Okayest Cook

Bourbon Tasting with Dan Kidd: Proof, Aging, Barrel Picks, and Pairings Brought to you by The Beautiful and the Damned Whiskey House: https://beautifuldamnedwhiskey.com/ Chris Whonsetler hosts Dan Kidd on the Okayest Cook Podcast for a whiskey-focused episode centered on how personal taste shapes what people enjoy. They share recent food and drink highlights, including Dan’s Wyoming camp-cooked st...

Food, Community, and Third Spaces with Michael Zarick (Third Space Indy) Host Chris Whonsetler welcomes Michael Zarick of Third Space Indy to the Okayest Cook podcast to continue a conversation on community and “third spaces” as places outside home and work that foster consistent connection and conversation. Michael shares notable meals from a new food-focused project with Amanda Gibson featuring...

Community Food Box Project: Mutual Aid, Food Insecurity, and Food Apartheid Host Chris Whonsetler continues a conversation about community and commensality, connecting his lack of personal experience with food insecurity to the need to keep community needs front-of-mind. Guest Sierra Nuckols, an Indianapolis native, explains how her upbringing and interest in gardening led her to food justice work...

Commensality and Community: Dwayne Stretch on Sunday Dinner and Follow D Money Chris Whonsetler talks with Indianapolis community builder Dwayne “Stretch” Thalley about “commensality” — how eating together builds community and makes tough conversations easier by encouraging people to listen. Stretch shares his journey from Los Angeles to Indianapolis, his work connecting diverse networks, and how...

Exploring the Fifth Quarter with Jason Erman In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler and co-host Andy Heiser chat with their guest, Jason Erman, an advocate for homesteading and nose-to-tail eating. Jason discusses his journey from culinary school to raising and butchering his own animals in Nevada County, California. The trio delve into utilizing lesser-known cuts of me...

Boosting Baseline Energy: Insights from The Coffee Viking In this episode of the Okayest Cook podcast, host Chris Whonsetler sits down with AJ Kazmierczak, also known as the Coffee Viking. They discuss a range of topics from their personal backgrounds and funny family traditions, to practical insights on boosting daily energy levels. AJ shares his journey as an entrepreneur and outdoorsman and pro...

Unlocking the Full Potential of Wild Game: Cooking Tips with John Wallace In this episode of the Okayest Cook podcast, host Chris Whonsetler welcomes John Wallace, known as the Wild Game Cook on social media, to discuss the intricacies of preparing and cooking wild game, particularly duck and goose. The discussion delves into John's career shift from conservation to wild game cooking, his popular...

Cooking Adventures at the BHA Rendezvous: Interview with Jordan Linger In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler chats with guest Jordan Linger about their experiences at the BHA Rendezvous, an annual event for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Jordan shares insights on the Wild Game Cookoff, discussing his North Carolina-inspired dishes and the cooking techniques he used w...

Breaking Culinary Ruts: From Midwest Kitchens to Global Flavors In this episode, Chris Whonsetler is joined by culinary enthusiast and fellow food podcaster, Nick Otto, to discuss and share insights on handling getting out of kitchen ruts, from simple technique changes to over the top showstoppers. They explore ideas like making kebabs, pastrami, and regional favorites such as pasties and bulgogi....

Wild Game Gourmet: In the Kitchen with Chef Holly Hearn In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler is joined by professional chef Holly Hearn, owner of Game Girl Gourmet. Holly discusses her journey into becoming a wild game chef, emphasizing the importance of storytelling through food and honoring culinary traditions. The conversation spans her experience on the TV show Ch...

Mastering Deer Butchery: A Hands-On GuideIn this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler is joined by Andy Heiser for an in-depth, hands-on breakdown of butchering a deer. The duo discusses the various cuts from the rear hindquarter and front shoulder, offers tips and tricks for meat preparation, and emphasizes the importance of understanding where your food comes from. Chris an...

Exploring Unconventional Flavors with Jose Alberto Barraza: From Tacos to Grasshoppers In this engaging episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler welcomes special guest Jose Alberto Barraza, a Texas-born, Mexico-raised cooking enthusiast and content creator behind 'No Way Jose Cuisines.' Jose shares his culinary journey, from growing up in a family bakery to becoming a popular foo...

Food, Community, and Chicken: A Journey with Bradley Houser In this episode of the Okayest Cook podcast, host Chris Whonsetler talks with Bradley Houser about the vibrant culinary scene and community spirit in Indianapolis, focusing on Bradley's role in creating the Chicken and Beer Festival. They explore various facets of food culture, from food deserts to chicken cooking tips, and the importance...

