related subjects, such as whether his distinct, stripped-down style fits into a larger culinary movement.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
As the Southern Smoke Foundation's big fall fundraiser approaches on October 4, 2025, Chris Shepherd--who co-founded the foundation with Lindsey Brown (also his wife)--sits down with Andrew to discuss the crucial, grant-based work the organization does for hospitality professionals. He also shares his own personal story and how cooking became its professional focus, until he shifted gears into the altruistic realm. He also discusses two recent beer collaborations he and the foundation have been involved with: the nonalcoholic Aftershift (with Athletic Brewing Company) and Behind You! Beer (with Roadhouse Brewing).
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Chef Andrew Turner came up cooking for legends like Alain Ducasse, Hubert Keller, and Joachim Splichal, and became a chef in his own right for several years. Then, he decided that having the personal life he craved would mean leaving the industry into which he'd poured so much of himself. In this short conversation, Andrew shares from both sides of that progression: His time in those kitchens and evolution as a cook and chef, and what life on the other side, operating his business, Valley Wine Merchants, has been like.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
This spring, amidst the frenzy of James Beard Foundation Awards weekend in Chicago, chef-proprietors Adam McFarland & Tom Rogers welcomed Andrew to their hit restaurant John's Food & Wine for a LIVE! podcast session before an industry audience. In a tight 42 minutes, the chefs shared their respective backstories, discussed the restaurant's innovative service model and staffing practices, and discussed how they navigate the increasingly common challenge of co-cheffing. They also answer audience questions from colleagues from around the US. Longtime listeners know how much we love a live show and this was a truly special one. Enjoy!
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
For the first time, we welcome a bartender to the pod: Maria Rodriguez of Cantina Rosa in Chicago, Illinois. The bar is part of friend of the pod Erick Williams' restaurant group, and is focused on Mexican spirits, especially agave-based ones such as mezcal and tequila. In this conversation, recorded on site at Cantina Rosa, Maria shares her path to her career and she and Andrew observe the similarities between a chef's journey and that of a bartender. They also discuss the essential components of a great cocktail and great beverage programs.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Jackie Carnesi has reinvigorated Brooklyn's Kellogg's Diner, a 24-hour destination diner (if there is such a thing) that serves traditional diner food alongside killer Tex-Mex, culled from Jackie's memories of her Texas childhood. In this conversation, recorded on-site at the diner, she recounts her slow discovery of the pro kitchen, initially reluctant migration to NYC, and early jobs working with chefs like Chris Cipollone and Alex Stupak.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Chef Yara Herrera, a native of Los Angeles, worked in some of LA's most demanding kitchens (Spago, Providence, Majordomo) before moving to New York City and Momofuko Ko. During the pandemic, after gaining attention for her own food in pop-up form, she was approached by the owners of Rolo's--the hit restaurant in Ridgewood, Queens--about partnering on a Mexican-American restaurant, which came to be in the form of Hellbender. In this free-ranging conversation, Yara discusses her circuitous route to the kitchen and why it took several years to begin exploring the cuisine of her own heritage.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Douglas Keane has enjoyed tremendous success at his Cyrus restaurant in Geyserville, CA. At the same time, he's observed the need for change on many fronts in the hospitality industry, and instituted some of those changes himself. in his first book, Culinary Leverage: A Journey Through the Heat, he divides his attentions between relating his own story and offering thoughts for how to improve the industry he loves.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
The James Beard Foundation's Independent Restaurant Industry Report 2025 (which we highly recommend all listeners read), offers insights and possible solutions to a wide range of challenges and opportunities for American restaurants. Produced in collaboration with Deloitte, the survey is based on interviews with 50 independent restaurateurs and survey responses from more than 350 industry leaders. The JBF's VP of Impact Anne McBride joins Andrew for a detailed discussion of the survey and subjects as varied as changing dining and drinking habits, employee wages, and creative marketing strategies for restaurants of all price points and levels of formality. A free-flowing and, we think, informative idea exchange based on real, up-to-the-minute data that we hope will be of value to anybody in the industry, and hugely informative to non-industry pros who enjoy dining in restaurants.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Author John Birdsall makes his return to the pod to discuss his new bookWhat Is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution—a deeply personal and sweeping look at the intersection of queer life in the United States, and food culture here. Zooming in from his home in Tucson, John reflects on the stories, people, and moments that shaped the book, and why food has always been central to identity and community. The conversation touches on everything from making writing personal, to quiche, to what it means to write for queer and non-queer audiences simultaneously.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
As longtime fans of the pod know, there's nothing we love more than a crossover episode with a show we're friendly with. It reminds us of when we were kids and Saturday morning cartoons did the same thing, with characters from one show appearing on another, and vice versa. (That's why the animated episode image today.) So we're thrilled to welcome Nidal Barake, a marketer by trade, whose One of Each podcast presents interviews with an international who's who of chefs and other creatives who happen to be passionate about cuisine, restaurants, and cooking. (Be sure to check out his show, starting with the episode he launched today featuring Andrew as his guest.)
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Ari Miller’s evolution from journalist to chef was anything but traditional. In this revealing conversation, he shares how food became both his creative outlet and medium for making sense of a dark and complicated world. From growing up in a dysfunctional household consumed with historical atrocities, to finding meaning in kitchens in Tel Aviv and Philly, Ari shares stories about the mentors who shaped him, the politics of sourcing, and why he believes every dish contains a story—whether or not it’s given voice. We also dig into his viral “friz wit” cheesesteak, the meaning of “relationship cuisine," and the role of cooking in his life today. It is a conversation about identity, memory, and the power of food to tell complex, human stories.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Friend of the pod David Nayfeld, of Che Fico and other Bay Area restaurants, discusses his inaugural cookbook, Dad, What's for DInner--an outstanding first effort, and a perfect Father's Day gift.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Besha Rodell has written about food and/or reviewed restaurants for Creative Loafing, LA Weekly, The New York Times, Food & Wine, and other outlets, and is currently the restaurant critic for The Age. Today, she joins us to discuss her moving and entertaining new memoir Hunger Like a Thirst. The book tells the story of Besha's nomadic child- and adulthood, her migration from restaurant work to writing about restaurants, her approach to criticism, and some key themes of the book.
Our thanks to Chef Michael Lomonaco and the team at Porter House Bar and Grill for hosting this interview.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
For nearly a decade, the LA Chef Conference has been the gathering of Los Angeles chefs and industry professionals. After a one-year hiatus, the conference returns this October 6 in its new home at Redbird and Vibiana in Downtown LA. On this episode, conference founder Brad Metzger and host chef Neal Fraser join Andrew to discuss some featured topics, speakers, and chefs who will be cooking for the conference's always-impressive lunch, including (in alphabetical order) Gilberto Cetina, David Gelb, Rashida Holmes, Jordan Kahn, Evan Kleiman, Michael Mina, Charles Namba, Laurie Ochoa, Nancy Silverton, Michael Voltaggio, Alice Waters, and others. (Andrew will be moderating a panel on Ten Years of Chef's Table, celebrating the acclaimed Netflix series.)
Be sure to check out the details at the LA Chef Conference site, and sign up there for email updates regarding tickets (including discounted tickets for restaurant professionals) and updates to the line up.
Following the brief conversation about this year's conference, we share some excerpts from previous conference interviews that give a sense of what makes this homegrown event, and the city it celebrates, so special.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Before launching her hit modern-Japanese restaurant Lingo in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, chef Emily Yuen worked in some hardcore French kitchens in London and Singapore, then found her way to New York City. In this conversation, Emily shares her evolution from French to Japanese cuisine, how she developed her management chops, and the disparate influences in her food.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Calvin Eng has had a busy and successful few years. His restaurant Bonnie's in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has become a hub of modern Cantonese-American cuisine, and now he's out with his first cookbook, Salt Sugar MSG: Recipes and Stories from a Cantonese American Home. Andrew caught up with Calvin at his home in Williamsburg to discuss his path to his current projects, and the two are joined for part of the conversation by Phoebe Melnick, Calvin's partner and collaborator, to discuss the book-writing process.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
A few weeks ago, in record time, the good folks behind the LA Chef Conference, organized a benefit for victims of the recent, devastating LA wildfires. Dubbed Chefs ❤️ LA, the event raised more than$800,000, with all proceeds going to World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care to support their work on behalf of those who lost their homes in the conflagrations. It was a restorative and emotional evening, and Andrew was honored to be in attendance to interview some key participants. This episode takes you inside the planning of an event of this scale, (it was hosted at the expansive Lawry's The Prime Rib), features interviews with auctioneer Billy Harris, chefs Nyesha Arrington and Sherry Yard, Darin Bresnitz (who lost his home in the fires), Ellen Marie Bennett (from outside the site of her childhood home in Altadena, which was lost in the fire), and others. The episode is also a celebration of the spirit of the industry and testament to the way so many chefs, purveyors, restaurateurs, and others step up when tragedy strikes.
To donate, visit the Chefs ❤️ LA homepage and scroll down to mid-page.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
- event images courtesy Chefs Roll, Elijah Nicolas,and Nicholas Gingold/Craft Media Solutions
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Earlier this year, we lost one of the greatest and most influential chefs ever to ply his trade in the United States, when André Soltner passed away at age 92. On the day the culinary community pay their respects at a celebration of his life in New York City, we wanted to share this previously unaired conversation with Chef Soltner, recorded in 2016 as part of Andrew's research for his book Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll. André Soltner was of course best known for his restaurant Lutèce, where he was the chef (and for 22 years, also the owner) from 1961 - 1994. (For more about his life, please see William Grimes' excellent New York Times obituary.)
This conversation took place in Chef Soltner's apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on December 5, 2016, just five weeks after the death of his wife Simone. It covers his first interest in the culinary arts, his feelings about nouvelle cuisine, the brutality of old-school kitchens, his disposition toward the young American chefs who rose up during Lutèce's heyday, the pain of a negative review, and whether or not the legend of his only taking five nights off in the restaurant's lifespan was true. (He also does a quick but memorable impression of Julia Child.) Chef Soltner's kindness, generosity, and good humor shine through in this conversation. We hope it offers those who never had the opportunity to know him a sense of his personality, and those who did know him a welcome remembrance.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
- photo by/courtesy of Eric Vitale Photography
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Come for the industry insidership, stay for the great writing and unvarnished personal honesty. Author Laurie Woolever's new memoir Care and Feeding will attract many readers because of its promise of tales from her days as assistant to Mario Batali and then Anthony Bourdain. And it delivers on that front, for sure. But Care and Feeding is also, and primarily, Laurie's story--the story of a writer finding her way in life, New York, City, and the food world, and amassing all the personal and professional adventures and relationships implied by all of that. In this conversation, Laurie discusses the book, and the thoughtful decision-making behind it.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
- author photo by David Scott Holloway
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
At last year's Hot Luck festival in Austin, Andrew sat down with chef Alex Kemp, co-owner and chef of Philadelphia’s acclaimed restaurant My Loup for an honest and entertaining conversation. Alex shares his journey from his French-Canadian roots in Montreal to the vibrant culinary scene of Philadelphia. He discusses his diverse culinary experiences, including his time at Sugar Shack and Joe Beef in Canada, Moor Hall Restaurant in the UK, and Momofuku Ko in New York City, and how these experiences influenced (or didn't) the frequently changing menu at My Loup. Alex also reflects on his ongoing collaboration with his wife and business partner, chef Amanda Shulman, and their shared commitment to creating dining experiences that emphasize freshness and creativity.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
At just 27 years of age, Rasika Venkatesa has already put herself in position to plan her first restaurant. Currently serving a tasting menu in her residency at Fulgrances Laundromat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, (though March 1, 2025), Rasika attended hotel management school in India, worked her way up from commis to chef de partie at The French Laundry, and attained the position of chef de cuisine at Mourad in San Francisco. (As if that weren't enough, she also recently competed on Top Chef.) After relocating to New York City in 2024, Rasika is currently planning a brick-and-mortar incarnation of her pop-up Mythily (named for her grandmother and North Star). The restaurant, like the pop-up, will offer a personal and progressive take on Southern Indian cuisine (specifically the food of Tamil Nadu), and Rasika is refining dishes and menus in her current residency. Rasika discusses all of this and more in this deeply personal and open conversation.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Recorded LIVE before an audience at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition US regional finals in New York City. Five influential American chefs (the competition's jurors), Valerie Chang, Curtis Duffy, Aisha Ibrahim, Ayesha Nurdjaja, and Junghyun Park discuss how to shape the future of the industry, in a conversation divided into three parts: Identity, Working Environment, and Teamwork. (S.Pellegrino is a longtime promotional partner of Andrew Talks to Chefs.)
Read about and watch the trailer for "Afuera Hay Más," the documentary about S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition winner Nelson Freitas as he is guided by visionary mentor Virgilio Martínez in Peru.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Tomer Blechman's life has taken him from his native Israel to Los Angeles, the Far East, and finally to New York City. He also naturally progressed from a life of healing to cooking and hospitality, which are for him intertwined. This path has led him to founding three successful Brooklyn ventures: Miss Ada, Theodora, and Thea Bakery. In this deeply personal conversation, Tomer sits down with Andrew to discuss his training, pulling together his first restaurant, and how he stays grounded through it all.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
In this this second installment of our conversation with Jenner Tomaska and Katrina Bravo, the couple behind Chicago's Esmé, the pair discuss their time at MK and Next in Chicago, the process of concepting Esmé, and their working relationship..
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Two guests demand two episodes! In this first installment, Jenner Tomaska and Katrina Bravo, the couple behind Chicago's Esmé, talk about their childhoods in, respectively, Illinois and Florida, and the relationship with food and cooking that led Jenner to become a chef and Katrina to become a creative director.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Adam Leonti discusses his New England upbringing, time cooking in Philly and living overseas, and the series of New York City projects that have led to his current success at Cucina Alba in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
While he was in NYC for the Fancy Food Show in June, Chef Paul Bertolli made time to sit down with Andrew to discuss his varied and textured culinary career, which has included time as chef of Chez Panisse and then Oliveto, authoring or co-authoring books such as Chez Panisse Cooking and Cooking By Hand, and founding the salumi and charcuterie company Fra'Mani Handcrafted Foods.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
It's been a busy year for Jeremy Salamon. The chef and owner of Brooklyn's Agi's Counter came out with his first cookbook, Second Generation: Hungarian and Jewish Classics Reimagined for the Modern Table, and is readying his next restaurant, Pitt's, for its imminent launch. Earlier this fall, Andrew dropped into Agi's Counter and chatted with Jeremy about his young life and career so far, which has included stints at Prune, Buvette, Via Carota, and Locanda Verde, and time exploring Hungarian food in its native country.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Following a college-age shift from music to cooking, Nick Tamburo trained in some notable kitchens in the US and Europe, and served in chef positions within the Momofuku group and Claud. In late August, he launched his first restaurant of his own, Smithereens, in downtown Manhattan. The restaurant serves Nick's take on coastal New England cuisine and we're delighted to have him on the pod for the first time to talk about all of that and more.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
- episode photo by Phoebe Ng
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
While in New York City this September, Lisa Dahl--the prolific Sedona, Arizona chef and restaurateur--made time to visit with Andrew for a very personal conversation about her unique life and career path. Lisa wasn't always bound for the pro kitchen. She harbored dreams of singing, and worked for a time in fashion. But once she found her way to Sedona (which she describes as her sanctuary) and her calling as a cook, her ascent has been steady, and still continues today. This conversation begins steeped in personal history and transitions into a very detailed exploration of cooking, restaurant concepts, and much more.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
photo by Scott Yates
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
This fall, at the Roots Conference held at The Chef's Garden's Culinary Vegetable Institute in Milan, Ohio, Farmer Lee Jones (he of the signature denim overalls and red bowtie) sat down with Andrew to discuss a few key issues covered at the conference--regenerative farming, vegetables as preventative medicine, and the future of the industry.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Chef Tyler Akin has a bona fide hit on his hand with Philly's newish Bastia restaurant, where he presents his spin on Mediterranean cuisine. Back in the spring, before the restaurant launched, Tyler sat down with Andrew for a conversation about his career so far, and about the restaurant as it was being developed. Along the way, they get into the nexus of athletics and cooking, perfectionism, and plotting the steps of a culinary career.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
While visiting New York City recently, Jon Templin, of Butternut Sustainable Farm, sat down with Andrew to discuss the importance of chef-farmer relationships, why they're worth nurturing, and how both parties can get the most out of them. (Jon is one of the farmers profiled in Andrew's most recent book, The Dish, which is how they know each other.)
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Chef, author, and legendary raconteur Alexander Smalls makes his long-delayed debut on the pod. The occasion of the interview is his newest book The Contemporary African Kitchen: Home Cooking Recipes from the Leading Chefs of Africa. With that as a starting point, during a visit at Alexander’s home in Harlem, Alexander shares the story of his young life in the American South, his years as an opera singer, and his metamorphosis into a chef, culinary anthropologist, and author. Do yourself a favor and check out this lively conversation, and be sure to pick up Alexander’s book.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
One of our favorite guests, and one of Andrew's favorite people in the industry, the singular Nok Suntaranon, proprietor and chef of Philly's excellent Kalaya restaurant, returns to the pod to discuss her new cookbook, Kalaya's Southern Thai Kitchen.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
In this special episode, Andrew makes his first-ever visit to the legendary Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he sits down with Peter Luger VP Daniel Turtel, a key officer and voice for the iconic establishment. Over a classic Luger’s lunch, they discuss the history and enduring allure of this quintessential New York institution, obtaining and cooking the perfect steak, and Dan’s unique path in the industry. Andrew also shares his first impressions of this historic dining destination, bringing listeners into a truly unforgettable experience.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and beverage podcasts and newsletters.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Pastry chef Clarice Lam is out with a new cookbook this fall--Breaking Bao; 88 Bakes and Snacks from Asia and Beyond. The book is a fun and energetic mingling of sweet and savory offerings that reflects her own background and travels, and the breadth of what a pastry chef might prepare in a restaurant. She recently sat down with Andrew in Brooklyn, to discuss her life and career so far and what readers can expect from the book, and why.
This episode is part of the Andrew Talks to Chefs New Episode Holiday Marathon, brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez network podcasts and newsletters!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
We've all heard of the Twelve Days of Christmas, but this is ridiculous: We're dropping an episode every weekday between now and December 25, as we try to share all the interviews Andrew has banked in 2024 before the year draws to an end. This Andrew Talks to Chefs December Marathon is brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which just became available in paperback, with a cool new black-and-white cover.
On this first episode of the Marathon, we are thrilled to share a conversation with Nixta Taqueria's Edgar Rico, recorded at the Hot Luck festival in Austin, Texas, Memorial Day weekend. Edgar and Andrew met up at one of the festival's marquee tasting events and interviewed on site, getting deep into Edgar's upbringing, training, and how and why he eventually gravitated to tacos. Be sure to check it out, and subscribe to the pod wherever you listen so you can keep up with the Marathon and all forthcoming episodes.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez network podcasts and newsletters!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Michael Mina, whose hospitality group boasts about two dozen restaurants across the United States (and one in the UAE), trained in New York City. But he hadn't opened a restaurant in Manhattan ... until this summer when he and his team launched Bourbon Steak on Central Park South. On the occasion of the opening, Michael sat down with Andrew for a conversation that covers his Egyptian heritage, the glory days of 1990s New York restaurants, and his growth as a chef and operator.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez network podcasts and newsletters!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Dan Richer, the wonderfully obsessed pizzaiolo behind New Jersey's acclaimed Razza Pizza Artigianale, is a longtime friend of the pod. But he's never shared his full story and how he came to love and be consumed with the making of pizza here ... until now. On this episode, Dan and Andrew commandeer the upstairs office at Razza, and Dan shares it all with us.
This episode is part of Chefs on Fire, our conversation series featuring today’s live-fire tastemakers. Chefs on Fire is presented by Prime 6®, the high-performing, sustainable charcoal and wood logs designed to burn longer, hotter, and cleaner in open hearths, wood-burning ovens, and smokers. Learn more about how Prime 6 can save you time and money, and claim your free sample today, by visiting Prime 6’s website.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez network podcasts and newsletter!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
After years of trying, Ashley Christensen and Andrew were finally able to orchestrate an in-person interview this past spring at The Chef Conference in Philadelphia. Unsurprisingly, it was well worth the wait: Ashley opens up about the role of music and food in her childhood, the college dinner parties that sparked her eventual commitment to the pro kitchen, and the genesis of some of her most successful concepts.
Here are some organizations to which you can contribute in order to help people affected by Hurricane Helene in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez network podcasts and newsletter!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
For the past two decades, Stephanie Izard has steadily amassed a stellar culinary and hospitality career as a chef and restaurateur. First introduced to a national audience when she won Season 4 of Top Chef, which she immediately followed with her first restaurant, Chicago's Girl and the Goat. The instantaneous and overwhelming success of that restaurant led to additional "Goat" restaurants and other projects in Chicago and Los Angeles. In this conversation, Stephanie shares the origins of her eclectic culinary style, the story of the restaurant she owned and operated before Girl and the Goat, and much more. We had a great time, and know you'll enjoy listening to this one.
This episode is part of Chefs on Fire, our conversation series featuring today's live-fire tastemakers. Chefs on Fire is presented by Prime 6®, the high-performing, sustainable charcoal and wood logs designed to burn longer, hotter, and cleaner in open hearths, wood-burning ovens, and smokers. Learn more about how Prime 6 can save you time and money, and claim your free sample today, by visiting Prime 6's website.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez network podcasts and newsletter!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
From high atop the Hoxton Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Chicago's Mindy Segal takes us through her life and career: How she grativitated to the pro kitchen and zeroed in on pastry; her instinct-based approach to creativity and collaboration; and the genesis of her self-titled line of edibles, as well as the story behind her current place, Mindy's Bakery.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating system for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez Network podcasts and newsletter!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Andrew's been a fan of the wit, wisdom, and observational powers of LA Times columnist Gustavo Arellano for years. So, when they both attended The Chef Conference in Philly this spring, we asked Gustavo to sit down for an improvisational conversation. He obliged, and did not disappoint. Enjoy this freestyle conversation that covers a wide range of subjects, from the ethics of restaurant criticism to the joys of being a columnist to the life of a modern-day newspaperman.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating system for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez Network podcasts and newsletter!
- Full disclosure: Episode photo has been doctored to add a background & spare you the drab background of the room in which we recorded.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Food scientist Arielle Johnson has worked with some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world, and recently offered up much of her knowledge in a surprisingly fun, accessible, and comprehendible book, Flavorama: A Guide to Unlocking the Art and Science of Flavor. In this interview, Arielle recounts her path to becoming a food scientist (a relatively new field), and discusses some of the key messages of Flavorama.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating system for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez Network podcasts and newsletter!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Born in Mexico and raised in the Midwest, Adair Canacasco brings his personal background and passion to his role as executive chef of Roister restaurant in Chicago. While in Chicago recently, Andrew sat down with Adair to learn about his familial roots, his maturation as both a cook and a manager/mentor of cooks, and the complex nature of the live-fire cooking performed at Roister.
This episode is part of Chefs on Fire, our conversation series featuring today's live-fire tastemakers. Chefs on Fire is presented by Prime 6®, the high-performing, sustainable charcoal and wood logs designed to burn longer, hotter, and cleaner in open hearths, wood-burning ovens, and smokers. Learn more about how Prime 6 can save you time and money, and claim your free sample today, by visiting Prime 6's website.
Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs' presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership. And please check out our fellow meez network podcasts and newsletter!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
During The Chef Conference in Philly this spring, Sean Brock graciously made time to sit down for this deeply personal and open conversation about his path to the pro kitchen, his development as a chef, and his various restaurants, including his current Joyland, Audrey, and june in Nashville.
Please check out our fellow meez network podcasts and newsletter!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Hey, everybody! Please take 8 minutes and listen to this announcement of The meez Network. Andrew co-founded this new content hub with meez founder and ceo Josh Sharkey, and will initially serve the network as program director. The meez Network launches today (7/1/04) with an inaugural roster of podcasts, and one newsletter. Please check it out, take the participating podcasts and newsletter out for a test drive, and give a follow to The meez Network's Instagram feed. More details on the network are discussed in this episode, but in short: The meez Network aims to be your one-stop source for a range of content to meet every hospitality professional's needs. More shows will be onboarding soon, and we would love to hear from you with any feedback, thoughts, and/or suggestions. Thanks for listening, and here we go!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
After years mostly writing and editing "real life" articles and books set in and around the food and restaurant realm, Ruth Reichl recently published a new work of fiction, The Paris Novel. The book follows young protagonist Stella as she discovers life's pleasures, and gets to know herself, in the most romantic city on Earth. In this Special Conversation, Ruth discusses the book's genesis, its examination of sensuality, and why writing it allowed her to enjoy the writing process as never before.
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
- This was a remote interview. Photo of Andrew & Ruth taken in 2018 at Porter House Bar and Grill by Evan Sung.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Lyndsay C. Green covers restaurants and dining for The Detroit Free Press. She comes to her area of specialization from a background in beauty reporting. In this conversation--recorded after a chance encounter with Andrew at The Chef Conference in Philly this spring--Lyndsay shares her personal story and how she migrated from beauty to food, the honing of her writing style, Detroit's restaurant scene, and the inherent role of race in criticism.
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
LIVE! from Hot Luck (Austin, TX)--Perhaps best known as the force behind Bakers Against Racism, Paola Velez (Dōekï Dōekï) has made a life and career of intertwining baking and altruism. (As her website says, she just wants to "Bake the World a Better Place.") In this interview, recorded on the grounds of Hot Luck last weekend, Paola shares about her Bronx childhood, how she switched from savory cooking to baking and pastry, her thoughts on how pastry chefs can express themselves, and--of course--her new cookbook (!), charitable work, and philosophy of giving and making it easy to give.
In this episode, we also visit with participating Hot Luck chefs Amanda Shulman, Sarah Grunenberg, and Mashama Bailey.
**REMINDER! This Sunday, June 2, from 4pm to 6pm, Andrew and spirits writer Robert Simonson will co-host (with Swoony's restaurant in Brooklyn) a book party, talk, and signing. (click through for info and tickets) Limited seating, so purchase your ticket ASAP.**
Donate to Southern Smoke!
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Raised in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, Sal Lamboglia grew up on Italian-American food in a family populated by his chef father, butchers, and other food professionals. Following graduation from culinary school, he spent many years with a Manhattan-based restaurant group before returning to Brooklyn and launching his hit restaurant Cafe Spaghetti in 2022, and its follow up, Swoony's, in 2024. On this episode, Sal takes us through his early life experience, pro training, and how he applies it all in his restaurants today.
This Sunday, June 2, Sal is hosting Andrew and spirits writer Robert Simonson for a book party, talk, and signing at Swoony's restaurant in Brooklyn. (click through for info and tickets)
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
When Philly's Friday Saturday Sunday won the James Beard Foundation Award as Outstanding Restaurant in 2023, it was the culmination of chef Chad Williams' slow, patient development, of both his talent and craft, and of the restaurant he co-owns and co-operates with his wife Hanna Williams. In this conversation, recorded at The Chef Conference in Philly last month, Chad takes us through his career, which he approached in a decidedly old-school way, working in kitchens around the city, country, and world for well over a decade, before feeling ready to declare himself a chef. He also describes the growing pains he and Hanna experienced at Friday Saturday Sunday, and the act of desperation that, ironically, helped the restaurant round the corner towards its current success.
