A perennial seeker, Johnny Clark has had a long and unpredictable road to his success (with wife and co-chef/owner Beverly Kim) at Wherewithall and Parachute restaurants in Chicago, Illinois. From a Cincinnati childhood punctuated by a passion for skateboarding to New York City and gigs in several old-school kitchens to a stage under the late, great Im Ji-ho in Korea, and ultimately to Chicago, Johnny's path is utterly unique and his openness about his life and career challenges makes for a wond...
Apr 26, 2022•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 195
Tom Colicchio recently sat down with Andrew to discuss a wide-ranging variety of topics, from his newest restaurant Vallata to the state of the industry to the genesis of the Independent Restaurant Coalition to his NFT venture CHEFTY . He also shares some personal insights into his enduring love of cooking and how his childhood memories figure into it. In the intro, Andrew describes the global S.Pellegrino* Young Chef Academy Competition, and encourages listeners under 30 to apply . (For a sense...
Apr 12, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 194
Our first show before a live audience in three years took place at a recent gathering of New York City line cooks at Crown Shy restaurant, part of S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water's "On the Line" dinner series, which celebrates and supports line cooks. Andrew and James Kent, executive chef and partner of Crown Shy , Saga , and Overstory , discuss the lessons James learned in his line-cook days, and his advice to aspiring cooks and chefs today. It's a fun, frank conversation in front ...
Mar 18, 2022•30 min•Ep. 193
Daniel Holzman has made a name for himself as a prolific and successful chef and operator, most recently at Danny Boy's Famous Original in LA ; Matt Rodbard has done the same in the world of food writing, editing, online publishing, and podcasting as the founding editor of TASTE and the author of Koreatown . Now, the two friends and writing partners have concocted a wonderful, singular cookbook Food IQ: 100 Questions, Answers, and Recipes to Raise Your Cooking Smarts . On the publication day of ...
Feb 22, 2022•39 min•Ep. 192
By functioning as a chef, entrepreneur, author, entertainer, and social activist, Roy Choi has emerged as one the crucial, genuine voices in the food industry today. On this episode, Roy makes his Andrew Talks to Chefs debut to discuss Season 2 of his show Broken Bread , which looks at myriad social issues through the Prisim of food. As always, Roy is thoughtful, insightful, and open in a conversation that we love. Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated wit...
Feb 04, 2022•46 min•Ep. 191
Ji Hye Kim spent her childhood in Seoul, Korea, and her teenage years in New Jersey, before discovering a love for restaurants during college jobs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she's now chef of, and a partner in, Miss Kim . On this episode of the pod, Ji Hye shares the story of how she decided on a life in the kitchen, why she spent a few years working the deli counter at the legendary Zingerman's, and the relationships she enjoys with local farms and how their produce impacts her takes on trad...
Jan 31, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 190
Diana and Zack Wangeman were childhood friends in Oaxaca who followed different paths to their current success at Sobre Masa in Brooklyn, NY . On this episode of the pod, they share the story of coming to appreciate the food of Oaxaca, how they ended up in New York (and married), and the broader mission of their business. Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates,...
Jan 21, 2022•43 min•Ep. 189
Chef Kevin O'Donnell loves a challenge, but even he wasn't prepared to open his new "free-style" Italian restaurant Giusto (Newport, RI) during a global pandemic. Kevin shares how Giusto launched and thrived against the odds. He also discusses his culinary awakening, his culinary school experience, and what it was like being a newly arrived American chef in Paris with just two weeks to ready a project for opening. Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with...
Jan 07, 2022•54 min•Ep. 188
Happy New Year! We wanted to kick 2022 off with something positive, and are thrilled to welcome one of the pod's most popular guests ever, Missy Robbins (chef & co-owner of Lilia & Misi in Brooklyn, NY), back to the show. On this episode, Missy discusses her second book, Pasta: The Spirit and Craft of Italy's Greatest Food, with Recipes , coauthored with Talia Baiocchi. Missy shares the origin and process of producing this wonderful resource that combines fundamental knowledge with both ...
Jan 01, 2022•52 min•Ep. 187
Author and journalist Corey Mintz 's new book The Next Supper: The End of Restaurants as We Knew Them, and What Comes After , should be required reading for industry professionals and anyone who wants restaurants to evolve as they must to survive as viable businesses and workplaces, and succeed in the future. In this episode, Corey joins Andrew to discuss the challenges facing the industry, and the actions he suggests diners take to do their part to bring about change. Andrew Talks to Chefs is a...
