While in Los Angeles last month, Andrew had time for just one pod interview and tops on his list, based on an excellent dinner at their restaurant last fall, were John Hong & Kat Hong, chef-owners of Yangban (yes, they've dropped the "Society" from the name) in DTLA. In this comprehensive conversation, the couple discuss their respective biographies, how they met while working at Josiah Citrin's Mélisse restaurant, then moved to Christopher Kostow's The Restaurant at Meadowood in the Napa Va...
Apr 15, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 218
It's been nearly 2 years since Travis Swikard opened his smash success Callie in his hometown of San Diego, California. Prior to returning to his native state, he spent several years in New York City, several of them as chef of Daniel Boulud's Boulud Sud. Andrew and Travis have been pals for some time, so when he was in NYC in December, Travis paid a visit to Andrew's Brooklyn home to talk about what he's learned as a relatively new restaurant owner, finding his own style after years in the worl...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 217
One of the pod's good friends, Chef Dan Kluger (Loring Place, et. al.), joins us today to discuss the genesis and development of his new Greywind restaurant , accompanied by Caitlin Giamario , the project's Executive Chef. Dan and Caitlin take us through the origin of the restaurant, which opens today , as well as its accompanying components (a bakery, chef's counter, and cocktail lounge), the challenges of opening at the tail end of a pandemic, and some favorite opening dishes. If you are in or...
Apr 12, 2023•32 min
On this date, the third anniversary of our losing chef Floyd Cardoz to COVID, we remember him and his legacy with his wife, Barkha Cardoz . A few weeks ago, Barkha generously invited Andrew to visit her home, even though they'd never met before, to enjoy a lunch prepared in part with the masalas she and Floyd developed several years ago (and which are still sold by Burlap & Barrell ). Barkha shared her own personal journey to the restaurant world, and recalls how she and Floyd met in cooking...
Mar 25, 2023•42 min
As executive chef of Parcelle wine bar in lower Manhattan, Ron Yan serves a menu informed by myriad cuisines and some of the places where he's lived around the world. In this conversation recorded outside the restaurant in late 2022, Ron describes his initial interest in food and cooking, his gravitation to New York City, and his experience in a range of New York restaurants, from the glitzy Le Cirque in MIdtown to the smaller and more intimate Jewel Bako and Degustation downtown. (As you'll hea...
Mar 25, 2023•51 min•Ep. 216
What began as a labor of love for documentarian and former journalist Joanna James-- making the documentary A Fine Line , about her mother Val --turned into an organization, MAPP , that supports women in food organizations through mentorship and advocacy. After a recent kick-off event for their coast-to-coast programming and events for 2023 at New York City's Union Square Cafe, Joanna, Val, and three MAPP ambassadors/board members-- Mo Carter , Amanda Mack , and Georgeann Leaming --gathered to d...
Feb 28, 2023•33 min
Thomas Allan , chef of New York City's The Modern , a Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant in the Museum of Modern Art, has achieved a lot in his thirty-five years. A young veteran of Per Se and Eleven Madison Park, and a former Bocuse d'Or competitor, he currently oversees a kitchen that has dependably earned two Michelin stars. In this deeply personal conversation, Thomas details a peripatetic childhood that found him living in England, Canada, and Texas by the time he reached high school...
Feb 25, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 215
Travis Petersen, a.k.a. The Nomad Cook , joins Andrew to discuss the rapidly evolving attitudes toward culinary cannabis, the growing culture of pop-up cannabis dinners and events, and what the future of cannabis in restaurants might look like. As the legal stance toward cannabis changes from state to state in the U.S., and country by country around the world, this is a fascinating conversation with a chef on the front lines of the movement. For details about/tickets to Travis' next Nomadic Nigh...
Feb 21, 2023•33 min
It's a rare thing for a restaurant, even a beloved one, to be reconstituted years after its original iteration, let alone after two prior versions. This weekend, in Orlando, FL, the legendary Norman Van Aken introduces the third rendering of his landmark Norman's to the world. On this Andrew Talks to Chefs Special Conversation, Norman calls in from Orlando to discuss what's new about this Norman's, mingling the classic and the contemporary, whether or not he still experiences pre-opening nerves,...