Please join Andrew and spirits writer Robert Simonson on June 2nd for their book party at Swoony's restaurant in Brooklyn. (click through for info and tickets)
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Robert Simonson is one of our most prolific and witty scribes on the subject of cocktails. Along with cocktails, he also writes about the related topics of spirits, bars, and bartenders for the New York Times and is the creator and author of the Substack newsletterThe Mix with Robert Simonson. In his most recent book, The Encyclopedia of Cocktails, Robert offers, in his own singular voice, pocket histories and fun facts about cocktails and the people who create(d) and make/made them, key spirits, and even instruments of cocktailery (muddler, anyone?). He recently visited Andrew at his Brooklyn home to discuss Robert's book, his approach to writing it, and his career. Enjoy this conversation, and please join Robert and Andrew on June 2nd for their upcoming book party at Swoony's restaurant in Brooklyn. (click through for info and tickets)
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
On the occasion of the relocation of his eponymous restaurant to its new home in Tribeca, Marc Forgione sat down for one of our special conversations--and, man, did he bring it. In just 30 brisk minutes, he and Andrew discuss NYC restaurant rents, the possibilities of a new space, the crucialness of having a private dining room, and the media's portrayal of the industry. You don't want to miss this one!
Join the Book Party Swoony's restaurant in Brooklyn is putting on for Andrew and fellow writer Robert Simonson on Sunday, June 2!
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
In their second literary collaboration, Koreaworld: A Cookbook, authors Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard take readers on an adventure to Korea, and to hubs of Korean food in the United States, to paint a vivid portrait of Korean food worldwide right now. On today's episode, Deuki and Matt share their impressions of modern Korea and its cuisine, and of some of is most important practitioners in the US. They also make the case for Korean food's, at long last, having found an abiding audience in the US.
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
After a few lurches and false starts early in his career, Evan Funke connected with the Los Angeles area dining public in a big way with his Felix restaurant in Venice, California, and has followed it up with a series of successes: Mother Wolf, Funke, Tre Dita in Chicago, and others on the horizon. In this conversation, recorded last week in New York City, Evan shares deeply about his personal story, how Italy changed his life and career trajectory, and his philosophy of training and risk-taking, among much more.
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
Thank you to 53 Restaurant for hosting this conversation.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Between speaking on a panel at The Chef Conference in Philly and catching a flight back to New Orleans, chef Nina Compton took time to sit down with Andrew and share the milestones in her life and career to date. From a fondly remembered childhood in Saint Lucia to the Culinary Institute of America to stints working for and with chefs such as Daniel Boulud, Scott Conant, and Norman Van Aken ... to owning and operating her own Compère Lapin in New Orleans ... this conversation packs a lot into 45 minutes. Evident throughout is Nina's love of cooking and her ongoing search for herself on the plate.
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Austin Johnson has taken a circuitous route to NYC's One White Street and Rigor Hill Market. He's cooked or cheffed at institutions like Canlis, Noma, Eleven Madison Park, Frenchie, and others, as well as on an Alaskan fishing boat. (His blog from his time on the boat is still online, and is well worth your time.) He shares it all here, and takes time along the way to discuss kitchen culture, whether or not to go to cooking school, and the value of stages.
Huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for professionals. Sign up today for a basic (free) or premium membership.
Thanks also to S.Pellegrino. The application process is now open for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-2025!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
If ever there were a guest who needed little introduction, it's certainly Alain Ducasse. The great chef--one of the most influential, prolific, and successful in the history of Western cuisine--sat down with Andrew this week to discuss his new book "Good Taste: A Life of Food and Passion." The book is a meditation on Chef Ducasse's life and career so far, and in this conversation, he expands on many of the ideas and moments related in the book. Our great thanks to Emmanuelle Perrier for serving as translator for this interview.
The presenting sponsor of Andrew Talks to Chefs is meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
The Taste of Things is one of the most celebrated films of the past year, a beautifully rendered love story set amid an important chapter in culinary history. On this ATTC Special Conversation, the film's writer-director Trần Anh Hùng joins us from Paris to discuss the genesis of the film, what attracted him to the project, the involvement of chef Pierre Gagnaire, and working with actors Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel.
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Friends of the pod Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, of Border Grill and other restaurants, check in from Los Angeles to discuss the evolution of chefs and other industry figures making a difference by devoting time, effort, and resources to a variety of causes. In addition to their own substantial work on behalf of organizations such as The Abundance Setting, the James Beard Foundation, The Los Angeles LGBT Center, The Scleroderma Research Foundation, Regarding HER, and Share Our Strength, the dynamic duo talk about the rewards of giving back, how they involve young culinary professionals in this work, and ways of maximizing the power of individuals and the industry as a whole.
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
(Photo by Shilah Montiel.)
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
This week, the chef and restaurant community suddenly lost one of its most talented and influential figures. David Bouley, who rose to prominence at Montrachet and Bouley restaurants in the 1980s, died of cardiac arrest at age 70. To remember this towering culinary figure, we are sharing a previously unaired interview recorded at Bouley restaurant in its then-current home in 2014. Our condolences to David's family and to the community of admirers, colleagues, and friends he leaves behind.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
In October 2023, Max Natmessnig and Marco Prins returned to Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare, where they once were cooks, as co-chefs of the celebrated tasting-menu restaurant. Four months into their tenure, they sat down with Andrew to share their individual and joint stories, describe their collaborative creative process, and explain their their attraction to New York City.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
MIami's Brad Kilgore displays an easygoing demeanor beneath which resides a precise and driven chef. When Brad and his colleagues hosted Andrew for a book event last fall at the Arlo Hotel Wynwood (home of Brad's MaryGold's Brasserie), the two of them sat down to record this interview. In it they discuss myriad subjects including Brad's adoption of the principles of Molecular and Modernist Cuisines, his time in some of the best restaurants in Chicago, and his plans for the future, including Pizza Freak Co., an already launched direct-to-doorstep frozen pizza venture.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
While visiting his hometown of Miami, Florida, during his recent book tour, Andrew finally had the chance to meet and interview with chef Michael Beltran of Ariete, Chug's Diner, and Eva and The Oyster Bar--all in Coconut Grove. Michael is also the host of the excellent Pan Con Podcast, which you should by all means check out. After years of corresponding by Instagram messages, Andrew and MIchael sat down for a conversation that is shared differently on their two shows: Michael and producer Nicolás Antonio Jiménez (who produced the session, and recorded and mixed the sound) ran the entire two-plus-hour dialogue on Pan Con Podcast. We're sharing pieces of it here as Special Conversations, starting with this episode about how a chef can stay true to themself while also drawing and satisfying customers. It's an honest, frank conversation that we think is very timely and entertaining.
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Our fourth Mentorship panel was staged this past fall in Andrew's hometown of Miami, Florida, at the much-acclaimed Maty's, part of the Itamae family of restaurants. As chef Valerie "Val" Chang and her crew prepared dinner for a full house of line cooks from around the city, her brother and business partner Nando Chang took to the mic along with his longtime protege Adriano Montano. Their unique story--both are musicians and Adriano continues to pursue his career alongside his now five-year (and going) stint with the Itamae group. This latest installment in our six-part LIVE! national series offers much wisdom on hiring and management, and a touching (and not uncommon) story of a cook finding the kitchen almost by accident, and deciding to stay there.
(Be sure to also listen to the other episodes in this series, which are conveniently gathered in an archive on our website.)
- photo by Middle River Arts
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
*Content warning – this episode (briefly) discusses attempted suicide.***
Sam Hart took a circuitous route to the professional kitchen. After a childhood in which cooking and food weren't especially central concerns, Sam was in a career in advertising when culinary inspiration struck, leading to jobs in such kitchens as Alinea, and ultimately to becoming chef owner of Counter- and other concepts in Charlotte, NC. Andrew and Sam sat down a few months back to go through their fascinating career and creative arc.
Please note: If experiencing suicidal feelings, for professional and/or medical advice/attention, please seek help from an appropriate mental health care specialist and/or medical provider.
If you are in the U.S., here are two resources where you can seek help any day, at any time:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Crisis Text Line (also available in the UK, Ireland, and Canada)
A great many national and regional resources are available, both in the US and around the world. If in the United States, you can seek a referral here. Wherever you are, a quick web search should point you to qualified help in your area and/or language.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
For the first time in three hundred episodes, we're turning the tables on Andrew and sitting him in the hot seat, a.k.a. the guest's chair, to take you inside his new book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food. Fellow writer and author Chandra Ram, of Food & Wine, takes the helm to ask Andrew all about the book: where the idea came from, what the research entailed, how difficult it was traveling and interviewing during the recent pandemic, and what the key takeaways from the book are. We've also layered in excerpts from the audio book, read by chef MIchael Lomonaco, to bring some sections Chandra and Andrew discuss to vivid life.
To order The Dish, please visit HarperCollin's book page, from which you can navigate to your favorite online bookseller. (Or purchase from a local, independent bookseller if you are able.)
Since 2019, Andrew Talks to Chefs has been a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Cafe Mars, a six-month old restaurant in Gowanus, Brooklyn, has made quite an impression on guests and awards-bestowers alike with its unique brand of hospitality, which extends to both staff and guests, erasing many of the invisible boundaries long associated with dining out. Everybody on staff is cross-trained for the kitchen, dining room, and bar; the team closes out their preshift meeting with a stretching exercise; and guests are received and cared for with a familiarity that resonates with a growing fan base. You can call this enlightened hospitality, or (as Andrew suggests in the interview) holistic hospitality. To our guests today--beverage director Madalyn Summers and chefs Paul D'Avino and Jorge Olarte--it's just hospitality, and they hope, fun, Whatever you call it, it won the restaurant a Michelin Guide New York award for Service this year. A conversation that any restaurant professional will take something valuable from.
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
Andrew’s NEW book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now ON SALE! Read the book Publishers Weekly calls "masterful," and the Wall Street Journal says "takes the reader on an adventure."
Since 2019, Andrew Talks to Chefs has been a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
*Content warning – this episode (briefly) discusses suicidal feelings.***
Eli Kulp inspires us. By age 36, he'd graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, moved from his native Seattle to New York City, and worked in top kitchens before becoming the opening chef de cuisine of the original, fabled Torrisi restaurant. After moving to Philadelphia to take over the kitchen at Fork, a catastrophic Amtrak accident rendered him a quadriplegic. He takes us through all of it, including his post-accident rehabilitation and a professional adjustment that includes continuing to teach cooks, the launch and success of his Chef Radio Podcast, and his role as cohost of local Philly food podcast Delicious City. This is a relatively long one, and also a special one--please be sure to listen to the whole thing.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s NEW book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now ON SALE! Read the book Publishers Weekly calls "masterful."
Since 2019, Andrew Talks to Chefs has been a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Please note: If experiencing suicidal feelings, for professional and/or medical advice/attention, please seek help from an appropriate mental health care specialist and/or medical provider.
If you are in the U.S., here are two resources where you can seek help any day, at any time:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Crisis Text Line (also available in the UK, Ireland, and Canada)
A great many national and regional resources are available, both in the US and around the world. If in the United States, you can seek a referral here. Wherever you are, a quick web search should point you to qualified help in your area and/or language.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
We're delighted to share the third in a series of live discussions on the subject of Mentorship in the restaurant industry. The series is brought to you by our promotional partner S.Pellegrino, and each one is moderated by Andrew, staged in a different city, and builds on the one(s) that precede(s) it. This episode was recorded LIVE before an audience of Houston line cooks at an On the Line dinner at Bludorn restaurant and features Bludorn's chef-owner Aaron Bludorn, Rebecca Masson (owner and head baker of Fluff Bake Bar), Jerrod Zifchak (chef de cuisine of Navy Blue), and Jared Adams (baker at Fluff Bake Bar).
(Be sure to also listen to the other episode in this series, which are conveniently gathered in an archive on our website.)
Andrew’s NEW book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now ON SALE! Read the book Publishers Weekly calls "masterful."
Since 2019, Andrew Talks to Chefs has been a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Since quietly taking the helm of Union Square Cafe in New York City, chef Lena Ciardullo has been turning out some of the best Italian-based food in town ... not bad for a woman who majored in communications in college before deciding to pursue a kitchen career. Recently, Lena sat down with Andrew at Union Square Cafe to discuss her own Italian roots, the time she spent in Italy, the pros and cons of spending her entire post-school career with the same restaurant group, and her philosophies of training and education.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s NEW book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now ON SALE! Read the book Publishers Weekly calls "masterful."
Since 2019, Andrew Talks to Chefs has been a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Jason Hammel originally set out to be a writer, then found his way to the professional kitchen. For more than 20 years, his Lula Cafe has been a Chicago institution. This fall, with the release of the Lula Cafe Cookbook, Jason combines his two professional passions and lovingly tells his story, and that of the restaurant, along with--of course--recipes for the restaurant's many long-enshrined signature dishes.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Horn Barbecue needs your help to recover from a catastrophic fire. If you would like, and are able, to make a contribution, please do!
Andrew’s NEW book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now ON SALE! Read the book Publishers Weekly calls "masterful."
Since 2019, Andrew Talks to Chefs has been a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
While at the Hot Luck Festival in Austin, TX, this spring, Andrew sat down with Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, chef and co-owner of Birdie's, one of the restaurants of the moment (it was recently named "restaurant of the year" by Food & Wine). In addition to describing her own path, which took her from Texas to Chicago to New York and back to Texas, Tracy details the progressive business and service model at Birdie's, which allow for a range of benefits for the team and for her and her husband-business partner, Arjav Ezekiel.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s NEW book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now ON SALE! Read the book Publishers Weekly calls "masterful."
If you are in NYC, please come see Andrew in conversation with Food 52 founder Amanda Hesser at P&T Knitwear in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, November 14 at 7pm. Secure your spot now!
If you're in Houston, Texas, join us for a lunch celebrating the publication of The Dish at Bludorn restaurant on Thursday, November 16 at 11:45am. Make your reservation now!
And Andrew will be at Kendall College in Chicago this Friday, discussing The Dish with Beverly Kim (one of the chefs featured in the book) and Jon Templin (one of the farmers featured in the book). If you'd like to attend, we'd love to see you. You also must RSVP.
Since 2019, Andrew Talks to Chefs has been a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
The ever-energetic Nancy Silverton returns to the pod to talk about her terrific new cookbook: The Cookie That Changed My Life. In it, Nancy--currently helming such restaurants as Chi Spacca and Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles--returns to her pastry roots. The book shares more than 100 recipes that capture her perfected versions of beloved, classic baked goods. Written in collaboration with Carolynn Carreño, The Cookie That Changed My Life is a knockout, with much to appeal to pro cooks and home cooks alike, as well as to holiday gift-givers.
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
Andrew’s NEW book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now ON SALE! Read the book Publishers Weekly calls "masterful."
Since 2019, Andrew Talks to Chefs has been a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
On the heels of his James Beard Foundation Award recognition as Outstanding Chef (in the nation), Rob Rubba visited New York City to discuss his career to date, and the life changes that led to his super-popular restaurant Oyster Oyster in Washington, D.C.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s NEW book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now ON SALE! Read the book Publishers Weekly calls "masterful."
And if you are in NYC, please come see Andrew in conversation with Food 52 founder Amanda Hesser at P&T Knitwear in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, November 14 at 7pm. Secure your spot now!
If you're in Houston, Texas, join us for a lunch celebrating the publication of The Dish at Bludorn restaurant on Thursday, November 16 at 11:45am. Make your reservation now!
Since 2019, Andrew Talks to Chefs has been a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Author Klancy MIller sits down to discuss her recently published book For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food, and the life and career that lead to her writing it. Her conversation with Andrew covers her early Francophile tendencies, matriculation at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, time in Michelin three-star pastry kitchens, and her pivot to writing.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
And if you are in NYC, please come to the first book event/signing on Thursday, October 19, at 7pm at Books Are Magic (Montague Street location). Tickets now available!
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
A few years ago, while dining at Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana, Natalia Burakowska had a revelation: The fashion professional suddenly saw a path to helping to change the discussion around food loss and waste by channeling her personal passion for environmental responsibility into a new clothing brand. The result, TerraTela (which means "Earth fabric"), launched earlier this year with a t-shirt made primarily from regenerative seaweed. On the United Nations' International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW), the brand releases its latest shirt, made from corn sugar, today, so we thought it would be the perfect time to share this conversation.
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.
We'd love if you followed us on Instagram.
Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.
For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.
Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!
Shortly before she took home the JBF Award as Outstanding Restaurateur this spring, legendary Philly restaurateur Ellen Yin of High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, High Street Philly, et.al.) sat down with Andrew at the Philly Chef Conference. Their conversation is the first of something we plan to do more of: Deskside Chats with seasoned industry pros that go wherever the dialogue takes them. In this inaugural Deskside Chat, Ellen shares her thoughts on the state of the industry post/late-COVID, the importance of a well-defined culture in retaining employees, and the challenges that make some longstanding issues (we're looking at you, tipping) especially difficult to solve.
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Might certain often-overlooked populations be part of the solution to the ongoing staffing shortage in the restaurant industry?
Speaking from deep personal experience, chef Franklin Becker joins Andrew for this Special Conversation about the compatibility of people on the autism spectrum with restaurant-kitchen work. That subject leads to a free-flowing discussion of other populations (e.g., ex-cons) who have successfully thrived as pro cooks, as well as thoughts on training and management of one's entire team. Please listen and share!
As mentioned on the show, here are links to a couple of organizations that offer job-placement services for people with autism:
https://www.autismspeaks.org/job-seekers-students-employees
https://iacc.hhs.gov/resources/employment/websites/
Our thanks to Metro for their support. Visit their website today to learn more about how they can make your restaurant kitchen and office more efficient.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
At Forsythia restaurant in lower Manhattan, Emily Swaine serves a menu both faithfully and freely inspired by Roman trattorias. Emily recently sat down with Andrew outside the restaurant to discuss her initial path toward art, how she course-corrected to the pro kitchen, and her gradual focus on Italian food following time in Florence during college, and early gigs in NYC Italian restaurants. They also geek out on their shared pasta love, examine the difference between cooking and cheffing in and outside major cities, and recognize the value of jobs that teach you what you don't want to do.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Professional chefs and home cooks alike fantasize about culinary retreats--long, leisurely stays in food-centric regions where we can lose ourselves in market visits, farm and vineyard tours, improvisational cooking, and--of course--sharing lavish meals with old and new friends. Author Lisa Donovan, who wrote the rightly celebrated Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger and is one of the US's most acclaimed bakers and pastry chefs, has knitted together her various passions and pastimes and co-founded (with Julie Belcher) Reverie, through which they lovingly plan culinary retreats in destinations such as Toulouse and Normandy, where hosts and guests cook, travel, and learn together. On this episode of the pod, Lisa calls in to talk about Reverie and its forthcoming slate of 2024 retreats featuring guest co-hosts/chefs such as Nina Compton and Tara Jensen.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
After 3 years of trying to get across a table from each other to record a pod conversation, Marc Vetri and Andrew finally found time during the Philly Chef Conference this spring. They met on a beautiful April morning in the dining room of Marc's flagship Vetri Cucina and went through Marc's evolution from aspiring rock star to fledgling cook to full-fledged chef and business person. Along the way, they recall some industry legends, discuss sticking to your guns in deal-making, and the rationale for overseas stages.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
A lifelong food lover, Amanda Shulman's love of cuisine and cooking became all consuming during a semester in Rome during college. Following a string of stages and early jobs, she committed to the pro kitchen and trained in Vegas, Montreal, and New York City, before opening her hugely successful Her Place in Philadelphia. On this episode, Amanda discusses her unique path, the role Italy plays in her career, and her new restaurant My Loup, opened recently in collaboration with her fiancée Alex Kemp. (This episode was recorded at the Hot Luck festival in Austin, TX.)
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
At his restaurant Ernesto's in lower Manhattan, chef Ryan Bartlow serves up stunningly faithful renditions of the Basque cuisine he came to love while staging in Spain early in his career. In this interview, Ryan paints a vivid picture of his time overseas that caused him to fall in love with this food. He also recounts his time in some important kitchens, including as part of the opening team of such storied restaurants as Alinea in Chicago and Frenchette in New York City.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Has coverage of the U.S. restaurant landscape kept pace with the shifting reality that's been playing out across the nation over the past decade or so? Des Moines, Iowa-based journalist Karla Walsh doesn't think so. In this Special Conversation, Karla shares her thoughts on why that is, how and why it should/could change, and tips us off to some specific Midwestern chefs and restaurants of note.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Photo of Karla Walsh by Ivory House Photography.
A native of Iran who once dreamed of becoming a judge, Nasim Alikhani's road to chefdom and proprietorship has been a circuitous one, to say the least. But she's more than made up for lost time at her hit Brooklyn restaurant Sofreh, where she serves her personal take on Persian cuisine. As the restaurant settles into the second half of its first decade, Nasim has also just this week seen her first cookbook published: Sofreh: A Contemporary Approach to Classic Persian Cuisine (written in collaboration with Theresa Gambacorta). In this episode, Nasim sits down with Andrew to share her story, the meaning of sofreh to both restaurant and book, some distinct characteristics of Persian food, and the lessons she's learned along the way.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Chef Melissa Rodriguez of Al Coro, Mel's Pizzeria, and Discolo in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood, sits down to discuss her early life and career, gravitation to the pro kitchen, and her unabashed affection for fine dining. Stops along the way to her current restaurants include Northern California, five years at Restaurant Daniel in New York City, and taking the helm of Del Posto.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
We're delighted to share the second in a series of live discussions on the subject of Mentorship in the restaurant industry. The series is brought to you by our promotional partner S.Pellegrino, and each one will be moderated by Andrew, staged in a different city, and build on the one(s) that precedes it. This episode was recorded LIVE before an audience of Chicago line cooks at an On the Line dinner at Chicago's BOKA restaurant and features BOKA Restaurant Group co-founder Kevin Boehm and one of the group's principal chefs, Lee Wolen.
(Be sure to also listen to the first episode in this series, which took place recently at the Philly Chef Conference and features Erick Williams and Damarr Brown of Chicago's Virtue restaurant. Erick and Damarr discuss their longstanding mentor-mentee relationship, how it's endured across two restaurants and more than a decade, and also how it reflects this essential and unique industry tradition.)
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
- Photograph by CR Films.
At just 27 years of age, Nick DiGiovanni has parlayed a love of cooking and a run to the finals on television's Master Chef into a successful career as an internet culinary personality (he boasts more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube and 11 million on TikTok), food entertainer and educator, and now cookbook author. On the occasion of the publication of his first cookbook, Knife Drop: Creative Recipes Anyone Can Cook, Nick sat down with Andrew in New York City this week to discuss his uniquely modern path, what drove him to take a break from college to compete with pro cooks on Master Chef, and how he's navigated his unconventional career so far.
Our thanks to Greywind restaurant and Spygold cocktail bar for hosting us for this interview.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Lior Lev Sercarz has made quite a name for himself as the man behind La Boîte, which sells more than 80 original spice blends plus their signature biscuits. A former chef who grew up in Israel, lived and worked in France, and then moved to New York City, Lior shares his story in this episode. But what really occasioned this interview at this moment in time was the publication of Lior's new book A Middle Eastern Pantry: Essential Ingredients for Classic and Contemporary Recipes--his fourth book, and a real departure from his three prior, spice-focused publications.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Rebecca Masson trained in Paris and worked in some of New York City's most popular restaurants before moving to Houston, TX, and launching her hugely successful Fluff Bake Bar. An old friend of Andrew's, we've been wanting to host her on the pod for years, and are thrilled to share this conversation from the Hot Luck Festival, which took place recently in Austin.
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
HAGS, a relatively new restaurant in New York City's East Village, bills itself as being "by queer people, for all people." Andrew recently sat down with Telly Justice, HAGS' chef and partner (with Camille Lindsley, also Telly's life partner). In addition to her path to chefdom, which wound through such restaurants as Five & Ten, Alder, and Contra, Telly relates her personal journey as a trans woman, how she navigated a path through professional kitchens until reaching chef-ownership, and what she and Camille hope to accomplish at HAGS. This is a fun, funny, touching, and insightful conversation that will hold your attention from start to finish. Enjoy!
This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Omar Tate attained national prominence with his deeply personal Honeysuckle pop-up dinners. In addition to drawing enthusiastic diners wherever they were staged, he received accolades such as being named Esquire's "Chef of the Year" in 2020. After pandemic pivots which included a residency at Blue HIll Stone Barns, Omar and his wife Cybille St. Aude-Tate, have launched Honeysuckle Projects to, in their own words, "[expand]into a network of community spaces centered around the values of ancestry, nourishment and reclamation. This brand represents business structures that stem from a distinct philosophy where Black and Afrocentric ideology are at the center." The first space is Honeysuckle Provisions in West Philadelphia.
During the recent Philly Chef Conference, Omar made time to sit down with Andrew and discuss his life and career, as both chef and artist.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
- Photo of Omar & Andrew by Bailey King.
*Content warning – this episode discusses suicidal feelings.***
Greg Baxtrom, chef-owner of a quartet of New York City restaurants, recently opened up in a revealing Instagram post about his years-long struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder. In that post, he mentioned that he'd be joining Andrew for a discussion about his ongoing mental health journey. This is that conversation. Greg sat down with Andrew a few days ago in Brooklyn for a deeply personal dialogue about how his alcoholism revealed itself, how his delayed bipolar diagnosis impacted his efforts to become sober, and the unique challenges of navigating these rough waters as a chef-owner with businesses to maintain and employees to manage. On a personal note: We're honored that Greg chose to share his story with us.
Please note: Neither Andrew nor Greg are mental health specialists or medical professionals. This conversation is shared for the sole purpose of being open and honest about mental illness, but their opinions are strictly those of laypeople and based only on their own unique, individual experiences. For professional and/or medical advice/attention, please seek help from an appropriate mental health care specialist and/or medical provider.
If you are in the U.S., here are two resources where you can seek help any day, at any time:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Crisis Text Line (also available in the UK, Ireland, and Canada)
A great many national and regional resources are available, both in the US and around the world. If in the United States, you can seek a referral here. Wherever you are, a quick web search should point you to qualified help in your area and/or language.
We at Andrew Talks to Chefs are delighted to bring you the first in a series of live discussions on the subject of Mentorship in the restaurant industry. The series is brought to you by our promotional partner S.Pellegrino, and each one will be moderated by Andrew, staged in a different city, and build on the one(s) that precede it. The inaugural examination of this topic took place recently at the Philly Chef Conference and features Erick Williams and Damarr Brown of Chicago's Virtue restaurant. Erick and Damarr discuss their longstanding mentor-mentee relationship, how it's endured across two restaurants and more than a decade, and also how it reflects this essential and unique industry tradition.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Manoella Buffara, also known as "Manu," has owned and operated her own restaurant, the eponymous Manu, in Curitiba, Brazil, for more than a decade. The restaurant offers an expression of her life and mind in a tasting menu format. This week, she published a book--Manu: Recipes and Stories from My Brazil--that, like the restaurant, is a summation of herself and her cuisine to this point in her journey. While in New York City to celebrate the book's launch, Manu sat down with Andrew at the offices of her publisher, Phaidon, to discuss her migration to professional cooking from an original path toward journalism, her formative time at Noma in Copenhagen, and the story behind her celebrated restaurant, among many other subjects.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
In a recent, impassioned social media post, Rob Connoley, chef and owner of Bulrush restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri, lamented the continued unwelcoming environment many queer cooks face in the pro kitchen, and the limited opportunities for advancement and ownership available to even accomplished queer chefs. We invited Rob to return to the pod and expand on his thoughts and observations on this important subject. In this short but textured conversation Rob discusses lingering prejudices, widely perceived barriers to advancement and financing, and the sometimes inadvertent hurt caused even by friends and allies.
