Dale Talde is the host and producer of Tastemade’s All Up In My Grill, the Executive Chef/Owner of Goosefeather at the Tarrytown House Estate in New York (which was named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America in 2020), and Talde Noodle and Dumpling in LaGuardia Airport’s newly renovated Terminal B Headhouse, both of which he operates under his full-service hospitality consulting firm, Food Crush Hospitality, that he co-founded with his wife Agnes. His latest project is the opening of Tigress, an open-air rooftop Cantonese steakhouse, in the brand new The Perry Hotel in Naples, FL. Dale was named a semifinalist for the 2022 James Beard Awards in the “Best Chef: New York State” category, and he is the author of the Asian-American cookbook, which was released in 2015.
Chef Paul Kahan has become the nationally recognizable face of Chicago chefs. Passionately seasonal, unconventionally creative and dedicated to the inspiration of classical cuisine, Kahan has received international acclaim for Blackbird, avec, The Publican, Big Star, Publican Quality Meats, Nico Osteria, Dove’s Luncheonette, Publican Quality Bread, and Publican Tavern O’Hare. Awarded Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation in 2013 and Best Chef of the Midwest in 2004, Kahan has earned the praise of many who claim him to be one of America’s most influential working chefs.
Chef Michael Voltaggio has established a bold and trendsetting legacy. His influence spans multiple industries, with groundbreaking projects like Vulcania at Mammoth Mountain, Volt Burger at over 40 Live Nation Venues nationwide, and Voltaggio Brothers Steak House at MGM National Harbor in DC, all reflecting his innovative spirit.
Alex Stupak is the Chef and Co-Owner of the Empellón restaurant group in New York City. Born in Massachusetts, Alex became a scholar of the avant garde and molecular gastronomy movements. He worked as the pastry chef of Clio in Boston with Ken Oringer, Alinea in Chicago with Grant Achatz and wd~50 in NYC with Wylie Dufresne. With earnest dedication to always doing the unexpected, Alex pivoted away from pastry and these styles of cooking and chose to adopt Mexican cuisine as a perpetual source of creative inspiration. Alex opened Empellón Taqueria in the west village of Manhattan and has since opened several more restaurants inside and outside the Empellón brand. His approach to cooking focuses on opposing the reductive way people often view different cuisines. Alex was selected as one of Food and Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2013 and has received multiple James Beard Nominations including one for his book, Tacos, Recipes and Provocations which was published in 2015.
Renee Erickson is a James Beard award-winning chef, author and the chef/co-owner of multiple projects in Seattle, Washington: The Walrus and the Carpenter, The Whale Wins, Barnacle, Boat Bar, Bateau, Lioness, Deep Dive, Willmott's Ghost, Westward, and several General Porpoise Doughnuts and Coffee locations. Her new cookbook Sunlight & Breadcrumbs explores the surprising wonder and satisfaction you can find in making everyday food, inspiring us all to cook creatively. The book highlights the beauty and creativity in making everyday food at home. Renee decided to reconnect with her creativity by painting, taking photographs, making ceramics, and, of course, cooking everything you will find inside its charming pages.
Lee Anne Wong is the chef and owner of Koko Head Cafe in Honolulu, Hawaii. In March of 2019, Wong moved to Maui with her partner and one year old son. She also participated in Season 17 of Bravo’s Top Chef All Stars, filmed in Los Angeles and Northern Italy. Chef Wong’s Maui project, Papa’aina at the Pioneer Inn, located in historic Old Lahaina at the Harbor, showcased her culinary travels while featuring local, Maui grown and raised ingredients, and she was nominated as a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Outstanding Chef Pacific Northwest 2022. Papa’aina received local recognition and awards for Best Breakfast and Best New Restaurant during its lifespan. In August of 2023, Papa’aina perished in the Maui fires. Chef Wong participated in the Maui recovery efforts despite losing her own restaurant and continues to advocate for Maui and the small business community in Hawaii. Forging ahead, Chef Wong opened two Japan outposts of Koko Head Cafe; Tokyo in April 2023 and Osaka in September 2024. Koko Head Cafe recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, with Chef Wong planning a KHC Brunch Cookbook and continuing efforts to expand the brand locally. She continues to appear on various media platforms, most recently competing on Food Network’s Tournament of Champions, Seasons 4, 5, & 6 and looks forward to working on exciting new projects to expand her brand and culinary expertise.