Feb 11, 2023•26 min
On a recent trip to New York City, Rob Connoley of St. Louis, MO's Bulrush restaurant , made time to sit down with Andrew and discuss his culinary career, which mingles elements of scholarship, history, and of course, cuisine. It all comes together at Bulrush, where he takes inspiration from the food and history of the Ozarks. We promise you: It's a fascinating conversation unlike any we've aired before. Settle in and enjoy! Andrew's next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Fo...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 214
Our second Andrew Talks to Chefs Special Conversation : In recent years, there's been an intermittent debate in the industry about whether or not team members should be credited on restaurant menus for their contribution to dish ideation. Classicists wave away the notion, while more progressive cooks and chefs often express an openness to the idea, if not an outright endorsement of it. Regardless of all the chatter, very few chef-restaurateurs have actually implemented a program to credit anyone...
Feb 05, 2023•32 min
With this episode, we introduce a new recurring feature on the pod: Andrew Talks to Chefs Special Conversations . In these freestanding, short-form episodes, we'll be discussing news and topics that are on the minds of the industry with chefs, owner-operators, cooks, farmers, platform providers, and others. Our goal is a free, open, and honest exchange of ideas. In this inaugural episode, Angie Mar , chef and owner of Les Trois Chevaux in Greenwich Village , New York City, sits down to share her...
Jan 25, 2023•49 min
Gregory Gourdet has had quite the year: HIs new restaurant Kann opened in Portland, Oregon ; his cookbook Everyone's Table won a James Beard Foundation Award, and Kann was named the best new restaurant in the nation by Esquire . While in New York City last month to attend Esquire 's celebration, Gregory swung by Andrew's Brooklyn apartment for a free-ranging conversation about his long and winding path to the professional kitchen, his years working with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, his hard-won so...
Jan 25, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 213
In our humble estimation, the food Marc St. Jacques and his team serve at Bar Bête , is some of the very best not just in Brooklyn, but in New York City, especially in such a relatively casual bistro setting and at a relatively gentle price point. Marc recently opened what's shaping up as an American answer to Bar Bête, Ruthie's , just a block up Smith Street in Cobble Hill. The new restaurant has undergone a few significant tweaks in just its first few months; in his conversation with Andrew, M...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 212
New York City listeners will no doubt recognize Michael Cecchi-Azzolina's face, if not his name. For several decades now, he's run the dining rooms of some of the most popular, acclaimed, and influential restaurants in Manhattan, including Raoul's and Le Coucou. Michael's first book, Your Table is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D' , which debuted just last week, is a no-holds-barred account of life in the front-of-house trenches, with all the vivid, sometimes lurid detail you'd expect. A...
Dec 12, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 211
Daniel Garwood is an ambitious and strikingly humble young chef whose career we look forward to following. The winner of the US regional finals of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition , and a sous chef at Atomix restaurant in New York City, Daniel has cooked in his native Australia, South Korea, and other culinary capitals, before coming to the United States in July. In this episode, Daniel and Andrew discuss his training, fascination with Korean ingredients and techniques, obsession ...
Dec 05, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 210
If you enjoy Andrew Talks to Chefs, you also may already have discovered Emmanuel Laroche's terrific podcast Flavors Unknown . On today's episode, Emmanuel joins Andrew to discuss his new book Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door: 50 American Chefs Chart Today's Food Culture , a fascinating meditation on chefs, food, cooking, flavor, and creativity in the kitchen. (Pro-tip: It'd make a great holiday gift for the chef or foodie in your life.) Andrew and Emmanuel discuss the inspiration for his b...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 209
How many of us can even name 50 countries? Well, Shannon Smith has traveled to more than 50 of them in her ongoing and very passionate quest to learn about the cuisines of the world, teach people living in poverty how to cook, fundraise for myriad causes, and pick up new techniques that she employs in the culinary experiences she produces at her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In this episode of the pod, Shannon and Andrew discuss her life and work, and explore the modern definition of what it means to...
Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 208
Chef Charlie Mitchell is enjoying his first turn in the public spotlight, and the ripple effects of earning his first Michelin star, at Clover Hill in Brooklyn Heights, NY --a restaurant that Andrew recently lauded on the pod. On today's episode, Charlie discusses his young life and career to date, including stints at San Francisco's Benu, and Betony, One White Street, and Eleven Madison Park in New York City. He and Andrew also kick around some topics that are on the minds of industry professio...
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 207
Gavin Kaysen , the chef behind Minneapolis' Soigne Hospitality , just published his first cookbook, At Home . While in New York City for a series of launch events, he found an hour to sit down with Andrew and discuss the book, his still-young career, and some milestones along the way. Gavin and Andrew have interviewed for books and online pieces in the past (see here , and here ), so have a long history that facilitates a very open, honest, and fun conversation that we know listeners will enjoy....
