Chris Lindstrom hosts a discussion on the Food About Town podcast that dives deep into the evolution of PlantiePops (@plantiepops), a business that focuses on vegan options in Rochester and beyond! Check out their vegan tasting event event at Balsam Bagels on August 9th from 2pm - 4pm. Get your tickets at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/plantiepops/1796361 or find the link on plantiepops.com! He talks with guests Jason and Stefanie Schwingle about their journey from their original venture, T...
Aug 08, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 205
Check out the upcoming Glorious Garlic Festival (@gloriousgarlicfestival) being held at the Geneva Lakefront on August 2nd and 3rd. Chris chats with Brud Holland (@flxmaker), the chef at Fox Run Vineyards, who shares insights about his Sunday cooking demo at the festival, where he’ll showcase a creative dish featuring local ingredients like blue corn and organic chickpeas. They explore the importance of using fresh, local products in cooking and how these choices enhance flavors, making food not...
Aug 01, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 204
Chris Lindstrom hosts the Food About Town podcast, diving into the vibrant world of culinary experiences centered around the Glorious Garlic Festival (@gloriousgarlicfestival). The episode features Christin Ortiz, who is set to lead a food demonstration Sunday August 3rd showcasing roasted garlic gnocchi topped with fresh pesto. Ortiz emphasizes the importance of approachability in cooking, aiming to inspire attendees to explore new flavors and cooking techniques while fostering a love for food ...
Jul 31, 2025•46 min•Ep. 203
Chris Lindstrom hosts a deep dive into the upcoming Glorious Garlic Festival (@gloriousgarlicfestival) happening at the Geneva Lakefront on August 2nd and 3rd. Chris and Reagan Burns discuss the festival's new features, including a family zone and VIP tent, aimed at enhancing visitor experience. Regan shares insights on taking over the festival and her passion for garlic, emphasizing the diversity of vendors and the fresh, local produce available. Mentions gloriousgarlicfestival.com - Fox Run Vi...
Jul 28, 2025•41 min•Ep. 202
Chris Lindstrom hosts the team from the Sager-Stoneyard Pub including Jim Zobel from Doughboyz! This episode revolves around the collaboration between Sager Beer Works and Stoneyard Brewing, highlighting how partnerships just might be the future of brew pubs! Listeners are introduced to Paul Guaracini and his journey in brewing, along with Oz from Stoneyard, who brings his unique brewing style to the mix, and Jim from Doughboyz with the pizza and technically challenging chicken wings that were a...
Jun 14, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 201
Chris Lindstrom (@stromie) hosts a captivating discussion about the vibrant food and beer scene in Rochester, particularly focusing on the upcoming Rails and Ales festival. Otto Vondrak (@roc_otto), the marketing manager for the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad (@rocrealtrains) and create of the Rochester Beer Blog (@rocbeerblog), joins the conversation to share insights about the festival, the railroad museum, and the importance of supporting local breweries. They delve into the intricate ...
May 20, 2025•56 min•Ep. 200
Note from Chris (@stromie) - this was intended to be an episode with short interviews with all of the vendors mentioned recorded live at the Lilac Festival (@rochesterlilacfestival), but unfortunately, technical issues are preventing these from being listenable. Instead, I am bringing you some highlights from my discussions with these fascinating people with the hope that you can go visit them either today or tomorrow at the Lilac Festival or at other events and their establishments. Apologies t...
May 17, 2025•22 min•Ep. 199
This episode of Just Can't Not features Chris Lindstrom (@stromie) chatting with Magnus (@magnusapollo) to learn about the interactive art he created for the 2025 Lilac Festival (@rochesterlilacfestival)! This project has everything - a photo scavenger hunt of animal art around the park, a giant Magnus along the entrance, laser artwork on rocks, and more! This project is so Magnus and we are all excited to go check it out. Visit the Lilac Festival - it is open today through Sunday May 18th. Enjo...
May 10, 2025•27 min
The Rochester Lilac Festival (@rochesterlilacfestival), a celebrated institution marking the commencement of spring and the festival season, is ready to kick off on Friday May 9th! This year, the festival commemorates 127 years of tradition, having evolved from a modest gathering into a grand ten-day event that attracts over half a million visitors. Guests can expect diverse attractions, including an enhanced VIP experience, a farmer's market featuring local vendors, and a lineup of musical perf...
