About Update

About the Host/Author

Yes, I’m a food enthusiast; a gourmand. Here’s why.

Born in Versailles, France in 1963, close to the famous chateau of King Louis XIV, I grew up savoring the best food and drink that France offers. My mother taught me to cook when I was six, starting with a simple yogurt cake and then moving on to Quiche Lorraine, which originated in the region where she grew up.

In 2002, I moved to the United States to start a job as VP of Marketing with Symrise North America—a global manufacturer of flavors for the food and beverage industry. I now have more than twenty years of experience in this industry, both in Europe and in the US. Through this job, I have been fortunate to get access to a variety of acclaimed food professionals.

Since 2008, I have attended the yearly StarChefs Congress in New York City. Seeing its value, I developed an exclusive partnership with StarChefs for Symrise and began moderating panel discussions with successful chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologists. This led directly to the 2018 launch of a personal podcast called flavors unknown, featuring a series of conversations with trending and award-winning chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologists from around the United States.

It’s my passion to explore the culinary space further, and ‘flavors unknown’, shares the stories of the talented people who are redefining and disrupting the industry with flavor innovation and food presentation. Now, with over 1,000 subscribers, I’ve interviewed trending chefs and bartenders who share how their successes, failures, and cultural identity has enabled them develop trending kitchens and bars that are sought out by foodies today.

Eventually, I realized that I had more to say then just what came from my podcast interviews. I found myself gaining real insights into how chefs think, where they get their inspiration, how they think about ingredients, why they choose the methods that they use. I reflected on how my own experiences compared to theirs, and it inspired me to dig deeper. The result is my book, Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door. Whether you’re a professional in the industry or just a dedicated foodie, I’m confident you’ll enjoy reading it.

Here are some facts about me that you may find interesting!

When I started writing my book, Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door, I knew the best way to find time to write would be to travel, taste, and type.
I love to travel. I’ve visited 30 countries. My favorite destinations are Japan, Panama, and Hawaii.
I love to take my work customers and colleagues on Food Treks, where we visit specific regions of a city and sample many different cuisines and cocktails. Sometimes we hit as many as ten in a day.
My love of food, cocktails, and travel has certainly given me a taste of the good life. So much so that a former boss nicknamed me “Champagne Charlie,” and it’s stuck
I live in New Jersey, and I love it. It offers beautiful landscapes, ocean access, and proximity to the excitement of Manhattan.
I’ve been fortunate to be asked to conducting tastings, lectures and presentations on food and consumer trends all around the country.
I’m continually inspired by the world around me, the people I meet, and the cuisine we share.
I’m always ready to talk food, so don’t be shy about reaching out!

About the Podcast

Go Behind the Scenes with Chefs and Bartenders

Experience the flavors unknown podcast, with host Emmanuel Laroche

If you’re a chef or a mixologist and you’re curious about your peers’ creative process, interested in their inspirations, or just looking for professional tips, “flavors unknown” is for you!

If you’re a foodie who enjoys hearing how chefs, pastry chefs and mixologists conceptualize and create the tastes that delight us, “flavors unknown” is for you!

If you’re a curious “learner” or “doer” who is interested in stepping up your game in your own home kitchen, “flavors unknown” is for you!

My name is Emmanuel Laroche, and I have been working on the marketing side of the food and beverage industry for more than 25 years. In this podcast, I interview trending chefs and bartenders to gain insight into their background, their inspirations and the unique personal experiences that have enabled them to become leaders in the worlds of culinary and mixology. During these conversations, I delve into the influences that drive the creative minds of these masters, from cultural heritage to regionality, ingredient sourcing, cooking techniques and more.

From big-city mixologists creating innovative cocktails to the small-town chefs who are driving the current Southern Revival, flavors unknown gives a discerning look at the world of food and drink.

Tune in and inspire your own creativity!

For show notes and more be sure to visit:
https://flavorsunknown.com/episodes-podcast/

Follow flavors unknown on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @flavorsunknown

Check Out Our Testimonials

The mind and palate behind the taste

Really fascinating and smartly told stories of the men and women behing the flavors, that are both classic and popular today. These podcast are like a behind the scenes tour of your favorite bars and restaurants stars. I love getting to see the level of dedication and professionalism that it takes to be world class. It is definitely inspiring

by As Good at NYC

Fascinating to hear the “behind the scenes” story

Emmanuel does a great job getting some of the most interesting “up and coming” chefs and bartenders to reveal their behind the scenes viewpoints and secrets. I’m always looking to learn more about how I can incorporate some of the techniques of professional chefs into my own cooking and this podcast delivers. Waiting for the next episode!

by Dylan

Insightful & Inspirational

If you’re a foodie, a restaurant lover or a cocktail aficionado, this podcast is for you. I love to cook and I found hearing directly from these chefs to be really interesting and helpful in my own attempts in the kitchen. Emmanuel and his guests talk about ingredients, techniques, cultural influences and other topics. It’s good stuff. Check it out!

by Pauleye101