The Southern Fork

Hot sauce is Southern. Hot sauce is personal, and for many of us, hot sauce love began with Crystal Hot Sauce on a cold, briny oyster. In this episode, Crystal's CEO Pepper Baumer, a third-generation member of the renowned Brennan and Baumer culinary families, shares insights into the rich food culture of New Orleans, the legacy of Crystal Hot Sauce, and innovative strategies for growing a historic brand in modern markets.  To keep up with Stephanie's work beyond the show, sign up The Southern Fork on Substack. And for consistent visual peeks into the world of The Southern Fork, follow along on Instagram.  And here's the link to the 2022 interview with Ralph Brennan of Brennan's in New Orleans: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/25282098  

Herman Ng's journey through the restaurant industry is as rich and layered as the flavors he brings to his restaurant, XO Brasserie, which opened in 2024 in Charleston, SC. Growing up in a family that ran a Chinese restaurant in Columbia, SC, he has a unique perspective on food, culture, and the restaurant business. In this conversation, Herman shares his personal journey from growing up in a restaurant family to running one of his own. Discover how his background, creative approach to Chinese American cuisine, and dedication to service excellence shape his culinary vision. To keep up with Stephanie's work beyond the show, sign up The Southern Fork on Substack. And for consistent visual peeks into the world of The Southern Fork, follow along on Instagram.  

Pitmaster Hector Garate has become a rocketship in the barbecue world since opening Palmira Barbecue in Charleston, SC.    Palmira has been named "Best New Barbecue Joint in the South" by Southern Living, earned the top spot on Texas Monthly's "Best Texas-Style BBQ Joints in the USA" list, and saw its signature beef cheeks recognized as one of the New York Times' "Best Dishes of 2025." The restaurant has also been featured in Esquire, StarChefs, and Condé Nast Traveler, and this year, Hector was named a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation's Emerging Chef award. Hector most recently competed on Food Network's "Pitmasters" and is a YETI ambassador. This conversation with the pitmaster emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship, team building, and storytelling in creating a successful culinary business.  To keep up with Stephanie's work beyond the show, subscribe to  The Southern Fork on Substack. And for consistent visual peeks into the world of The Southern Fork, follow along on Instagram.  

The Southern Fork is now available on Substack. What does that mean? Well, it means right in your inbox, you can get a current, up to date resource that documents and celebrates the culinary life of the American South each week. It's kind of like the podcast coming to life on the page. There's inspiration, news-y type info, dishes and drinks to try, and plenty of updates on the more than 380 guests I've had the opportunity to interview right here.   Once you sign up, you don't have to do another thing, just look for my emails in your inbox. This is a very vital and important way to support the work of The Southern Fork and not only help me continue to give a space for great Southern culinary people to tell their stories, but having something else fun to share with your friends. And you just might know what wine to order next time you all go to dinner together! Check out all the fun at stephanieburt.substack.com or through the newsletter sign up on thesouthernfork.com. Let's keep the conversation going, shall we?

In this, the final episode of Season 10, James Bolt of The Gin Joint in Charleston, SC shares his journey from chemistry to craft cocktails, emphasizing the importance of culinary-driven mixology, the art of ice making, and innovative trends like mini cocktails. Discover how Charleston's vibrant food scene influences his creative process and the secrets behind crafting exceptional cocktails. To keep up with Stephanie's work beyond the show, sign up for On the Menu with The Southern Fork, her free monthly newsletter that includes recent bylines, recommendations, and other fun tidbits. And for consistent visual peeks into the world of The Southern Fork, follow along on Instagram.