And if you haven't heard it before, be sure also to check out Andrew's recent biographical interview with Rob.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
While in Los Angeles last month, Andrew had time for just one pod interview and tops on his list, based on an excellent dinner at their restaurant last fall, were John Hong & Kat Hong, chef-owners of Yangban (yes, they've dropped the "Society" from the name) in DTLA. In this comprehensive conversation, the couple discuss their respective biographies, how they met while working at Josiah Citrin's Mélisse restaurant, then moved to Christopher Kostow's The Restaurant at Meadowood in the Napa Valley, before returning to Los Angeles and opening their own singular place. On the margins of the discussion are thoughts on identity, categorizing cuisine, the perhaps surprising challenges of operating a more casual restaurant, and where this duo's dishes come from. Fascinating, thoughtful stuff here, and we hope you'll check it out.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
It's been nearly 2 years since Travis Swikard opened his smash success Callie in his hometown of San Diego, California. Prior to returning to his native state, he spent several years in New York City, several of them as chef of Daniel Boulud's Boulud Sud. Andrew and Travis have been pals for some time, so when he was in NYC in December, Travis paid a visit to Andrew's Brooklyn home to talk about what he's learned as a relatively new restaurant owner, finding his own style after years in the world of fine dining, and his advice to young cooks and aspiring chefs.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
One of the pod's good friends, Chef Dan Kluger (Loring Place, et. al.), joins us today to discuss the genesis and development of his new Greywind restaurant, accompanied by Caitlin Giamario, the project's Executive Chef. Dan and Caitlin take us through the origin of the restaurant, which opens today, as well as its accompanying components (a bakery, chef's counter, and cocktail lounge), the challenges of opening at the tail end of a pandemic, and some favorite opening dishes. If you are in or near New York City, be sure to check out Greywind (we attended friends and family last week and loved it).
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
On this date, the third anniversary of our losing chef Floyd Cardoz to COVID, we remember him and his legacy with his wife, Barkha Cardoz. A few weeks ago, Barkha generously invited Andrew to visit her home, even though they'd never met before, to enjoy a lunch prepared in part with the masalas she and Floyd developed several years ago (and which are still sold by Burlap & Barrell). Barkha shared her own personal journey to the restaurant world, and recalls how she and Floyd met in cooking school in India and were reunited by chance in the United States. She also explains how she's carving out a greater public identity for herself as she moves forward with her life and career. Hope you'll give a listen to this extraordinarily open and moving conversation.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
As executive chef of Parcelle wine bar in lower Manhattan, Ron Yan serves a menu informed by myriad cuisines and some of the places where he's lived around the world. In this conversation recorded outside the restaurant in late 2022, Ron describes his initial interest in food and cooking, his gravitation to New York City, and his experience in a range of New York restaurants, from the glitzy Le Cirque in MIdtown to the smaller and more intimate Jewel Bako and Degustation downtown.
(As you'll hear in the interview, we're still not sure if Ron wants you to check out his YouTube channel, where he did cooking demos during the pandemic, but have a look if you like; they're charming.)
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
What began as a labor of love for documentarian and former journalist Joanna James--making the documentary A Fine Line, about her mother Val--turned into an organization, MAPP, that supports women in food organizations through mentorship and advocacy. After a recent kick-off event for their coast-to-coast programming and events for 2023 at New York City's Union Square Cafe, Joanna, Val, and three MAPP ambassadors/board members--Mo Carter, Amanda Mack, and Georgeann Leaming--gathered to discuss the organization's genesis, its multi-pronged approach to a variety of challenges that women in the industry continue to confront today, and share a few personal success stories facilitated by MAPP.
Visit MAPP's website.
Learn about the Conference in Miami, Florida (May 1, 2023).
Follow MAPP on Instagram and/or follow A Fine Line.
Listen to Joanna's conversation with Andrew from 2020.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Thomas Allan, chef of New York City's The Modern, a Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant in the Museum of Modern Art, has achieved a lot in his thirty-five years. A young veteran of Per Se and Eleven Madison Park, and a former Bocuse d'Or competitor, he currently oversees a kitchen that has dependably earned two Michelin stars. In this deeply personal conversation, Thomas details a peripatetic childhood that found him living in England, Canada, and Texas by the time he reached high school; why he chose cooking as a career; and the changes he's made to The Modern's kitchen culture as the restaurant defines itself in the later stages of the pandemic.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Travis Petersen, a.k.a. The Nomad Cook, joins Andrew to discuss the rapidly evolving attitudes toward culinary cannabis, the growing culture of pop-up cannabis dinners and events, and what the future of cannabis in restaurants might look like. As the legal stance toward cannabis changes from state to state in the U.S., and country by country around the world, this is a fascinating conversation with a chef on the front lines of the movement.
For details about/tickets to Travis' next Nomadic Nights dinner, click here.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
It's a rare thing for a restaurant, even a beloved one, to be reconstituted years after its original iteration, let alone after two prior versions. This weekend, in Orlando, FL, the legendary Norman Van Aken introduces the third rendering of his landmark Norman's to the world. On this Andrew Talks to Chefs Special Conversation, Norman calls in from Orlando to discuss what's new about this Norman's, mingling the classic and the contemporary, whether or not he still experiences pre-opening nerves, and to share his thoughts on creativity and evolution.
Andrew’s next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
- Photograph by Castaldo Studios
On a recent trip to New York City, Rob Connoley of St. Louis, MO's Bulrush restaurant, made time to sit down with Andrew and discuss his culinary career, which mingles elements of scholarship, history, and of course, cuisine. It all comes together at Bulrush, where he takes inspiration from the food and history of the Ozarks. We promise you: It's a fascinating conversation unlike any we've aired before. Settle in and enjoy!
Andrew's next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Our second Andrew Talks to Chefs Special Conversation: In recent years, there's been an intermittent debate in the industry about whether or not team members should be credited on restaurant menus for their contribution to dish ideation. Classicists wave away the notion, while more progressive cooks and chefs often express an openness to the idea, if not an outright endorsement of it. Regardless of all the chatter, very few chef-restaurateurs have actually implemented a program to credit anyone other than the chef on their restaurant's menus. Last year, Amanda Cohen of New York City's Dirt Candy restaurant began doing it regularly, so we invited her and Andrew Duong, a Dirt Candy sous chef who's been cited on the menu for his dish development, on the pod to discuss their experience to date.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
With this episode, we introduce a new recurring feature on the pod: Andrew Talks to Chefs Special Conversations. In these freestanding, short-form episodes, we'll be discussing news and topics that are on the minds of the industry with chefs, owner-operators, cooks, farmers, platform providers, and others. Our goal is a free, open, and honest exchange of ideas. In this inaugural episode, Angie Mar, chef and owner of Les Trois Chevaux in Greenwich Village, New York City, sits down to share her thoughts about the state of fine dining and whether or not the media's antipathy towards it aligns with the dining public, chefs, and cooks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Gregory Gourdet has had quite the year: HIs new restaurant Kann opened in Portland, Oregon; his cookbook Everyone's Table won a James Beard Foundation Award, and Kann was named the best new restaurant in the nation by Esquire. While in New York City last month to attend Esquire's celebration, Gregory swung by Andrew's Brooklyn apartment for a free-ranging conversation about his long and winding path to the professional kitchen, his years working with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, his hard-won sobriety, and how a Top Chef challenge helped him conceptualize Kann.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
In our humble estimation, the food Marc St. Jacques and his team serve at Bar Bête, is some of the very best not just in Brooklyn, but in New York City, especially in such a relatively casual bistro setting and at a relatively gentle price point. Marc recently opened what's shaping up as an American answer to Bar Bête, Ruthie's, just a block up Smith Street in Cobble Hill. The new restaurant has undergone a few significant tweaks in just its first few months; in his conversation with Andrew, Marc opens up not just about his Canadian roots and culinary training, but also about launching a new restaurant, acknowledging and correcting mistakes, and the challenge of getting the word out if you don't have a PR firm or social-media manager. He also discusses the workplace culture that's helped Bar Bête retain many of its original employees since opening three years ago.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
photo by Evan Sung
New York City listeners will no doubt recognize Michael Cecchi-Azzolina's face, if not his name. For several decades now, he's run the dining rooms of some of the most popular, acclaimed, and influential restaurants in Manhattan, including Raoul's and Le Coucou. Michael's first book, Your Table is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D', which debuted just last week, is a no-holds-barred account of life in the front-of-house trenches, with all the vivid, sometimes lurid detail you'd expect. Andrew and MIchael sat down recently to discuss the book, its themes, and tangential issues such as guest etiquette (or lack thereof) and the most effective way to convey customer feedback.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Daniel Garwood is an ambitious and strikingly humble young chef whose career we look forward to following. The winner of the US regional finals of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition, and a sous chef at Atomix restaurant in New York City, Daniel has cooked in his native Australia, South Korea, and other culinary capitals, before coming to the United States in July. In this episode, Daniel and Andrew discuss his training, fascination with Korean ingredients and techniques, obsession with live fire, and concept for a future restaurant of his own. (Oh, and he also owns a brewery.) A rare chance to hear from a budding chef at this stage in their development.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
If you enjoy Andrew Talks to Chefs, you also may already have discovered Emmanuel Laroche's terrific podcast Flavors Unknown. On today's episode, Emmanuel joins Andrew to discuss his new book Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door: 50 American Chefs Chart Today's Food Culture, a fascinating meditation on chefs, food, cooking, flavor, and creativity in the kitchen. (Pro-tip: It'd make a great holiday gift for the chef or foodie in your life.) Andrew and Emmanuel discuss the inspiration for his book, and tangential subjects that come up along the way--a rap session between two people who love following the chef and restaurant scene in the United States.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
How many of us can even name 50 countries? Well, Shannon Smith has traveled to more than 50 of them in her ongoing and very passionate quest to learn about the cuisines of the world, teach people living in poverty how to cook, fundraise for myriad causes, and pick up new techniques that she employs in the culinary experiences she produces at her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In this episode of the pod, Shannon and Andrew discuss her life and work, and explore the modern definition of what it means to be a chef.
And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, social media consultant and author of the (free) Link in Bio Substack, Rachel Karten, shares valuable advice for making sense of the current social media landscape and maximizing your presence there. (Follow Rachel on Instagram here.) Please visit the website for BentoBox and Clover to learn how they provide restaurants with the technology they need for even more success, and book a demo today.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Chef Charlie Mitchell is enjoying his first turn in the public spotlight, and the ripple effects of earning his first Michelin star, at Clover Hill in Brooklyn Heights, NY--a restaurant that Andrew recently lauded on the pod. On today's episode, Charlie discusses his young life and career to date, including stints at San Francisco's Benu, and Betony, One White Street, and Eleven Madison Park in New York City. He and Andrew also kick around some topics that are on the minds of industry professionals as 2022 draws to a close.
Gavin Kaysen, the chef behind Minneapolis' Soigne Hospitality, just published his first cookbook, At Home. While in New York City for a series of launch events, he found an hour to sit down with Andrew and discuss the book, his still-young career, and some milestones along the way. Gavin and Andrew have interviewed for books and online pieces in the past (see here, and here), so have a long history that facilitates a very open, honest, and fun conversation that we know listeners will enjoy.
And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, Yannick Benjamin, of New York City's Contento restaurant, which has been lauded for not only its food and hospitality but also for its devotion to accessibility, discusses making your restaurant website as accessible as possible. Please visit the website for BentoBox and Clover to learn how they provide restaurants with the technology they need for even more success, and book a demo today.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
Chef Bryce Shuman considered becoming an actor before course-correcting to the pro kitchen. Following culinary school, he worked in some acclaimed restaurants, including an executive sous chef position at Eleven Madison Park in its heyday, before opening his own Betony, which had a successful run in Midtown Manhattan. He recently fulfilled a dream of opening a live-fire restaurant, Sweetbriar, in New York City. Andrew and Bryce sat down recently to discuss his young life, career, and current passion for live-fire cooking.
And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, Kendra Cusack, chief of operations for New York City's Loring Place restaurant and its sister businesses, joins us to discuss managing and ticketing special events online. Please visit the website for BentoBox and Clover to learn how they provide restaurants with the technology they need for even more success, and book a demo today.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.
While at the LA Chef Conference last week, Andrew met the charming and passionate Chef Tolu "Eros" Erogbogbo, who's heading up the most talked-about popup in the LA area this year. Andrew and Chef Eros found some time to meet up before Andrew blew town to record this interview at the site of Eros' West African popup, ILÉ, which has taken Los Angeles by storm since it launched in April.
And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, Daniel Holzman of Danny Boy's Famous Original pizza in Downtown Los Angeles, joins us to discuss the evolution and practical benefits of online ordering. Please visit the website for BentoBox and Clover to learn how they provide restaurants with the technology they need for even more success, and book a demo today.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Reem Assil, of Reem's California, was in New York City recently to promote her book Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora. In addition to discussing the book, Reem and Andrew got into a variety of hot topics swirling around the industry, and Reem previewed her episode of the new online series "Normal Ain't Normal" (the episode debuts on Tuesday, October 18).
And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, Roni Mazumdar of Unapologetic Foods discusses their Biryani Bol direct-to-home and takeaway business, how they manage online orders and delivery with their own vehicles, and how the concept fits within their larger mission. Please visit the website for BentoBox and Clover to learn how they provide restaurants with the technology they need for even more success, and book a demo today.
Please say hello to Andrew if you'll be at the LA Chef Conference this Monday. The Conference is sold out, but you can still get tickets to the afterparty on Monday, October 17.
Special thanks to chef and restaurateur Greg Baxtrom for hosting Andrew and Reem at Maison Yaki in Brooklyn, NY, where this interview was conducted. Please support Maison Yaki and Greg's other restaurants.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Ariel Fox has had an eclectic life in the kitchen, from a California childhood to an East Coast career; from the Nordic-in-New York Acme restaurant to setting the menus for Del Frisco's and Dos Caminos; and from a championship run on TV's Hell's Kitchen to authorship of her first cookbook Spice Kitchen: Healthy Latin and Caribbean Cuisine. In this episode, Ariel sits down with Andrew to discuss her unique path and current endeavors.
And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, Sean Feeney, of Grovehouse Hospitality, discusses exploring and succeeding with new revenue streams online, specifically the MP (MisiPasta) product line. Please visit the website for BentoBox and Clover to learn how they provide restaurants with the technology they need for even more success, and book a demo today.
See Andrew in conversation with Mary Sue MIlliken, and take in a day's worth of knowledge from some of the best chefs on the West Coast at the 2022 LA Chef Conference--visit their site for information and tickets!
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
It’s our sincere honor to welcome Jacques Pepin back for his third appearance on the pod. Last Friday, Andrew ventured north to Connecticut to Jacques’ home, where they discussed the genesis of Jacques’ latest book, Art of the Chicken: A Master Chef's Paintings, Stories, and Recipes of the Humble Bird, just published this week. The book is a charming and compelling mingling of biographical essays, recipes, and Jacques’ original artwork, all of which provided wonderful stepping off points for myriad topics of conversation.
And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, friend of the pod chef Erick Williams of Chicago's Virtue and the recently launched Daisy's Po-Boy and Tavern shares what he's learned about customizing websites to reflect the distinct characters of the restaurants they represent. Please visit the website for BentoBox and Clover to learn how they provide restaurants with the technology they need for even more success, and book a demo today.
See Andrew in conversation with Mary Sue MIlliken, and take in a day's worth of knowledge from some of the best chefs on the West Coast at the 2022 LA Chef Conference--visit their site for information and tickets!
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
With dishes like her signature Southern Fried Lasagna, chef Shenarri Freeman has been garnering media attention and a growing and devoted fan base at the plant-based soul food restaurant Cadence in New York City. On this episode of the pod, Shenarri sits down with Andrew to discuss her Richmond, Virginia, childhood; her evolution from carnivore to vegan; and her upcoming residency as part of the Shifting the Lens series at J Vineyards Winery in Healdsburg, California, which begins September 29.
And in our new Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, BentoBox's Director of Design Operations Jaqueline "Jaq" Andre shares advice for fashioning an effective restaurant website. Please visit the website for BentoBox and Clover to learn how they provide restaurants with the technology they need for even more success, and book a demo today.
See Andrew in conversation with Mary Sue MIlliken, and take in a day's worth of knowledge from some of the best chefs on the West Coast at the 2022 LA Chef Conference--visit their site for information and tickets!
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
A few weeks ago, Marc Forgione opened his latest New York City restaurant, One Fifth, in a storied space in Greenwich Village. In his second appearance on the pod, recorded in Marc's Chelsea home, he shares the inspiration for this new market-driven project, his affection for landmark New York City restaurant spaces, how and why he took over the beloved Peasant in lower Manhattan, and explains the name behind his new Respect Hospitality Group.
Please join us in welcoming a new advertiser to the pod, and take a moment to visit the website for BentoBox and Clover to learn how they provide restaurants with the technology they need for even more success, and book a demo today.
Periodic reminder: Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Talk to enough pizzaiolos and you'll realize that many of them are obsessed with their craft and generally soulful beings. Anthony Mangieri, the legendary force behind Una Pizza Napoletana for close to 30 years, is no exception: On a recent spring morning in New York City, Andrew walked into the restaurant, had an espresso with Anthony, and proceeded to discuss with him everything from pizza as a way of life, to creativity to off-hour pastimes (music, mountain biking, etc.) to a love-hate relationship with social media. It's a fascinating, open conversation that we know you'll enjoy.
Calling all young chefs and aspiring chefs: If you're under 30, we encourage you to apply for the S.Pellegrino* Young Chef Academy Competition. Application deadline has been extended to June 30.
Chef Shinobu Namae visits New York City this week to address the United Nations on World Oceans Day (June 8). During his stay, Chef Namae generously made time to visit with Andrew and discuss the subject of his presentation (the importance of seaweed to the planet and how chefs can help advance the cause of its health and longevity), his personal journey to the professional kitchen, and the evolution of his palate and culinary style at his three-Michelin-star restaurant L'Effervescence in Tokyo.
See Andrew LIVE in Chicago: If you live in Chicago or will be visiting for the James Beard Foundation Awards, please register for your FREE ticket to a panel he'll be moderating the afternoon of Sunday, June 12 on the steps owners, chefs, and coworkers can take to help make motherhood a non-issue for hospitality workers.
Calling all young chefs and aspiring chefs: If you're under 30, we encourage you to apply for the S.Pellegrino* Young Chef Academy Competition. Application deadline has been extended to June 30.
Nikita Richardson, writer of New York Times Cooking's "Where to Eat: New York City" column/newsletter (pro tip: subscribe to it!), and an editor for the paper's Food section, sits down with Andrew to discuss restaurants, recommending restaurants, the shifting dining landscape, and her path to this unique and enviable role. A fun, informative, and free-ranging conversation.
Click through to read Nikita's pieces on food in The Sims and "Where Are All the Black Restaurant Critics?" (both mentioned in the interview).
See Andrew LIVE in Chicago: If you live in Chicago or will be visiting for the James Beard Foundation Awards, please register for your FREE ticket to a panel he'll be moderating the afternoon of Sunday, June 12 on the steps owners, chefs, and coworkers can take to help make motherhood a non-issue for hospitality workers.
Calling all young chefs and aspiring chefs: If you're under 30, we encourage you to apply for the S.Pellegrino* Young Chef Academy Competition. Application deadline has been extended to June 30.
- our promotional partner
A perennial seeker, Johnny Clark has had a long and unpredictable road to his success (with wife and co-chef/owner Beverly Kim) at Wherewithall and Parachute restaurants in Chicago, Illinois. From a Cincinnati childhood punctuated by a passion for skateboarding to New York City and gigs in several old-school kitchens to a stage under the late, great Im Ji-ho in Korea, and ultimately to Chicago, Johnny's path is utterly unique and his openness about his life and career challenges makes for a wonderfully open and honest dialogue. (He and Beverly and their team are also the subjects of Andrew's next book, due out in 2023.) This is one of those true deep-dive conversations that longtime listeners know is our favorite kind to record and share.
And, in the mid-show break, S.Pellegrino's Michele Vieira drops by to discuss the global S.Pellegrino* Young Chef Academy Competition, and explain why listeners under 30 should consider applying. (For a sense of the competition, listen to Andrew's 2019 interviews with the most recent class of North American finalists.)
- our promotional partner
Tom Colicchio recently sat down with Andrew to discuss a wide-ranging variety of topics, from his newest restaurant Vallata to the state of the industry to the genesis of the Independent Restaurant Coalition to his NFT venture CHEFTY. He also shares some personal insights into his enduring love of cooking and how his childhood memories figure into it.
In the intro, Andrew describes the global S.Pellegrino* Young Chef Academy Competition, and encourages listeners under 30 to apply. (For a sense of the competition, listen to Andrew's 2019 interviews with the most recent class of North American finalists.)
- our promotional partner
photo of Tom and Andrew by Maya Land
Our first show before a live audience in three years took place at a recent gathering of New York City line cooks at Crown Shy restaurant, part of S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water's "On the Line" dinner series, which celebrates and supports line cooks. Andrew and James Kent, executive chef and partner of Crown Shy, Saga, and Overstory, discuss the lessons James learned in his line-cook days, and his advice to aspiring cooks and chefs today. It's a fun, frank conversation in front of an enthusiastic crowd that we think all you cooks and chefs out there will especially enjoy.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
- S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water is also a promotional partner of Andrew Talks to Chefs.
Daniel Holzman has made a name for himself as a prolific and successful chef and operator, most recently at Danny Boy's Famous Original in LA; Matt Rodbard has done the same in the world of food writing, editing, online publishing, and podcasting as the founding editor of TASTE and the author of Koreatown. Now, the two friends and writing partners have concocted a wonderful, singular cookbook Food IQ: 100 Questions, Answers, and Recipes to Raise Your Cooking Smarts.
On the publication day of their book, we're delighted to share this conversation, recorded remotely from an undisclosed and unique location somewhere in the City of Angels.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
By functioning as a chef, entrepreneur, author, entertainer, and social activist, Roy Choi has emerged as one the crucial, genuine voices in the food industry today. On this episode, Roy makes his Andrew Talks to Chefs debut to discuss Season 2 of his show Broken Bread, which looks at myriad social issues through the Prisim of food. As always, Roy is thoughtful, insightful, and open in a conversation that we love.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Ji Hye Kim spent her childhood in Seoul, Korea, and her teenage years in New Jersey, before discovering a love for restaurants during college jobs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she's now chef of, and a partner in, Miss Kim. On this episode of the pod, Ji Hye shares the story of how she decided on a life in the kitchen, why she spent a few years working the deli counter at the legendary Zingerman's, and the relationships she enjoys with local farms and how their produce impacts her takes on traditional Korean dishes.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
photo of Ji Hye Kim ©EEBerger.
Diana and Zack Wangeman were childhood friends in Oaxaca who followed different paths to their current success at Sobre Masa in Brooklyn, NY. On this episode of the pod, they share the story of coming to appreciate the food of Oaxaca, how they ended up in New York (and married), and the broader mission of their business.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
- photo of Zack & Diana by Melissa Hom.
Chef Kevin O'Donnell loves a challenge, but even he wasn't prepared to open his new "free-style" Italian restaurant Giusto (Newport, RI) during a global pandemic. Kevin shares how Giusto launched and thrived against the odds. He also discusses his culinary awakening, his culinary school experience, and what it was like being a newly arrived American chef in Paris with just two weeks to ready a project for opening.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Happy New Year! We wanted to kick 2022 off with something positive, and are thrilled to welcome one of the pod's most popular guests ever, Missy Robbins (chef & co-owner of Lilia & Misi in Brooklyn, NY), back to the show. On this episode, Missy discusses her second book, Pasta: The Spirit and Craft of Italy's Greatest Food, with Recipes, coauthored with Talia Baiocchi. Missy shares the origin and process of producing this wonderful resource that combines fundamental knowledge with both traditional and signature recipes. She and Andrew also get into what it was like producing a book during a pandemic, the personal touch every cook brings to preparing recipes, and just what it is that makes pasta so universally appealing.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Author and journalist Corey Mintz's new book The Next Supper: The End of Restaurants as We Knew Them, and What Comes After, should be required reading for industry professionals and anyone who wants restaurants to evolve as they must to survive as viable businesses and workplaces, and succeed in the future. In this episode, Corey joins Andrew to discuss the challenges facing the industry, and the actions he suggests diners take to do their part to bring about change.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Photo of Corey Mintz by Jaime Hogge.
Pati Jinich's enthusiasm for and curiosity about her native Mexico is boundless. She explores the myriad states and cuisines of Mexico on her PBS series Pati's Mexican Table, currently in its 10th season, and in her cookbooks. On this episode of the pod, Pati joins Andrew to discuss her latest book, Treasures of the Mexican Table(which publishes today), and her recent PBS special La Frontera, about the US/Mexican border and the rich culture to be discovered there. And, this being Thanksgiving week in the United States, Andrew and Pati compare notes on their personal Thanksgiving tables and traditions.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
We at Andrew Talks to Chefs are huge fans of Gabe McMackin. Talented and thoughtful, he owned and operated his own restaurant The Finch for five years, and currently is chef of Troutbeck, a magnificent, historic property in Upstate, NY. Gabe and Andrew recently sat down to discuss Gabe's path to the pro kitchen, as well as changing kitchen culture, and myriad other subjects.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
For years now, Dan Richer's name has been synonymous with superlative pizza. At his Razza Pizza Artigianale in Jersey City, NJ, he turns out some of the most acclaimed pizza in the United States. Now, he's teamed up with collaborator Katie Parla to share his hard-earned pizza-making wisdom in The Joy of Pizza, which debuts today (November 9, 2021). Andrew was knocked out by the book's wealth of information, instructive images, and passion, and we're thrilled to celebrate this book and share a new conversation with Dan, all about the writing process. (You might also enjoy checking out Dan's prior visit to the show. with LA's Daniele Uditi.)
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
- Photo of Dan by Eric Wolfinger.
Chef Dennis Ngo grew up the American-born son of Vietnamese refugees in Houston, Texas, and spent almost a decade in the corporate world, before following a fondness for hospitality into the professional kitchen. After a brief stint as a dishwasher and line cook, he took the opportunity to become chef of a downtown Manhattan restaurant. Following a rocky start, he grew into the role, eventually moving on to other opportunities and then, about five years ago, opening Di An Di in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Dennis really opens up in his conversation with Andrew, taking on such subjects as family resistance to his switching to kitchen life, a rewarding but in some respects painful relationship with a surprising mentor, and what he sees as Di An Di's mission.
From October 29 - November 5, 2021, Dennis and Di An Di are participating in S.Pellegrino's* Destination Dining program, "exchanging" two dishes with LA's Night + Market.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
- S.Pellegrino is Andrew Talks to Chefs' promotional partner.
It hasn't been easy for Byron Gomez. His family relocated from Costa Rica to the United States when he was 8-years old, and he grew up under a cloud of uncertainty due to their immigration status. Nevertheless, he discovered and succeeded in professional kitchens, thanks in part to a first job in Burger King, of all places, and went on to work in Atera, Eleven Madison Park, and a handful of Daniel Boulud's restaurants. He's currently chef of 7908, a combination restaurant, bar, and club in Aspen, Colorado, where he's thriving, and also recently competed on Top Chef. During a visit to New York City, Byron sat down with Andrew to discuss his unique path, his goals, and his life as a "Dreamer," in multiple senses of the word.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Zoe Adjonyoh's fascination with Ghanaian cuisine began as an exploration of personal identity (she grew up in the U.K., the child of a Ghanaian father and Irish mother), expanded to a focus of culinary travel, and flowered into a series of London-based businesses--pop-ups, supper clubs, a restaurant, and a book, Zoe's Ghana Kitchen. On this, the publication day of the first US edition of her book, Zoe joins Andrew to discuss her passion for her work, how it fits into the relatively recent effort to codify Ghanaian cuisine, and how she mingles the universal and the personal in her outlook and recipes.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
(photo of Zoe by Lateef Okunnu)
As a child, Timothée Prangé dreamed of becoming a chef, but somewhere along the way, he took a detour into music as a trumpet player, and then into the vibrant world of modern cocktails. His Little Red Door is the hottest cocktail bar in Paris, where the menu's concept changes annually, earning the establishment abundant honors including longstanding inclusion in the World's 50 Best Bars. While in Antwerp for the World's 50 Best Restaurants* ceremony last week, Andrew had a chance to sit down with Timothée to discuss LIttle Red Door's unique approach to cocktails, including this year's menu, titled "Grounded," with original drinks focused on a select group of farmers and the vegetables, fruits, dairy, and legumes they grow, raise, and harvest.
