Mental health and work-life balance in the kitchen are of paramount importance within the hospitality industry, and this discussion is poignantly highlighted by our distinguished guests, Chef Ben Goldman and Tom Mitchell from The Burnt Chef Project. Chef Goldman, with his extensive experience across high-volume restaurants and advocacy work, illuminates the pressing need for healthier environments in culinary spaces. Tom Mitchell further expands on this critical dialogue, sharing insights into t...
Sep 19, 2025•58 min
Ciji Castro, the founder of Domestic Gourmet, joins us on the Walk-In Talk Podcast to explore the profound significance of culinary heritage and its impact on contemporary cuisine. This episode centers around her exquisite dish, Bistec Empanizado, which embodies not only the flavors of her cultural roots but also the essence of family legacy and connection. Ciji passionately discusses her mission to preserve Latin food traditions and share them with a broader audience, emphasizing the importance...
Sep 12, 2025•48 min
Chef Paul Gaskins joins us today to delve into the pressing issue of rising food costs and their implications for both the culinary industry and consumers. As we explore the intricacies of ingredient pricing, it becomes evident that these financial dynamics not only influence how restaurants curate their menus but also significantly affect the dining experiences of patrons. Chef Paul, from the Inn at Celebration, shares his culinary expertise by preparing exquisite dishes such as seared scallops...
Sep 05, 2025•34 min
The central theme of today's podcast revolves around the intricate journey of Aussie Beef and Lamb, as we delve into the multifaceted perspectives of our distinguished guests, Sabina Kindler and Chef Thomas Mandzik. Sabina, whose extensive experience traverses the realms of agriculture, livestock genetics, and marketing, provides a profound narrative that encapsulates the sustainability, flavor, and passion inherent in Australia's revered red meat industry. Together with Chef Thomas, we explore ...
Aug 29, 2025•43 min
Rona Bachour, the talented artist and baker behind Rona's Cookies, joins us to share her remarkable journey from a traditional upbringing in Lebanon and Puerto Rico to becoming a celebrated entrepreneur in the culinary world. With the onset of Covid, baking transformed from a mere familial pastime into a profound therapeutic outlet and a thriving business, earning accolades such as Best of Florida desserts for two consecutive years. Rona's creations—ranging from exquisitely decorated sugar cooki...
Aug 22, 2025•31 min
Chef Lee Aquino embodies a remarkable fusion of culinary expertise and dynamic leadership, overseeing seven distinct dining concepts in the vibrant St. Petersburg area. In this conversation, we delve into his journey from humble beginnings at Shoney's to becoming a pivotal figure in the culinary scene, where he balances artistic expression with the pragmatic demands of restaurant management. Throughout the episode, we explore the intricate relationship between creativity and consistency in the k...
Aug 15, 2025•43 min
The salient point of this podcast episode centers on Chef Ricardo Castro's unwavering dedication to his craft as he navigates the culinary landscape. Ricardo, a classically trained chef with Puerto Rican roots, exemplifies the spirit of resilience and creativity, as he shares insights into his journey and the innovative techniques that define his approach to baking. In this conversation, we delve into the intricacies of laminated dough, exploring the transformative potential of croissants and ci...
Aug 01, 2025•41 min
This podcast episode features a compelling dialogue that underscores the significance of innovation and partnership within the culinary industry, particularly through the insights of Ryan Giffin, a prominent figure in Florida's commercial kitchen sector. Fresh from a notable acquisition, Giffin is dedicated to facilitating access to high-quality equipment for food service operators, thereby enhancing operational efficiency in their establishments. Additionally, we are privileged to engage with C...
Jul 25, 2025•41 min
The focal point of today's discussion centers on the concept of authentic food and the individuals who contribute to its creation, specifically highlighting the innovative approach of Douglas Raggio, the founder of Pass the Honey. Raggio is dedicated to transforming the honey industry by promoting clarity and sustainability, addressing the confusion surrounding sourcing and quality that has pervaded this market for years. Accompanying him is Chef Josh Bernstein, a Florida-based culinary artist w...
Jul 18, 2025•58 min
What does it take to raise Florida's best oyster and earn a Michelin Guide recommendation—all while surviving hurricanes, red tide, and TikTok critics? On this episode of The Walk-In Talk Podcast , host Carl Fiadini is joined by Reed Smith, founder of Calusa Oyster Co., and Chef Jon Walker, co-owner of Tides Market in Safety Harbor. Reed dives deep into the science, sustainability, and politics of oyster farming in the crystal-clear waters of Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve—sharing how Calusa oyster...
