Food For Thought With Billy & Jenny: Recent Episodes
WBZ-AM
For more than 15 years, the dining duo of Billy Costa and Jenny Johnson has been eating their way through New England, mixing it up with top chefs, jumping behind the line of the hottest restaurants, and giving you the inside scoop on where to wine, dine and spend your time. So, get ready - it's Food For Thought, giving you something to chew on.
Brad Fitts, FVP, Small Business Development Team Leader at Cambridge Savings Bank, has more than 20 years of banking experience. He specializes in helping business owners improve their overall financial well-being through a focus on understanding their business, their financial needs and by providing the proper products & solutions. Brad is the Single Point of Contact for all of his client’s banking needs including Treasury Management Services, Commercial Real Estate Loans-owner and non-owner occupied, Lines of Credit for short-term working capital and Term Loans for leasehold improvements, purchase of a new business, or equipment financing.
Contact info: bfitts@cambridgesavings.com
Nicole Obi is the President & CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) whose mission is to advance the economic well-being of Black businesses, organizations, and residents in Massachusetts though advocacy, business and leadership development strategic partnerships.
She joined BECMA in 2020 as the Vice President of Member Experience & Engagement. Previously she spent twelve years at Fidelity Investments, leaving the firm in 2018 as the Vice President of Customer Strategy & Engagement.
She was also the CEO of her own strategic consulting firm, Enterprise Advisors, after co-founding two venture backed start-up firms.
She earned two master's degrees from MIT's Sloan School of Management and the Department of Urban Studies Planning.
She serves on several non-profit boards and committees including GBH, the Environment League of Massachusetts, the intensive Community program of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, Browning the Greenspace, and Women's Foundation of Boston, as well as Longfellow Investment Management's board of advisors. Nicole is also a member of the Boston Chapter of the Links, Inc.
She resides in Chestnut Hill with her family and enjoys playing golf and gardening.
Contact info: nobi@becma.org
There's a party in the studio today! Billy is joined by Mike Rockett, owner of the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites as well as Kevin Doherty, owner of 3rd Alarm Pizza and last but not least, Patrick Renna, the President of Wahlburgers.
Jenny is joined by a very special guest, Amy Thieringer of Allergy Release Technique, to talk about food allergies and how Amy has been able to give children and adults the ability to eat freely!
Jenny is joined by author Paul Theroux ahead of the release of his new book. The two talk about many of Paul's travels and some of the greatest food he's gotten to try.
Jenny is joined by Maureen Woodman from Woodman's to talk about all the fresh seafood and great things they have to offer!
Jenny is joined on the phone by Kathy Millbury from My Place By The Sea, a great travel destination for the summer time!
Jenny is joined on the phone by Jeanne Hennessy, the Director of Communication for the Beauport in Hotel in Gloucester. Jenny says she and Billy were just there for a wedding and they LOVED it so they just had to have Jeanne on to talk about the amazing property.
Today we're joined by Billy's son, Alex, who is moving to Florida for an incredible new job and Joe Spaulding stops by to tell us about all the great events happening at the Boch Center, including the Bachelor Live!
Billy is joined by Kaylene Jablecki and Chris Podgurski of the Cap Cod Central Railroad, or as Billy likes to call it, the Cape Cod Dinner Train. They talk about events the train does through the summer months, the new August dinner schedule and more!
Billy and his guests from the Black Dog and the Cape Cod Central Railroad give their Everyday Amazing moments of the week.
Billy is joined in studio by Dan Pucillo from the Black Dog. They talk EVERYTHING Black Dog including the restaurant's history, how it got its name, the clothing and more!
Today, Jenny is joined by Sally Fallon Morell, the founder and president of the Weston A. Price Foundation which helps to promote wise traditions in food and farming. If you're looking to have a overall better and healthier lifestyle, this is the show for you!
Jenny is joined on the phone by Mark Mcafee of Organic Pastures to talk anything and everything Raw Milk. He introduces to us what exactly Raw Milk is and why it is better for you. If you have been thinking about giving Raw Milk a try and want to find out more about it, this is the show for you!
