Episode Archives

How Structure Can Actually Inspire Creativity

In today’s episode, I talk to Chef Hari Cameron, Chef Andrew McLeod, and Pastry Chef Sam Mason. This is a panel discussion about Creative Decisions developing the conversation started in Chapter 5 of my book, Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door.  You’ll hear about how each chef approaches the creative process, and how creativity shifts through…

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Exciting Culinary Adventures in Madagascar with Three American Chefs

In today’s episode, we are traveling to Madagascar! I talk with Chef Elizabeth Falkner, Mixologist Shannon Tebay, and Chef Michale Gulotta about our trip to Madagascar. The winners of the Vnlla Extract Co. challenge accompanied me on a tour with the vanilla producer, Symrise. You’ll hear about their experiences in Madagascar and their impressions of…

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Everything You Need to Know About My Book “Conversations Behind The Kitchen Door”

Today’s episode is about my book Converstion Behind The Kitchen Door. The episode is a little different from the usual interview format. To celebrate my first book release, I’ll be dedicating this episode to the adventures of writing and publishing my book, Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door. You’ll hear what inspired me to write a…

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Nathanial Zimet, Owner of Boucherie, Focuses on School Lunch Programs

In today’s episode, I talk to Nathanial Zimet. He is an accomplished chef in New Orleans running two restaurants, Boucherie and Bourée, both located in the Carrollton neighborhood. He also runs Boucherie Feeds, a program that collaborates with local schools to feed balanced meals to school children.  You’ll hear about his experience in Le Cordon Bleu, working…

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Mikey and Rinne Eat In! on Flavors Unknown

In today’s episode, I talk to Mikey and Rinne, hosts of the podcast Mikey & Rinne Eat In. Rinne is an acupuncturist and herbalist and Mickey is a CIA graduate and food consultant. As passionate Portland-based foodies, the couple share new recipes, talk about exciting ingredients, and discuss food history and politics on their show. …

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Merging the Past with the Future in Southern Cuisine by Chris Coleman

In today’s episode, I talk to Chef Chris Coleman. He’s an accomplished restaurateur from the growing food scene of Charlotte, North Carolina. His restaurants, The Goodyear House and Old Town, have brought an elevated southern-style of cuisine to the expanding city.  You’ll hear about what southern food means to him and how he’s merging the…

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The Children of Immigrants Will Continue to Feed America by Michael Diaz

In today’s episode, I talk to Chef Michael Diaz de Leon of BRUTØ. His restaurant concept is a chef’s counter based in Denver, Colorado that offers an Omakase-style tasting menu. With only 18 seats, the exposed kitchen offers diners a unique perspective on his global cuisine and the open-fire cooking process.  You’ll hear about how…

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The Flavor of the Flour: Changing The Way We Think about Grains by Kelly Whitaker

Today, I talk to Denver-based chef Kelly Whitaker. From the midwestern plains to the pacific coast to the mountains of Colorado, his culinary influences have been shaped by many landscapes. His food has earned him the Denver Rising Star Award in 2017 and the Star Chefs Denver Mentor Award in 2022.  You’ll hear about his…

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How to Make Six Figures With a Culinary Blog with Dennis Littley

In today’s episode, I talk to Chef Dennis Littley, owner of culinary blog askchefdennis.com. He’s a chef turned food blogger and his successful website Ask Chef Dennis boasts over 8.5 million views per year! His style of food is much loved by his followers thanks to his simple approach, reminding aspiring home cooks that “This…

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Nelson German is Digging Deeper Into His Afro Caribbean Roots

I talk to Chef Nelson German, a Top Chef Season 18 Alumni turned culinary entrepreneur. He runs two popular Oakland, California Restaurants, alaMar Kitchen and Sobre Mesa Cocktail Lounge.   You’ll hear about his deep connection to his Latin and African roots, and how the love for exploring those culinary roots keeps his restaurant menus in…

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