Kitchen Confidante Podcast

For many of us, baking with a grandparent is a wonderful core memory. And for Justin Ellen, the baker and cake artist behind Everything Just Baked, his love of baking started at a young age with the grandmas in his life. That early passion has taken him from nostalgic homemade desserts to show-stopping custom cakes for celebrities and major brands. His new cookbook Better than Grandma’s is filled with nostalgic cakes and desserts inspired by the kind of baking that brings people together — banana pudding, apple fritters, baked Alaska, and more. The book is also a tribute to Justin’s three grandmothers who each played an important role in his life and love for baking. In this episode, we talk about what he learned from his grandmothers, some of his favorite baking tips and techniques, and how that little boy with the KitchenAid mixer grew into the accomplished baker he is today. Learn more about Justin on Instagram, @everythingjustbaked, and learn more on his website, everythingjustbaked.com.

When we think about eating well, it is easy to get caught up in rules, trends, and the latest nutrition advice — but Stephanie Valentine reminds us that good food isn’t about restriction — it’s about finding joy in what’s on our plate. Stephanie is a nutritionist, recipe developer, and the author of Love What's On Your Plate: Finding Joy in Seasonal Cooking. In this episode, we talk about the inspiration behind her book, why growing even just a few herbs can change the way you cook, and the nutritional wisdom woven throughout its pages. Whether you're looking for fresh seasonal inspiration or simply a reminder that healthy eating can be both delicious and deeply satisfying, you'll love this conversation! Learn more about Stephanie at https://svliving.com and follow her on Instagram: @s.v.living Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/love-whats-on-your-plate-stephanie-valentine

Chef Crystal Wahpepah is a registered member of the Kickapoo Nation of Oklahoma and the chef and owner of Wahpepah's Kitchen in Oakland, California — one of only a handful of Indigenous restaurants in the country. Born and raised in Oakland's close-knit urban Native community, Crystal was the first Indigenous chef to compete on Food Network's Chopped and is a James Beard Award finalist for Emerging Chef. Her debut cookbook, A Feather and a Fork: 125 Intertribal Dishes from an Indigenous Food Warrior, is a collection of recipes, history, and storytelling that celebrates Native foods and the people who keep them alive. In this episode, we talk about her path to becoming an Indigenous chef, what it means to be a food warrior, and how returning to seasonal, ancestral foods can nourish both our bodies and our communities. Learn more about Chef Crystal at https://www.chefcrystalwahpepah.com. Follow Chef Crystal on Instagram: @crystalwahpepah Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/a-feather-and-a-fork-crystal-wahpepah

Have you ever considered how cooking can nourish your body, mind, and career? Adam Kingl is a leadership expert, educator, and co-author of Executive Eats: The Cookbook for a Better Working Life. Written with educator, scientist, and culinary professional Dr. Jakub Leszek Radzikowski, the book explores the fascinating connection between what we eat and how we think, work, create, and connect with others.  Rather than organizing recipes by meal type, Executive Eats is built around the outcomes many of us need and seek, such as sustained energy, sharper concentration, stress relief, creativity, comfort, and even celebration. It is part cookbook and part scientific exploration of food and wellbeing. While the book is written with executives in mind, its message resonates far beyond the boardroom. It offers a wonderful perspective for anyone on how cooking and eating can support a more fulfilling life. In this episode, we talk about the inspiration behind the book, the surprising benefits of cooking, and the ingredients and habits that can help all of us perform at our best. Learn more about Adam at adamkingl.com Follow Adam on LinkedIn. Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/executive-eats-with-adam-kingl

Bobby Hicks is a chef, food historian, and author of the new cookbook, Retro Recipes: Vintage Dishes with a Modern Twist. You may recognize him as a contestant on Season 4 of Gordon Ramsay's Next Level Chef. His debut cookbook, Retro Recipes, contains 100 previously forgotten recipes — like Chicken A La King, Orange Sherbert, and even Jello Salad — that he has revived for modern tastes. Bobby revisits the dishes that filled family tables throughout much of the 20th century with updated techniques, clear instructions, and plenty of historical context. Through his unique blend of culinary expertise and humor, Bobby explores why these recipes were so popular in their time and what they can still teach us today. In this episode, we chat about his unconventional path into professional kitchens, how a pandemic-era hobby turned into a deep dive through a century of food history, and what it actually took to bring 100 retro recipes back to life for the modern table. Learn more about about Bobby at retrorecipeskitchen.com, and follow him on Instagram @retrorecipeskitchen and at @thisfellow. Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/retro-recipes-with-bobby-hicks