Billy has quite the group with him today! His good friend, Joe Piantadosi stops by as well as Bob Luz, the President & CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and Ernie Tremblay, the owner of Sylvan St. Grille.
Billy is joined by Alex Hage from Moody's in Waltham. He gives us a sample of their great sandwiches and tells us about everything we can expect when we visit his restaurant.
Philipp Knuepfer, the GM of the Mandarin Oriental joins Billy in studio to talk about his incredible history with the Mandarin and all of the exciting events they have coming up.
Jenny plays back some of her favorite interviews from Dining Playbook including Mookie Betts and Brad Marchand.
Joe Spaulding from the Boch Center to talk about all of their events coming up including MADONNA coming to the Boch Center Wang Theater for three shows!
Jenny is joined on the phone by John Collings, the director of Food and Beverage for the Boston Harbor Hotel.
Jenny is joined by Erika Rosato from MGH to talk about the Everyday Amazing Race this September as well as the Everyday Amazing things she does for her patients every day.
Billy and Jenny get a call from their good friend, Steve DiFillippo who was just spending time with the one and only Tom Brady for Best Buddies.
Billy and Jenny give their MGH Everyday Amazing moment and are joined by Joe from Breakaway and Pisa Pizza.
Randy from Big Night Entertainment joins BIlly and Jenny to talk about the new nightclub at restaurant they have opening at Encore Boston Harbor as well as the many accolades they have received for their many nightclubs and restaurants already.
Courtney from City Winery joins us to talk about all the great events and performances they have coming up!
Jason Lord from Season to Taste Catering joins Billy and is here for all of your catering needs!
Billy kicks off the show by talking about what we should expect when the new Encore Boston Harbor opens in a few weeks and one of our sponsors, The Boch Center just announced a show with Madonna!
Jenny is joined by Raffaele and Gian Carlo, the creators of the Boston Pizza Festival and they talk about everything you can expect at the third annual event.
Michael Smolak from Smolak Farms joins Jenny to talk about the farm's history, their Whim Dinners, their famous apple cider donuts and all the activities happening on the farm this summer.
Jenny is joined by Dr. Chabner from MGH to talk about all the amazing things they are doing to help their patients.
Billy and Jenny are joined by Jeff Piva, the General Manager of the Lanam Club in Andover, Ma and he lets us all in on the club's claim to fame.
Billy and Jenny are joined by Kim Morin from Taste of the Nation, No Kid Hungry and they talk about how Massachusetts and surrounding areas have helped fight hunger.
Billy and Jenny kick off the show by talking about Jenny's FIRST Mother's Day, and she had quite the jam packed day!
Billy and Jenny are joined by Pauli from Pauli's North End and Jenny gets put up for a challenge.
Billy and Jenny are joined by many guests, all of which, are Billy's friends! They have Rachel from Pier 6 and Reel House, Jack from Yacht Haven Inn and Chris from Charlestown Marina.
Billy and Jenny are live in the studio for another great edition of Food For Thought and today they're looking to find out just what Cindo De Mayo is.
Billy is joined in studio by Joe Pace of J.Pace and Rosaria restaurant to talk Mother's Day, Father's Day and more!
Billy shares his Everyday Amazing moment of the week to help a young girl get her life saving service dog.
Billy is joined by our friends at Eataly Boston: Robert Domian, the Director of Store Operations and Mya Vaidya, the Assistant Marketing Manager. They tell us about Eataly's new restaurant and their plans for Mother's and Father's day.
Jenny is off in Nantucket today, leaving Billy solo! But Billy brought in his good friend, Dana Van Fleet from the Cask N' Flagon to co-host with him.
Billy and Jenny chat about their new favorite restaurants in the area and Billy gives Jenny a new challenge.
Donator Jr, owener of Il Molo and Artu joins BIlly and Jenny to talk about the upcoming Taste of the North End, which Billy will be hosting.
Billy and Jenny are joined by the Executive Director of Food and Beverage for Encore Boston Harbor, Warren Richards, as well as Joel, the Executive Pastry Chef and his assistant Maria. They give us a preview of what to expect when we walk into Encore Boston Harbor and let us know all the fabulous restaurants we will have the opportunity to dine in.