Please register for and join us for the FREE, virtual PlateTalks conversation among Andrew, fellow journalist Chandra Ram, and legendary American chefs Larry Forgione and Cindy Pawlcyn on Monday, October 18, 2021, at 2pm EST.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
- The World's 50 Best Restaurants is sponsored by our promotional partner S.Pellegrino.
Hanna Raskin, most recently a reporter and restaurant critic for the Charleston Post and Courier, just launched The Food Section, a Substack devoted to food and related issues across the American South. The online journal, delivered to subscribers' email inboxes twice weekly, offers everything from news and investigative journalism to restaurant reviews, opinion columns, and features.
On today's pod, Hanna calls in from Charleston to discuss her move into this growing journalism sector, and describe some of her first stories for The Food Section, including a look at the state (and advisability) of "friends and family" nights in restaurants, and the tale of a neighborhood that banded together to push back against a local bar that had overtaken its streets.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Author Laurie Woolever joins Andrew to discuss her wonderful new book Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography (due out September 28 and now available for preorder), and to share her memories and observations from the ten years she spent as his assistant, collaborator, and friend.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
For the first time in 2021, we're bringing back our pandemic-era movie-discussion series Shelter en Place, with guest critics Allison and Matt Robicelli. This time 'round, Andrew, Allison and Matt engage in a SPOILER-FILLED (don't say we didn't warn you) discussion of the surprisingly terrific Nicolas Cage vehicle Pig. Is this film, whose trailer was greeted with derisive laughter earlier this summer, one of the best movies ever made about chefs and restaurants? Listen in and find out.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
On Andrew's (second) recent book-research trip to Chicago, a chance encounter with Galit restaurant's Zach Engel led to a pod sitdown. Zach shares what it was like to grow up the son of a rabbi in Florida, to zero in on MIddle Eastern food in jobs with Philly's Mike Solomonov and New Orleans' Alon Shaya, as well as time cooking in Israel, before putting down roots in Chicago.
And in the Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, friend of the pod Scott Varricchio of Citrus Grillhouse in Vero Beach, Florida, joins us to discuss his recent brush with, and recovery from, COVID (despite being fully vaccinated) and shares his on-the-ground thoughts from one of the most challenged and divided states in the union where the pandemic response is concerned.
In our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
During a recent book research trip to Chicago, Andrew made time to sit down with industry legend Rich Melman, founder of Lettuce Entertain You; Lettuce Entertain You president R.J. Melman; and executive partner Jerrod Melman. On the occasion of the company's 50th year in business, the family open up about the company's origins, evolution, and management style, as well as other aspects of running restaurants and managing teams. This is a rare and fascinating chance to learn about a philosophy of hospitality from some of the best in the business.
And in The Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, NYC restaurateur Vicki Freeman of The Bowery Group calls in to talk about their new restaurant Shukette (with chef Ayesha Nurdaja at the helm), and the ups and downs of opening and operating restaurants at this delicate moment in time.
In our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
One of the most influential contemporary American chefs, Alfred Portale, joins us to discuss his early, formative days; the Italian-American influence on his culinary sensibility; and the pleasures of opening his current restaurant, the self-titled Italian restaurant Portale in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood. (Alfred also happens to be the chef who gave Andrew his big break, when he hired him to coauthor his first cookbook.)
And in The Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, Patricia Howard and Ed Szymanski of Dame restaurant in New York City, discuss their recent decision (also made by several other chef/owners) to require proof of vaccination for indoor diners.
And in our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Arron Sain combines his culinary training and nutritional knowledge (he's a former competitive bodybuilder) to his work as a personal chef and trainer to professional football players like his current client Bud Dupree, as well as celebrities like Fantasia Barrino. Arron sat down with Andrew in Chicago this week to share his unique journey that included an almost 15-year hiatus from his culinary track.
In The Line Up, our news and commentary segment, Ray Delucci of the podcast Line Cook Thoughts and blogger for Plate magazine discusses his recent post about imposter syndrome in the industry.
And in our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Andrew recently sat down with prolific chef and restaurateur Franklin Becker at his recently launched Manhattanville Market for a very personal conversation about everything from his evolution as a chef and manager to the ups and downs of his personal life, starting with a tumultuous childhood in Brooklyn, NY.
In The Line Up, our news and commentary segment, the new executive director of the industry advocacy organization ROAR NY, Andrea Strong, and co-founder Sean Feeney, discuss the organization's plans and priorities, and contextualize this very powerful moment in time.
And in our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
All that plus Andrew's notes on the restaurants he visited this week.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Chutatip "Nok" Suntaranon, the chef and owner of Philadelphia's acclaimed Kalaya restaurant, tells the fascinating story of her circuitous route to her current success and her unique approach to management and hospitality.
In The Line Up, our news and commentary segment, author and journalist Joshua David Stein discusses the fate of the Reset and related industry subjects. (Check out Joshua's new book Cooking for Your Kids: At Home with the World's Greatest Chefs and Joshua's Zoom chat with Sean Brock & Mina Park this Saturday, July 10 at 4pm EST.)
And in our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
All that plus Andrew's notes on the restaurants he visited this week.
To learn more about the Valrhona School Pastry Classes being offered this summer--click here!
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
We're super-excited to share a fascinating interview with chef Flynn McGarry. Recorded in two sessions at his Gem restaurant in lower Manhattan, one just before the pandemic in February 2020 and the other just last week, the conversations cover McGarry's creative process, both as chef and restaurateur, as well as how he had to adjust his plans for Gem to respond to the ongoing public health crisis and his own constantly shifting sensibilities.
In our news and commentary segment The Line-Up, Robb Report's Jeremy Repanich discusses his feature spotlighting industry figures who stepped up to make a difference during the past year.
And in our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
To learn more about the Valrhona School Pastry Classes being offered this summer--click here!
All that plus Andrew's notes on the restaurants he visited this week.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
This week, the American restaurant industry lost a Los Angeles legend when chef Mark Peel passed away at the untimely age of 66. As tribute, we're sharing a 2010 book interview Andrew conducted with Mark that covers his culinary awakening in the 1970s, his time in (and contributions to) such landmark restaurants as Ma Maison, Michael's Santa Monica, and Spago, as well as the launch of his own restaurant Campanile, in partnership with his wife at the time, Nancy Silverton.
And in our weekly news and commentary segment, The Line-Up, Copenhagen-based journalist Lisa Abend joins us to discuss her new Substack, Bord, on which she and her colleagues and collaborators cover the contemporary Copenhagen restaurant scene, and the fascinating goings-on behind the scenes.
And in our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
To learn more about the Valrhona School Pastry Classes being offered this summer--click here!
All that plus Andrew's notes on the restaurants and bars he's visited this week.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
(photo of Mark Peel by Anne Fishbein)
At the heart of their successful Brooklyn restaurants Colonia Verde and Disco Tacos is the longstanding romance between Felipe Donnelly and Tamy Rofe. The couple sat down with Andrew in Williamsburg to discuss how they met, fell in love, and eventually ditched their marketing careers for a new life in hospitality. At this precarious moment in time, this is a feel-good conversation sure to put a smile on your face.
In The Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, David Nayfeld and Matt Brewer of Che Fico and Che Fico Alimentari discuss the complexities of the tipping issue and how they've changed their own practices to create a more profitable and equitable structure for their team.
In this week's Andrew Talks to Chefs classic moment, we revisit Andrew's conversation with the late Anthony Bourdain. (Please peruse our alphabetical archive of hundreds of guests at the pod's website to hear your favorite chefs on demand.)
And in our jobs-of-the-week segment, we share some of the great positions our sponsor Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS) is currently looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
All that plus Andrew's notes on the restaurants and bars he's visited this week.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
For nearly 3 decades chef Peter Hoffman owned and operated the storied restaurant Savoy in New York City's SoHo neighborhood. In his first book, What's Good?, he intertwines his own story and that of the restaurant with notes on ingredients that take the reader through a year of growing cycles. It's a remarkable and beautifully written book and Peter's comments are a wonderful expansion of some key ideas and moments it contains.
In The Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, writer and podcast producer Jacqueline Raposo discusses her recent Grub Street article advocating for a broader and more informed definition of "accessibility" in restaurants building on lessons learned during COVID.
And as he does each week, Brad Metzer, founder of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS), joins us to share a selection of positions that his firm is looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Chef Mary Attea, currently turning out exceptional food at The Musket Room in New York City, initially set her sights on a career in the dark world of criminal psychology. But a series of restaurant jobs drew her first to the industry, and eventually to the pro kitchen. After training at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, Mary landed an externship at the fabled West Village restaurant Annisa, where she eventually ascended to the position of chef de cuisine, which she held until the restaurant's closure in 2017. In her first longform, biographical interview, Mary shares her unique path and the lessons learned along the way.
And in our news and commentary segment The Line-Up, legendary restaurateur Drew NIeporent (Tribeca Grill, Nobu, Batard, etc.) shares his thoughts on the industry's short-term prospects 15 months into COVID.
And as he does each week, Brad Metzer, founder of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS), joins us to share a selection of positions that his firm is looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Andrew recently sat down with the accomplished chef and restaurateur Alex Raij, who owns and operates a number of the most personal, specific, and successfully realized Spanish restaurants (La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie, El Quinto Pino, Txikito) in New York City, all in collaboration with her husband Eder Montero. Alex opens up about the genesis of her restaurant concepts, her food-focused Minneapolis childhood, and dream projects that linger in her imagination.
And in The Line-Up, our weekly news and commentary segment, Jodi Liano, founder and owner of San Francisco Cooking School, checks in from California to share some insights on what's different, and what remains the same, for culinary students in a late-COVID landscape. What's drawing them to cooking programs, what are their ambitions, and how many of them found the inspiration and courage to take the cooking school plunge because of the pandemic?
We also welcome a new sponsor to the Andrew Talks to Chefs family this week. To kick off the partnership, we welcome Brad Metzer, founder of Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions (BMRS), to the pod as he offers the first of what will be a weekly selection of positions that his firm is looking to fill. (Andrew Talks to Chefs listeners are encouraged to reach out to BMRS at the special, dedicated email address created just for you at ATC@restaurant-solutions.com.)
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
On the day after his newish Francie was awarded a Michelin star, Chris Cipollone sat down with Andrew to discuss the road to his success at his prior restaurant Piora, and now at Francie, as well as his training in Westchester, NY, restaurants, and the formative New York City chef positions he held along the way.
And in The Line-Up, our weekly news and commentary segment, three festival and conference organizers call into the pod to discuss their current thinking for when and how to bring their events back during, or perhaps post, COVID. Our guests for this informative discussion are Megan Gallagher of Jackson Hole Food & Wine, Mike Traud of the Philly Chef Conference, and Frans van der Lee with the Chef's Roll Anti-Convention.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Scott Alves Barton came up as a cook, then chef, in New York City restaurants, including almost ten years working with the late, great Patrick Clark. In midlife, Scott made a shift to academia, earning a PhD in food studies from New York University, and is now a leading culinary educator, teaching at multiple institutions and participating in myriad projects and articles, much of it with a focus on race, ethnicity, and related subjects. (Regular listeners will remember that Scott guest produced and hosted two episodes of the pod in 2020.)
And in The Line Up, our news and information segment, we bring you a much-needed feel-good story: Victoria Blamey, formerly of Chumley's and Gotham Bar and Grill, discusses the creative breakthrough she recently experienced during her residency at Blue Hill Center for Food & Agriculture.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Damarr Brown, chef de cuisine of Chicago's acclaimed Virtue restaurant, has spent most of his young life and career in the same city. For several years, he cooked for Virtue's executive chef-owner Erick Williams at MK, then spent time in the kitchen at Alinea Group's Roister, and since the inception of Virtue has been back in collaboration with Chef Williams. On this episode, Damarr discusses his early life and first interest in food and cooking, the decisions he's made on the path to his current success, and his apparel line, Say It How You Feel It.
And in our weekly news and commentary segment The Line Up, chef-owner Greg Baxtrom of Brooklyn's Olmsted and Maison Yaki, discusses the current industry hiring crisis from the point of view of one independent owner-operator.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
On today's episode, Harold Dieterle catches us up on his current endeavors. The onetime chef-restaurateur behind Perilla, Kin Shop, and The Marrow in New York City, and author of Harold Dieterle's Kitchen Notebook (written in collaboration with Andrew) discusses his formative days; the adventure that led to his appearing on and winning the inaugural season of television's Top Chef; and his current life as a food and beverage consultant and developer of a line of cannabis edibles.
And in our weekly news and commentary segment The Line-Up, author Tracey Medeiros discusses her new book The Art of Cooking with Cannabis. The book takes a serious look at how to incorporate cannabis, which is becoming increasingly legal and accepted in a rapidly increasing number of states, into the full spectrum of recipes from beverages to salads to main courses, desserts, and snacks.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
One of Andrew's favorite recent meals in NYC was a dinner at Kimika, a newly opened restaurant in lower Manhattan, where chef Christine Lau serves up a distinct and very flavorful mashup of Italian and Japanese influences. Christine sat down with Andrew to discuss her path to the kitchen, which ran through stints as a high school and college athlete and myriad other professions, before committing to her very successful career.
And in our weekly news and commentary segment, The Line-Up, chef Russell Jackson of Reverence restaurant in New York City, who helped put together the recently released Safety First program with Food & Society of The Aspen Institute, discusses the genesis and development of these comprehensive handbooks and one-sheets.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Johnny Ortiz, currently a chef-in-residence at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, has made a fascinating journey from his original home in New Mexico to the pinnacle of fine dining at Alinea and Saison, and back to New Mexico, where he stages intimate, deeply personal Shed Project dinners. Andrew caught up with him at Stone Barns to discuss his young life and career, and the experience of serving his signature food in a different state and setting.
And in The Line-Up, our weekly news and information segment, friend of the pod Preeti Mistry checks in from Oakland, California, to describe their just-launched podcast Loading Dock Talks, as well as their recent inclusion on the Netflix series Waffles and Mochi.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
With a number of restaurants to his name, and a company (Unapologetic Foods) devoted to bringing authentic Indian cuisine to the United States, chef Chintan Pandya is on a bit of a roll, even in the aftermath of COVID. HIs recently launched Dhamaka on the Lower East Side of Manhattan is the latest in a string of successful concepts including Rahi and Adda, that he and business partner Roni Mazumdar have created. In one of our first in-person interviews in months, Chintan sits down with Andrew outside Dhamaka to talk about his Mumbai childhood, his background in both fine dining and fast casual restaurants, and the mission of his company.
And in The Line-Up, our weekly news and commentary segment, broadcaster Rob Petrone, host of Hot Takes on a Plate, talks about his recent episode devoted to voices of chefs and other hospitality professionals recorded in the first weeks of COVID in the United States, roughly one year ago. (The interviews were recorded for a video documentary Rob hope to see produced soon.)
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
She may not be a household name, but Lisabet Summa has led a storied career in the profession she loves as much today as when she first set foot in a professional kitchen. After coming up alongside such luminaries as Norman Van Aken and Charlie Trotter in Chicago, Lisabet moved to South Florida, eventually becoming executive culinary director of the prolific Big Time Restaurant Group. Lisabet takes us through her journey from acting to cooking to her current role overseeing 15 restaurants as well as her continuing commitment to learning and growing, from gardening to milling her own grains.
And in The Line-Up, our weekly news and commentary segment, San Francisco's Brandon Jew joins us to discuss the alarming rise in AAPI-directed hate crimes in the United States, and how he experiences it as an Asian-American in the Bay Area. We also talk about his new cookbook (coauthored with Tienlon Ho) Mister Jiu's in Chinatown, which has an elevated poignancy in the context of these troubled times.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
In an interview recorded in-person, pre-pandemic, legendary American chef David Burke sits down with Andrew at David Burke Tavern to discuss his life and career, including how he first discovered professional cooking, and his lifelong gift for outside-the-box thinking.
We also share a portion of a conversation with Omar Tate of Philadelphia's Honeysuckle Provisions recorded at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture where he was recently in residence. (Please consider supporting the GoFundMe for Honeysuckle's important Community Center, and the not-for-profit work of Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture.)
And in The Line-Up, our weekly news and commentary segment, John Winterman of Brooklyn's recently opened Francie restaurant, expands on his recent Food + Wine think-piece about the economic and psychic impact of no-shows on restaurants, and on the efficacy of indoor dining protocols.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Julia Turshen joins Andrew to discuss her new book Simply Julia: 110 Easy Recipes for Healthy Comfort Food, as well as her life and career as a food writer, podcaster, and activist.
And in The Line-Up, our weekly news and commentary segment, Rebecca Mason of Houston, Texas' Fluff Bake Bar discusses the governor's lifting of mask mandates and what it means for restaurateurs and foodservice owners.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Chicago's chef Beverly Kim (Parachute and Wherewithal) joins Andrew to discuss a wide array of subjects, from her personal journey to chefdom to the challenges of being a woman and Korean-American in the pro kitchen, to the coming restaurant reset.
And in The Line-Up, our weekly news and commentary segment, designer Glen Coben helps us imagine what restaurants might look like post COVID.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is sponsored in part by meez; please check out this revolutionary new interactive recipe database and tool for professional chefs and cooks.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
For four decades Jesse Cool has owned and operated the beloved Menlo Park restaurant Flea Street Cafe, and been a devoted proponent of organic cooking and dining. She joins Andrew to discuss her road from Pennsylvania to California, the ups and downs of running a restaurant over such a long timespan, and her dislike of the word chef, among myriad other subjects. (Listen to Jesse's earlier appearance on the pod.)
And a trio of experts from Brad Metzger Restaurant Solutions, a Southern California-based recruiting firm, share their observations about the emerging post-pandemic hospitality jobs market, from traditional pursuits to new and evolving options.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
The great Chicago chef Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, et. al.) recently wrote a deeply personal essay for Medium about the roller coaster of personal and professional milestones that comprise his year of coping with the human and economic costs of COVID. On this week's show, Rick expands on the universal themes and observations of the piece in an unscripted, unguarded conversation with Andrew. We think this will be a very cathartic listen, whether or not you are in the industry.
Here's the YouTube channel Rick talks about on the pod.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
This is the shortest month of the year, so we're packing as much as we can into each episode!
Our headline guest this week is Wylie Dufresne, in our opinion one of the most influential American chefs of the past few decades. He shares what he's been up to during the pandemic (including the pizza experiments that have dominated his Instagram feed), opens up about the future; and kicks around the historical context of "modernist cuisine."
We are also thrilled to welcome back Mashama Bailey of The Grey in Savannah, Georgia. She and her business partner John O. Morisano discuss their new book Black, White, and The Grey, which combines their two distinct voices and points of view in an examination of race, the hospitality business, and friendship.
And in this week's current events segment, a trio of chefs and owners--Jef Edwards of Ration Food Lab in Toronto; Roni Mazumdar of the forthcoming Dhamaka in lower Manhattan; and Jeff Miller of Rosella on New York City's Lower East Side--who have opened or are about to open during the COVID pandemic, trade notes and offer advice about how to navigate this difficult time.
Links mentioned in episode:
Our 2019 interview with Mashama Bailey at the Philly Chefs Conference (starts at 1 hour, 3 minutes)
Our Toqueland interview (2 parts) with Wylie Dufresne
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page--we have just eliminated tiered contributor levels and invite one and all to support us at a minimum of just $2 per month.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
(photo of Wylie Dufresne by Evan Sung)
It's Inauguration Day in the United States, and we open this week's episode with a moving conversation with Aquavit chef and Swedish native Emma Bengtsson, who became a US citizen on January 6, 2021, the day of the horrific insurrection at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Emma shares the mix of emotions she felt on that day, and where her subsequent soul-searching led her.
And our feature interview this week is with Helene Henderson, another Swedish woman (we swear this is a coincidence), who founded the successful restaurant collection Malibu Farm, with outposts in California, Florida, and New York. Helene takes us through her early life in Sweden, the odd jobs she worked in New York and California, her catering and private chef career, and the evolution of Malibu Farm from a quirky pop-up to a bi-coastal enterprise.
Listen to our earlier, feature interview with Emma Bengtsson.
Support Aquavit restaurant!
Support Malibu Farm in California, New York, and Florida!
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
We're kicking off 2021 with two new features: A current events segment at the top of every episode, and an accompanying blog post on our site. Today, we celebrate the new Summerlong Supper Club with founder/director Vinay Gupta, and forecast food trends to look for in 2021 with Food Network Magazine's founding editor in chief Maile Carpenter. Then, we're delighted to present a full-length biographical interview with Terrance Brennan--formerly of the influential NYC restaurants Picholine and Artisanal--who joins Andrew to talk about his life and career in a conversation recorded pre-pandemic.
LINKS PROMISED ON AIR
Summerlong Supper Club (sign up by January 17)
Maile Carpenter's 2021 trends story
Terrance's Instagram feed
Toqueland Post - "Every Little Bit Helps"
Charlie Needs a Kidney
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
We're closing out 2020 in style, with three hours of entertainment to keep you busy until we return in January.
First, a quartet of our favorite guests--Dan Kluger, Allison and Matt Robicelli; and Erick Williams--check in from their respective home bases. Dan discusses his great new cookbook Chasing Flavor; Allison & Matt join Andrew for the first Shelter en Place review since the summer--a look at the holiday classic Christmas in Connecticut; and Erick phones in from his Virtue Restaurant in Chicago to reflect on 2020.
Then first-time visitor Harold Moore discusses his life and career, including an under-the-radar chefs potluck holiday party he used to host, which was Andrew's favorite night of the year.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Legendary chef and restaurateur Charlie Palmer (Aureole, et.al) joins Andrew from his home in Northern California to discuss how he and his team have been adapting during the COVID crisis, and his thoughts on where the industry goes from here.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Joshua Smith took a long and winding road to his current role as Director of Culinary Innovation for Alltown Fresh. A tumultuous home life led him to move out at age 16; he spent 8 years as a vagabonding cook, traveling the United States in search of new influences and experiences; and a passion for charcuterie drove him to found his former businesses, New England Charcuterie and Moody's Delicatessen & Provisions. A fascinating and very personal dialogue with a chef who's forged his own, singular path to success
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Zod Arifai has been a darling of TriState food cognoscenti for decades. The self-taught culinary wizard behind such popular New Jersey successes as Juniper, Ten Square, and Blu, first attempted a New York move way back in 1999 with a well-received but painfully short-lived restaurant in Brooklyn. Twenty-one years later, he was poised to try it again in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, but the pandemic intervened with his plans for a tasting-menu format at his new Wicked Jane. In July, Zod decided to go for it, and opened with an adjusted small-plate format (Andrew ate there--it's terrific). The restaurant is temporarily closed along with the renewed indoor dining ban in New York City, but he'll be back soon. In the meantime, whet your appetite with this very personal, deep-dive interview with this former professional musician turned chef.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
One of our favorite recurring guests, Chef Bo Bech, returns from his home in Denmark to discuss his beautiful new book The Relation Between Us. The book combines Bo's stunning photographs from around the world with his notes on travel and simple, adaptable recipes inspired by the book's images and the memories they evoke. Andrew and Bo talk over his burgeoning interest in photography, how he integrates it into his life, his approach to sharing cooking wisdom, and myriad other subjects.
Listen to our previous interviews with Bo:
Bo Bech discusses his book In My Blood.
Bo Bech at The Philly Chef Conference.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Deborah Madison has been a beloved figure in the American food scene for decades, first making her mark as chef of the seminal vegetarian restaurant Greens in San Francisco, and as author of such classic cookbooks as The Greens Cookbook and Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. In her new memoir An Onion in My Pocket, Deborah shares stories and reflections on her life and career to-date. It's a wonderful, evocative book that also tracks the American food revolution.
For a rewarding way to support restaurants at this difficult time, please check out Restore, a new website offering curated products and exclusive events from chefs and restaurants. (It's supported by our promotional partner, S.Pellegrino.)
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
(photo of Deborah Madison by Doug Merriam)
In 2019, Aaron Bludorn left a prime gig as chef of Cafe Boulud in New York City to move to Houston, Texas, and open his first restaurant as chef-proprietor, Bludorn. Aaron recently called in to talk to Andrew about his Seattle childhood, teenage years as member of a rock band with professional aspirations, his shift to the kitchen, years under the auspices of Daniel Boulud, and what it's been like to open a new restaurant in the midst of a pandemic. (Many listeners might also know Aaron as one of the more successful competitors on the Netflix series The Final Table, on which he made the final four.)
We'd also like to be among the first to welcome Gregory Christopher Bludorn into the world. Aaron and his wife Victoria welcomed Gregory just the other day and we are thrilled for them.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
(photo of Andrew & Aaron copyright by Eric Vitale Photography)
It's Thanksgiving week in the United States and this episode is designed for listening as you prep and cook your respective holiday dinners, in restaurants or in homes. Fellow podcasters Greg and Darin Bresnitz discuss their new book Snacky Tunes, based on their show about the intersection of chefs and music; former guest Hong Thaimee discusses her new popup Thaimee Love, which just launched for a planned 6-month run in New York City; and Kate Heddings talks about her new book Hungry Games.
We also revisit a recent interview with David Kinch, subject of the documentary A Chef's Voyage, which begins streaming on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, and Amazon Prime Video today.
For more information, including registration link, on Andrew's December 7 online conversation with Greg and Darin Bresnitz, visit Book Ya Ya.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
It was no small feat for Esquire magazine to identify a class of 2020 for its Best New Restaurant List in the midst of a global pandemic. But Jeff Gordinier, in collaboration with his colleague Kevin Sintumuang, managed to pull it off in style with a celebration of what's new in American restaurants that launches today. Jeff sat down with Andrew to discuss why Esquire decided to produce a list this year, how he and Kevin pulled it off, and what they were seeking in restaurants and chefs to trumpet in this unusual time.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
In New York City, Rezdora restaurant has quickly become synonymous with great pasta. Today, the chef behind Rezdora, Stefano Secchi, joins us to share his story, which begins with his family's restaurant in Texas, took him to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and eventually to gigs in a number of acclaimed restaurants in Italy including Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana.
Rezdora is also participating in S.Pellegrino’s (our promotional partner) inaugural Destination Dining series, in which pairs of restaurants on the East and West Coasts exchange dishes for one week each.
For more about Destination Dining, see the recent article about the program on Fine Dining Lovers.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Last year, Magnus Nilsson closed his world-acclaimed restaurant Fäviken, a decision he was able to make on his own terms and timing. This week, Phaidon published Magnus's new book Fäviken: 4015 Days, Beginning to End, which documents the restaurant's life via catalogues of dishes; painstakingly detailed recipes; essays; and beautiful photographs. From his home in Sweden, Magnus joins us to talk with Andrew about the value of memorializing a restaurant after its closing, what he's doing now, whether or not he experiences nostalgia or regret, and how he thinks the industry will fare once we surmount the current pandemic.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
The Korean steakhouse Cote, in New York City, has been a stylish highlight of Manhattan's dining scene since opening a few years ago. The restaurant's chef, David Shim, guested on the pod in 2019, and now we're delighted to welcome Cote's charismatic impresario, restaurateur Simon Kim. From an outdoor table at Cote, Simon shares his story, from a childhood in South Korea to immigrating to the United States to working in Las Vegas hotels, to discovering a love of restaurants and learning to run them himself.