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 206
Chef Bryce Shuman considered becoming an actor before course-correcting to the pro kitchen. Following culinary school, he worked in some acclaimed restaurants, including an executive sous chef position at Eleven Madison Park in its heyday, before opening his own Betony, which had a successful run in Midtown Manhattan. He recently fulfilled a dream of opening a live-fire restaurant, Sweetbriar , in New York City. Andrew and Bryce sat down recently to discuss his young life, career, and current pa...
Oct 29, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 205
While at the LA Chef Conference last week, Andrew met the charming and passionate Chef Tolu "Eros" Erogbogbo, who's heading up the most talked-about popup in the LA area this year. Andrew and Chef Eros found some time to meet up before Andrew blew town to record this interview at the site of Eros' West African popup, ILÉ, which has taken Los Angeles by storm since it launched in April. And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, Daniel Holzman of Danny...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 204
Reem Assil , of Reem's California , was in New York City recently to promote her book Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora . In addition to discussing the book, Reem and Andrew got into a variety of hot topics swirling around the industry, and Reem previewed her episode of the new online series "Normal Ain't Normal" (the episode debuts on Tuesday, October 18 ). And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to you by BentoBox and Clover, Roni Mazumdar of Unapologetic ...
Oct 14, 2022•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 203
Ariel Fox has had an eclectic life in the kitchen, from a California childhood to an East Coast career; from the Nordic-in-New York Acme restaurant to setting the menus for Del Frisco's and Dos Caminos; and from a championship run on TV's Hell's Kitchen to authorship of her first cookbook Spice Kitchen: Healthy Latin and Caribbean Cuisine . In this episode, Ariel sits down with Andrew to discuss her unique path and current endeavors. And in this week's Tech and Restaurants segment, brought to yo...
Oct 07, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 202
It’s our sincere honor to welcome Jacques Pepin back for his third appearance on the pod. Last Friday, Andrew ventured north to Connecticut to Jacques’ home, where they discussed the genesis of Jacques’ latest book, Art of the Chicken: A Master Chef's Paintings, Stories, and Recipes of the Humble Bird , just published this week. The book is a charming and compelling mingling of biographical essays, recipes, and Jacques’ original artwork , all of which provided wonderful stepping off points for m...
Sep 29, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 201
With dishes like her signature Southern Fried Lasagna, chef Shenarri Freeman has been garnering media attention and a growing and devoted fan base at the plant-based soul food restaurant Cadence in New York City. On this episode of the pod, Shenarri sits down with Andrew to discuss her Richmond, Virginia, childhood; her evolution from carnivore to vegan; and her upcoming residency as part of the Shifting the Lens series at J Vineyards Winery in Healdsburg, California, which begins September 29. ...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 200
A few weeks ago, Marc Forgione opened his latest New York City restaurant, One Fifth , in a storied space in Greenwich Village. In his second appearance on the pod, recorded in Marc's Chelsea home, he shares the inspiration for this new market-driven project, his affection for landmark New York City restaurant spaces, how and why he took over the beloved Peasant in lower Manhattan, and explains the name behind his new Respect Hospitality Group. Please join us in welcoming a new advertiser to the...
Sep 15, 2022•59 min•Ep. 199
Talk to enough pizzaiolos and you'll realize that many of them are obsessed with their craft and generally soulful beings. Anthony Mangieri, the legendary force behind Una Pizza Napoletana for close to 30 years, is no exception: On a recent spring morning in New York City, Andrew walked into the restaurant, had an espresso with Anthony, and proceeded to discuss with him everything from pizza as a way of life, to creativity to off-hour pastimes (music, mountain biking, etc.) to a love-hate relati...
Jun 20, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 198
Chef Shinobu Namae visits New York City this week to address the United Nations on World Oceans Day (June 8). During his stay, Chef Namae generously made time to visit with Andrew and discuss the subject of his presentation (the importance of seaweed to the planet and how chefs can help advance the cause of its health and longevity), his personal journey to the professional kitchen, and the evolution of his palate and culinary style at his three-Michelin-star restaurant L'Effervescence in Tokyo....
Jun 08, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 197
Nikita Richardson, writer of New York Times Cooking 's " Where to Eat: New York City " column/newsletter (pro tip: subscribe to it!) , and an editor for the paper's Food section, sits down with Andrew to discuss restaurants, recommending restaurants, the shifting dining landscape, and her path to this unique and enviable role. A fun, informative, and free-ranging conversation. Click through to read Nikita's pieces on food in The Sims and "Where Are All the Black Restaurant Critics?" (both mentio...
May 27, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 196