Jenny just celebrated Passover with her family and Billy ha quite a few questions as to how it's celebrated.
Billy's good friend, Alan Giblee, owner of Giblee's Mens Wear joins him in studio along with Alan's two nephews, Nick who is the Executive Chef at Landana and Andrew who is a chef at Monument.
Billy and Jenny are joined by two of MGH's amazing people, Laura White and Sarah Stevens. They fill Billy and Jenny in on all the amazing things they do for their patients as well as their involvement with this year's Boston Marathon.
Carolina Martinez, wife of Pedro Martinez stops by to talk to Billy about their annual Feat for 45 fundraiser.
Mike Shaw from Broadway Restaurant group stops by to chat with Jenny about his restaurants: Fat Baby, Capo and Lincoln, as well as his impressive weight loss.
MGH is always doing amazing things for their patients so every week, we take pause to reflect on the everyday amazing things that happened over the past week.
Joe Spaulding stops by to talk about all of the shows coming to the Boch Center over the next few months as well as Art Week.
Billy and Jenny catch up a bit, go over their favorite restaurants in the area and preview what's coming up next on the show.
Chef Ben Elliott from Salt Box stops by to talk to Billy and Jenny about his restaurant
Dr. Gainor from Mass General Hospital stops by to chat with Billy and Jenny about all the amazing things MGH is doing to help their patients battle cancer.
Billy and Jenny take a pause and reflect on their Everyday Amazing moments of the week,
Jason Santos stops by to chat with Billy and Jenny about his new cook book, Buttermilk and Bourbon as well as his restaurants and other exciting things he has coming up.
Billy and Jenny start off the show by catching up on what they've been up to lately and tease what's coming up on Dining Playbook.
The amazing Tiffany Faison joins Billy and Jenny in studio to talk about her incredible restaurants and how she is planning to add a fourth!
After being featured in the Boston Globe, Billy and Jenny HAD to get Billy Cox in studio! He talks about his life as a bartender at Ocean Prime and also how he juggles doing comedy at the Improv Asylum.
Michael, one third of the owners of Nightshift Brewing, joins Billy and Jenny in studio to talk about how they started their company and how they are now expanding.
Kathy Sidell, the owner of Saltie Girl, Met Back Bay and Met Natick joins us to talk about her restaurants and how she is recently the owner of her sister’s restaurant Stephanie's on Newbury.
Billy and Jenny welcome Joe and Cheryl Crowley from our newest sponsor, Breakaway in Danvers! They go over the restaurant as well as all the great cover bands that are coming to the venu.
Joe Spaulding from the Boch Center makes yet another appearance on Food For Thought to talk about the exciting shows coming to the Boch Center including some new announcements!
Jenny is still on vacation with her lovely family but Billy has some great guests on this week's show! His good friends, Steve DiFillippo, owner of Davio's, and Roger Berkowitz, President and CEO of Legal Seafoods join him as his co-hosts and both come with some very exciting breaking news!
Joe Spaulding from the Boch Center stops by to talk about all the great shows they have coming up and teases a BIG announcement happening on the show next week!
Sarah Boucher from the Bramble Hospitality Group joins Billy in studio to talk about the Briar Barn Inn, a great new restaurant, inn and spa in Rowley.
Mike from the Salem Waterfront Hotel continues to poke fun at Billy as Doug from Kings continues to join us in studio.
Billy and Mike are joined in studio by Doug, the Marketing Vice President of Kings. He talks about the great menu items they have as well as having a bowling pin autographed by Billy!
Jenny is on vacation so Billy invited his good friend Mike Rocket from the Salem Waterfront Hotel to co-host the show with him. Of course, Mike doesn't hold back poking fun at Billy and hilarity ensues.
Massimo from Arya joins Billy and Jenny in studio to talk about all the celebs that stop by his restaurant and why he had to change the spelling of his restaurant's name.
Jenny recently got to attend and event with Mayor Marty Walsh to learn about a new initiative called My Way Café. Laura, The Executive Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Boston Public Schools as well as Jill from the Shaw Family Foundation are in studio to talk about this new program and how it is changing the way children eat while they're at school.