Cote is also participating in S.Pellegrino’s (our promotional partner) inaugural Destination Dining series, in which pairs of restaurants on the East and West Coasts exchange dishes for one week each.
For more about Destination Dining, see the recent article about the program on Fine Dining Lovers.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
In this 7-minute editorial, our first standalone statement of its kind, we encourage all listeners to vote, share a little information on how to do it, and take what we feel is an important stand. (There's no interview included, so if any of this will displease you, we've made it easy to opt out.)
To learn more about how and where to vote anywhere in the United States, visit iwillvote.com.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Dubbed "the Champagne Empress of Greenwich Village" by The New York Times, Ariel Arce presides over a quartet of downtown Manhattan, Champagne- and wine-themed establishments including Air's Champagne Parlor, Tokyo Record Bar, Niche Niche, and Special Club. She also just authored her own book (due out November 3), Better with Bubbles.
Ariel recently sat down with Andrew to talk about her childhood as a theater kid, getting turned on to hospitality at The Office in Chicago, and her circuitous route to a life devoted to Champagne and restaurants. There are lots of good lessons here about following your own personal passions and life as an entrepreneur.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
From a childhood in Israel, to life as a street seller in Germany, to jobs in top New York City kitchens to success as chef-owner of Taim, Balaboosta, and Kish Kash, chef Einat Admony is an open book. On this episode, she opens up to Andrew about how being a middle child set the tone for her life; why she loves cooking; what it was like to serve in the Israeli military; and the twist of fate that led her to her husband and business partner. Oh, and she's also an amateur stand-up comic. All that and more in this action-packed hour.
Einat is also participating in S.Pellegrino’s (our promotional partner) inaugural Destination Dining series, in which pairs of restaurants on the East and West Coasts exchange dishes for one week each.
For more about Destination Dining, see the recent article about the program on Fine Dining Lovers.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
(photo of Einat Admony by Evan Sung; courtesy S.Pellegrino)
Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli (aka "The Franks") have been operating a collection of restaurants in Brooklyn, NY, for many years now, starting with their Frankies Spuntino and including past classics such as Prime Meats and current joints like Frank's Wine Bar, Frankies Pantry & Bottle Shop, and F & F Pizzeria, all on the same block in Carroll Gardens. The Franks are also participating in S.Pellegrino's (our promotional partner) inaugural Destination Dining series, in which pairs of restaurants on the East and West Coasts exchange dishes for one week each.
For more about Destination Dining, see the recent article about the program on Fine Dining Lovers.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Barbara Sibley came to New York City from Mexico in the early 1980s and fell in love with the restaurant industry thanks to time working at the storied La Tulipe in Greenwich Village. Today, she owns and operates La Palapa, an authentic Mexican restaurant, and is creative director of Holiday Cocktail Lounge, in the East Village. Barbara and Andrew caught up recently in the garden behind Holiday Cocktail Lounge and discussed a wide range of industry, and non-industry, subjects.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
For our money, there's no better writer in the food realm today than John Birdsall. In his new book The Man Who Ate Too Much, a biography of James Beard that commingles the icon's life story with a history of both America's relationship with food and queer life in the United States. John spent five years researching and writing the book, producing a brilliant and moving work. We invited John on the pod to discuss the life of this little understood figure, John's writing process, and topics related to John's work and Beard's life.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
David Kinch and his Manresa restaurant team are at the center of the new documentary "A Chef's Voyage," about the time they spent in France, collaborating on meals with the chefs and kitchens of three venerated restaurants. David discusses the movie and some topics it raises, and reflects on the loss of Pierre Troisgros, who died last week.
And Matt Sartwell, managing partner of the fabled Kitchen Arts & Letters bookshop in New York City, takes us inside their decision to launch a GoFundMe campaign, and how it's ensured the store will continue on despite these challenging times.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Akhtar Nawab grew up in one of a handful of Indian families in Louisville, Kentucky, before setting his sights on the pro kitchen and New York City. After thriving in kitchens such as Gramercy Tavern, he made a name for himself as a chef in his own right, eventually opening his Alta Calidad in Brooklyn, among other restaurants. Akhtar recently saw his first cookbook, Good For You: Bold Flavors with Benefits--published so we asked him on the pod to talk about his book, career, and life as a chef-restaurateur in 2020.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Friend of the pod David Nayfeld, one of our favorite recurring guests, has launched his own podcast, The Main Ingredient with David Nayfeld, cohosted and produced by Manny Jimenez (aka Manny J) . David checks in from San Francisco to talk about his new show, why he launched, it some of his first guests (including Dominique Crenn and Gwyneth Paltrow). And, of course, he and Andrew can't help a little shop talk along the way.
If you enjoy this episode of the show, check out our earlier conversations with David:
Episode 61: David Nayfeld & Angela Pinkerton
Special Report #36: David Nayfeld on the Changes that Need to be Made
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
We are delighted to share our first-ever guest-hosted and curated episodes of the pod. In a 2-episode special report, educator and former chef Scott Alves Barton moderates 4 conversations among Black professionals in food. Two of the panels comprise Black chefs, one features four writers and editors, and one features two chef-farmers. Our hope is that taken together, this report helps foster a greater understanding of, in Scott's words, "what it means to be Black and professional in food." For our Black listeners, we hope these conversations resonate with you and reflect and amplify your own experiences and perspectives.
Part 1 aired on our prior episode.
Scott's guests for this, part 2, of this series are (in alphabetical order) Kimberly Brock Brown, Dr. Cynthia Greenlee, Dr. Jessica B. Harris, Todd Richards, Jamila Robinson, and Ellen Sweets.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might enjoy these other Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
A Talk about "The Talk"
Chef Russell Jackson
Chef Douglass Williams
Chef Edouardo Jordan
Ashtin Berry
Chef Erick Williams
Chef Roze Traore
Chef Milton Abel II
Alicia Matthews
Chef Mashama Bailey (part of our Philly Chef Conference Special, 2019)
Chef Alexander Harris
Chef Tanya Holland
Chef JJ Johnson
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
We are delighted to share our first-ever guest-hosted and curated episodes of the pod. In a 2-episode special report, educator and former chef Scott Alves Barton moderates 4 conversations among Black professionals in food. Two of the panels comprise Black chefs, one features four writers and editors, and one features two chef-farmers. Our hope is that taken together, this report helps foster a greater understanding of, in Scott's words, "what it means to be Black and professional in food." For our Black listeners, we hope these conversations resonate with you and reflect and amplify your own experiences and perspectives.
Scott's guests today are (in alphabetical order) Aneesha Hargrave, Adrian Lipscombe, Joe Randall, Jonny Rhodes, Ashleigh Shanti, and Omar Tate.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might enjoy these other Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
A Talk about "The Talk"
Chef Russell Jackson
Chef Douglass Williams
Chef Edouardo Jordan
Ashtin Berry
Chef Erick Williams
Chef Roze Traore
Chef Milton Abel II
Alicia Matthews
Chef Mashama Bailey (part of our Philly Chef Conference Special, 2019)
Chef Alexander Harris
Chef Tanya Holland
Chef JJ Johnson
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
The coastal town of Mystic, Connecticut, boasts an emerging culinary scene, and chef James Wayman is at its center, helming Oyster Club, as well as the hybrid butcher shop-restaurant Grass & Bone and Engine Room, a bar--all in partnership with proprietor and fellow cook Dan Meiser. Andrew and James recently sat down for our first in-person interview since the lockdown began in March, and it was a total joy.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Friend of the pod Kelly Fields, whose desserts at Willa Jean restaurant in New Orleans have captured the national imagination, just launched her first cookbook, The Good Book of Southern Baking. Kelly joins Andrew to talk about the book's mix of classic and idiosyncratic recipes; Kelly's philosophy that savory cooking and baking aren't as different as many believe them to be; and some favorite dishes in the book (in addition to her legendary chocolate chip cookie).
For more about Kelly, listen to our original, biographical interview with her from 2019.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
In culinary circles, chef Mark Ladner is widely admired for his versatility in the realm of Italian food: He created the very distinct menus for restaurants ranging from Lupa to Otto to Del Posto to the fast-casual Pasta Flyer. Currently, he's culinary director of Moby's restaurant in East Hampton, NY.
Andrew drove out to Moby's to catch up with Mark on the day he staged a one-night-only Italian barbecue--a special event created in partnership with our own promotional partner S.Pellegrino. As always, this analytic and introspective chef had many thoughtful things to share about cooking in general, and about the moment we all find ourselves in today.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Friend of the show (and of Andrew personally) chef Erick Williams of Chicago's Virtue restaurant recently asked us to host a conversation between him and his father, Ricardo Isom, about an unfortunate American tradition known as "The Talk," in which Black parents tell their children how to behave in interactions with the police.
Sparked by the murder of George Floyd and the protests it inspired, and shared on the week Jacob Blake was shot in the back by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this conversation explores the experience of two Black men of two different generations.
This is also a fine time to revisit our first conversation with Erick Williams.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
(Photo: Ricardo Isom, left, and Erick Williams, right, photographed several years ago with chef Michael Kornick.)
Esquire's Culture and Style Director Kevin Sintumuang discusses this year's America's Best Bars list, an eclectic class of new and classic bastions of beer, wine, cocktails, and myriad foods. Join us for this fun, energetic celebration of the distinct pleasures bars offer and a look at how the magazine creates the list, as well as some of this year's selections. Yes, we're in a pandemic, but many of these bars are offering takeaway or outdoor service, and they and other bars need your support. So let's all raise a glass to them an all the bars out there that provide escape and conviviality.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Author Bill Buford recently debuted his new book Dirt, about his adventures in Lyon, France, training to be a professional cook and chef. That might sound like a stunt, but Buford--who also wrote the bestselling Heat, among many other literary accomplishments--actually went to cooking school and put in the hard yards in prep kitchens, and on the line. He and Andrew discuss key moments from the book and compare notes on pro kitchens, France, and some iconic figures.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Food and drinks writer and recipe developer Alicia Kennedy and Plate magazine editor in-chief (and former pro cook) Chandra Ram discuss two subjects that have been in the news recently: Recipe credit in restaurants and the media's role in creating and expunging bad kitchen behavior.
This episode was occasioned by the articles "There's No I in Jam: Sqirl Wrestles with the Sticky Question of Who Really Owns a Recipe" and "How Food Media Created Monsters in the Kitchen."
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Learn more about Alicia Kennedy (subscribe to her newsletter and please consider supporting her work). She also has a cool podcast, Meatless.
Learn more about Chandra Ram and Plate.
Allison and Matt Robicelli are back for a new Shelter en Place discussion of the food & drink of Quentin Tarantino's classic Pulp Fiction. What's with all the coffee? The fast food? Why does Mia Wallace take Vincent Vega to the wacky Jack Rabbit Slim's for their (not a) date? We get into all that and more in this free-range conversation about one of everybody's favorite movies.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
If you enjoy this episode, check out our prior Shelter en Place reviews:
Shelter en Place: Burnt with Bradley Cooper
Shelter en Place: Jon Favreau’s Chef
Shelter en Place: Demolition Man
Shelter en Place: Dinner Rush
Shelter en Place: Hannibal
Shelter en Place: Defending Your Life
Shelter en Place: Little Italy
The LEE Initiative has been working to improve the restaurant industry for several years, with programs like a women's chef mentorship program. When COVID-19 swept across the United States, shuttering restaurants and leaving millions of industry employees out of work, founders Edward Lee, Lindsey Ofcacek, and their team instituted a number of new programs to help workers, farms, and other industry constituents across the United States.
On this episode, Edward and Lindsey take time out from their brutal schedules to discuss the origins of the Initiative, how it applies restaurant principles to philanthropy, what its latest relief efforts are, and how listeners (this means you) can help.
Learn more and contribute to the LEE Initiative via their website.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Just before New York City went into lockdown mid-March, Russell Jackson--chef/owner of Harlem's tasting menu restaurant Reverence--sat down with Andrew for an in-depth interview covering his Southern California upbringing, his training in a handful of legendary restaurants in LA and San Francisco, why he came to New York, as well as such tangential subjects as Star Wars, Bruce Lee, social media, and being present. It's an action-packed hour and a bittersweet evocation of a pre-pandemic feeling.
If in New York City, please support Reverence, which is currently lovingly preparing and selling their own take on bento boxes every weekend. Reserve yours today!
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
A blast of normalcy in a longform biographical interview recorded pre-pandemic!
In late January, before COVID-19 hit US shores and we shifted to nightly special reports, Andrew had the chance to sit down with Douglass Williams, who's had an amazing young life so far. Raised in Atlantic City, knocked off his path to track stardom by Crohn's disease as a teenager, and a graduate of Michelin-starred kitchens, Douglass has made a name for himself at Boston's Mida restaurant, where he was recently named a Food + Wine Best New Chef for 2020.
Hope you enjoy our return to our regular format of shows with this fascinating guest.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
On our last nightly special report, Daniel Boulud discusses the shutdown, the road to reopening, and the pain of being away from his team, as well as charitable efforts during the pandemic and his forecast for government support of the industry.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Ryan King, editor in chief of the online magazine Fine Dining Lovers, takes us inside the numbers of two recent surveys conducted by the site, one with 8,000 diners and one with more than 2,500 hospitality professionals. He also discusses the online forum Turning the Tables, hosted by Fine Dining Lovers this week, that gathered industry thought leaders from around the world to discuss what a post-pandemic dining landscape might look like,
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
On the week the French Open would have begun, veteran tennis writer Joel Drucker joins fellow tennis-lover Andrew to discuss food rituals and other traditions that he associates with the major tennis tournaments, the global community of tennis scribes, and what it's like to chase summer around the globe during a normal tennis season. (Follow Joel's Twitter feed here.)
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Our quest for great chef- and food-focused entertainment continues, as it does every Friday, as our favorite guest critics Allison and Matt Robicelli join Andrew to discuss the lamentable 2018 rom-com "Little Italy" starring Hayden Christensen and Emma Roberts. How can we possibly explain (or forgive) the cultural stereotypes on display? Does anybody, anywhere actually talk like the people in this movie? What's with all the octogenarian love-making in this thing? And where does the name Robicelli come from, anyway?
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
If you enjoy this episode, you might enjoy these vintage Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
Shelter en Place: Burnt with Bradley Cooper
Shelter en Place: Jon Favreau’s Chef
Shelter en Place: Demolition Man
Shelter en Place: Dinner Rush
Shelter en Place: Hannibal
Shelter en Place: Defending Your Life
In our first-ever crossover episode, Rob Petrone--producer and host of the Hot Takes on a Plate podcast--joins Andrew to discuss the prospects of restaurants in a post-pandemic America, and Andrew joins Rob on his podcast to share his thoughts on the politics of the moment.
Please enjoy this conversation, and then check out Rob's podcast!
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
If you enjoy this episode, you might enjoy these vintage Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
Hot Takes on a Plate (Rob Petrone's podcast)
Lynn Buono and Skip Schwarzman of Philadelphia's Feast Your Eyes catering join Andrew to discuss the unique short- and long-term challenges faced by their industry during the COVID-19 era. Lynn and Skip share the adjustments they've made, from creating service-free meals to be served at events that are proceeding as scheduled, to adjusting contracts and commitments as ever-shifting government mandates dictate, to the special services they've created for clients' at-home dining needs and desires.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
If you enjoy this episode, you might enjoy these vintage Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
Philly Chef Conference Spectacular (2019)
Jesse Cool has been operating her Flea Street Cafe in Menlo Park, California, for 40 years, and has seen it all during that time. Except for a pandemic. She's used this opportunity for reflection and reevaluation to start developing a program she calls "Heart of House," eliminating front- and back-of-house designations in favor of a model where everyone pitches in on all fronts, and all employees share equally in supplemental "gratitude" contributions from customers.
(Note: This episode was originally to air on Monday; apologies if it confuses the current date for any listeners! It is actually launching on Tuesday.)
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
If you enjoy this episode, you might enjoy these vintage Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
Jesse Cool: The Toqueland Interview (blog post)
Episode 8: David Kinch
Our quest for great chef- and food-focused entertainment continues, as it does every Friday, with a look back at the Albert Brooks comedy and stealth food film Defending Your Life. Allison and Matt Robicelli join Andrew to discuss the prospect of guilt-free, consequence-free dining; why Heaven reminds us of Vegas ... or is it Disney World?; and Allison reveals a secret of The Simpsons that the world needs to know about.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
If you enjoy this episode, you might enjoy these vintage Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
Shelter en Place: Burnt with Bradley Cooper
Shelter en Place: Jon Favreau's Chef
Shelter en Place: Demolition Man
Shelter en Place: Dinner Rush
Shelter en Place: Hannibal
Alison Roman set off a firestorm of controversy and criticism when she went after Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo in an online interview last week. Her comments ignited several days' worth of Twitter obsession, as well as coverage on other podcasts and even Good Morning America. On today's show, Preeti Mistry joins Andrew to talk about the issues the interview raised about privilege, race, appropriation, and more.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
If you enjoy this episode, you might enjoy these vintage Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
LIVE! from San Francisco Cooking School (featuring Preeti Mistry & a tribute to the late Judy Rodgers)
(photograph of Preeti Mistry by Alanna Hale)
Last week, David Nayfeld chef-partner at San Francisco's Che Fico, wrote (with Larissa Zimberoff) a Business Insider piece that addressed--in uncommon, unflinching honesty--aspects of the restaurant industry that he believes need to change post pandemic. The article addressed everything from livable wages to the creation of a sanctioned apprenticeship program to the what the cost of a restaurant meal should be to support sound food production and employment practices.
David joins Andrew on today's show to expand on the ideas expressed in his article. It's a refreshingly unvarnished, unfiltered conversation that industry professionals will find cathartic and civilians will find educational.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
If you enjoy this episode, you might enjoy these vintage Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
Episode 61: David Nayfeld & Angela Pinkerton
Episode 81: Chef's Roll Anti-Convention Super Pack
Photo of David Nayfeld by Nelson Murray.
Jodi Liano, founder of San Francisco Cooking School, updates us on the state of affairs in the Bay Area, discusses the unique issues facing culinary schools as they prepare to reopen, and predicts the surprisingly bright prospects for soon-to-be-graduates.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
If you enjoy this episode, you might enjoy these vintage Andrew Talks to Chefs conversations:
LIVE! from San Francisco Cooking School (June 2019)
Episode 88: Patrick O'Connell & Lincoln Carson
Episode 79: Michael McCarty
Our quest for great chef- and food-focused entertainment continues, as it does every Friday, with an examination of the NBC series Hannibal. Allison and Matt Robicelli join Andrew to examine such questions as: Why does the cannibal Hannibal Lecter remain such an enduringly fascinating character? How does Mads Mikkelsen compare with Dr. Lecters past? Is the show revolting, or beautiful? And how in the world did we end up talking about Tom Jones' sex appear in the middle of this thing? For answers and no shortage of tangents, please listen in.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
In this two-episodes-in-one special report, Andrew visits with three chef-owners in three stages of lockdown in three different markets:
Scott Varricchio of Citrus Grillhouse in Vero Beach, Florida, shares the precautions he's taken in preparation to partially reopen his restaurant tomorrow;
Ian Boden, of The Shack in Staunton, Virginia, discusses the challenges of being fully, temporarily shut down and the difficulties in deciding when to reopen a small restaurant;
and Craig Melillo of Gracie's Apizza in Portland, Oregon, gives us a report on his first few services operating for curbside pickup.
Three different perspectives from three different regions that add up to a snapshot of where the industry is as we ease into May.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Lisa Abend, an American journalist and author based in Copenhagen, has been writing invaluable stories about the pandemic's effect on the chef and restaurant communities worldwide for Vanity Fair. Her recent articles have covered the initial shock and awe, the industry's humanitarian efforts, and the lessons we can take from Sweden's approach.
Lisa joins Andrew to expand on her reporting, and share her current thinking about the outlook for the industry.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Darren Underway, a sous chef at Somerset restaurant in Chicago, Illinois, has made the best of his shelter-in-place time by writing and producing The Stay-Put Cookbook: A Chef's Guide to Cooking Under Quarantine. The e-book offers recipes suited to home cooks at a time of limited shopping and sourcing options, with recipes most home cooks can successfully produce. A portion of proceeds of the book purchased for $13 (as opposed to the basic $10 price) will go to the Boka Restaurant Group Employee Relief Fund.
Darren joins Andrew to discuss the book, what prompted him to write it, and what he learned about cookbooks in the process.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
It's Friday, which means it's time for our latest Shelter en Place movie review with our favorite critical culinarians, Allison and Matt Robicelli. This week, we get into the 2000 Bob Giraldi cooks and mobsters melodrama Dinner Rush, which plays out in one tumultuous night at a Tribeca restaurant. In a first, the Robicellis and Andrew find themselves at odds--Andrew loves, loves, loves the movie and its realistic depiction of a restaurant in action, while Allison and Matt damn it with the dismissive "meh." Listen in as we hash it out and try to find some common ground.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Longtime listeners will remember Jose Arroyo, who was the subject of an interview in summer 2019. On today's show, Andrew catches up with Jose to learn how the pandemic and lockdown are affecting the family restaurants where he works in Covina and Upland, California.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
For more information on the programs mentioned on this episode, visit Valrhona for details on registering for the Cake Walk, and visit the Korea Society's site to register for Andrew's webcast conversation with chef Hooni Kim Thursday, April 30 at 6:30pm EST.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
William Sitwell's new book The Restaurant: A 2,000-Year History of Dining Out, examines the evolution of its subject worldwide, from ancient Rome to the Ottoman Empire to modern Britain and the United States to movements such as the coffee house revolution and fast food. Taking the book as a jumping-off point, Andrew and William--restaurant critic and food writer for The Daily Telegraph--attempt to put the current lockdown in perspective, and imagine what dining out might look like in a post-pandemic world.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
Dan Kluger of New York City's Loring Place restaurant reflects on the lessons he's learned during quarantine, and remembers his late friend, the great chef Floyd Cardoz, whom we lost last month to coronavirus-related complications. A conversation about considering how we spend our time, and appreciating the influence and impressions others leave on us, and that in turn we can have on others.
Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page--pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.
To support the employees of Loring Place, please contribute to their relief fund.
Just a quick moment (ok, 3 minutes) of your time, please!
We are delighted to announce that we have joined Patreon, offering listeners a way to support Andrew Talks to Chefs and enjoy extra benefits and content.
Nothing about our regular, free content has changed. We will continue producing our nightly specials through the end of May, then return to our regular, longform weekly shows. And all of that will be available as it always has.
But for listeners who would like to support this labor of love, Patreon creates a way to contribute, and help us to continue to produce the show in the coming months and years, and receive additional, patron-only content in the process.
If you visit our Patreon page, you will see that we have created 4 membership tiers at various monthly price points, each offering a little something (and in some cases a LOT of somethings) in exchange, from our undying thanks and an on-air thank-you, to monthly bonus episodes, blog posts, and participation in polls, to the opportunity to hear your name featured at the end of our opening montage.
Our first bonus content--available at the Main Course tier and above, and produced just for Patreon members--is a nearly 2-hour special report featuring Andrew's never-before-aired Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll book interviews with Manresa's David Kinch, along with Andrew's commentary about the interview process.
For the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, we will be dividing the first monthly payment of each new member's dues (after Patreon's commission, transfer fees, and taxes) to a different relief fund or charity affiliated with that month's guest. From April 26 - May 31, 2020, we are supporting the Manresa Employee Relief Fund.
Hope you'll take a moment to listen to this announcement, and to consider supporting the show via Patreon.
Thanks for being a part of our podcasting adventure!
It's Friday, which means it's time for another Shelter en Place movie review with our friends Allison and Matt Robicelli. This week we take a look at the 1993 action flick Demolition Man, which the Robicellis contend is a food movie. Join us as we visit a world in which there's no toilet paper, people no longer shake hands, political correctness rules, and ... wait a minute, this all sounds a little familiar.
Our thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew’s latest book)
Robicelli Studio
Books by Allison & Matt
Chef Edouardo Jordan owns and operates three foodservice businesses--Junebaby, Salare, and Lucinda Grain Bar--in Seattle, Washington, the first American city to have a full-fledged outbreak of the coronavirus. In this conversation, Edouardo discusses his efforts to lift up the industry at this time of crisis, including fighting for business interruption insurance support, participating in the Independent Restaurant Coalition, and serving colleagues by converting one of his restaurants into an outpost of the Restaurant Workers Relief Program. He also discusses his open letter about the lack of minority and independent restaurant representation on the President's Economic Council for Restaurants.
Our thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew's latest book)
Edouardo Jordan's Letter
Junebaby
Salare
Lucinda Grain Bar
Restaurant Workers Relief Program
Independent Restaurant Coalition
You really don't want to miss this special double-header: Esquire's Jeff Gordinier takes us inside, and expands on, his impassioned piece that tied restaurants, music, culture, and politics into a masterpiece of the moment that was circulated the world over over the past weekend. And Georgia-based chef-restaurateur Hugh Acheson responds to his state governor's decision to allow a cross-section of businesses, including restaurants, to re-open in the coming days, and why his restaurants will remain closed to the public, while continuing to participate in Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen program.
Our thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew's latest book)
Jeff Gordinier
Hugh Acheson (restaurants, books, etc)
Chef Caroline Glover was on quite the career upswing since opening her restaurant Annette in Aurora, Colorado, in 2016--a spot in Food + Wine's Best New Chefs class of 2019, a 2020 semifinalist nod for a James Beard Foundation Award, and plenty of local and national attention. But when the pandemic and subsequent lockdown came, the restaurant was forced to temporarily shift to a curbside takeaway business model, eliminating the personal connection with her guests (Annette has an open kitchen) that's a defining element of hospitality for Caroline.
Caroline was also among the more eloquent industry voices to speak out, via an Opinion piece on CNN.com, when the president's Economic Council for Restaurants was announced last week, disappointing many with its lack of diversity and inclusion.
Our thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew’s latest book)
Annette Restaurant
Celia Sack owns and operates the beloved independent San Francisco culinary bookshop Omnivore Books. Though the store is closed to walk-in customers for the lockdown, it continues to sell books via mail order to passionate veteran clients and new customers alike; she and her team have even created a Quarantine Quenchers section on their website.
Celia discusses how Omnivore has pivoted during the pandemic, the very touching commitment of her customers, and makes a few recommendations to chef-readers out in Podcast Land.
Our thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew's latest book)
Omnivore Books
Omnivore Books' Quarantine Quenchers section
Our interview with Iliana Regan (discussed in today's show)
Our interview with Jacques Pepin (discussed in today's show)
It's been six years since Jon Favreau's movie Chef debuted. In our relatively new, ongoing, and perhaps ill-fated search for the great live-action chef movie, Andrew joins forces with Allison and Matt Robicelli to revisit this food truck road movie and evaluate its depiction of the pro-cooking trade. How realistic is the protagonist's kitchen life? His relationship with restaurant owner Dustin Hoffman? HIs sous chef and line cook? His son? And, most importantly ... Twitter? In our second of what's shaping up as a weekly Shelter en Place Theater review, we ask these questions and more to end another week of coronavirus-resulting lockdown
Warning: This episode is rife with spoilers. Please watch Chef before listening!
