Beyond the Plate

He is a chef, author and food equity advocate residing in Fairfield, Connecticut. Michel Nischan has hosted a dinner for the Dalai Lama and owned a restaurant with the late Paul Newman. He is the author of three cookbooks and was honored by the James Beard Foundation as the 2015 “Humanitarian of The Year.” In this episode we discuss his journey into the culinary world and lessons learned working w...

Lynn has a long and extensive career in the beverage industry, currently serving as National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist for Heaven Hill Brands and Deep Eddy Vodka. She served as Chief Mixologist at Blackbird Restaurant in Chicago, among many other coveted establishments. She’s received numerous accolades throughout her career and was an inaugural member of the Dame Hall of Fame, w...

He is a chef, dad, author and TV host based in Harlem, NY. JJ Johnson is a James Beard Award-winner for his cookbook “Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day.” He is the chef/owner of FIELDTRIP restaurant in Harlem (with other locations), which recently received the coveted title as one of the “Best New Restaurants in America” by Esquire mag...

He’s back for another episode of Beyond the Drink and schooling us in a Hot Toddy-esque drink. Tony Abou-Ganim is one of the pioneering and leading bar professionals in the world. He’s the founder of The Modern Mixologist and the author of two cocktail books. If you missed his first episode, check out Season 5 / Episode 02. Enjoy this episode as we go Beyond the Drink… with Tony Abou-Ganim. (cockt...

He is a chef, restaurateur, TV personality, author, educator and so much more. Jet Tila is internationally celebrated for his culinary expertise. In this episode we discuss how he launched his culinary career by hosting cooking classes in his backyard, how he executes his culinary vision, how he deals with obstacles both in and out of the kitchen, and how his kids and family help keep him grounded...

Gui is an award-winning beverage pro out of Miami and co-founder of Unfiltered Hospitality (check out last week’s guest for the other half of Unfiltered). He is a partner in Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur and the beverage guy at Baby Jane Cocktail House and Eatery in Miami. In this episode, he walks us through a drink called Sunshine State of Mind, a vodka-based cocktail he created during his time...

She is a mom, cook, author and tv personality from Deep Run, North Carolina. In this episode we discuss Chef Vivian Howard’s journey growing up on a farm, what she learned in and out of kitchens in NYC, and her move back to Eastern North Carolina (ENC), where she has been shining a national spotlight on the region’s food and culture. Howard shares her ups and downs of her personal and business lif...

Ben is an award-winning, innovative beverage expert out of Miami. He is the co-owner and creative director of award winning bars The Sylvester and Beaker & Gray, as well as co-founder of Unfiltered Hospitality. In this episode, he does a deep dive on one of the many vodka-based cocktails he created for the menu at Broken Shaker in Miami called Judge Judy. He’s joined by business partner Gui Ja...

He is a chef, podcast host and father. In this episode we discuss Chef Eli Kulp’s journey from growing up in a trailer in Washington, through kitchens in NYC and Philadelphia and how a tragic Amtrak crash in 2015 which left him paralyzed, changed his life. Kulp is an advocate for sustainable agriculture and many other causes. Most recently, he was named one of the most influential chefs of the pas...

After a recent trip to Austin, TX, we were wow’ed by her creations. Her corn-based cocktail not only leaves no waste behind, it’s freaking delicious! Enjoy this episode as we go Beyond the Drink… with 20-year bar veteran Caitlin Smith. (cocktail recipe below) Que Masa? This cocktail was inspired by heirloom corn used in the restaurant I worked in. There was no waste and every bit of the corn was u...

He is a chef, restaurateur, author, TV personality, philanthropist... and a Cleveland native. You may know him from “The Chew,” from one of the many Food Network shows he’s starred in, or by his infectious laugh. In this episode we discuss how growing up around food helped shape his life and career, and how he and his wife successfully managed to open their first restaurant together, and much, muc...

He is one of the pioneering and leading bar professionals in the world. He developed the cocktail program at the Bellagio Las Vegas, creating original cocktails for their 22 bars, and is one of only two Americans to win the Bacardi Martini World Grand Prix. He’s the founder of The Modern Mixologist and the author of two cocktail books. Enjoy this episode as we go Beyond the Drink… with Tony Abou-G...