Jenny recaps baby Vienna's first Valentine's Day and says she and her husband went to the new Troquet location.
Billy is VERY excited for the Boat Show to come back to Boston so he took it upon himself to invite his good friend, Robin Reibel onto the show to talk about all the events they will be holding over the next week.
Billy previews some of the big shows coming to the Boch Center and welcomes Paul from RAIN, the Beatles cover band. He talks about touring across the country as the legendary Paul McCartney and how excited they are to bring the show to Boston.
Billy and Jenny welcome Adam, the General Manager and Ryan, the bartender from Black & Blue Steak and Crab in Burlington. Billy decided to invite them on the show after giving their restaurant a try. The two talk about how the business decided to come to Boston and gives us some delicious menu items to try.
Billy and Jenny are joined by Dr. Commander, a breast oncologist from MGH who works out of the Mass General Cancer Center at Newton Wellesley Hospital. She speaks about caring for patients with breast cancer and how she decided to take this lane in her career.
Heather Costa from Revolution Health Kitchen calls in and goes into detail about how her business tries to help people eat real food with honest ingredients.
Megan, the Senior Director of Marketing and Sales for the Lyons Group stops by the studio to talk about the MANY restaurants she handles and some of the great specials they have coming up for the Super Bowl.
Chef Mark Orfaly from Pier 6, Reel House and Mija joins Jenny on the phone to talk about all of his great restaurants and his favorite menu items.
Billy is VERY under the weather but Jenny has the show covered with great guests from the Black Horse Tavern in Winchester. Jenny gets the scoop on the restaurant and the best dishes to try.
Daniel Bruce, the Executive Chef at the Boston Harbor Hotel, joins Billy and Bex on the phone as works in the kitchen.
Billy, Bex and our guests from Ora Tratorizza and Row 34 give their MGH Everyday Amazing moments of the week.
as Bex continues to chow down, Susie Hayes, a bartender for Row 34. She talks about how she started studying marine biology in Hawaii and how she made the transition to bartending.
Jenny is out this week so Billy invited Bex from the Matty Show to join as his co-host. The two are surrounded by food from Boston's Ora Tratorizza, a take on an Italian restaurant & pizzeria.
Our good friend Joe Spaulding joins Jenny in studio to go over all the hot shows coming to the Boch Center.
Good friend Joe Pace from J.Pace and Rosaria joins Jenny in studio to talk about his restaurants, their catering opportunities as well as specials they have coming up for Valentine's Day.
Jenny flys solo as Billy is on vacation but she is joined by Patrick Renna, the interim CEO and CFO for Wahlburgers. He talks about how great it was to bring Wahlburgers home to Dorchester and how the restaurant chain gives back to the community.
Billy and Jenny reminisce on meeting Richard Brackett when he was running the Bancroft and this week, he opens his brand new restaurant, the Federal.
Chris Campbell, owner and sommelier of Troquet stops by to talk about moving his restaurant after 16 years and how this move has allowed them to expand their restaurant.
Billy and Jenny kickoff the new year with another great episode of Food For Thought. Jenny recaps her first New Year with baby Vienna and the pair give you some great restaurants to check out.
Mike from Ball Square Café joins the show and Billy RAVES about the brunch he had with his sons.
Billy and Jenny are joined by Rache Blumenthal, editor for Eater Boston which tells you all of the hotspots to check out in the Boston area.
Jamie Abrams, Jenny's cousin, joins them in studio to talk about her super cool job....writing for Jimmy Kimmel! She talks about what it's like in their studios day to day and what it was like the first time Jimmy used one of her jokes.
Billy is joined in studio by Sam, who's daughter, Nina, has a rare form of autism which includes life threatening seizures. Due to her condition she is in need of a service dog but unfortunately Sam cannot afford one, so she has started a GoFundMe to acquire and care for the service dog. Billy is also joined by Juliana who wrote a song about Nina in hopes to bring attention to her cause.
Joe Bono of Berry Tavern in Danvers and Bencotto in the North End joins Billy in studio.