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew's latest book)
Robicelli Studio
Books by Allison & Matt
Robert Simonson, spirits and drinks writer for the New York Times; contributing editor to and columnist for Punch; and author of many wonderful spirits-themed books joins Andrew to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the bar business, how the industry has responded, and what he's been imbibing at home. An alternately serious and good-humored conversation that reflects the way many of us are experiencing these unprecedented times.
Our thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew’s latest book)
Robert Simonson's website
Robert Simonson's Instagram feed
John Winterman came of age in restaurants ranging from Charlie Trotter's in Chicago to Gary Danko in San Francisco, to a near-decade as a front-of-house maestro in Daniel Boulud's empire. After successfully launching and shepherding his Bâtard through its first five years in Tribeca, John was close to launching his independent New York Brasserie Francie in Brooklyn, with chef-partner Chris Cipollone (formerly of Piora in lower Manhattan), when the shutdown went into place.
On this episode, John discusses how the current situation has and hasn't impacted his and Chris' plans, his uniquely positive outlook, and how they're using the yet-to-open restaurant to fundraise for the industry.
Our thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew's latest book)
Francie website
Francie fundraising page
A welcome dose of normalcy: In an conversation recorded pre-pandemic, Ned Baldwin, chef-owner of Houseman restaurant in New York City, discusses his brand new and very useful cookbook How to Dress an Egg: Surprising and Simple Ways to Cook Dinner, written in collaboration with Peter Kaminsky.
Ned, a former sculptor from Seattle, WA, took up professional cooking in his 30s, and became chef de cuisine of Gabrielle Hamilton's Prune Restaurant before opening his own place. How to Dress an Egg translates the lessons and tricks of the trade of a pro chef to myriad home-cooking applications. In his conversation with Andrew, Ned discusses the book, some of his favorite techniques and recipes, and the process of writing and designing his first literary at-bat.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Enjoy this interview, and buy Ned's book!
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew’s most recent book)
Houseman Restaurant
How to Dress an Egg (Ned's book)
Support the Houseman restaurant Emergency Fund
On the heels of her revealing New York Times editorial, chef Amanda Cohen of NYC's Dirt Candy and Lekka Burger, joins Andrew to discuss the emotions of owning temporarily shuttered restaurants, the creative challenges that await when restaurants are permitted to reopen, and non-obvious (and not strictly monetary) ways restaurant patrons can support the industry at this perilous time.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew's most recent book)
Dirt Candy
Lekka Burger
Amanda's Cookbook & Dirt Candy merchandise
Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper), we are told, is to cooking what the Rolling Stones are to rock & roll. For two hours, in the comeback saga Burnt (2015), we learn just how awful one can behave if they have a way with a whisk. Or can they? in a new, possibly recurring feature, Shelter en Place Theater, Andrew is joined by guest critics Allison & Matt Robicelli to dissect Burnt, both as a representation of the chef trade, and as a work of dramatic fiction. It ain't pretty, but it's honest.
Warning: This episode is rife with spoilers. Please watch Burnt before listening!
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
Robicelli Studio
Books by Allison & Matt
Ashtin Berry is a top bartender and beverage consultant: Imbibe named her Best Bartender in 2019, and she was the lone woman of color on Observer's 2018 55 People in Nightlife Power List. But her professional success is just one aspect of her blossoming career: Ashtin devotes a great deal of time and energy to raising awareness about power, opportunity, and benefit imbalances in the hospitality industry, and exploring possible solutions. She is a challenger of the status quo, an asker of difficult questions, and a believer in better ways of doing business. In this densely packed half-hour conversation, Ashtin shares her thoughts on the unique opportunities and challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the eventual recovery.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
Ashtin Berry Instagram feed
Unite America's Table Instagram (hashtag) Feed
Restaurant workers have never been more cordoned off from their professional kitchens and dining rooms, or each other. As the COVID-19 crisis continues to paralyze the industry, increasing anxiety over when restaurants will reopen and what the profession will look like mounts. Katherine Miller, Vice President of Impact for the James Beard Foundation, joins Andrew today to discuss how restaurant workers can advocate for and take care of themselves, and shares some information about the herculean efforts taking place behind the scenes to help support the industry and prepare it for the best possible comeback.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
James Beard Foundation
Industry Support Webinars
Independent Restaurant Coalition
Independent Restaurant Coalition petition to the US Congress
During normal times, Kitchen Arts & Letters in New York City, and Now Serving in Los Angeles, are popular independent bookstores where cooks and chefs routinely spend hour after hour perusing new and classic books and adding to their collections. During this time of sheltering in place, both shops are closed to in-person visitors, but remain open and vital as mail-order sources. Much as restaurants have pivoted to take-away and delivery, these popular stores are going all-in on fulfilling remote orders. Andrew speaks with Now Serving's co-owner Ken Concepcion and Kitchen Arts & Letters' managing partner Matt Sartwell about what it's like keeping business rolling during a pandemic, what trends they've noticed during the shutdown, and what new titles personally excite them.
Our great thanks to S.Pelleggrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Kitchen Arts & Letters
Now Serving
Now Serving's Instagram feed
Tonight we take a break from our special reports to present a semi-"normal" episode featuring an interview (recorded in February) with Iliana Regan of Chicago's Elizabeth restaurant and Michigan's Milkweed Inn. The extraordinarily open Iliana discusses her breathtaking memoir Burn the Place, her childhood, sobriety, and being both a chef and writer.
We're calling this one a hybrid show, because Andrew's opening comments address the feelings of revisiting this pre-pandemic interview in the midst of the zeitgeist.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Thank you to The Cookery Restaurant in Dobbs Ferry, New York, for hosting this episode; if in Westchester, NY, please support the restaurant's staff directly, or by ordering take-away from the restaurant at this critical time.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
Burn the Place (buy Iliana's book!)
Elizabeth restaurant
Milkweed Inn
Chef John Currence, never one to shy away from airing his opinions, calls in from Oxford, Mississippi, to share an on-the-ground report, and kick around everything from the encouraging human reaction to the pandemic to date, how the crisis might or might not be reflected in pop culture, and what music he's been listening to these days.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chef Official website
John Currence website
Support the employees of John's restaurants!
John Currence, original Andrew Talks to Chefs interview
Longtime listeners probably heard Chef Erick Williams' appearance on the pod just two months ago. Andrew rang up his new friend last week and asked him to update us on the vibe in Chicago and how the dynamic of his kitchen has and hasn't changed as a result of its current offering. And chef Preeti Mistry calls in from California to discuss a cool online cooking class/fundraiser she's participating in.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Virtue Restaurant
Dispora Co Instagram feed
Erick Williams' January 2020 appearance on Andrew Talks to Chefs
Preeti Mistry 2019 LIVE appearance on Andrew Talks to Chefs
One of the true legends of the culinary arts, Jacques Pépin, joins us for today's special report, accompanied by the co-founder and executive director of the Jacques Pépin Foundation, Rollie Wesen. The two discuss the prospects for newly trained cooks in a post-pandemic future, and share their advice for cooking with economy and creativity at home during this time of crisis.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please visit the Andrew Talks to Chefs official website.
Chef Dan Jacobs' Milwaukee restaurant Dan Dan remains open for take away and delivery during the current pandemic and the "safe in place" order in his city. But because he lives with the rare, progressive Kennedy's Disease, Dan is at high risk for complications if exposed to the COVID-19 virus, so has made the decision to stay home rather than work at his restaurant. Dan shares how he's maintaining and adapting certain pro-kitchen habits at home, what he's been cooking, and the joys of cleaning a kitchen.. any kitchen.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Our first on-the-ground report from San Francisco: Chef Brandon Jew of Mister Jiu's and Moongate Lounge paints a picture of a dystopian scene in one of the United States' greatest food cities. Brandon discusses the impossibility of predicting just what the future of restaurants, including his own, will look like; the disruption of life without nighty service; and the distinct, unfortunate antipathy being directed at the Chinese-American community during the COVID-19 crisis.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Help fund health insurance for Mister Jiu's staff.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chef, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew's latest book)
In 1983, the Jones family of Milan, Ohio, shifted the focus of their family farm to providing the best possible ingredients to a growing population of chefs seeking high-quality and specialty produce, renaming their business The Chef's Garden. The approach has served them well, until the current pandemic. With restaurants temporarily shuttering across the globe, The Chef's Garden's customer base disappeared, and the company made a shift to selling a line of themed produce boxes (Immunity Booster, Anti-Aging Mix, Subscription Box, etc.) for home cooks. Farmer Lee Jones, the longstanding public face of the Jones family and The Chef's Garden, takes us inside the pivot and describes how his team made the switch so quickly.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Support our cause of the day: If you are able to, please buy a gift certificate from you favorite restaurant!
From her Chefs with Issues program to her personal consultations with countless people in the restaurant industry to her myriad writings and her own Communal Table podcast, Kat Kinsman is a leading voice for mental health among hospitality professionals. Kat and Andrew discuss coping mechanisms traditional and non- and how they might be employed at this challenging time, and manage to have an unlikely laugh or two along the way.
Also, on the day we lost chef Floyd Cardoz, Plate magazine's Chandra Ram shares a few thoughts about this important chef.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please visit our support organization of the day, Kat Kinsman's Chefs with Issues.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
Communal Table (Kat's Food + Wine podcast)
Industry United Facebook group
A Balanced Glass
CHOW (Colorado)
Calm app
Personal Mise en Place
Insight Timer
Headspace
Cramer Care
A cross-section of LA-area chefs catch us up on how they're managing during this crisis: Industry veterans Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Feniger of Border Grill, Socalo, and other restaurants check-in from their respective homes to share how they're keeping in touch with their teams, staying fit, and what they're cooking for themselves and their families; Santa Monica's Dave Beran of Dialogue and Pasjoli explains his democratic approach to staffing and take-away plans during a pandemic; and Nyesha Arrington describes the surreal experience of watching the industry suffer while between restaurants herself.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
Please check out our restaurant support organization of the day: Independent Restaurant Coalition. Sign up for their updates and give generously, if you can.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
Andrew's obit for Gotham Bar and Grill (mentioned on today's show)
Border Grill
Socalo
Dialogue
Pasjoli
Nyesha Arrington
We thought the industry (and everybody else) could use a laugh right about now, so we invited the dependably upbeat, irreverent Phil Rosenthal, star of the Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil and co-creator of the classic sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, on to talk about his love of chefs and restaurants, and share his thoughts on where we are right now. The first of two episodes devoted to Los Angeles at this time of crisis--part two (debuting Tuesday, 3/24) features Nyesha Arrington, Dave Beran, and Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Feniger.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
Phil Rosenthal
Restaurant Workers Relief Fund (today's featured support organization - please give generously)
In our second of a special series of nightly reports for an industry in crisis, chef Naomi Pomeroy joins Andrew from Portland, Oregon, to share how she and her colleagues are faring in the Pacific Northwest. Naomi also discusses the parallel between grief and what the restaurant community and world at large is experiencing right now, what it's like to be a chef without their kitchen, and on the personal connections that help make it bearable.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Beast restaurant
Expatriate restaurant
(The NY State petition mentioned on tonight's episode lives here.)
At a time of industry crisis, we are proud to offer a new series of special reports that will air Monday - Friday for at least the next month. The episodes are intended as a place for restaurant professionals and enthusiasts to virtually gather daily to hear the thoughts of industry leaders, employees, experts, and others who have important viewpoints to share. Each episode will feature one or two interviews plus news and commentary from Andrew, and will be approximately 30 minutes in length.
Our first guest is Gavin Kaysen, the Minneapolis-based chef-restaurateur behind Spoon and Stable, Bellecour, Bellecour Bakery, and Demi. Gavin shares his thoughts on what makes the restaurant industry's challenge at this moment unique, the effect of restaurants' survival on the greater food chain, how to most productively interact with your local civic leaders, and the opportunity for improvement presented when the crisis has passed.
Our great thanks to S.Pellegrino for making these special reports possible.
To automatically receive these reports in your podcast queue, subscribe (free) to Andrew Talks to Chefs on your preferred podcast platform.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
Soigne Hospitality (Gavin Kaysen's Restaurant Group)
Milion Gallons (soup program mentioned in this episode)
At a time of industry and international crisis, we hope this episode will be a welcome respite for industry and civilian listeners alike. Andrew recently made his annual pilgrimage to the Philly Chef Conference where he spoke with some of the most exciting and influential food and drink professionals working today: They are (in order of appearance): Pastry genius Antonio Bachour of Coral Gables, Florida; Esquire magazine's beverage director of the year, Chelsea Gregoire of Baltimore; fermentation pioneer Jason White; prolific Philly chef-restaurateur Greg Vernick; and Copenhagen-based New Nordic OG Bo Bech.
If that weren't enough, Esquire magazine's food and drinks editor Jeff Gordinier joins Andrew to introduce the conversations.
Enjoy these interviews individually or pass a few hours taking them in in one sitting.
Andrew Talks to Chefs is proud to welcome new sponsor L'Ecole Valrhona, who are holding their first-ever West Coast classes this spring and summer. Visit their site for more information.
And thanks to The Good Witch Coffee Bar for hosting our introductions this week.
Hang tough, industry friends.
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll (Andrew's latest book)
Antonio Bachour
Chelsea Gregoire
Jason White
Greg Vernick
Bo Bech
Hungry by Jeff Gordinier
A rare non-chef episode of the pod featuring two of the most successful and influential restaurateurs in the United States. While in Philadelphia last weekend for the Philly Chef Conference, Welcome Conference co-founder (and the restaurateur who conjured up the magic of Eleven Madison Park and the Nomad restaurants before moving on from them last year), and Kevin Boehm, cofounder of Chicago's prolific Boka Restaurant Group (Boka, Girl and the Goat, GT Fish & Oyster, Momotaro, and many others) talk all things hospitality.
How do they maintain quality control? Where do they gain new inspiration? What is the value of a pre-shift (nightly pre-service huddle)? Are we in a golden age for restaurants?
It's a rare treat to hear such devoted and passionate professionals kick these and other topics around--don't miss this one!
If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it’s free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple’s podcast store.
Please also subscribe to email updates from Andrew Talks to Chefs to receive new episode alerts and Andrew’s blog posts.
Thanks for listening!
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs OFFICIAL website
Toqueland (Andrew's blog)
Buy Andrew's book - Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll
Boka Restaurant Group
Welcome Conference
Kevin Boehm's 2018 Welcome Conference Talk (mentioned in episode)
Philly Chef Conference
On the day her movie A Fine Line: A Woman's Place Is In the Kitchen debuts in New York City, filmmaker Joanna James discusses her documentary's exploration of the struggles and triumphs of women chefs and restauranteurs, and the story of her mother Val's life in the industry. The movie intercuts Val James' story with interviews with top women chefs including Dominique Crenn, Barbara Lynch, and Mashama Bailey.
And, continuing a conversation from last week's show, chef and author Rocco DiSpirito discusses how he became focused on health and fitness, his new cookbook Rocco's Keto Comfort Food Diet, his years away from restaurants, why he came back, and what he's thinking of doing next.
EPISODE GUIDE
0 - 4:25 Intro
4:25 - 51:35 Joanna James
51:35 - 54:20 Show Notes and Updates
54:20 - 1:55:50 - Rocco DiSpirito, part 2
1:55:50 - end Outro
LINKS
ANDREW TALKS TO CHEFS official website
A FINE LINE movie official website
MAPP (A Fine Line's social impact campaign)
Rocco's Keto Comfort Food Diet
Rocco DiSpirito website
Benno restaurant (hosted Rocco DiSpirito interview)
Mermaid Inn (hosted Joanna James interview)
Rocco DiSpirito's been in the national spotlight for so long that many fans don't know how he got there in the first place, or haven't thought about it in years. Andrew and Rocco have known each other since Rocco's first chef position, and in this very personal conversation--the first of 2 parts--they revisit his childhood in Queens, New York; his teenage gigs in neighborhood pizzerias; his training at the Culinary Institute of America and in great kitchens in France and New York; and his rise to the top of the New York City dining scene in the late 1990s. It's a side of Rocco many listeners don't know or haven't heard in his voice, and a great listen. (In part 2, we'll talk about his shift to fitness and healthful eating and his forthcoming Rocco's Keto Comfort Food Diet.)
In our second segment, Vero Beach, Florida chef-restaurateur Scott Varricchio shares the harrowing story of the night his restaurant (Citrus Grillhouse) was destroyed in a fire, and how he made the best of the year when it was being rebuilt--by spending time in such renowned kitchens as Eleven Madison Park and The French Laundry to take his acumen up a notch ... at age 59! A great lesson in perspective and resilience.
EPISODE GUIDE
0 - 8:48 Intro
8:48 - 45:00 Rocco DiSpirito
45:00 - 48:10 Show Notes & Personal Appearances
48:10 - 1:29:40 Scott Varricchio
**LINKS**
Andrew Talks to Chefs OFFICIAL site
Rocco DiSpirito
Rocco's Keto Comfort Food Diet (order a signed copy)
Citrus Grillhouse
Emily Luchetti doesn't much care for age-obsession, or even for slowing down. The onetime Stars pastry chef, who continues to ply her trade in the Bay Area, and to author cookbooks, took a break from recipe writing to collaborate with Erin McHugh on So Who's Counting: The Little Quote Book about Growing Old and Still Kicking Ass. Last summer, Emily and Andrew plopped down in New York City's Madison Square Park and kicked around their similar attitudes towards this sometimes taboo subject, as well as the very specific challenges that face cooks and chefs as they mature, and how to care for themselves and plan for the back-end of their careers, both creatively and physically. There's room on their blanket, so join them for this short, breezy conversation that spins off on a number of fascinating tangents.
LINKS
ANDREW TALKS TO CHEFS official site
Emily Luchetti website
So Who's Counting: The Little Quote Book about Growing Old and Still Kicking Ass
While in New York City to attend the 2nd anniversary celebration of Andrew Talks to Chefs, Modernist Cuisine's head chef Francisco Migoya made time to sit down with Andrew and discuss his singular career.
Longtime listeners might remember that Francisco joined us for a short but fascinating conversation last year from Chef's Roll's Anti Convention in San Diego. On this visit, he and Andrew dive deep into his childhood in Mexico City, his original desire to be an artist, his first kitchen jobs and culinary training in France, and cooking in such traditional kitchens as Brooklyn's River Cafe. They also get into questions of food as art, work ethic, and what his day-to-day life is like at Modernist Cuisine.
If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it’s free) on iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple’s podcast store.
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Reminder: Andrew Talks to Chefs is now an INDEPENDENT podcast; please visit our official site for new episodes, Andrew's blog, our catalog of past shows, and to contact us by voicemail or email.
Thanks for listening!
LINKS
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
Francisco Migoya Chef's Roll Anti Convention interview (referenced in this episode, begins at 2:10:30)
Daniel Uditi and Dan Richer on Andrew Talks to Chefs (referenced in this episode)
Francisco MIgoya bio on Modernist Cuisine
Benno restaurant (graciously hosted us for this interview)
Erick Williams is having quite a year. The chef-owner of Chicago's Virtue restaurant (an Esquire magazine 2019 Best New Restaurant) has seen his labor of love receive a welcome equal to the passion he's poured into it
On a recent visit to New York, Erick sat down with Andrew to discuss his Chicago upbringing, his first career in real estate, his commitment to the kitchen after the the financial crash of 2008, and the development and meaning behind Virtue and its menu. It's a far-ranging and very open conversation with a thoughtful chef who approaches his work with great intention.
If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it’s free) on iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple’s podcast store.
Please also subscribe to email updates from Andrew Talks to Chefs to receive new episode alerts and Andrew's blog posts.
**LINKS**
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
Virtue restaurant website
Esquire's Best New Restaurants 2019
Our interview with Mashama Bailey (referenced in this episode)
Our interview with Dave Beran (referenced in this episode)
Our interview with Paul Kahan (referenced in this episode)
Our interview with Kwame Onwuachi (referenced in this episode)
Thanks to Mermaid Inn for hosting this recording session!!
Jean-Louis Palladin, who came to the United States from France in 1979, was one of the most talented and influential chefs of his generation. From his base in Washington, DC, Palladin, who died much too young in 2001 at age 55, helped forge a network of farmers and purveyors along the Eastern Seaboard, brought an unparalleled artistry and innate gift for improvisation to his cooking, wrote one of the first "coffee table" chef cookbooks, and left his mark on a generation of young Americans, inspiring such then-aspiring chefs as Anthony Bourdain and Thomas Keller.
During a recent tribute dinner at the Watergate Hotel, Andrew sat down with a number of chefs who knew Palladin well: His contemporary and fellow immigrant French chef Jacques Pépin, three chefs who supported him at Jean-Louis at the Watergate--Larbi Dahrouch, Jimmy Sneed, and Jamie Stachowski--and chef of the Watergate's current showcase restaurant Kingbird, Sébastien Giannini.
All of that, plus a bonus conversation with Jacques Pépin about how his hobby of painting parallels his life in the kitchen.
**EPISODE GUIDE**
0:00 - 7:15 - Intro
7:15 - 27:07 Segment 1
27:08 - 30:42 Mid-Show Break/Housekeeping Notes
30:43 - end Segment 2
**LINKS**
Andrew Talks to Chefs official site
Jean-Louis Palladin NY Times obituary
Jean-Louis Palladin's book Cooking with the Seasons
Jimmy Sneed's blog Product, Passion and Salt
Kingbird Restaurant at the Watergate
A rare, themed episode of the pod. Two chefs and two writers discuss the conceiving, making, and business of cookbooks. Paul Kahan takes us through his new Cooking for Good Times; writer Jamie Feldmar talks collaborating with top chefs like Angie Mar and Naomi Pomeroy; writer and editor Raquel Pelzel talks about acquiring cookbooks at Clarkson Potter and her own Umami Bomb; and chef Rob Newton explains the regional approach to his Seeking the South.
And on his Toqueland blog this week, Andrew shares his working list of chef categories for the future that's already here.
*LINKS***
Andrew Talks to Chefs Official Website
Cooking for Cook Times
Jamie Feldmar
Taste and Technique
New Orleans Kitchen
Butcher + Beast
Raquel Pelzel
Umami Bomb
Rob Newton
Seeking the South
We gathered ten favorite Andrew Talks to Chefs moments from 2019 for a fast-moving, pod year-in-review episode to close out the decade. Tom Colicchio recounts the origins of Top Chef; New Orleans's Kelly Fields shares the hidden meaning in her restaurant Willa Jean's chocolate chip cookie; pastry legend Claudia Fleming recounts her migration from dancing to cooking; Inn at Little Washington's Patrick O'Connell shares the methods he and his team employ to make every guest happy; Preeti Mistry discusses her roots as a theater kid; Kwame Onwuachi talks about the mission of his book Notes from a Young Black Chef; LA'S Genevieve Gergis and Andrew unpack their respective struggles with ADD; and we revisit a conversation with the late Anthony Bourdain ... these and other moments jumped out at us as we thought over the last 12 months, and we wanted to share them in one place before turning the page to 2020.
Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!
EPISODE GUIDE
0:00 - 6:20 Intro
6:20 - 49:15 Segment 1 (Patrick O'Connell, Kelly Fields, Kwame Onwuachi, Preeti Mistry, Tom Colicchio, Anthony Bourdain)
49:15 - 53:40 Show Notes & Updates
53:40 - 1:16:10 Segment 2 (Genevieve Gergis, Claudia Fleming, Jeremy Stephens, Christine Muhlke & Michael Laiskonis)
1:16:10 - end Outro
*LINKS***
Andrew Talks to Chefs OFFICIAL website
Inn at Little Washington
Willa Jean
Kith/Kin
Notes from a Young Black Chef
Preeti Mistry
Top Chef
Crafted Hospitality
Parts Unknown
Bavel
Bestia
Galatoire's
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Competition
North Fork Table & Inn
Signature Dishes that Matter
Michael Laisonkis
Christine Muhlke
Phaidon
California native Nick Muncy grew up wanting to be an artist, but re-directed that impulse toward the kitchen as a young adult, becoming a pastry chef. After training at restaurants such as Coi and Saisson, he's now pastry chef for Michael Mina restaurant in San Francisco. Somehow he also finds time to write, edit, photograph, and produce Toothache, the magazine he founded. Andrew and Nick sat down while Nick was in New York City, photographing and conducting interviews for issue number 6, which was just recently released.
EPISODE GUIDE
0:00 - 8:15 Intro
8:16 - 47:20 Nick Muncy, part 1
47:21- 49:45 Show notes and housekeeping
49:46 - 1:07:08 Nick Muncy, part 2
1:07:08 - end Outro
*LINKS***
Andrew Talks to Chefs Official Website
Toothache Magazine
Michael Mina restaurant
Chef Suzanne Cupps stepped out on her own in a big way this week, with her new 232 Bleecker restaurant in New York City. The launch comes after Suzanne's years with Union Square Hospitality Group, as executive chef of Untitled at The Whitney, and before that, a member of the kitchen brigade at Gramercy Tavern. A career-changer, Suzanne also cooked at Anita Lo's Annisa for several years. A few months back, while simultaneously winding down at Untitled, and ramping up at 232 Bleecker, the first full-service restaurant from Dig Food Group, Suzanne sat down with Andrew to discuss her life and career to date, and the evolution of her vegetable-forward style.
EPISODE GUIDE
0:00 - 4:05 Intro
4:05 - 47:15 Suzanne Cupps, part 1
47:16 - 48:29 Show notes and housekeeping
48:30 - 1:23:35 Suzanne Cupps, part 2
1:23:36 - end Outro
*LINKS***
Andrew Talks to Chefs Official Website
232 Bleecker restaurant site
Last month at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Competition North American regional semifinals in New York City, a soft-spoken chef by the name of Rafael Covarrubias blew the judges away with his Mole-spiced Muscovy Duck dish, which combined the flavors of his Mexican heritage with influences from the work and travels that led him to his current position at Hexagon restaurant in Oakville, Canada. The morning after the competition, Andrew sat down with Rafael to discuss his childhood in Mexico, his path to the professional kitchen, and what made his deceptively simple looking competition dish such a powerful personal statement.
S.Pellegrino is a promotional partner of Andrew Talks to Chefs.
Episode Guide
0 - 4:55 Intro
4:55 - 27:43 Rafael Covarrubias, segment 1
27:44 - 29:02 Show notes and updates
29:03 - 43:42 Rafael Covarrubias, segment 2
43:43 - Wrap up
LINKS:
Andrew Talks to Chefs official Website
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Competition Website
Hexagon Restaurant
For our 100th episode, we have a special report from the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Competition North American regional semifinals. Andrew sat down with all of the emerging chefs who faced off in New York City a few weeks ago, for the right to represent North America at the Grand Finale in Milan, Italy, in 2020. In a series of short (10 minutes or less) conversations, he profiles this wildly talented and wonderfully diverse group.
You’ll hear the stories of chefs who are plying their trade in New Orleans and Los Angeles, Calgary and Vancouver, New York and Ottawa. You’ll hear from sous chefs and executive chefs; those who work in restaurants and those who work in country clubs; those who are still in their home regions and those who moved to them from countries like Colombia and Italy. (The winner of the North American Semifinals, Chef Rafael Covarrubias, will be the featured guest on our next episode.)
S.Pellegrino is a promotional partner of Andrew Talks to Chefs.
