Lisa Dahl on Food, Loss & Building Legacy
In this episode of Flavors Unknown, I sit down with Chef Lisa Dahl, one of the most influential figures in Arizona’s culinary landscape. A self-taught chef and resilient entrepreneur, Lisa shares how an unimaginable personal tragedy led her from San Francisco to Sedona—and eventually...
Tony Nguyen Talks Vietnamese Roots & Fine Dining
In this episode of Flavors Unknown, I sit down with Chef Tony Nguyen, the Executive Chef behind the acclaimed Crustacean Restaurant in Beverly Hills—an upscale destination redefining Modern Asian cuisine with elegance and innovation. Born and raised in St. Louis to a Vietnamese family,...
Inside MW Restaurant with Wade & Michelle Ueoka
Today on Flavors Unknown, we head to Honolulu to meet the culinary duo behind one of Hawaii’s most celebrated dining destinations: Chef Wade Ueoka and Pastry Chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka of MW Restaurant. Their menu is a vibrant tapestry of Hawaii’s multicultural influences, showcasing local...
NYC Chef Panel on Bold Flavors and Reinvention
Recorded live at Phoenix Palace during NYC StarChefs Rising Stars. Sponsored by Symrise. In this special episode of Flavors Unknown, we head to New York City for a dynamic roundtable with four of the most exciting names in the city's food and beverage scene:...
Pig Beach BBQ: Inside Chef Matt Abdoo’s Journey
Today on Flavors Unknown, I’m joined by Chef Matt Abdoo, co-founder of the wildly popular Pig Beach BBQ. Known for its award-winning approach to regional American barbecue, Pig Beach blends the soul of Southern smoke with chef-driven technique—and Matt is the creative fire behind...
From SFO to the Hawaii: Mourad’s Next Chapter
In this in-person episode recorded on location in Honolulu, I sit down with Chef Mourad Lahlou, the visionary behind Aziza, Mourad, Leila, and Miro Kaimuki. Known for pioneering modern Moroccan cuisine and earning Michelin stars along the way, Chef Mourad opens up about his...
Dirt Candy’s Amanda Cohen: Breaking Culinary Norms
In this episode of Flavors Unknown, I sit down with Chef Amanda Cohen, the creative force behind Dirt Candy, one of the most innovative vegetable-forward restaurants in New York City. Amanda has spent her career redefining what plant-based fine dining looks like—turning vegetables into...
How Chef Rivera is Redefining Sushi at Bakku in Puerto Rico
In this episode of Flavors Unknown, I sit down with Chef Joerick Rivera, the culinary mind behind Bakku, a Japanese crudo bar in Rincón, Puerto Rico, and Palmonte, where he explores Puerto Rican flavors with a modern twist. Despite initially resisting the idea of...
Chef JJ Johnson: The Power of Rice and Culinary Heritage
On today’s episode of Flavors Unknown, I sit down with Chef JJ Johnson, the James Beard Award-winning chef and founder of FIELDTRIP, a fast-casual concept with four locations across New York. Known for his deep appreciation of the African diaspora’s culinary traditions, Chef JJ...
Inside the Mind of Puerto Rican Chef Mario Pagán
In this episode of Flavors Unknown, I sit down with Chef Mario Pagán at his restaurant La Central in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Chef Pagán is a visionary in Puerto Rican cuisine, blending French techniques with bold, local flavors in what he calls the...
Exploring The Charleston Food Scene with StarChefs Rising Stars
Today’s episode is a special one! I’m joined by five exceptional chefs shaping the Charleston Food Scene: Chef Shuai Wang of King BBQ, blending Chinese barbecue traditions with Southern flavors. Chef Shaun Brian Sells of CudaCo., elevating sustainable seafood with creative coastal cuisine. Pastry...
Alexander Smalls on African Cuisine and Culture
In this episode of Flavors Unknown, I sit down with the extraordinary Alexander Smalls—Harlem-based chef, opera singer, storyteller, and James Beard Award-winning author. Alexander recently released his latest book, The Contemporary African Kitchen, a celebration of African culinary traditions and the chefs shaping its...