Billy and Jenny get a phone call from Ryan Dion, the COO of 110 Grill which is the fastest growing restaurant group in the region. He also speaks about opening a restaurant in the iconic Hilltop location.
Billy and Jenny recap the crazy year they have had including starting Food for Thought and having a baby!
Demetri bring in his bartender Tasha from Committee to mix up a holiday drink for Billy and Jenny.
Billy and Jenny welcome Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli after he has recently opened his first restaurant, Alcove, right by the TD Garden. He tells us what it's like to own a restaurant and gives us his history in the restaurant business.
Billy and Jenny are joined by special guest Paul Wahlberg who is very excited about opening a Wahlburgers in his hometown of Dorchester. They are also joined by Demetri Tsolakis, owner of Committee.
Lainey Younkin is a dietician who doesn't put people on diets and she calls into the show to talk about her tactics when it comes to getting people to live a healthier lifestyle.
Dr. Jennifer Temel from MGH's Cancer Center joins Billy and Jenny in studio to speak about the research she does on lunch cancer as well as the everyday amazing things MGH is doing for their patients.
Master Sommelier from Grille 23, Brahm Callahan, joins Billy and Jenny in studio again to talk about the holiday season and how he had to dedicate his life to studying to become a Master Sommelier.
Billy and Jenny are joined by the amazing Dave McGillivray who talks about running and planning the Boston Marathon each year, running 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents and his recent health scares.
Billy and Jenny catch up on the past week and some events they have coming up, including one at Giblees.
Tony Williams from the Urban Nutcracker stops in with Billy and Jenny to talk about the production coming to the Boch Center.
Jenny's good friend, Dougie, from her hometown of Marblehead stops by to talk about his family owned and operated store, Shubbies.
Sharokh, owner of the popular Boston nightclub Icon, stops by the studio to talk about how his venues have been used and tells us all about the Red Sox partying at his club after winning the World Series.
Chef Jose Duarte of Taranta stops by to speak about the uniqueness of his restaurant and his launch of the Santa Cruz Lodge in Peru.
Bartender AJ from Café Escadrille calls in to talk about how they're preparing for the holidays and the best Winter drinks they should order.
Steve DiFillippo of Davio's stops by and, as always, doesn't;'t hesitate to poke fun at Billy and Jenny.
Dr. Betsy O'Donnell from MGH's Cancer Center stops by to talk to Billy about the amazing things MGH is doing everyday for their patients.
One of Boston's Best Chefs, Tony Messina of Uni, stops by and talks about being awarded 'Best Chef' from Boston Magazine.
Jenny has officially survived her first show back after maternity leave and she lets us know more about her beautiful baby, Vienna.
Joe Pace from J.Pace and Rosaria stops by as well as Matt Malloy from Concord Market. They both tell us how they're getting ready for Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
Joe Spaulding from the Boch Center stops by to let us know about all the great events and shows that are coming to the Wang and Shubert Theaters.
Cayla Mehr joins the show and talks about how she is getting Jenny back in shape after having a baby and also give advice to expecting moms, and moms post-partum.
Jenny makes her return after having baby Vienna and updates us on her life and what it's like to be a mom now.
Billy is tasting cocktails by Colleen, the bar manager at Jason Santos' Citrus & Salt and he's also getting to taste some cocktails from Uno's.
Steve Memmolo calls in ahead of appearing on The Voice and the studio is full of laughs from comedians Tony Vee and Christine Hurley ahead of their show at the Shubert Theater.
Lauren Demarco, a social worker from MGH's cancer center joins Billy to talk about the 'Everyday Amazing' things MGH is doing to help and care for their patients.
Billy and Jason welcome Louie Psallidas, CEO of Uno's for some taste-testing of their newest items and we learn about the history of the popular restaurant.
Freshly married, Chef Jason Santos joins as Billy's final co-host before Jenny makes her return from baby leave. He tells us all about his wedding and takes us behind the scenes after appearing on the Today Show.
Billy is joined in studio by Esther and JC from Trillium Brewing Company and talks to them about their brand new kitchen in addition to their brewery, we find out how they started brewing in their kitchen and why is their beer SO hard to get?
