What started as a fudge shop turned into a home brewing store, years later is now Quaff On Brewing, Hard Truth Distillery, and Big Woods Restaurants, with nine locations across Indiana. Partner, and Master Distiller, Bryan Smith joins us with Big Woods Bloomington General Manager Dustin Sanders to share how Quaff On grew to become the 3rd highest volume craft brewer in Indiana and Hard Truth has found its way to being available across 25 states. Big Woods Bloomington also has a brand new menu an...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 7Ep. 8
From helping Bobby Flay get his first Head Chef job, to being an integral part of the growth of Union Square Hospitality Group in NYC, Arthur Levy has no shortage of tales and accomplishments from his long and storied career. Together with his wife Rosann, Arthur runs the Roart Group, who along with their aforementioned accomplishments in New York City, have helped many local restaurants grow and succeed as well. Don't take our word for it though. Shake Shack CEO Danny Meyer said "With thoughtfu...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 7Ep. 7
For over 30 years, the Lotus World Music & Arts festival has been bringing artists and musicians from all over the globe to showcase their talent right here in Bloomington. Executive Director Katarina Koch joins us and fills us in on the ins and outs of putting on such a large scale production, drawing thousands of people every year. This year the event is October 3rd-6th. Jordan has also been organizing the Food Truck Village for Lotus for many years and will let you know what culinary deli...
Sep 24, 2024•53 min•Season 7Ep. 6
After humble beginnings at the Smithville Farmers' Market, Kassie Jensen and Amanda Armstrong have turned their beloved recipes into some of the most desired baked goods in the city. Two Sticks Bakery has become a staple on South Washington over the past 6 years years for those wanting savory scones, sweet treats, or delicious coffee beverages featuring their own special blend from Quarryman Coffee. So pull up a seat, hit play, and find out why this woman owned and operated bakery finds themselv...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 7Ep. 5
A new Soma. Bloomington's first full service hotel, featuring room service and a rooftop bar. These are both just a small part of the transformation taking place in the Trades District at 11th and Rogers, partially due to a $16 million dollar Lilly Endowment grant executed through a partnership between the City of Bloomington and Indiana University. Dimension Mill Executive Director Pat East and Former Mayor John Fernandez join us to share how this new space will help our community through boost...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Over 15 food vendors, two stages of free live music, craft booths, and of course… a parade!! Where is all the fun and tasty goodness? The Monroe County Festival!! Coming up September 12th, 13th, 14th, there’s more to do this year than ever before. First year President of the festival Marv Ulmet joins us with Food Vendor Coordinator, and owner of 812, Marren Terrell, to fill us in on what to expect this year and what’s new!! Join The Clean Plate Club on Facebook and discuss the latest episodes of...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Since its inception, Hoosier Hills Food Bank has collected, and distributed, over 80 MILLION pounds of food to those in need. Last year alone they hit over six million pounds of food which found its way to not only Monroe county, but also Brown, Orange, Lawrence, Martin, and Owen counties. Joining us to cover all the daunting logistics to pull off such a feat is Associate Director & Chief Administrative Officer Jake Bruner. Jake and Jordan cover everything from their yearly book fair, to hel...
Aug 27, 2024•49 min•Season 7Ep. 2
After their starts as delivery drivers for Baked!, Jeremy Ness and Jason Voegeli found themselves in a position to buy the beloved local cookie joint 2011. Since then they have moved out of the house on 3rd street and into their current location on Washington just north of Kirkwood. Join us as they fill us in on possible future expansion, how they’ve held off competition from national chains, and what it is that makes their homemade cookies a step above the rest. Join The Clean Plate Club on Fac...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Tucked beneath the Back Door, and behind Atlas, the Blockhouse Bar has been hosting shows for ten years now and has made a name for themselves as one of Bloomington's premier music venues. Owner David James joins us to discuss Honky Tonk Tuesdays' popularity, his experience working at Farm and Uptown, and his solo music career, including writing credits on Durand Jones' newest solo album. Join The Clean Plate Club on Facebook and discuss the latest episodes of the podcast with other fans: https:...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 20
Founder of the popular 'Bloomington Foodies' Facebook group, over 13k members, and up-and-coming SadieEatsFood Instagram page, Sadie Clarke is affectionately known to many within the Bloomington community as the Foodie Queen. Her resume includes three plus years as the Director of Operations of the Endeavor/WOW group, General Manager of Sweet Grass, and now her own business, Kealohi Solutions, running the social media for local restaurants like Baked!, Buffa Louie's, and Gabel's Bagels. Join The...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 6Ep. 19