Hey Everybody! In this episode, I catch up with the one and only Guy Fieri. He shares his journey from a small-town boy with a passion for food to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in America. We dig into how his early experiences in restaurants shaped his work ethic and cooking style, and why he’s always thinking about how he can use his platform to do more. This episode is a great reminder that success isn’t just about what you achieve—it's about how you give back along the way. Follow me here: Website Instagram Youtube
Marc-Olivier Frappier is a partner-chef of Mon Lapin, a 50-seat bistro in Montreal’s Little Italy. Mon Lapin was named Canada’s Best Restaurant 2 years in a row by C100B, and received a Michelin Recommendation. After high school, he moved to Italy, where he spent almost two years, soaking up the culinary culture that would inspire him to become a chef. He then worked in various kitchens in Europe and the US. In 2009, Marco started working at Joe Beef where he eventually became executive chef of all Joe Beef restaurants, and, at the tender age of 23, a business partner, with the opening of Vin Papillon. In December 2024, he opened Rôtisserie La Lune with his 4 operating partners from Mon Lapin, a childhood dream of his where his love of rotisserie chicken comes to life! He deeply loves his wife Vanya, their dog Alba, the Montreal Canadiens, and one day hopes to work with Gatorade (which he loves).
Tracy is the Chef/Co-Owner of Birdie's in Austin, Texas. She was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up just outside the city in Tomball, a suburb. Growing up, she spent her summers on her Granny and Papaw’s goat and sheep ranch in West Texas. After graduating from the University of Houston’s Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, she moved to Spain, where she fell in love with ingredient driven cooking. When she got back home, she packed up her car and drove to Chicago, where she spent a couple of years cooking at Lula Café, before heading off to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. After she graduated, Tracy cooked in New York City at the award-winning restaurants Cru, Del Posto, and Blue Hill New York, before becoming a sous-chef at Danny Meyer’s Gramercy Tavern under James Beard Outstanding Chef winner, Mike Anthony. Tracy's food has been celebrated in Food and Wine Magazine, Esquire, Bon Appetit, Wine Enthusiast, and the New York Times. She was a 2024 James Beard Foundation Finalist for Best Chef-- Texas.
Chef Aitor Zabala is a visionary chef known for his mastery of modernist cuisine and his ability to craft immersive dining experiences. A native of Catalonia, Aitor became a key figure in the U.S. culinary scene, serving as the Creative Director for Chef Jose Andres’s ThinkFoodGroup for a decade, and where he played a pivotal role in opening groundbreaking dining concepts.In 2018, Aitor opened Somni, an intimate, chef’s counter experience housed within The Bazaar by José Andrés in LA. The restaurant quickly gained culinary acclaim, earning two Michelin stars just a year after opening, along with a Forbes 5-star rating and recognition from the World’s 50 Best Restaurants as a “Discovery” pick. In 2020, The Best Chef Awards ranked him as the No. 8 chef in the world, further cementing his status as one of the industry’s most innovative talents.In November 2024, Aitor reintroduced Somni as an independent venture. This latest iteration continues to reflect his Catalan heritage while embracing the rich culinary landscape of Southern California, where he has made his home. Guided by his passion for textures, flavors, and precise techniques, Aitor continues to push the boundaries of gastronomy while maintaining a sense of comfort and familiarity in his dishes.