Billy and Mike Rockett and owners of Trillium Brewing share their MGH Everyday Amazing stories of the past week.
Jenny's brother in-law calls in to get us fit with his latest program, On The Mark Fitness. Billy also gets Mark's take on being a new uncle to baby Vienna.
Mike Rockett from the Salem Waterfront Hotel joins as Billy's co-host while Jenny is still on baby leave and they discuss all the haunted happenings in Salem for Halloween.
Andy Husbands joins as Billy's co-host, we check in with Chef Will Gilson from Puritan & Company, our guests share their MGH Everyday Amazing moment of the week and more!
Chef Chris Coombs comes back as Billy's co-host, the show gets taken on the road to Hob Nob in Naples Florida, Andy Husbands from the Smoke Shop stops by, our first ever Dance Mom from Studio Fitness and Dance Academy joins the show and Joe Spaulding updates us on all the shows coming to the Boch Center.
Ryan and Laura from the Salem Waterfront Hotel join Billy in studio, Lisa Donovan makes a special guest appearance, we learn more about the latest hot spot in boston, City Winery and our guests share their MGH Everyday Amazing moment of the week.
Joe Pace from Rosaria brings Chef Mike in studio with some delicious pasta dishes, we're also joined by Chris Hill from Grille 23 and Post 390 and Heather Costa from Revolution Juice gives us some healthy options to choose from.
Joe Faro of Tuscan Brands joins Billy to talk about his latest project in Salem, New Hampshire, Matt Monkiewicz, the President & CEO of Kayem Foods stops by, our guests share their MGH Everyday Amazing moment of the week and we learn about a new food trend, Kalahari Biltong.
Chef Chris Coombs joins as Billy's co-host and he brings his bartenders, Chase to mix up a cocktail, Billy gets a surprise phone call, Chopped Champion Tatiana stops by to talk about her big win and we get nostalgic with Dan Doherty from Kelly's Roast Beef.
As Billy flys solo this week he gets a visit from Anthony Caturano, owner of Prezza and Tonno, Billy works on his boxing skills with Brandon from 'The Way', the legendary Joe Piantedosi spends some time in studio, Joe Spaulding from stops by to let us know about the latest shows coming to the Boch Center and Shannon from Tonno mixes up a great cocktail for Billy.
The legendary Patrick Lyons, head of the Lyons Group and owner of Game On, Bleacher Bar and more calls in, we get a visit from Joe Pace from J.Pace and Rosario Restaurant, Bill Taylor from the Four Seasons calls in to discuss their restaurant, The Bristol
Billy and Jenny's good friend, Steve Difillippo from Davio's stops by, Billy and Jenny share their MGH Everyday Amazing moment of the week, Chef Jason Santos stops by to talk about his restaurant, Abby Lane and Ian Swindlehurst from Explorateur Café makes a great cocktail for Billy.
Robert Earl, the owner of Bertucci's, calls in to discuss some exciting changes to the restaurant chain, we learn about a new spin class called "Fly Wheel", the one and only Paul Wahlberg calls in to discuss the expansion of Wahlburgers and John Bradshaw from the Cask N' Flagon makes a delicious cocktail.
The Pollatta Sisters stop by to discuss their restaurant Nebo and how they find fun ways to burn calories, Laurie Haverty, the owner of Tread and Tread on the Mill calls in to give us more ways to stay fit and Billy and Jenny share their MGH Everyday Amazing moment of the week.
Billy and Jenny check in with Chef Daniel Bruce from Meritage, we also hear from Jenny's swim coach, Kitty, about her annual 22 mile relay swim, Chris Coombs calls in to discuss his new downtown location of Boston Chops and they finish off the show with a delicious cocktail from Billy Regan from Yellow Door Taqueria.
Billy and Jenny kick off their first episode of Food For Thought with Roger Berkowitz, the President and CEO of Legal Sea Foods. They also learn how to get fit and burn those calories with two-time world heavyweight champion George Foreman. Ernie Boch Jr., CEO, president, and spokesman of Boch Enterprises, also stops by!