An absolute Bloomington institution, Upland Brewing Company has been known for inventive brews and made-from-scratch food for over 25 years. Joining us to shed some light on how they've managed to innovate and keep things fresh after all these years is Head Brewer Matt Wisely, and Executive Chef Ryan Whetham. From their award winning burgers, to their world renown sours program, we cover everything from fermenting to Fischer Farms. From beers to brats. From production to poutine. You get the poi...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 18
After plans to open a food truck with her Mom to bring a taste of Hawaii to Bloomington, Amber Racoma's world was rocked in February of 2020 when her mom passed away from cancer. She initially gave up on the plans and focused on her job at IU, but a year later, Amber could no longer ignore the urge to honor her late mother, and opened up Mama Duke's Hawaiian BBQ. She quit her job, and using her mom's recipes, with some of her own personal twists, she went full steam ahead and began setting up at...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 6Ep. 17
A staple of the Bloomington square, Malibu Grill has been serving us savory steaks, succulent seafood, and delectable desserts since 1993. General Manager Elliott Green walks us through his journey working his way up in the restaurant over the past 12 years, his high school industry experiences, and how they've been able to execute such a large menu to perfection over all these years. Join The Clean Plate Club on Facebook and discuss the latest episodes of the podcast with other fans: https://ww...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 16
After moving to Bloomington from Venezuela in his early 30's, Juan Guerra began working at La Charaeda and Casa Brava as a dishwasher. After long days washing dishes, he would go sell slices of pizza at Rockit's until the wee hours of the morning, sleep for four hours, and go do it all again. He now oversees six restaurants between Marian, Bloomington, and Bedford in his role as Operations Manager and is living proof that hard work pays off. Learn more about his incredible story, and the differe...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Mentioned more than any other restaurant on the podcast, Uptown Cafe has a well deserved reputation as one of the best, most consistent dining experiences in Bloomington. A big reason for that is Executive Chef Adam Noffsinger and Assistant General Manager Vivi Szalavari. After having Michael and Galen Cassady on the podcast back when we were audio only, we're now covering the other key players that make Uptown so special. From Adam's journey traveling the world working in Michelin star restaura...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 48 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Born in Afghanistan, and raised in Germany after stops in India and Pakistan, Hamid Ali has had quite the journey that ultimately brought him here to Bloomington. With only $100 in his pocket when he arrived, he has built a successful food truck business over the last eight years through care, passion, and consistency. Doner Kebab is known for their delicious meat, eye-popping presentation, and their homemade falafel. Always set up in Kirkwood, or at Switchyard Park for Food Truck Friday, Hamid ...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 13
In this presidential episode we have Chris Martin, President of Finney Hospitality Group, which includes The Tap, Social Cantina, Yogis, SmokeWorks, and Kind Car Wash in Columbus. Join us and we discuss their expansion over the years into Lafayette, Mishawaka, Carmel, Downtown Indy, and soon in Nashville, Tennessee. We also dive into Chris’ long resume of opening restaurants all across the country, his time running Scotty’s Brewhouse, balancing the old Yogis brand with something new, and their n...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Jeff Mease joined us as the first ever guest on the No Dishes Podcast on September 1st 2020. Almost four years later, gone are the masks and social distancing, Bloomington Brewing Company and Lennies have been sold to new owners, and Jeff continues to plow ahead with One World Enterprises, consisting of Pizza X, Hive, One World Catering, One World Kitchen Share, and Loesch Farm. How does Pizza X get hot, fresh pizza to your door so quickly? What was it like hosting hundreds of visitors from all ...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 40 min•Season 6Ep. 11
After serving on City Council for twenty years, 2004-2024, Steve Volan knows a thing or two about legislation that has, and might, affect the Bloomington restaurant industry. Find out about the food truck battle of 2014, how and why our parking works the way it does, and his podcast, the 812 Show, highlighting those working in city government. Why should campuses act more like cities? What was it like owning and running the Cinemat? How did he become one of the internet pioneers in Bloomington w...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 55 min•Season 6Ep. 10
For over 13 years Muddy Fork Bakery has been supplying the Bloomington community and beyond with their delectable wood-fired baked goods. Owner Eric Shedler joins us with Baker Carlee Villa and they fill us in on all their unique offerings. From world class sourdough to buttery, flaky croissants, Muddy Fork has something for every palate. Join The Clean Plate Club on Facebook and discuss the latest episodes of the podcast with other fans: https://www.facebook.com/groups/833028944651314 Join our ...