You can take the man out of Kansas City, but not Kansas City out of the man. Missouri-native Darryl Bell Jr. knows that eminently. He’ll be the first to acknowledge that this city, steeped in history, jazz, and world-class barbecue, flavored and seasoned his upbringing in countless ways that linger. So much so that when this chef – who’s cooked in the celebrated kitchens of Alinea in Chicago, Bouchon in Yountville, Etoile in Napa, Michel Troisgros in Tokyo, Press in St. Helena, and restaurants in France – embarked on his first entrepreneurial venture, it had Kansas City written all over it.Bell’s company, Stateline Road BBQ, is named for the major thoroughfare that divides Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS. Not surprisingly, it’s a hotbed for great barbecue joints. His first product, 816 BBQ Sauce, carries the imprint of the area code of Kansas City. A zesty blend of Central Valley tomatoes, Gilroy garlic, brown sugar, vinegar, and a hush-hush blend of spices, it’s just the right amount of sweet, heat, and piquant that reveals itself on the palate like a fine wine. In fact, one Napa Valley winery owner christened it the “Mercedes-Benz of barbecue sauces.’’ None other than Thomas Keller took one taste and put it on his menus served aboard all Seabourn luxury cruise ships.
Melissa Perello is an accomplished chef and restaurateur, leading the acclaimed San Francisco restaurants Octavia and Frances.
Bryan Voltaggio isn’t just a chef; he’s a generational talent, respected by his peers and admired by food lovers everywhere. His restaurants—Voltaggio Brothers Steakhouse, Vulcania (co-owned with his brother Michael), and Wye Oak Tavern—each tell a story of culinary mastery and savory innovation.With accolades that include being a James Beard Foundation Award finalist and starring on Top Chef (season six), Top Chef Masters (season five), and Top Chef All-Stars (season sixteen), Bryan has firmly cemented his place in the culinary world. His cookbooks, HOME and VOLT Ink (co-written with his brother Michael), showcase his talent and offer a peek into his creative process.2024 was another big year for Bryan with the debut of Wye Oak Tavern in his hometown of Frederick, MD. This new venture is all about celebrating local flavors and ingredients, reflecting the city’s growing food scene.Despite his busy career, Bryan stays grounded with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Thatcher, Piper, and Ever Maeve. Recently earning his pilot’s license, Bryan now enjoys exploring the country’s beauty from 15,000 feet. As he continues to innovate and push culinary boundaries, Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s impact on the food world keeps growing, driven by his passion and creativity.
Douglas Keane is the talented chef and co-owner of the renowned Michelin-starred restaurant Cyrus, in Geyserville, CA. Throughout his career, Chef Douglas Keane has been recognized and celebrated for his culinary excellence. His accolades include two Michelin stars, four stars from the San Francisco Chronicle, a James Beard Award for Best Chef Pacific, and being listed in Gourmet Magazine's Top 50 Restaurants in America, among many others.
Chef Jonny Black is the Co-owner and Executive Chef at Chez Noir, in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA. Follow ChrisFollow Jonny
The culinary heart of Chef Timon Balloo’s food draws from a broad range of international flavors. From his Chinese, Indian-Trinidadian heritage to his classic European training, to the diverse kitchens where he built his career, each step along the way has led Balloo to become the chef he is today.
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Justin Cogley is the Executive Chef/Partner of Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel in Carmel-by-the-Sea. As Executive Chef he oversees Aubergine and all of L’Auberge Carmel’s culinary programs. Cogley comes to Carmel by way of Chicago, Illinois, where he was instrumental in opening the Elysian Hotel’s new kitchen as Executive Sous Chef. He previously worked at Charlie Trotter’s critically acclaimed restaurant for four years, claiming the position of Chef de Cuisine for the last two. Prior to his career as a chef, Cogley was a professional international figure skater performing with “Disney on Ice.”
In the heart of Anaheim, California, Chef Michael Reed, a culinary virtuoso with two decades of experience and a James Beard Best Chef West nominee, and his partner Kwini Reed, a Southern California native with a passion for culinary excellence, an eye for aesthetics, and a talent for curating experiences, have joined forces to create an extraordinary culinary experience at Poppy & Seed.
As a chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author, Marco Canora promotes delicious, simple, and healthful food. In 2003, he opened Hearth in Manhattan's East Village, earning a strong local following and critical acclaim for his seasonal, Italian-inflected cooking. Hearth has a positive two-star review from The New York Times and a prestigious “Outstanding Restaurant" nomination from the James Beard Foundation and in 2017 Marco won the James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef NYC. Marco is also the founder of Brodo, a popular to-go window serving coffee cups of hot, nourishing bone broths.
Pínchenoche!
Love that you had him on. He definitely is an inspiration. Love his story.