In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler joins Chef Jeff Benda at the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Rendezvous. They discuss their experiences at the Field to Table dinner, where Jeff prepared a standout walleye dish with unique ingredients like quinoa salad and dandelion greens. Jeff, a seasoned chef specializing in wild game, shares his journey from working in restaur...

Fishing Traditions: Generations of Flavor and Quality with Sena Wheeler In this episode of Okayest Cook Podcast, hosts Chris Whonsetler and Andy Heiser sit down with Sena Wheeler, a fifth-generation fisherman and co-founder of Sena Seafish. The conversation spans a variety of topics, including the family's rich history in the fishing industry, nutritional benefits of different fish species, and ho...

Foraging, Fiddleheads, and Wild Game Creations with Chef Tom Healy In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler sits down with Tom Healy, a chef and woodworker from Wisdom, Montana, at the BHA Rendezvous. They discuss their participation in the 'Field to Table' dinner event, where Tom captivated everyone with his unique foraged palette cleanser and wild game dessert. Tom shar...

An Adventure in Sandwich Crafting: Interview with the Roll for Sandwich Creator In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler interviews Jacob Pauwels, famously known as the 'Roll for Sandwich guy' on Instagram and TikTok. They discuss Jacob's journey from being a video production graduate turned stay-at-home dad to a viral sandwich creator on TikTok. Jacob shares his experien...

In this episode of the Okayest Cook podcast, host Chris Whonsetler introduces guest Tommy Barrett, a man of many hats in Indianapolis, including the founder of the Indianapolis Pizza Festival. They discuss their favorite types of pizza, food experiences, and the importance of trying new things. Tommy shares details about the upcoming Pizza Festival, including the variety of vendors, activities, an...

In this episode of Okayest Cook, host Chris Whonsetler sits down with Rikki Folger of Wild and Forged & Harvesting Nature at the BHA Rendezvous to discuss the art of field-to-table cooking. Rikki shares her experience improvising an elk sausage gyoza recipe with wild ingredients, navigating the challenges of cooking in a makeshift kitchen, and adapting to last-minute changes. The conversation cove...

Exploring Tinker Street: Culinary Collaborations and Local Ingredients In this exciting episode of the Okay Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler meets up with Andy Heiser and engages with Jourdan Ivory, the Restaurant Operations Manager, and Tyler Shortt, the Executive Chef, of Tinker Street. They delve into their roles, recent collaborations, and the essence of local ingredients. The conversation...

Exploring Velvet Buck Wine with Blake Pederson from Velvet Buck Vineyards In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler, broadcasting live from the BHA Rendezvous in Missoula, chats with Blake Pederson from Velvet Buck Vineyards. Blake shares his journey into the wine industry, starting from his first harvest job at 17 in Northern California to studying wine and viticulture at...

Exploring Barbecue Beyond Boundaries with Michael Gomez In this episode of the Okayest Cook podcast, host Chris Whonsetler welcomes Michael Gomez from Gomez Barbecue as his inaugural guest in a brand new kitchen set in his studio. They delve into the intricacies of barbecue, including Michael's transition from owning a restaurant to focusing on catering and farmer's markets. The conversation cover...

Field to Table: Chef Jaime Teigen's Wild Game Culinary Journey In this episode of the Okayest Cook podcast, host Chris Whonsetler is live at the Back Country Hunters and Anglers Rendezvous to chat with Chef Jaime Teigen, a distinguished wild game chef from Bozeman, Montana. They discuss Jaime’s culinary origins, from her early days in her friend's Italian-Greek fusion restaurant to her professiona...

Exploring the Culinary World with Chef Collin Hilton In this episode of the Okays Cook podcast, host Chris Whonsetler engages in an enlightening conversation with renowned chef Collin Hilton at CRG Grow. Collin shares his culinary journey, discusses his experience winning the World Food Championship, and provides insights into making his pasta in broth gourmet dishes. The episode dives deep into h...

Exploring Barbecue Sauces and Seasonings with The Tailgate Foodie In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris and guest Dean Johnson from The Tailgate Foodie dive into the world of barbecue sauces and seasonings. They discuss the unexpected live YouTube broadcast and share their experiences with various sauces, including Dean's creations like the All American Barbecue Sauce, Low Countr...