Nov 24, 2021•44 min•Ep. 186
Pati Jinich 's enthusiasm for and curiosity about her native Mexico is boundless. She explores the myriad states and cuisines of Mexico on her PBS series Pati's Mexican Table , currently in its 10th season, and in her cookbooks. On this episode of the pod, Pati joins Andrew to discuss her latest book, Treasures of the Mexican Table (which publishes today ), and her recent PBS special La Frontera , about the US/Mexican border and the rich culture to be discovered there. And, this being Thanksgivi...
Nov 23, 2021•48 min•Ep. 185
We at Andrew Talks to Chefs are huge fans of Gabe McMackin . Talented and thoughtful, he owned and operated his own restaurant The Finch for five years, and currently is chef of Troutbeck , a magnificent, historic property in Upstate, NY. Gabe and Andrew recently sat down to discuss Gabe's path to the pro kitchen, as well as changing kitchen culture, and myriad other subjects. Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit...
Nov 22, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 184
For years now, Dan Richer's name has been synonymous with superlative pizza. At his Razza Pizza Artigianale in Jersey City, NJ, he turns out some of the most acclaimed pizza in the United States. Now, he's teamed up with collaborator Katie Parla to share his hard-earned pizza-making wisdom in The Joy of Pizza , which debuts today (November 9, 2021). Andrew was knocked out by the book's wealth of information, instructive images, and passion, and we're thrilled to celebrate this book and share a n...
Nov 09, 2021•38 min•Ep. 183
Chef Dennis Ngo grew up the American-born son of Vietnamese refugees in Houston, Texas, and spent almost a decade in the corporate world, before following a fondness for hospitality into the professional kitchen. After a brief stint as a dishwasher and line cook, he took the opportunity to become chef of a downtown Manhattan restaurant. Following a rocky start, he grew into the role, eventually moving on to other opportunities and then, about five years ago, opening Di An Di in Greenpoint, Brook...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 182
It hasn't been easy for Byron Gomez . His family relocated from Costa Rica to the United States when he was 8-years old, and he grew up under a cloud of uncertainty due to their immigration status. Nevertheless, he discovered and succeeded in professional kitchens, thanks in part to a first job in Burger King, of all places, and went on to work in Atera, Eleven Madison Park, and a handful of Daniel Boulud's restaurants. He's currently chef of 7908, a combination restaurant, bar, and club in Aspe...
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 181
Zoe Adjonyoh 's fascination with Ghanaian cuisine began as an exploration of personal identity (she grew up in the U.K., the child of a Ghanaian father and Irish mother), expanded to a focus of culinary travel, and flowered into a series of London-based businesses--pop-ups, supper clubs, a restaurant, and a book, Zoe's Ghana Kitchen . On this, the publication day of the first US edition of her book, Zoe joins Andrew to discuss her passion for her work, how it fits into the relatively recent effo...
Oct 19, 2021•41 min•Ep. 180
As a child, Timothée Prangé dreamed of becoming a chef, but somewhere along the way, he took a detour into music as a trumpet player, and then into the vibrant world of modern cocktails. His Little Red Door is the hottest cocktail bar in Paris, where the menu's concept changes annually, earning the establishment abundant honors including longstanding inclusion in the World's 50 Best Bars . While in Antwerp for the World's 50 Best Restaurants * ceremony last week, Andrew had a chance to sit down ...
Oct 15, 2021•43 min•Ep. 179
Hanna Raskin, most recently a reporter and restaurant critic for the Charleston Post and Courier, just launched The Food Section, a Substack devoted to food and related issues across the American South . The online journal, delivered to subscribers' email inboxes twice weekly, offers everything from news and investigative journalism to restaurant reviews, opinion columns, and features. On today's pod, Hanna calls in from Charleston to discuss her move into this growing journalism sector, and des...
Oct 01, 2021•34 min•Ep. 178
Author Laurie Woolever joins Andrew to discuss her wonderful new book Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography (due out September 28 and now available for preorder), and to share her memories and observations from the ten years she spent as his assistant, collaborator, and friend. Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearanc...
Sep 24, 2021•47 min•Ep. 177
For the first time in 2021, we're bringing back our pandemic-era movie-discussion series Shelter en Place, with guest critics Allison and Matt Robicelli. This time 'round, Andrew, Allison and Matt engage in a SPOILER-FILLED (don't say we didn't warn you) discussion of the surprisingly terrific Nicolas Cage vehicle Pig . Is this film, whose trailer was greeted with derisive laughter earlier this summer, one of the best movies ever made about chefs and restaurants? Listen in and find out. Andrew T...