Episode Guide
0 - 10:52 Intro
10:53 - 1:00:12 Pre-competition interviews (Jenny Dorsey, Yoann Therer, Camila Olarte, Kathryn Ferries, Francesco Di Marzio)
1:00:13 - 1:03:03 Show notes and updates
1:03:04 - 1:39:10 Post-competition interviews (Marvin Palomo, Jeremy Stephens, Vincent Gilliard, Garrett Martin)
1:39:11 - Wrap up
LINKS:
Andrew Talks to Chefs official Website
S.Pellegrino Young Chef Competition Website
Andrew drove out to Southold, NY, this summer to visit influential pastry chef Claudia Fleming at her North Fork Table & Inn. They spoke about Claudia's Italian-Irish upbringing, her early days as an aspiring dancer, her transition to restaurant work (starting in the front of the house), and ascension to opening pastry chef at Gramercy Tavern, where she inspired generations of colleagues. Claudia worked in such seminal restaurants as the original Jams, Tribeca Grill, and Union Square Cafe, all of which are discussed in detail, as is the reissue of her cookbook The Last Course, just published last week.
Joining Andrew for the intro this week is his colleague and neighbor Jeff Gordinier, food & drinks editor of Esquire magazine, whose 2019 Best New Restaurants list recently debuted. Jeff shares his extensive selection process, as well as some highlights from the list.
Episode guide:
1:25 - 33:40 Intro with Esquire magazine food & drinks editor Jeff Gordinier
33:40 - 1:28:10 Claudia Fleming, part 1
1:28:40 - 1:39:28 More with Jeff Gordinier (mid-Show break)
1:39:28 - 2:10:10 - Claudia Fleming, part 2
2:10:10 Wrap up with Jeff Gordinier
Links:
Andrew Talks to Chefs official website
North Fork Table & Inn (Claudia's restaurant & inn)
The Last Course (Claudia's book)
Esquire's Best New Restaurants 2019
Hungry (Jeff Gordinier's latest book)
Please tell a friend about Andrew Talks to Chefs and/or rate/review us on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks for listening!
[photo of Claudia Fleming by Eric Striffler]
A fun episode for both professional cooks and chefs, and "civilian" food geeks alike: Christine Muhlke, co-curator and writer of the new Phaidon book Signature Dishes That Matter, joins Andrew to kick around the notion of signature dishes, how she and her collaborators made their selections, and even some dishes that didn't make the cut. Joining them is acclaimed pastry chef Michael Laiskonis, currently of Recolte, and a food scholar in his own right.
The conversation ranges from the 1600s to 2018, from street food to haute cuisine, from nouvelle to New American, and touches on chefs ranging from Claudia Fleming to Wolfgang Puck, Paul Bocuse to David Chang, Alice Waters to Dan Barber.
Special thanks to Benno restaurant for hosting this conversation.
Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
Whitney Otawka, whom some listeners might remember from her stint on Top Chef, just released a new cookbook, The Saltwater Table, based on her exploration and interpretation of the terroir of Georgia's Cumberland Island. It's a fascinating read, and Whitney's story--she grew up as a wannabe archeologist in Southern California, discovered cooking in a first job in a two-person kitchen in Berkeley, and flowered as a chef after moving to Athens, Georgia--is compelling, to say the least.
In our second interview, Andrew visits with husband-and-wife chef-restaurateurs Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz of San Francisco's hit restaurant Noosh. They share the story of how they met and how their stories and sensibilities--one's a lifelong cook, the other a career-changer--complement one another, and how Noosh came to be.
Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
Andrew welcomes one of the founders of modern Israeli cuisine, Erez Komarovsky, to New York City, where he recently opened his first US restaurant, Mint Kitchen. The two discuss Komarovsky's culinary awakening in Tel Aviv, his development in Paris and San Francisco, and his storied, multifaceted career in Israel.
In our second interview, Andrew visits with Nicholas Stefanelli of Washington DC's Masseria and Officina. They track how Stefanelli migrated from baseball to fashion to cooking, the similarities and differences between the two sides of his heritage (Italian and Greek), food history and its place in contemporary dining, and restaurant management.
Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
After a long hiatus, Andrew Talks to Chefs is back with two interviews featuring chefs at the forefront of the New York City dining scene: First, Andrew sits down with Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli of the red-hot, red-sauce-inspired Don Angie, which draws on their shared and distinct Italian-American heritage and myriad New York City influences. Then, he catches up with Victoria Blamey (whom you already met in a deep-dive, late-night interview in Episode 9), who recently took the helm at the legendary Gotham Bar and Grill.
Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
While in Milan, Ohio, to partiticpate in a dinner at The Culinary Vegetable Institute at The Chef's Garden, Andrew grabbed the opportunity to interview one of his favorite people in the industry, the CVI's Executive Chef & Chef Liaison Jamie Simpson. Hear the story of how this young chef found his way to a unique six-year (and counting) stint at one of the most esteemed farms in the world, and what the the rewards of flowing to to the rhythms of a working farm are. Then, meet Jamie's kitchen team, a passionate group of chefs of varying ages and lengths of tenure who share a common enthusiasm for their surroundings and teammates.
Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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As he readies his new restaurant Pasjoli for a fall debut, Dave Beran--who's already enjoying great success in Santa Monica, California, at Dialogue--takes us back through his life and career, from his formative days in Upstate New York and Michigan, to his early kitchen years at Alinea and Next (he served as chef de cuisine at both) to his decision to migrate to the West Coast. A far-ranging conversation about education, creativity, and finding one's professional home and wheelhouse.
Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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This week, Andrew sits down with two chefs who have gone their own way: Rōze Traore, who's part of the kitchen team at Eleven Madison Park and also stages pop-ups and private dinners around the world, and has a second career as a model, epitomizing the emerging avenues available to a young chef today. And Jose Arroyo, of Ontario, California, who served in the miliary and trained in culinary school, then decided to pursue a more mainstream career, out of the spotlight but no less devoted to delivering quality work.
It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have brand new member gifts available. So snag your favorite new pizza - themed tee shirt or enamel pin today and show the world how much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate
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There are no hotter restaurants in New York City right now than Cote and Frenchette, and on this week's episode, we've got the chefs behind both of them: David Shim, the soft-spoken but intensely exacting chef of Cote tells Andrew how and why he gave up aspirations of professional soccer to pursue a pro cooking career, and how he went about designing the food for Cote's unique, modern take on a Korean steakhouse. Then, Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, the dynamic duo who brought their culinary vision to life at Frenchette, take us all the way back to their early days working for Daniel Boulud and as opening chefs for such landmark New York restaurants as Balthazar. As if that weren't enough, Esquire magazine's food and drinks editor Jeff Gordinier joins Andrew to help introduce these chefs, and to talk about his brand new book, Hungry. This is a special one--at least we think it is--enjoy!
It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have brand new member gifts available. So snag your favorite new pizza - themed tee shirt or enamel pin today and show the world how much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate.
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The wonderfully creative soul behind Dana's Bakery, Dana Pollack, left a successful career as a photo editor in pursuit of something more fulfilling. She attended culinary school, decided restaurant kitchens weren't for her, and began fashioning unconventional macaroons and other baked goods that have made her (mostly mail order) company a rousing success. Her story is one of career changing and finding an unconventional path in an ever-more-challenging industry. She and Andrew discuss what inspired her, how she went about pursuing it, and how she continues to tweak what her bakery offers even today.
It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have brand new member gifts available. So snag your favorite new pizza - themed tee shirt or enamel pin today and show the world how much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate.
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Our 2nd LIVE show took place last week at San Francisco Cooking School and it was a blast: Oakland-based chef Preeti Mistry joined Andrew to talk about everything from how one's identity is inevitably reflected in their food to the politics of the modern restaurant scene to her early tendencies toward the theatrical. In the second segment, a quintet of current and former Zuni Cafe chefs (Nate Norris, Quang Nguyen, Gail Pirie, John Clark, and Brandon Jew) discuss the legacy of the late Judy Rodgers, one of the most influential figures in contemporary American cuisine.
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An intersection of the classic and contemporary defines today's episode: First up: Last week, Andrew made a pilgrimage to the legendary, three-Michelin-star Inn at Little Washington where the singular visionary Patrick O'Connell has been lording over his dream restaurant, inn, and other properties since 1978. While there, the two sat down for a revelatory conversation that has had Andrew's head spinning in all the best ways ever since. Then, we turn our attention to Los Angeles, and Lincoln Carson's new Arts District restaurant Bon Temps, which just debuted. Lincoln and Andrew have known each other since 1993, but hadn't seen each other for a quarter-century, so not only cover Lincoln's life and career (until recently, mostly focused on pastry) but also to shared memories of industry friends and restaurants from over the years.
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Two titans of the food world are the focus of this week's episode. First up, an Open Kitchen (non-chef) interview with Ed Levine, founder of Serious Eats and author of the new book Serious Eater: A Food Lover's Perilous Quest for Pizza and Redemption. And, from the Chef's Roll Anti-Convention in April, we are thrilled to present a tribute to legendary chef Jeremiah Tower, subject of the recent documentary The Last Magnificent, and creator of Stars and other restaurants. In addition to catching up with Jeremiah himself, Andrew spoke with 6 Stars alumni--Clark Frasier, Mark Gaier, Bruce Hill, Jule and Steve Vranian, and Lisa Sheehan--to gather their memories of working for him.
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A never-before-aired, recently rediscovered interview with Anthony Bourdain, whom we lost a year ago this week. On April 29, 2014, Tony was kind and generous enough to sit down over lunch with Andrew for a two-part conversation, covering everything from his early days as a cook to his transition to a writer and television icon, to coping with fame, meeting his idols, how the industry has changed over the years, and speaking his mind. Originally recorded for print use in a busy restaurant, the audio quality isn't world class (though we've doctored it to the best of our abilities), here's a rare chance to hear approximately 90 "new" minutes with one of the most influential and transformative figures the industry has ever known, in a very casual, relaxed dialogue. Hope it helps listeners remember a peak career moment in his life. Special thanks to Julia Sexton--a cook-turned-writer/editor who was inspired by Bourdain (as we all were)--for joining Andrew for the introduction. We encourage you to listen to Andrew and Julia's recollections and observations; actual interview begins about 33 minutes in. Cook free or die!
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Four interviews, all recorded outdoors in the splendor of Santa Monica at the recent Los Angeles Chef Conference: Spago's Della Gossett; Providence's Michael Cimarusti; Laura Avery and Meredith Bell on the legendary Santa Monica Farmer's Market; and Brooke Williamson of Playa Provisions, The Tripel, Hudson House Bar, and TV's Top Chef. Plus a conversation on the origins of the festival and the world of chef recruiting with festival founder Brad Metzer. This will be our last anthology episode for a while; please enjoy!
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As Bâtard (his collaboration with John Winterman and Drew Nieporent) turns 5-years old, and he settles into a new phase of shepherding two restaurants (he's also executive chef of Keith McNaly's Augustine), Markus Glocker sits down with Andrew to discuss his old-school European training, how he takes flavor to the brink even in traditional recipes, and his time working for such legends as Gordon Ramsay and the late Charlie Trotter. Hear how this self-described classicist makes his preferred style of food relatable for a modern clientele.
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* This episode originally aired on our former host network; Andrew Talks to Chefs is now an independent podcast please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.*
Two big winners at last week's James Beard Foundation Awards join Andrew on this week's show: Kwame Onwuachi of Kith and Kin in Washington, DC, and author of the new book Notes from a Young Black Chef, who was named Rising Star Chef; and Kelly Fields of Willa Jean in New Orleans, Louisiana, who was named Outstanding Pastry Chef. Both open up dramatically, both about their own lives and about a societal issues they and the industry grapple with every day.
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Raised as a "bar baby" by his devoted jazz musician father and just-as-loving mother, it might have seemed that Milton Abel II was destined for a life onstage himself. But after a period of self-discovery, this Kansas City native found his way to the professional kitchen, eventually settling on pastry and rising to the top of such world-renowned kitchens as The French Laundry, Per Se, and Noma. Today, he's a partner in the Copenhagen bakery and coffee roastery Andersen and Maillard and the subject of a new short film, "That's My Jazz," which recently debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. While he was in town to attend the festival, Milton sat down with Andrew to explore some topics not addressed in the film, and expand on those that are.
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Andrew took his podcasting gear on the road again (this is getting to be a habit) and recorded interviews with 5 participating chefs at the recent Chef’s Roll Anti-Convention in San Diego, California, earlier this month. This 3-hour episode should keep you entertained through our between-season break: Listen at your leisure to intimate conversations with LA’s Nyesha Arrington; Boston’s Barbara Lynch; Napa’s Ken Frank; San Diego’s own Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins; and Modernist Cuisine’s Francisco Migoya. See you in May with a new roster of guests for the spring and summer!
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A rare food-focused episode of the pod, featuring two of the preeminent pizza specialists working in the United States today: US-born Dan Richer of Jersey City's Razza and Italian-born Daniele Uditi of Brentwood's Pizzana. While Daniele was on the East Coast to collaborate on a special dinner with Dan, the two took time out from their preparations to sit down with Andrew and talk about how they found their way to pizza-making, what makes their individual approaches distinct, and the obsessiveness their work demands.
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Not many people can lay claim to having shaped the restaurant world that we dine in today, but Michael McCarty is surely one of them. As his masterpiece, Michael's Santa Monica, prepares to celebrate its 40th Anniversary with a special dinner later this month, Andrew sat down with this visionary (featured on the cover of Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll) to discuss his original vision for the restaurant, the innovations he introduced there (nightly staff meetings!); how American food moves forward in "baby steps," his double-edged relationship with France; and the restaurant-theater connection.
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Pull up a chair at the table in the window and join Andrew as he gets to know Clare de Boer and Jess Shadbolt, the British-born team behind the ever-changing menu at downtown Manhattan's wonderfully received Kings restaurant. The kitchen collaborators share their approach to honing the restaurant's culinary style, how they've managed growth and evolution, and the highs and lows of their first years in business. A casual, open hour of shop talk with two of the more successful young cooks (their preferred word) in New York City.
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A great many professional cooks and chefs shifted to the kitchen after one or more earlier careers. On this episode, we speak to two women whose stories exemplify the possibilities available if you can muster the courage to make a change: Alycia Matthews is a New Jersey-based engineer whose love of cooking was so persistent that after years of wrestling with the impulse, she began attending culinary school in her late 30s, and will graduate the Institute of Culinary Education this May. (Her story is also presented on her blog at foodieengineer.com.) Patty Nusser shifted twice in her life: first from computer programming to professional cooking (she was a sous chef at Babbo) and then from New York City kitchens to private cheffing. If you harbor a dream, or just enjoy hearing how people took a leap of faith and succeeded ... this episode is for you.
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We're not sure what the odds are of two Nashville chefs turning up in New York City on the same day, but somehow they did, and we were lucky to book them both for back-to-back interview sessions. First up: Chopped judge and prolific chef and restaurateur Maneet Chauhan takes us through her life and career, from her Indian childhood to her culinary training at the Culinary Institute of America to chef gigs in Chicago and the Tri-State area and ultimately to a home and success in Nashville. Then Andy Little narrates his singular career, which took him from Pennsylvania Dutch country to the Inn at Little Washington to other jobs before ultimately settling in Nashville and opening Josephine restaurant, currently in its fifth year. (Special thanks to The Mermaid Inn for providing us a space for these interviews.)
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Last weekend, an international who's who of chefs gathered in the City of Brotherly Love for the 6th Annual Philly Chef Conference. In between speaking gigs, Andrew was fortunate to sit down with some of the chefs who are making huge dents in the culinary universe right now. They are (in alphabetical order): Mashama Bailey of the Grey in Savannah, GA (recently the subject of a Chef's Table profile); Katie Button of Cúrate and Button & Co in Asheville, NC; Genevieve Gergis, co-owner & pastry chef of Bestia and Bavel in Los Angeles, CA; Christina Nguyen co-owner and chef of Hai Hai and Hola Arepa in Minneapolis, MN; and Matt Orlando of Amass in Copenhagen. Each of these roughly 30-minute conversations gives a glimpse into what makes each of these chefs tick, and what makes their restaurants so singularly important. And we have a Pennsylvania bonus: John & Sukey Jamison of the legendary Jamison Farm in Latrobe, PA, drove down to visit with Andrew and discuss their recently published memoir Coyotes in the Pasture and Wolves at the Door. We suggest you treat this episode as the anthology that it is and listen to individual interviews at your leisure, or spend an afternoon taking them all in together.
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After honing his style in pop-ups for three years, Chef Nico Russell opened his Oxalis restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, about 12 weeks ago. On the day after he was inducted into Star Chefs' Rising Stars for New York, Class of 2019, we are delighted to run this conversation with a talent Andrew agrees is one to watch in the coming weeks and months. They get into how Nico's family kitchen--blending Mexican and Filipino influences--growing up influenced his palate, why he's attracted to French cuisine, and the enduring lessons of the pop-up life. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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While in New York City to collaborate on a special dinner with her pal Sara Jenkins at Porsena, Cathy Whims made some time to visit with us, and man are we glad she did. This modest chef from Portland, Oregon (originally from North Carolina where she initially wanted to be a dancer) has been honing her touch with traditional Italian food there since the early 1980s. Her personal story and point of view compel, as do her recollections of the American chef revolution during her formative years. This one has a little bit of everything. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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In the quiet town of Chester, Connecticut, in a former bank building on Main Street, Chef-Owner Joel Gargano--who trained under Jonathan Benno at Lincoln Ristorante in New York City--is turning out sublime and refined spins on classic Italian cuisine at his Grano Arso. Andrew recently (and accidentally) braved a ""snow squall"" to dine at the restaurant and interview Joel. The chef has a compelling story--the son of a baker who found his calling in the pro kitchen and developed his skills and early repertoire--of all places--cheffing for a corporate cafeteria for five years. After his time in New York City, including a teaching stint at the Institute of Culinary Education, he returned to his home state and rolled the dice, raising the money to open Grano Arso. Fourteen months in, the restaurant is a smash success and Joel shares the stories, and lessons learned so far with refreshing honesty. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Angela Dimayuga's gift for weaving art, culture, politics, and locality into restaurant food & spaces inspired Standard International to create a new position for her in 2018. As the company's Creative Director of Food & Culture, Dimayuga--who first drew attention as Executive Chef of Mission Chinese Food in New York City--is taking a fresh look at all aspects of existing Standard restaurants and food programs, and helping shape them in upcoming projects such as a planned hotel in London. She shares the origins of her interest in cooking as a child in San Jose, California, as well as the first stirrings of her artistic and musical interests, her move to New York City and early jobs, such as a formative one at Brooklyn's Vinegar Hill House. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Good day, from the 11th Annual Cayman Cookout. In this star-studded, revelation-packed, 4-interview compilation recorded at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, some of the most celebrated chefs on the planet join Andrew for intimate conversations: Le Bernardin's Eric Ripert talks about how practicing Buddhism and living in New York City have affected him as a chef; Dominique Crenn shares details of her tomboy youth, including her willingness to take on bullies, by force when necessary; Emeril Lagasse, Amanda Cohen & Andrew Zimmern trade shop talk on the relative value of lawyers vs. agents, how to spot a bad business deal, and the importance of putting food in cultural & historical context; and Nancy Silverton takes us through her storied career, from her early days in 1970s California, to two new projects planned for 2019 & 2020. And it all takes place against a majestic setting worthy of a James Bond movie. Pour yourself some rum and enjoy! Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Season 5 of Andrew Talks to Chefs kicks off with our action-packed, first-ever LIVE production from the Brooklyn Podcast Festival! Tom Colicchio joins Andrew on stage for a one-on-one conversation covering everything from his culinary point of view to the origins of Craft restaurants and Top Chef to his social advocacy and political outspokenness to why he doesn't dig sous vide. Then chefs Greg Baxtrom (Olmsted), Alan Harding (Gowanus Yacht Club, et al), and Alex Raij (La Vara, Saint Julivert) participate in a Brooklyn--Then & Now rap session. Plus, Caitlin meets the audience for a trivia contest, the Brooklyn-based band FaTHERS performs our theme music in person, and Georgia chef and former Top Chef judge Hugh Acheson joins Andrew in studio to introduce the show. Let's get this 2019 party started! Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Pastry chef Bill Yosses has found more gears in his career than most chefs could imagine. From his early days at the four-star Bouley in New York City, to gigs at such landmarks as Tavern on the Green, to his years at the White House to his current role as pastry chef of The Four Seasons and chef of the much-lauded Broadway production of Network. Andrew and Bill sat down on a rainy Sunday in New York to go through it all—enjoy our last show of the year, with this great conversationalist and talent.
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After spending about 20 years in New York City, and making a name for himself at his Brooklyn restaurants Seersucker, Nightingale 9, and Wilma Jean (among others), Arkansas native Rob Newton returned to the South and took over the kitchen at Gray & Dudley in Nashville, Tennessee. While back in town for Heritage’s annual holiday gala, Rob made time to join Andrew for lunch and an interview. They discuss modern Southern food, how it feels to return to the South after so long in New York, and talk a little about Rob’s forthcoming debut cookbook.
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How did a British-born chef, who spent most of his career in the United States, end up cooking his own distinct take on the food of Oaxaca in Washington, DC? To find out, Andrew sat down with Robert Aikens while he was in New York City to cook a James Beard House dinner. Robert took us through his fascinating beginnings (his twin brother Tom is also a chef), his move the the States, and the wide variety of jobs he’s held here, from private chef to cheffing for exclusive private clubs, to a brief return to the UK before committing to the US for good.
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In this time of giving, Andrew sits down with Alex Harris, the executive chef of Emma’s Torch, a not-for-profit Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, restaurant and school that teaches refugees English language and culinary skills in a fully functioning restaurant, then helps place them in jobs. It turns out that Alex’s life and career—he went to engineering school and was once on a lucrative career path in the pharmaceutical industry before working for companies like Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group—were the perfect preparation for his current, unique position.
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A former model and corporate executive, driven to introspection after a natural disaster, resolves to move from her native Thailand to New York City and become a chef. That’s the improbable, and improbably successful, journey of Chef Hong Thaimee, who now presides over a number of Thai restaurants in New York City, with dreams of conquering the world “one pad Thai at a time.” Hong shares her story with Andrew, painting us a verbal picture of her Chiang Mai childhood, first days in New York City, education at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Spice Market restaurant, and adventures as an entrepreneur in a strange land. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Take a break from the madness of the holiday season, throw on a life vest, and join Andrew and Chef Kerry Heffernan as they chat on board Grand Banks, a restaurant situated on a converted boat docked off lower Manhattan. Kerry takes us through his career, from his days as a New York City line cook working for such legends as David Bouley, to his time in France with a fellow, then-unknown whisk named Tom Colicchio (who turned him on to fishing) to becoming a chef in his own right. Along the way, they discuss sustainability, changes in the profession (including the very definition of “chef”), and the intersection of cooking and politics. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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From a retrofitted train car in San Antonio, Texas, chef/owners Diego Galicia and Rico Torres turn out some of the most exciting, constantly changing Mexican food in the United States today. While in New York City to cook their third James Beard House dinner, the pair sat down with Andrew to discuss how they met and became co-chefs and business partners, their approach to menu development and collaboration, and their next project. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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The duo behind one of the hottest restaurants in the country—San Francisco’s Che Fico—join Andrew for today’s interview. Executive Chef David Nayfeld and Pastry Chef Angela Pinkerton hailed from very different backgrounds when they met working at Eleven Madison Park in New York City. But the two became friends and stayed in touch, even when David moved back to the West Coast. They’ve come together at the Italian restaurant Che Fico, which was selected for both Bon Appetit’s Hot List and Esquire magazine’s Best New Restaurants in 2018. In addition to getting the story behind this of-the-moment restaurant, this interview, recorded several weeks ago, poignantly underscores the volatility of today’s restaurant industry as the team’s follow-up dinette and bakery, Theorita is sadly scheduled to shutter in about a week. But Che Fico rolls on, and is the main focus of this episode. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
Few chefs can lay claim to being true pioneers in their field but legendary pastry chef Jim Dodge is certainly one of them. Once the pastry chef of the storied Stanford Court Hotel in San Francisco, Jim made desserts his specialty long before it was common for most restaurants to have a dedicated pastry chef. In his role, he helped elevate classic American desserts to new heights, just as his contemporaries on the hot line were doing the same for savory food. While in Boston to speak together at Boston University, Jim and Andrew sat down to go through Jim's career, his early remembrances of such figures as Julia Child and James Beard, and his distinct views on his craft. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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In My Blood is the title of chef Bo Bech’s stunning and singular new book, and it’s an apt description of the man himself. Bo sat down with Andrew this week to discuss his book, which tells the story—in words, watercolors, photographs, and recipes—of his Copenhagen restaurant Geist. The interview is as unique as the man and his book, full of culinary and philosophical revelations, vivid descriptions, passion—plus an examination of the life lessons of the Rumble in the Jungle. (To order Bo’s books, visit ChefBoBech.com.) Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Swedish chef Magnus Nilsson supplements his groundbreaking, deeply personal cuisine at Fäviken with scholarly books like his newly published Nordic Baking Book, recently out from Phaidon. Magnus sat down with Andrew in New York City to discuss his goal with the book, which like his previous Nordic Cook Book, is not a collection of Fäviken recipes, but rather a thoughtful and thorough gathering and examination of crucial Nordic recipes and the culture of baking in the Nordic region. (Magnus has referred to the project in writing as a documentary.) They also discuss milestones of his professional career and some of the philosophies and practices that have helped Fäviken rise to its place in the international scene. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Not many chefs can boast a degree in Russian language and literature, but that was just one of the many accomplishments Tanya Holland achieved before gravitating to chefdom and gaining acclaim at her beloved Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland. While in Brooklyn for Star Chefs, Tanya found an hour to relate her journey from academia to the culinary arts; how her parents’ inclusive worldview helped shaped her own trajectory; her abiding interest in politics and diplomacy; and the ups and downs of running (and relocating) a restaurant. Fun fact: Tanya is also our third guest of the fall who appeared on Top Chef Season 15. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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On the heels of his recent victory on Food Network Star, Christian Petroni--the culinary and personality force behind a quintet of Fortina restaurants in New York and Connecticut--sits down with Andrew to share the story behind his successful Italian-American restaurant group, recall autumn hunting trips with his father and brothers, and get into the perhaps surprising role French and Spanish food have played in his life and career. Great stories and unfiltered honesty make this a special conversation that we love. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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In the three-and-a-half years since opening her Centrolina restaurant in Washington, DC, Amy Brandwein has earned rave reviews and a devoted following (she was also the subject of an article by Melissa Clark last month in the New York Times). It’s an extra-remarkable accomplishment since Amy didn’t set her sights on chefdom until age 30, switching careers, and eventually homing in on Italian food. Andrew and Amy sat down recently to go over her story, from baking pies as a child to assimilating the Italian culinary mindset as an adult to developing her own strongly held convictions about authenticity as a chef. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Chef Miles Thompson grew up on the East Coast of the United States with dreams of becoming an actor, but after he moved to California (and landed a movie role), he migrated to the pro kitchen. He first drew attention at Allumette restaurant, then left LA, returning about two years ago to take over the kitchen of Michael’s Santa Monica (the restaurant featured on the cover of Andrew’s recent book), and reinvigorated the nearly 40-year-old landmark with his state-of-the-art cuisine. Deceptively reserved in the dining room, at the podcast mics, Miles reveals himself to be a young chef of great confidence, thoughtfulness, and honesty with a wonderful culinary philosophy to share. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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John Currence doesn't hold back. From his politics to his convictions about Southern cuisine to his feelings about industry awards and what defines a chef, this Oxford, Mississippi-based chef/restaurateur/author/advocate lays it all out there. Who better to chat with the weekend before Election Day 2018? Andrew and "Johnny Snack" go deep and wide, touching on his earliest days as a cook, evolution as a chef, and his no-holds-barred opinions on myriad aspects of his chosen profession and of society at-large, the early days of the Southern Foodways Alliance, and more. A one-of-a-kind open, honest, and philosophical conversation. Give it a listen, and (if you're a US-based listener) VOTE on Tuesday, November 6!