Jul 11, 2025•50 min
The essence of this podcast episode revolves around the exploration of American culinary identity, particularly in the context of Independence Day. We engage with WITM personality, Pooch Rivera, and Chef Thomas Parker, who showcases two distinct summer dishes, reflecting the diversity of American flavors. This dialogue extends to the broader query of what constitutes American food, as we traverse from fine dining experiences to festival fare, encapsulating the rich tapestry of cultural influence...
Jul 04, 2025•34 min
Send us a text What happens when passion collides with profession? When the daily grind transforms into something you genuinely love doing? This episode answers those questions through the compelling stories of two food industry veterans who took dramatically different paths to find their calling. Meet Danny Saccullo – a journalism major who started washing dishes in Tallahassee to pay rent and eventually worked his way through hotels, hospitals, and banquets before opening his own deli. With Cu...
Jun 27, 2025•40 min
Send us a text Ever wonder what happens when French culinary techniques meet Caribbean flavors in a small Florida town? Chef Elijah Rock is answering that question at Bricks (B-R-I-X) in Port Richey, where he's crafting accessible fine dining while embracing first-time fatherhood. The journey from Vermont to Florida's Gulf Coast has been transformative for Chef Rock, who brings a strong French foundation to his new coastal home. His standout dishes—sugar-brined pork chops with house-made Caribbe...
Jun 20, 2025•25 min
Send us a text In this powerful episode of the Walk-In Talk Podcast, Carl Fiadini is joined by two dynamic women reshaping the hospitality industry from the inside out. Colleen Silk, founder of Hospitality Bites Media and North American Director of The Burnt Chef Project, opens up about mental health, motherhood, and how storytelling became her path to healing and advocacy. Plus—breaking news—Hospitality Bites is now officially part of the Walk-In Talk Media family! Also in studio, Chef Ciji Cas...
Jun 13, 2025•46 min
Send us a text The heart of the culinary industry isn't found in offices or award ceremonies – it's at the stove. Chef Brent Weathers proves this with every dish he creates and every truth bomb he drops in this refreshingly honest conversation about what really happens behind kitchen doors. Unlike many of his contemporaries who chase titles and management roles, Brent deliberately chose a different path. By remaining "titleless," he gained something far more valuable: direct mentorship from reno...
Jun 07, 2025•49 min
Send us a text How do you blend passion and business in the food industry? Paul Pedrow has mastered this combination through his remarkable journey from a high school pizza shop employee to a key executive at Restaurant Events LLC, where he now leads major industry trade show Introducing the SupraCut System - the automated solution that enhances safety, quality, and efficiency, cutting up to 120 perfect citrus wedges per minute, 6 times faster than manual. Patented tech delivers uniform slices, ...
May 30, 2025•40 min
Send us a text Dawn breaks over Tampa's shrimp docks as Chef Thomas Parker begins a culinary odyssey that will fundamentally transform how he approaches his craft. This powerful journey, captured in Walk- In Talk Media's debut mini-documentary, takes us beyond the polished restaurant plates to the weathered hands that first touch our food. At the docks, we meet shrimper, "Morris Gump", a character straight from central casting whose stories of 45-day fishing expeditions yielding just $1,300 reve...
May 23, 2025•33 min
Send us a text The sizzle of fat dripping onto hot embers, the aromatic smoke wafting upward, and the unmistakable char marks on a perfectly grilled steak – few things speak more directly to our primal connection with food than cooking over live fire. For Chef Aaron Brooks, this elemental approach to cooking bridges his Australian roots and his current home in Miami's vibrant culinary landscape. Growing up on Australia's Gold Coast, Brooks found himself drawn to the kitchen rather than the famou...
May 09, 2025•39 min
Send us a text Chef David Reyes shares his remarkable journey from Chicago's Humboldt Park to culinary innovation at St. Pete Distillery, revealing how experiences in European Michelin kitchens and family traditions shaped his cooking philosophy. • Growing up in inner-city Chicago during the 1980s amid violence and danger • Learning foundational hospitality principles at grandmother's table where "nothing was missing" • Transitioning from Army medic to culinary school despite family skepticism •...
May 02, 2025•52 min
Send us a text Sacrifice, resilience, and cultural pride converge in this profound conversation with Chef Nelson Millán, whose remarkable journey from Puerto Rico to global culinary ambassador demonstrates the transformative power of unwavering commitment. Born in Puerto Rico and initially pursuing law to please his father, Millán's life changed course when he discovered his true calling in the culinary arts. Their cultural disconnect was immediate – his father dismissively asked if he wanted to...