May 03, 2025•55 min
This episode of the Food About Town podcast features guests Matthew and Oliver from the One Drink Podcast (@onedrinkroc), who join Chris in discussing their gas station snack favorites in a tournament to crown the best snack on the go! They explore the nostalgia tied to snacks encountered on road trips and late-night adventures, emphasizing how these experiences shape our choices at gas stations. Throughout, they reflect on both the good and the questionable options available, shedding light on ...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 198
Welcome to a VERY SPECIAL crossover podcast episode between @FoodAboutTownPodcast / @LunchadorPodcasts and the sister shows That Sounds Terrific in the 585 (@soundsterrific) and That Sounds Terrifying (@thatsoundsterrifying) hosted by Christine Green (@chrissygreenny), Nick Koziol (@kozioln), and Jess DiCotas (@rocjessy)! The crew talks about the origin of each of their shows, the challenges of being positive, the importance of genuine engagement, where they explore how storytelling can bridge g...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 197
The episode commences with an introduction to a special event, celebrating the ten-year retrospective of Explore Rochester at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. The host expresses gratitude towards Steve Carter and Justin Doucet for their involvement and the opportunity to conduct nearly fifty-five interviews, capturing the essence of Rochester through the perspectives of various contributors. Each interviewee shares their insights and experiences relating to their photographic contributions...
Apr 08, 2025•52 min
This episode of FAT Bites was recorded on-site during March Magnus (@magnusapollo) at Made On State in the heart of Rochester. Chris chats with John Ballou (@jackbearstamps), an artist and curator of the Mini Mystery Art Machine (@minimysteryartmachine). Chris and John reflect on personal experiences, making it clear that community engagement is not just about the events, but the connections forged along the way. They chat about trips that don't measure up and how to keep expectations better bal...
Mar 29, 2025•26 min•Ep. 196
Chris chats with Courtney Klee, a farmer at Growing Family Farms, who shares her journey into agriculture and highlights the farm's commitment to regenerative practices. They discuss the variety of produce they grow and how CSAs foster a direct relationship between farmers and consumers. Courtney explains how CSAs work, allowing customers to receive fresh, local produce while helping farmers during the off-season. They emphasize the value of knowing where food comes from and the unique flavors t...
Mar 25, 2025•59 min•Ep. 195
In this episode, Chris interviews Christine Montroy, the creator behind the Instagram page Fairport Food and Drink, who shares her journey of documenting local dining experiences. They dive into how Christine transitioned from merely taking pictures of her meals to fostering a strong community connection through her platform, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses. The conversation touches on the evolution of Fairport's dining options, highlighting various restaurants, breweri...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 194
In this special episode of Just Can't Not, Steve Carter (@stevecarter) and Justin Dusett (@jdusett) join host Chris Lindstrom (@stromie) to explore the origins and evolution of Explore Rochester, highlighting its role in connecting individuals to their surroundings and each other. We explore the significance of the upcoming 10-year retrospective exhibition, which will be held at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center from March 7 to May 10. The exhibition will feature contributions from over 500 ...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Chris Lindstrom hosts a conversation centered around the Rochester Supper Club, emphasizing its focus on communal dining and local ingredients. He chats with chef Mike Durfee and sommelier Shomari Smoak (@winewithsmoak), who share their experiences and the evolution of their collaboration. The duo discusses how they create unique, seasonal menus that highlight local flavors and pairings, making each dining experience distinct. Their relationship has grown from a shared passion for food and wine ...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 193
Chris Lindstrom hosts a chat with owner Jared Valentine from Open Face currently located at the Goerge Eastman Museum. Make sure you swing by for some sandwiches, soup, and Moxie any day the Museum is open! The conversation kicks off with a reflection on the restaurant's significance and its evolution over the years. Jared shares his journey from initially envisioning Open Face as an art gallery to successfully establishing it as a unique dining experience, influenced by his roots and favorite f...
Feb 14, 2025•53 min•Ep. 192
Chris Lindstrom shares his recent adventures in Flushing, Queens, where he delved into the food that captivated him during his recent trip. The episode kicks off with Chris highlighting the vibrant mix of cultures in Flushing, particularly the strong Chinese influence. He recounts his explorations, from savoring delicate duck egg yolk noodles at Maxi's Noodles to enjoying fresh rice rolls made right before his eyes. He also touches on a day in Manhattan including a phenomenal visit to Bar Contra...
Feb 08, 2025•29 min•Ep. 191
Cody Donahue (@codyreconnect), the director of policy and advocacy for Reconnect Rochester, joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s mission to promote car-light transportation options in the Rochester area. A significant focus of the conversation is the challenges and opportunities related to improving bike and pedestrian safety, particularly on dangerous roads like Empire Boulevard. Cody shares insights on recent efforts to redesign transportation infrastructure, including the importanc...