Sep 10, 2021•55 min•Ep. 176
On Andrew's (second) recent book-research trip to Chicago, a chance encounter with Galit restaurant's Zach Engel led to a pod sitdown. Zach shares what it was like to grow up the son of a rabbi in Florida, to zero in on MIddle Eastern food in jobs with Philly's Mike Solomonov and New Orleans' Alon Shaya, as well as time cooking in Israel, before putting down roots in Chicago. And in the Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, friend of the pod Scott Varricchio of Citrus Grillhouse in Vero Beac...
Aug 26, 2021•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 175
During a recent book research trip to Chicago, Andrew made time to sit down with industry legend Rich Melman, founder of Lettuce Entertain You ; Lettuce Entertain You president R.J. Melman; and executive partner Jerrod Melman. On the occasion of the company's 50th year in business, the family open up about the company's origins, evolution, and management style, as well as other aspects of running restaurants and managing teams. This is a rare and fascinating chance to learn about a philosophy of...
Aug 12, 2021•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 174
One of the most influential contemporary American chefs, Alfred Portale, joins us to discuss his early, formative days; the Italian-American influence on his culinary sensibility; and the pleasures of opening his current restaurant, the self-titled Italian restaurant Portale in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood . (Alfred also happens to be the chef who gave Andrew his big break, when he hired him to coauthor his first cookbook.) And in The Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, Patricia Ho...
Jul 30, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 173
Arron Sain combines his culinary training and nutritional knowledge (he's a former competitive bodybuilder) to his work as a personal chef and trainer to professional football players like his current client Bud Dupree, as well as celebrities like Fantasia Barrino. Arron sat down with Andrew in Chicago this week to share his unique journey that included an almost 15-year hiatus from his culinary track. In The Line Up, our news and commentary segment, Ray Delucci of the podcast Line Cook Thoughts...
Jul 24, 2021•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 172
Andrew recently sat down with prolific chef and restaurateur Franklin Becker at his recently launched Manhattanville Market for a very personal conversation about everything from his evolution as a chef and manager to the ups and downs of his personal life, starting with a tumultuous childhood in Brooklyn, NY. In The Line Up, our news and commentary segment, the new executive director of the industry advocacy organization ROAR NY , Andrea Strong, and co-founder Sean Feeney, discuss the organizat...
Jul 16, 2021•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 171
Chutatip "Nok" Suntaranon, the chef and owner of Philadelphia's acclaimed Kalaya restaurant, tells the fascinating story of her circuitous route to her current success and her unique approach to management and hospitality. In The Line Up, our news and commentary segment, author and journalist Joshua David Stein discusses the fate of the Reset and related industry subjects. (Check out Joshua's new book Cooking for Your Kids: At Home with the World's Greatest Chefs and Joshua's Zoom chat with Sean...
Jul 09, 2021•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 170
We're super-excited to share a fascinating interview with chef Flynn McGarry. Recorded in two sessions at his Gem restaurant in lower Manhattan , one just before the pandemic in February 2020 and the other just last week, the conversations cover McGarry's creative process, both as chef and restaurateur, as well as how he had to adjust his plans for Gem to respond to the ongoing public health crisis and his own constantly shifting sensibilities. In our news and commentary segment The Line-Up, Rob...
Jul 02, 2021•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 169
This week, the American restaurant industry lost a Los Angeles legend when chef Mark Peel passed away at the untimely age of 66. As tribute, we're sharing a 2010 book interview Andrew conducted with Mark that covers his culinary awakening in the 1970s, his time in (and contributions to) such landmark restaurants as Ma Maison, Michael's Santa Monica, and Spago, as well as the launch of his own restaurant Campanile, in partnership with his wife at the time, Nancy Silverton. And in our weekly news ...
Jun 25, 2021•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 168
At the heart of their successful Brooklyn restaurants Colonia Verde and Disco Tacos is the longstanding romance between Felipe Donnelly and Tamy Rofe. The couple sat down with Andrew in Williamsburg to discuss how they met, fell in love, and eventually ditched their marketing careers for a new life in hospitality. At this precarious moment in time, this is a feel-good conversation sure to put a smile on your face. In The Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, David Nayfeld and Matt Brewer of ...
Jun 17, 2021•2 hr 37 min•Ep. 167
For nearly 3 decades chef Peter Hoffman owned and operated the storied restaurant Savoy in New York City's SoHo neighborhood. In his first book, What's Good? , he intertwines his own story and that of the restaurant with notes on ingredients that take the reader through a year of growing cycles. It's a remarkable and beautifully written book and Peter's comments are a wonderful expansion of some key ideas and moments it contains. In The Line-Up, our news and commentary segment, writer and podcas...
Jun 03, 2021•2 hr•Ep. 166