May 28, 2024•50 min•Season 6Ep. 9
What if I told you you could have hearty biscuits & gravy, delicious homemade cinnamon rolls, and mouth watering cuban sandwiches, on house made bread, all without the gluten? It's not a dream, it's Brightside Cafe! Abe Carney and John Moore join us to fill us in on their new gluten free bakery and cafe on the bottom floor of the Fountain Square Mall. Whether you're just trying to cut back on your gluten intake, or are completely unable to have gluten, there's no need to sacrifice taste anym...
May 21, 2024•58 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Like true works of art, Da Vinci Pizza and Pasta is known for their eye-catching pizza and pasta offerings, all with taste to back up their pleasing aesthetics. Joining us to fill us in on how it's all done is our first ever brother-sister duo: Owner Henry Love, and FOH Manager, his sister Hannah. From Henry starting as a server to eventually purchasing the restaurant, and Hannah coming back from South Africa to help run the show, it's a truly unique story of how this successful local gem has ma...
May 14, 2024•57 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Having volunteered at Community Kitchen brunches together, and serving as judges side-by-side at the Chef's Challenge, Jordan knew he had to get Stacy Strand on the podcast to share her awesome story. In her role as Program Chair of the Culinary Arts program at Ivy Tech, and doubling as a pastry chef/professor, Stacy oversees incredible growth as youth, and adults alike, find themselves seeking out an education to set themselves up for a successful career in hospitality. This Thursday, May 9th, ...
May 07, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 6
After meeting in the Army, and spending eight years in Nashville, Tennessee, Aubrey Williams and Dan Dutcher moved to Bloomington and opened Heartwork Brewing alongside old school Yogi's alum, Jeff Browne. Aubrey and Dan join us to chat about the special beers Heartwork offers, their rotating food truck options, and what you can expect to see from them in the near future! Join The Clean Plate Club on Facebook and discuss the latest episodes of the podcast with other fans: https://www.facebook.co...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Founded in 2005, Bloom Magazine has been a fixture in our community for almost 20 years. Now, after 106 issues, they have released their first ever Food Issue! Joining us to discuss the results of their city-wide survey used to decide the best restaurants in a number of categories, and the ins and outs of running a print publication in today's day and age, is Founder/Editor/Publisher Malcolm Abrams, and Executive Publisher Cassaundra Huskey. Hear about how Malcom's favorite culinary haunts in to...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 4
After graduating from IU, working a year in retail which he hated, Michael "Sleeper" Cheatham began his career in hotel sales, traveling around to Washington DC, Denver, Maryland, Miami, Chicago, Albuquerque, and Cincinnati, eventually working his way up to be the Director of Sales Recruitment for North America at Hyatt Hotels. He then parlayed his experience into a career as a keynote speaker and consultant. So what does someone do to "retire" after such a long, successful corporate career? The...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Recently named one of USA Today's 2024 Restaurants of the year, The Elm has quickly established themselves as one of the must visit restaurants in Bloomington. Opened in March of 2022, they wasted no time making a name for themselves, locally and nationally, with inventive dishes, lively libations, and fulfilling mocktails, all served in a chic, contemporary setting. Executive Chef Dan Thomas joins us and shares some of the negative feedback he received when they first opened, his time doing wee...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Season 6, presented by Visit Bloomington, is here and we're kicking things off with all things eclipse! For the first time since August 7th, 1869, Indiana will experience a total solar eclipse and Bloomington is smack dab in the middle of the path of totality! Indiana University PHD Astronomy students Kristin Baker and Lexi Gault join us to share everything you need to know for this incredibly rare event. What was Kristin's experience like in 2017 seeing the total eclipse in Georgia? What can yo...
Apr 02, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 1
"Hoosiers" and "Rudy". Two timeless sports movies, both highlight Indiana cities. And both written by Bloomington local, Angelo Pizzo, and directed by David Anspaugh, his fraternity brother at Indiana University. We are very grateful to have Angelo join us on our final episode of Season 5 and to share his very illuminating insights of the inner workings of each of these Hollywood classics. He also shares his thoughts on the Bloomington food scene, IU basketball, IU football, and fills us in on h...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Season 5Ep. 21
After a career as a traveling pro wrestler based out of the Region, Lee Rosser found himself washing dishes in Broad Ripple, working his way up to a Sous/Operations Director role at the same spot, then eventually moving to Bloomington and opening Chef Lee in Your Home. After years of exclusively doing on-site catering, Chef Lee opened up his brick and mortar on South Walnut where he hosts monthly pop-up dinners with eclectic themes. Big personality. Big flavors. Chef Lee offers more than just a ...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 20