Jan 29, 2025•57 min
Petit Poutinerie's impending closure at the end of January marks a significant moment in Rochester's food scene, as discussed by Chris Lindstrom on this episode of the Food About Town podcast. Chris reflects on his personal history with Le Petit Poutine, from its origins as a tiny food truck to its brick-and-mortar restaurant, highlighting the impact it has had on the local culinary landscape. The episode also features Chris’s recent trip to Chicago, where he explored the Logan Square neighborho...
Jan 25, 2025•25 min•Ep. 190
Mercury Coffee Company, a new mobile coffee brand in Rochester out of The Commissary (@roccommissary), joins hosts Chris Lindstrom, Aaron Pascucci, and Wade Reed from Level Up (@levelup.wny) to delve into the journey of launching their venture, from the inspiration behind their delicious offerings to the challenges of starting a business in the food and beverage industry. Co-founders Kyle and Isabelle O'Gara share insights on crafting balanced coffee drinks that resonate with new and seasoned co...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 189
Chris Lindstrom sits down with Jon Olek, the founder of Black Cat Baking Company, to discuss his journey from working in various culinary roles to creating a successful vegan bakery in Rochester. They explore the challenges and techniques involved in vegan pastry-making, emphasizing the importance of quality and flavor. Jon shares insights into his experiences at renowned establishments, including his time making donuts and working in ice cream production in Boston. The conversation highlights t...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 188
Chris Lindstrom kicks off the new year with an update on the Food About Town podcast, reflecting on the past year’s successes and outlining ambitious plans for 2025. Listeners will appreciate the behind-the-scenes peek at recent episodes, including a memorable two-part dialogue with the NOMINATE team, where they delve into the impact of supporting local minority-owned restaurants. Food About Town is looking for feedback with suggestions for future guests and topics, and Chris is striving to prod...
Jan 01, 2025•16 min•Ep. 187
The conclusion of the Nominate journey marks a significant chapter in the lives of the hosts, reflecting on three years of dedication to supporting local restaurants in Rochester and Buffalo. As they reminisce about their experiences, they share the challenges and triumphs that shaped their path, from navigating the complexities of running a food delivery service to building lasting relationships with chefs and restaurateurs. The conversation highlights not only the joy of introducing diverse cu...
Dec 27, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 186
Chris Lindstrom and his core team come together to reflect on their journey with NOMINATE, a venture aimed at supporting local restaurants by offering surprise meals to customers. Over three years, they successfully served over 2,500 meals and injected more than $65,000 back into the local dining community during challenging times, particularly amid the pandemic. The discussion dives into the origins of NOMINATE, the logistical hurdles faced, and the critical lessons learned, including the impor...
Dec 17, 2024•38 min•Ep. 185
What is Think Global, Act Local all about? This intro episode will reveal it all. Host Dario Joseph, sat down with Ginny Ryan, long-time 13WHAM news anchor to break it all down. For more on the podcast, follow them on Instagram @ThinkGlobalActLocalRoc Mentioned in this episode: Joe Bean Coffee Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts Everyone - https://shop.joebeanroasters.com
Dec 16, 2024•28 min
Chris Lindstrom and Lucas Smith from Baytowne Wine and Spirits explore the nuances of the Rochester scene and dive into some spirit tasting. Chris and Lucas discuss the importance of having a clear point of view when tasting and discussing spirits, enhancing the overall experience for both drinkers and listeners. Lucas shares his vision for Baytowne Wine and Spirits, emphasizing the commitment to curating an exceptional selection and fostering an engaging atmosphere for customers. Their shared p...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 184
Chris Lindstrom welcomes Wendi Loyet to the Food About Town podcast to discuss her journey from Texas to opening her restaurant, Crisp, in Rochester. The conversation dives into the Southern hospitality that influences the restaurant's atmosphere and menu. Wendi shares how her upbringing in Texas, filled with open doors and home-cooked meals, inspired her vision for Crisp—a place where patrons feel at home. The episode also touches on the restaurant's growth in the community, emphasizing how it ...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 183
This mini-episode features a lively discussion with Dena Jones and Kathy Turiano, co-owners of Joe Bean Roasters, who share exciting updates about their evolving coffee business. They highlight their commitment to sourcing high-quality, directly traded coffees and the importance of building strong relationships with coffee farmers. The conversation delves into the distinctive flavors of a recently introduced Oaxacan Mexican coffee, which stands out for its vibrant notes and the powerful story be...
Nov 18, 2024•26 min•Ep. 182