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As he prepares to double his number of restaurants from 2 to 4 (and in the midst of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week), David DiBari--chef/owner of The Cookery and The Parlor in Dobbs Ferry, NY--sits down with Andrew to discuss his Upstate New York roots, his time cooking at Babbo and at David Bouley's Danube in Manhattan, and why he chooses to ply his trade in Westchester County. They also discuss his upcoming projects: a British-style eatery in Dobbs Ferry, and an upscale diner in Port Chester, NY. In between they get into the "criminal amount" of fun David has always found in the cooking trade, his love of culinary school, his surprising affection for classic French cuisine, and the importance of bringing his own personality to every project he takes on. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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[1]http://thecookeryrestaurant.com/chef-david-dibari/
[2]http://www.theparlordf.com/about-the-chef/
[3]http://thecookeryrestaurant.com/
A double-feature episode—Chefs Naomi Pomeroy and Pano Karatassos both have relatively new non-restaurant ventures in their lives. Naomi, based in Portland, Oregon, has opened—of all things—a flower shop. Why did this chef who already has a successful restaurant (Beast), bar (Expatriate), and cookbook (Taste & Technique) take on such a seemingly out-of-left-field enterprise? To find out, Andrew sat down with her at the shop, Colibri, for a free-flowing and wide-ranging conversation. Pano, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and known for his Greek seafood restaurant Kyma, just saw his first cookbook, Modern Greek Cooking, published. Andrew and Pano discuss his career (he came up cooking for Eric Ripert, Thomas Keller, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten) and the process of writing and producing one’s first cookbook. Two complementary interviews about how the chef’s mind and talents can be adapted to extra-kitchen pursuits. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Chef Fatima “Fati” Ali connected deeply with the culinary community earlier this month with her Bon Appetit essay where she shared the news that her cancer had retuned and been deemed terminal. The Top Chef Season 15 fan favorite wrote with stunning honesty and eloquence about her diagnosis, prognosis, and plans for the coming months—everything from a bucket-list global eating tour to making amends with people in her life. Though they’d never met, Andrew reached out to invite Fati on the pod, and she graciously accepted and the two sat down for a conversation about Fati’s life and career and how she’s coping with the challenge before her, as well as the incredible outpouring she’s received from the cook/chef population worldwide, and the lessons she’s gleaned from the past year. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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[1]http://www.bravotv.com/people/fatima-ali
[2]http://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/top-chef-season-15-contestant-fatima-ali-cancer-update-chemotherapy-complete-photo
[3]http://www.grubstreet.com/2018/10/top-chef-fatima-ali-cancer.html
Culinary degrees and kitchen experience don't always lead to chefdom. In this Open Kitchen episode, Chandra Ram, editor of PLATE magazine, shares her journey from her home state of Kentucky to the Culinary Institute of America to life as a working cook and consulting chef to her longstanding role as editor of PLATE magazine. A compeling story of where the cook's road can take you. (Chandra is also the author of the forthcoming The Complete Indian Instant Pot Cookbook: 130 Traditional and Modern Recipes.) Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
On the heels of the dinner he and Tony Mantuano threw for Andrew last week in Chicago, Spiaggia's executive chef Joe Flamm sat down for a deep-dive biographical interview. He shares it all: From his South Side childhood upbringing, to early jobs in unheralded neighborhood joints, to formative gigs working for Windy City chefs Stephanie Izzard, Art Smith, and Bill Kim, to his arrival and ascension at Spiagiga. He also details, from casting to winning, his triumphant turn on Top Chef Season 15. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
For three years, at Maude restaurant in Beverly HIlls, Justin Hilbert (who was elevated to Executive Chef by Chef-Owner Curtis Stone in April 2016) changed the menu monthly to celebrate a single ingredient. These days, the restaurant revamps itself quarterly to focus on a different wine region. What kind of chef does it take to pull off this periodic feat, and what toll does the commitment demand of the chef? Find out in this remarkably open conversation with Justin, who also recounts his first days in the pro kitchen, his time in New York restaurants such as WD-50 and Gwynnett Street, and his other creative interests. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Though born into a food-centric family (legendary cookbook editor mom; passionate homecook dad), Alex Guarnaschelli never imagined a life in the pro kitchen. But when she decided to give it a go just after graduating college, she never looked back. Known to most listeners as one of the judges on Food Network's Chopped, and as chef of Butter restaurant in New York City, Alex has a depth of kitchen experience that might surprise casual observers--she began her career working for a quartet of legends (Larry Forgione, Daniel Boulud, Guy Savoy, and Joachim Splichal), before becoming a chef in her own right. In this first meeting between herself and Andrew, Alex opens up about herself and her feelings about the profession. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Our fall season kicks off with one of the industry's true wunderkinds--Daniela Soto-Innes, chef de cuisine of Cosme and Atla in New York City, where she shares the singular style of Mexican cuisine she and Enrique Olvera have honed at these restaurants. (Daniela was a protege of Olvera's at Pujol restaurant in her native Mexico City.) Andrew and Daniela discuss her early start and quick ascension in the pro kitchen, why she decided to hone in on Mexican food, and what it was like building a restaurant from scratch in a space that was formerly a strip club in New York City. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Our Season 3 finale (or is it? listen to show intro for details about possible bonus episodes) takes us to Fausto, one of Brooklyn's best modern Italian restaurants, where Andrew recently caught up with Chef Erin Shambura. They kicked around her relatively late start in the pro kitchen (after earning a college degree), how and why she eventually gravitated to Italian food, and the evolution of her current professional home.
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You won't find a more thoughtful, reflective leader in today's restaurant world than Gabriel Kreuther. Andrew sat down with the chef in his eponymous New York City restaurant to discuss his humble beginnings on a farm in Alsace; his early distinction in a national apprentice competition; his love of New York City; and his very personal observations about teamwork, creativity, and creating an environment that is welcoming to all.
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On one of the hottest days of the summer, Andrew finds himself in a slump but old friend Bill Telepan, chef of Oceana restaurant in midtown Manhattan, pulls him out of it. The two of them, who collaborated on Bill's cookbook Inspired by Ingredients, discuss the trajectory of Bill's career from the kitchens of such restaurants as Gotham Bar and Grill and Le Bernardin to his own restaurants such as the eponymous Telepan, and his transition to seafood at Oceana. They get into his goals for the restaurant, the usefulness and complications of terms like "farm to table," and the different ways for chefs to find fulfillment in today's overcrowded field.
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How in the world did a guy who started off in top French kitchens such as Le Bernardin (at age 14!) end up co-founding a collection of restaurants like The Meatball Shop? In a remarkably open and honest conversation, Daniel Holzman takes us through the twists and turns of his young life and career and explains how he course-corrected to his current path. He and Andrew also go deep on a lot of frank talk about creativity and the restaurant industry. We love this episode and think you will, too.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Few toques have made the leap from pastry chef to executive chef, but Emma Bengtsson of Aquavit in New York City did it in grand style, earning rave reviews and two Michelin stars since taking over the restaurant's kitchen in 2014. Andrew recently visited with Emma at the restaurant to review her early days cooking in Sweden, her love-at-first-sight relationship with New York City, her management style, and how she navigated the transition to her current role.
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A first for the podcast: Andrew welcomes television's Phil Rosenthal, host of the Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, as our inaugural Open Kitchen (i.e., non-chef) guest. As listeners surely know, Phil--who created the legendary CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond--has a passion for food and travel, which he explores on his series. He's also an investor in roughly 25 restaurants, and an unabashed admirer of chefs and cooks. Over espressos at New York City's Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria, Andrew and Phil discuss the creative process, the allure of travel, and myriad other subjects. During the interview, Il Buco's chef Garrison Price emerges from the kitchen with an Italian breakfast, and a spontaneous, audio variation of Somebody Feed Phil breaks out. Enjoy the first of what will be a periodic offering on the show!
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One of the most accomplished chefs in the country returns to center stage this week as Jonathan Benno has just opened his Leonelli Taberna in New York City, the first of three planned Italian concepts he'll launch this year. Andrew, who's neighbors with Jonathan in the suburbs of Westchester County, paid him a visit during construction back in May to discuss the projects, the challenges of new openings, the first stirrings of his love of cooking and Italian food, and his time at such restaurants as Daniel and Craft, and as the opening chef of Per Se and then Lincoln Ristorante.
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After some emotionally draining weeks, Andrew & Caitlin dispense with their usual introductory chit-chat and get right to this week's interview: a fun and free-ranging conversation with Chef Marc Forgione recorded recently at his eponymous restaurant in lower Manhattan. Andrew and Marc discuss the blessing/curse of being the son of a legendary chef; his formative days cooking for chefs such as Paticia Yeo and Laurent Tourondel; the origins and development of his restaurants Marc Forgione (which turns 10 this month), American Cut, and Khe-Yo; and what "New York food" means to him. Oh, and they also get into the Forgione family's premonitory gifts (seriously).
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Andrew recently had a chance to sit down with Midwestern chefs of two generations: Chicago legend Tony Mantuano, who was instrumental in bringing authentic Italian food to the United States, and has done an admirable job of adjusting to the ever-changing times in stride; and Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite, who riff on Chinese food at their Milwaukee restaurant DanDan, and recently announced plans for a forthcoming French restaurant. Two very different and complementary conversations.
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The world lost one of the great representatives of the chef profession today with the tragic death of Anthony Bourdain. Andrew and Chef Bill Telepan got together to talk about this departed icon, and his influence on the industry and beyond. A quick, unedited commiseration on a very sad day. RIP Tony.
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A special double-header with one chef from the Catskills and one who cooks there today: Ruth Rogers of London’s iconic River Cafe joins us to discuss her path to the kitchen, the restaurant’s 30-year trajectory, and her new cookbook; then Ryan Tate shares the story of how he almost joined the Army before discovering the kitchen, moving from Michigan to Manhattan, and slowly developing his own deceptively simple style.
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In New York City, Andrew’s irked at the angle a restaurant critic adopted to review his book Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll in the New York Times. After he and Caitlin hash that out, we cut to a much happier scene: sun-drenched Los Angeles, where Andrew recently sat down with the super-talented Chef Timothy Hollingsworth of Otium restaurant, and before that, chef de cuisine of The French Laundry. Andrew and Tim have some history: Tim was the main character in Andrew’s book about the Bocuse d’Or competition in which Tim competed back in 2009. The two of them kick around Tim’s unique life and career (he spent most of his formative years—more than a decade—working at The French Laundry), his feelings about LA’s food scene, and other topics of life and work. An intimate conversation recorded in Tim’s LA home a few Saturdays ago.
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In what might quietly be one of our best interviews, Mary Sue Milliken--one half (with biz partner Susan Feniger) of TV’s legendary “Too Hot Tamales"--and one of the major characters in Andrew’s book Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll discusses cooking in LA; what a female-dominated industry might have looked like; her midwestern roots; and chefs and travel. Pull up a seat and listen in.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Chef JJ Johnson and Andrew are both very much on the go this spring as they promote their respective books. (Pro tip: Check out JJ's From Harlem to Heaven--it's wonderful!) But they found a few minutes to comandeer a table at The Mermaid Inn and catch up--comparing notes on the book writing/publishing/promotion experience, discussing JJ's exploration of the African diaspora in restaurants and writing, and kicking around JJ's new restaurant concept and how he's enjoying a break from the pro kitchen. Pull up a chair and join them for a fast-moving hour of shop talk.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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What's more fun than volleyball and as entertaining as a great summer read? Why, a podcast interview on the beach, of course. When Andrew met Suzanne Tracht, chef-owner of JAR restaurant, at the Santa Monica Farmers' Market recently, Suzanne suggested they have their conversation on the mostly deserted beach. The two of them commandeered a lifeguard tower and got to it, discussing Suzanne's kosher upbringing in Arizona, her migration to the pro kitchen and to California, the genesis and evolution of her beloved restaurant (now in its 18th year), and how she stays current while also honoring her longtime regulars. Lay down a towel, kick off your flip-flops, and join them.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Maybe it's because they have Florida in common, or maybe because they both write, or maybe it's something more simple and special than that, but Andrew has always felt a kinship with Chef Norman Van Aken, who's been making his mark on Florida dining since his his first at-bats in Key West in the early 1980s. Norman recently welcomed Andrew to Miami to help him promote Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll at Norman's new cooking school, In the Kitchen with Norman Van Aken, and his beautiful new Downtown Miami restaurant, named Three. During the visit, the two sat down at one of Norman's favorite hangs, Palacio de los Jugos, and gabbed about Florida, cooking, writing, and Norman's great career over lunch.
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From '21' to the dear, departed Windows on the World, to his current longtime home at Porter House Bar and Grill, Chef Michael Lomonaco has made a career of finding new registers in the classics of American cuisine. Andrew sat down with his good friend (they collaborated on a book years ago) to discuss the trajectory of Michael's career, how he finds creative expression and satisfaction in the traditional mode he cooks in, and the very personal Italian-American influence that's found its way into his menu in recent years.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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At his restaurants Zahav, Abe Fisher, Dizengoff, Rooster Soup Company, Goldie and others, Philadelphia-based chef and restaurateur Mike Solomonov has established himself as the standard-bearer of modern Jewish/Israeli cuisine. While at the Philly Chef Conference recently, Andrew and Mike borrowed a conference room for an impromptu rap session about what it means to be Jewish in the industry, the pitfalls of modern communication, where new restaurant ideas come from, and the secrets behind Philadelphia’s burgeoning restaurant scene (hint: it’s a good place for cooks to live).
Here’s a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it’s free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple’s podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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At Williamsburg's popular Four Horsemen, Chef Nick Curtola brings a young lifetime of experience to bear in creating a concise but diverse menu that complements the restaurant's thoughtful wine program. The resulting offerings draw a steady steam of both civilian and industry diners. Nick shares the path that led him here, including his Bay Area childhood, time spent cooking in Italy, and at Franny's in New York, and his thoughts on menu development, collaboration, and management.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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At Shuka restaurant in downtown Manhattan, chef Ayesha Nurdjaja subtly makes Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine her own. Over coffee one recent morning, she and Andrew kicked around her unique approach to her culinary education, favoring time spent in home kitchens around the world. She also shares a lot about her Brooklyn upbringing and her path to the professional kitchen after considering careers in gemology and music.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Bruce Marder is the first chef named in Andrew's brand new book Chefs, Drugs, and Rock & Roll. But he's far from a household name, despite the fact that his long-departed West Beach Cafe is legendary, and that he currently co-owns and operates a handful of successful LA-area restaurants, including Capo and the forthcoming Red Rooster. When Andrew's recent flight home from LA got canceled, he suddenly found himself crashing at the home of Bruce and his wife Shelly, and the two sat down for an interview on a sunny Saturday afternoon in the couple's home kitchen. They discuss Bruce's still-burning passion for cooking, his next restaurant, and how he feels about his place in American chef history.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Greg Prochel presides over one of the hottest kitchens of 2018 at his Ferris Restaurant in New York City. Greg and Andrew borrowed a room in MADE, the hotel that houses the restaurant, and interviewed there recently, going over Greg's early life and career (he switched from finance), stints at Eleven Madison Park and Blanca, and eventually his own chef gig at Le Turtle and now Ferris. In addition to how his distinct style evolved, Greg shares his personal thoughts on everything from kitchen management to his workout scheudule to his love of music in and out of the kitchen.
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For a career-changer, Chef Angie Mar's ascent in the chef world has been nothing short of astounding. Andrew swung by her stylish, wildly successful West Village restaurant The Beatrice Inn to get her story, from her Seattle upbringing to her life as a real estate agent in Los Angeles to her decision to chuck it all and jump into the pro kitchen. They also discuss the unique culture and rituals behind the scenes at The Beatrice Inn and how she went about buying the business and making it into the huge success it's become.
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Claire Welle, the chef of Otway restaurant in Brooklyn, NY, has been drawing a lot of attention lately for her straightforward, relatable bistro menu, tweaked just enough to make it enduringly personal. She and Andrew took up a booth one morning last week during the prep day at Otway and talked over her young life and career; her views on teamwork, collaboration, and chemistry; how the current "cook's market" impacts contemporary pro kitchens; her opinion of cooking schools; and a lot more. (We think this is a wonderful companion interview to our preceding episode with Charlie Palmer).
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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The great American chef Charlie Palmer sat down with Andrew the other day at the top of the Archer Hotel in Midtown Manhattan to talk over his life and career, from The River Cafe to Aureole to his collection of restaurants on both coasts of the United States. During this free-ranging interview, they also discuss the relevancy of sports to cooking; teamwork in the kitchen; and how he keeps things fresh after all this time. (Note: This is a wonderful companion interview to our next episode, with Claire Welle.)
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As she was giddy with excitement at the prospect of decamping New York City for a Mexican adventure, Andrew joined Hillary Sterling one morning in the Vic's dining room for some shop talk--they kicked around the special allure travel holds for chefs, the value of a chef having worked in the front of house, the importance of sound cues in the kitchen, chef as teacher, and more. A fun and freewheeling conversation with a quick, witty, reflective chef.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Loring Place chef-owner Dan Kluger first became known to New York CIty restaurant-goers as the chef of ABC Kitchen, where he announced himself with a dynamic, vegetable-forward style that's among the best of its class anywhere in the United States. But this modest chef's backstory is deep, and punctuated by time with industry legends: He learned alongside Floyd Cardoz, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Tom Colicchio. A fellow resident of Westchester County, Dan swung by Andrew's house on the way into Manhattan one recent morning for a chat about his life and career, and some thoughts on the value and challenges of keeping it simple.
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If there's such a thing as an epic podcast interview, this is it: Chef Hooni Kim's story spans three continents ... before the age of ten. From there, it's a long journey to the professional kitchen, and then to discovering who he was on the plate, which he sprung on the New York City dining public, first at Danji and then at Hanjan, where he offers his own personal take on Korean cuisine. Along the way, he did time at medical school (including a harrowing ER story), in the demanding ktichens of Daniel and Masa, and along the way became an accidental television star in his native Korea. This is a long one, but we thought it was worth every minute. Just settle in and enjoy.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Andrew Talks to Chefs kicks off its second season with the chef of Andrew's favorite restaurant of the moment, Missy Robbins of Lilia in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. From a corner table at the restaurant, the two discuss Missy's culinary and personal journey to a place that so naturally expresses her ideas of Italian food and hospitality, as well as her recent and very revealing book Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ... Life. Along the way, Missy shares her memories of working for Charlie Trotter in Chicago (her very daunting first kitchen gig) and for Tony Mantuano at Spiaggia, as well as learning to love Brooklyn, the unique challenges of an open kitchen, and the value of significant time away from pro cooking.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Andrew finds himself torn at the outset of our Season 1 finale. On the one hand, he has a hugely entertaining guest--chef/author/podcaster/personality Richard Blais. On the other, this is the week that one of the biggest chefs in the country left the spotlight after a slew of sexual harassment allegations. So Andrew and Caitlin try to make sense of that news and how a (male) writer can help, then abruptly shift gears to celebrate the season and dive into Andrew's interview with Richard. The two of them discuss just about everything, from Richard's Long Island childhood, to his time working at The French Laundry, Daniel, and el Bulli, to opening his own places, and finding stardom on Top Chef. They also compare notes on podcasting (Richard's Starving for Attention debuted just a few months before this show), cookbook writing, and pre-video game entertainment.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Los Angeles’s chef Curtis Stone joins us for a special bonus episode to discuss the coming format change at his Beverly Hills hit Maude, which will switch to a wine-region-inspired tasting menu in late January. (The first region he’s exploring: Rioja!) Curtis discusses the reason for the change, and the recent research trip he and his team took to Spain and how the inspiration they found there will find its way back to the restaurant. In this season of giving, we also look at his restaurant group’s unique philanthropic philosophy, especially their recent partnership with Chrysalis, which matches people who need a second chance (e.g., those who’ve spent time in prison or are homeless) through jobs.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate/review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Our first twofer! Chef Michael White, the force behind Marea, Ai Fiori, Osteria Morini, and other modern classics, tells us how he morphed from an offensive tackle from Beloit, Wisconsin, into one of the best practitioners of Italian cuisine in the world. And Philip Tessier, a young veteran of the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group who won a long-coveted silver medal for the United States at the international Bocuse d'Or competition, takes us inside his triumph and talks about his beautiful new book Chasing Bocuse, which tells the story of the competition and the USA's decades-long road to the podium. Andrew coauthored Michael's cookbook Classico e Moderno and wrote his own book about the Bocuse d'Or, Knives at Dawn, so brings his own point of view to both of these interviews.
Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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Just six months ago, Elise Kornack was the chef and co-owner of one of the most unique tasting menu restaurants in the world, Brooklyn's 12-seat, Michelin-starred jewel box Take Root. Today, she's enjoying a breather in her new home in the woods of Saugerties, New York, two hours north of the big city, where she's been reflecting on her life and career and plotting her next professional chapter. Andrew recently threw his mics and recording equipment into his trunk and drove up to spend a Sunday with Elise and check in on her state of mind and future goals. She shared some previously guarded details about her reasons for shuttering Take Root and took us through the evolution she made as a young woman from artist to line cook to chef. Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on iTunes or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or review us on Apple's podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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As his newest restaurant, Marcus B&P in Newark, New Jersey, came to life around him, Marcus Samuelsson took an hour to sit with Andrew (who was his publicist back in the 1990s) and reflect on his career: How he picks his next projects, divides his time, and what’s changed in the pro kitchen in the quarter century since he came to the United States. He also tells us all about the process of opening a new restaurant in a new city for the first time. A personal session with one of the most visible chefs in the United States today.
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Our first season just keeps getting better and better as one of the most acclaimed chefs on the planet, Massimo Bottura of Modena's Osteria Francescana, drops in to talk about his new book Bread is Gold. The book tells the story of his ambitious project at the 2015 Milan Expo where he brought 65 chefs from around the world together to show highly creative ways to use past-their-prime ingredients and minimize food waste. We also talk about how the project is distinctly Italian, why he considers New York City a second home, and some key turning points in his life. This famously high-energy, passionate chef brings it in this memorable conversation.
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Victoria Blamey is a good sport. The chef of Chumley’s, the reinvigorated former speakeasy in New York City’s West Village, agreed to meet Andrew for a shift drink and interview after dinner service at the restaurant. The two got to it around midnight and talked up a storm over cocktails, while Victoria’s crew gradually wrapped up their evening all around them. The two discussed the restaurant’s already-famous burger and why Victoria won’t customize it (a philosophical disagreement she and Andrew had been arguing for months off-radio); what it was like to be a young, female chef from Chile coming up in Michelin-starred kitchens in the UK and Australia; and her stints working for chefs like Paul Liebrandt (Corton), Matt Lightner (Atera), and Justin Smillie (Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria and Upland). Victoria also shares the origins and inspirations for her distinct visual style and her thoughts about cooking as an expression of self. A personal conversation befitting the hour and setting. Pull up a chair and join them, won’t you?
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While in New York City to attend the annual Michelin Guide celebration, chef David Kinch of Manresa, The Bywater, and Manresa Bread, popped in to chat with Andrew about Manresa's 15th anniversary and the special activities he arranged around that milestone (including installing his team in 3 different acclaimed kitchens in France for extended visits). He also shared his thoughts on the state of world cuisine in what he believes is a golden age, and how he looks at, and plans for, the next stage of his career, and life. One of our best and most celebrated chefs in a wonderfully unguarded mode.
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Last year, chef Greg Baxtrom took one of the best resumes around (Alinea, Per Se, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Atera) and funneled his hard-earned technique and experience into Brooklyn's Olmsted restaurant, a neighborhood gem that quickly rose to prominence as a destination restaurant. On the heels of Olmsted's inclusion on Esquire's Best New Restaurants list, Greg takes us through his young life and career and shares his recent experience opening his first restaurant as chef-owner. A rare and unusually open conversation about this crucial transitional time in a chef's career.
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Before he became a chef and turned The Sportsman in Seasalter, Kent, into a Michelin-starred destination restaurant, Stephen Harris was a punk rocker, history teacher, and financial advisor. Though he didn't discover the pro kitchen until he was nearly 30, this self-taught talent has taken his ideas of food as an expression of terroir and created what the National Restaurant Awards deemed the best restaurant in the UK in 2016 and 2017. While in New York City to promote his new cookbook (also titled The Sportsman), Stephen joined us to describe his unusual path and tell us all about the evolution of his style, his restaurant, and his book.
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While in Gotham City to promote his new cookbook Cheers to the Publican (coauthored with chef Cosmo Goss and collaborator Rachel Holtzman) Chicago's Paul Kahan--named Outstanding Chef in 2013 by the James Beard Foundation--dropped by for a chat about growing up the son of a Chicago smoked fish purveyor, bolting the computer programming trade for the pro kitchen, his formative years working for Erwin Drechsler and Rick Bayless, and his culinary kinship with California. Oh, and he tells us why the "wrestler's mentality" he developed in high school has served him well to this day. He also takes us through his early chef-owner days opening Blackbird, avec, and The Publican, and up to the 10-entity empire he and his partners run today. And, of course, we chat about why he wrote this cookbook, at this time.
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Most listeners probably know Amanda Freitag solely as a television personality from her work on Chopped and other shows. But long before her first at-bat on the air (battling Bobby Flay on Iron Chef), Amanda was a veteran New York City chef. We explore that part of her life for the full hour, from her teenage gigs in New Jersey catering halls to the Culinary Institute of America to jobs in the kitchens of such legends as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Diane Forley, and eventually to becoming a chef in her own right at Cesca, The Harrison, and other New York City restaurants. An honest, funny, insightful hour full of great stories and perspective.
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Chef Michael Anthony has been at the helm of New York City's Gramercy Tavern since 2006. During that time, he has consistently polished one of the true diamonds of the Manhattan restaurant landscape, earning top honors, such as the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Chef in the nation. But Mike, one of the industry's true good guys, didn't grow up dreaming of becoming a chef; he found his way to the kitchen after a traditional college career and travel overseas. In this episode, Mike takes us through his childhood, time in Japan (where he once thought he might stay for life), France, and New York City, where he began his US career working with Daniel Boulud in the original home of Restaurant Daniel. Hear the story of his evolution as a chef and how his path took him to his current, longtime home at Gramercy Tavern.
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Amanda Cohen has been chef-owner of downtown New York City's groundbreaking vegetable restaurant Dirt Candy for nearly a decade. Dirt Candy began as a 350-square-foot labor of love and grew into its current, much larger home two years ago. Recently Amanda shifted to an all-tasting-menu format, so we thought it was a perfect time to check in with this always thoughtful, entertaining chef. (Fans of Andrew's prior podcast, The Front Burner with Jimmy and Andrew, will remember her as one of our most frequent and favorite guests.) Amanda takes us through her career, the unique challenges of being a vegetable-focused chef, the omnipresent turbulence of the hospitality business, and the joys of using her restaurant to support causes she believes in.
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* This episode originally aired on our former host network; Andrew Talks to Chefs is now an independent podcast please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.*
Empellón's Alex Stupak pulled a remarkable 180 when he transitioned from pastry chef of such landmark modernist restaurants as Alinea and wd-50 to chef-owner of his Empellón Mexican restaurants in New York City. In our first episode, this quick-witted chef takes us through his career, from his formative days in Boston and Chicago, through his time working with Grant Achatz and Wylie Dufresne, and into his ongoing evolution as a chef-owner. Along the way, we touch on whether or not food is or can be an art, the thorny issue of cultural appropriation, ambition, and what might be next for this endlessly curious talent.
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