He is the winner of sixteen James Beard Awards, a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award and author of twenty-nine cookbooks including Jacques Pépin Quick & Simple, A Grandfather's Lessons , and Essential Pépin . He has starred in twelve acclaimed PBS cooking series and was awarded France's highest distinction, the Legion of Honor. In this episode we discuss what it was like cooking for three...

Host Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan takes a few minutes to introduce Season 5 of Beyond the Plate. Once again, we’ll be talking with the world’s best chefs, restaurateurs and culinary personalities to hear about their journey into the food and hospitality industry, and how they give back to their communities. Learn what the BtP team has been up to over the past many months with their other podcast, CookTra...

Welcome to CookTracks… a brand new way to cook. Each episode, a celebrated chef or cooking personality will be right along side you…well, in your ear…taking you step by step through a dish or meal, in real time. No recipe reading needed; just have some fun, follow along, and at the end of each episode, you will have made a dish or a meal, from start to finish. CookTracks is now available on your f...

Chef Grant Achatz walks us through one of the most well known dishes at Alinea, ‘Hot Potato, Cold Potato.’ He shares the moment that inspired this dish and part of the creative process it took to bring it to life. If you missed Achatz’ full episode, check out Season 4/Episode 020 from last week.

Chef Grant Achatz is the executive chef and co-owner of Alinea, Next Restaurant, The Aviary cocktail lounge, Roister and St. Clair Supper Club in Chicago, IL. He was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, James Beard’s ‘Outstanding Chef of the Year’ 2008 and more. Since 2011, Alinea has been awarded 3 stars in the Michelin guide. During this episode, we discuss how someone at th...

This week’s episode is a live recording with Chef Nancy Silverton, which took place at her restaurant, Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, CA. The interview was part of the Wall Street Journal Plus ‘At the Chef’s Table’ dinner series. We discuss what creativity means to her and why she insists her guests do not bring food to her house when she entertains. She is featured in an episode on Netflix’s “Chef...

Happy New Year! This week, we’re taking a short break from our regularly scheduled interview and bringing you a bonus episode by Rachael Ray. Listen along as she walks us through one of her newest recipe obsessions, an ‘Egg Crepe.' If you’re looking for a last minute New Year’s Day brunch idea (or any day for that matter), here you go! If you missed Rachael’s episodes earlier this season, check ou...

This Christmas, we thought what better way to celebrate the holiday than a Jewish chef explaining a Chinese dish! After all, this stereotype does carry some factual findings that date back as early as 1935... Listen as Chef Dan Jacobs walks us through his Cumin Lamb Dumpling recipe; a dish that is on the menu of his Milwaukee restaurant, DanDan. If you missed Dan's full episode, check out Season 4...

Chef Dan Jacobs is the executive chef and owner of DanDan, EsterEv and Fauntleroy in Milwaukee, WI. In 2016, Jacobs was diagnosed with Kennedy’s Disease. During the episode, we learn about how he became a chef, what it’s like cooking with his disease, and how he has channeled his diagnosis to raise funds for Kennedy’s Disease research through cooking. With the support of his business partner Dan V...

Chef Stephanie Izard walks us through her version of the traditional Peruvian dish, Lomo Saltado. She shares her spin on this classic at her newest Peruvian-inspired restaurant, Cabra. If you missed Izard’s full episode, check out Season 4/Episode 014 from last week.

Chef Stephanie Izard is the Chef/Partner of Chicago restaurants Girl & the Goat, Little Goat, Duck Duck Goat, Cabra and more. She is the winner of Top Chef Season 4; she won a James Beard Award for Best Chef Great Lakes; was named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chefs”; and won Food Network’s Iron Chef Gauntlet. We discuss her journey in the food world and she opens up about what i...

Chef Matt Orlando walks us through a pasta dish that he and his wife cook regularly at home. Appropriately titled (by the two of them) "Old Faithful," he promises that the combination of ingredients is unbelievable and may quickly become a household favorite. If you missed Matt’s full episode, check out Season 4/Episode 012 from last week.

Chef Matt Orlando is the Head Chef/Owner of Amass Restaurant and Broaden & Build in Copenhagen. He has worked for some of the best chefs and restaurants in the world including Aureole, Le Bernardin, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, The Fat Duck, Noma, Per Se and more. We discuss his point of view on sustainability and what it means to be a responsible restaurant.