Apr 25, 2025•37 min
Send us a text When Chef Fionna España was told she should "just stay home" because she had "too many kids" to become a real chef, she didn't just push back—she made history. As the first female president of the LA chapter of the American Culinary Federation in over 100 years, this proud Latina executive chef has transformed barriers into stepping stones. "I didn't realize that it was a male-dominant industry," Fionna reveals with characteristic candor. "I thought women belonged in the kitchen u...
Apr 18, 2025•43 min
Send us a text We dive into the inspiring story of Aaron Norris, member of Hog Addiction Team and winner at Hogs for the Cause 2025, where they raised over $50,000 for pediatric brain cancer research while taking home the Grand Champion title. • Aaron shares his journey from growing up on an Indiana farm to launching innovative cooking equipment • Rural upbringing instilled values of faith, perseverance, and finding joy in all circumstances • Norris Thermal Technologies evolved from agricultural...
Apr 11, 2025•37 min
Send us a text When adversity strikes, some crumble under its weight while others transform it into remarkable opportunity. At just 21 years old, Chef Christian Barruos-Brens exemplifies the latter, having built a thriving culinary career from the most challenging circumstances life could throw his way. Christian's remarkable journey began at 16 when his mother's cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for discovering his culinary calling. Rather than succumbing to despair, he began selling homemad...
Apr 04, 2025•40 min
Send us a text Introducing the SupraCut System - the automated solution that enhances safety, quality, and efficiency, cutting up to 120 perfect citrus wedges per minute, 6 times faster than manual. Patented tech delivers uniform slices, reducing waste and eliminating plastic, while the hygienic, contactless design lowers contamination and injuries, integrating seamlessly to transform your operations and improve profitability - get started at SupraCut.com and ask about risk-free trials. The foll...
Mar 28, 2025•28 min
Send us a text Introducing the SupraCut System - the automated solution that enhances safety, quality, and efficiency, cutting up to 120 perfect citrus wedges per minute, 6 times faster than manual. Patented tech delivers uniform slices, reducing waste and eliminating plastic, while the hygienic, contactless design lowers contamination and injuries, integrating seamlessly to transform your operations and improve profitability - get started at SupraCut.com and ask about risk-free trials. Elevate ...
Mar 21, 2025•45 min
Send us a text Chef Imrun Texeira takes us on a powerful journey through the intense world of professional kitchens, from his humble beginnings as a 14-year-old dishwasher to competing on Top Chef Canada and staging at the world-renowned Noma restaurant. With remarkable candor, he reveals how his multicultural heritage—blending Northern Indian, East African, British, and Canadian influences—shaped his unique culinary perspective and created a distinctive palate that sets his food apart. The conv...
Mar 14, 2025•39 min
Send us a text The inaugural US Culinary Open at NAFEM in Atlanta brought together world-class chef talent, premium ingredients, and a media team determined to document every moment of culinary excellence. Have you ever wondered what happens when top culinary professionals compete on a world-class stage? Our team spent five intense days (working upwards of 18 hours daily) capturing the tornado of nonstop action that defined this prestigious competition. What made this event truly exceptional was...
Mar 07, 2025•38 min
Send us a text Chef Matthew Beaudin explores the intersection of culinary innovation and sustainability while advocating for responsible seafood sourcing. His discussion sheds light on global sourcing practices, community engagement, and the vital role of consumer awareness in conservation efforts. • Chef Matthew's diverse culinary background and its effect on his approach • Importance of the Seafood Watch program in guiding sustainable choices • Building meaningful partnerships with farmers and...
Feb 19, 2025•39 min
Send us a text Anthony Martorina's culinary journey, from film editing to becoming a well known food critic, unfolds in a lively discussion about Chicago's dining scene, memorable food experiences, and innovative trends in cuisine. Tune in to learn about the art of judging food and discover tips for aspiring creators passionate about sharing their love for gastronomy. • Introduction of Anthony Martorina and his professional background • Discussion on homemade pizza and the hot honey trend • Jour...
Feb 14, 2025•42 min
Send us a text Author and journalist, Matt Haines explains how King Cake is more than just a dessert; it's a cultural celebration that blends history, tradition, and culinary artistry, especially during Mardi Gras. The episode explores the origins, varieties, and the community rituals surrounding King Cake, highlighting its significance in New Orleans' seasonal festivities. Plus, chef Sara Salgado bakes up fresh King Cake right in studio! • Overview of Mardi Gras and King Cake season • Historica...
Feb 07, 2025•41 min
