Industry Night with Nycci Nellis

In this bonus episode of Industry Night, host Nycci Nellis welcomes Moe Yamada, known as Kimono Mom, to the studio. Moe shares her journey from being a geisha in Japan to becoming a culinary ambassador across the United States. As they prepare a katsu chicken sandwich together, Moe discusses her renowned umami sauce and its role in introducing Japanese flavors to American kitchens. Their conversat...

On this episode of Industry Night, I’m back at the serious art-flecked Jackie in the Navy Yard. And, I am  sitting down with two dynamic women who are making waves in the hospitality and food space — Nina Oduro and Ehime Eigbe. Nina Oduro is the co-founder of Dine Diaspora and Black Women in Food, organizations dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices of Black women in the food industry....

Welcome back to another episode of Industry Night! Today, we're tackling a pressing issue in the world of wine: tariffs. Join our host Nycci Nellis as she sits down with a panel of industry experts including Erik Segelbaum, Vanessa Cominsky, Michael Scaffidi, and Brent Kroll. We'll explore how these tariffs could impact not just wineries and distributors, but also your favorite restaurants and the...

Picture a kitchen where every dish echoes the rich traditions of Colombia’s culinary heritage. Nycci Nellis has been expanding her residencies across the city—starting today at Ellen’s, next week at Jackie, and then in Fauquier—bringing engaging conversations with exceptional guests to her audience. Recently, Nycci spent time in Medellín, Colombia, staying at the luxurious El Cielo Hotel. Her morn...

Welcome to Industry Night. A few months ago, Ellen Yin shared her journey with us, highlighting her High Street Hospitality Group, including A. Kitchen + Bar, Fork, and High Street Restaurant & Bakery. Now, Ellen, along with Chef Eli Collins and Diana Kendrick, has invited me to join them for a new residency at A. Kitchen + Bar in the Aka Hotel, Washington Circle. Throughout the year, I’ll be...

Welcome to Industry Night, hosted by Nycci Nellis. This week, we feature Giulio Adriani, an accomplished pizzaiolo who has significantly influenced the pizza scene in Italy and the United States. As a Guinness World Record holder and founder of acclaimed restaurants in New York and DC, Giulio has introduced innovative techniques, including flash-fried Neapolitan pizza. In this episode, we explore...

Welcome to Industry Night. I'm Nycci Nellis, and today we highlight two chefs transforming Washington D.C.'s culinary landscape. At Jackie in the Navy Yard, Chef Domenico Cornacchia leverages his experience from Café Milano to create menus that resonate with a diverse, younger audience, emphasizing seasonal ingredients and value-driven offerings. Joining him is Chef Johanna Hellrigl of Ama, an all...

Industry Night with Nycci Nellis kicks off today from the heart of Union Market District, a neighborhood that has transformed remarkably over the past fifteen years. Nycci recalls a pivotal gathering where visionaries like Jodie McLean of EDENS envisioned a thriving food hall, setting the foundation for what is now DC’s Meatpacking District, complete with high-rises, vibrant restaurants, and bustl...

What does it take to build a thriving restaurant empire in a competitive city like Washington, DC? And how can something as simple as a dessert become a catalyst for meaningful change? Today, we’re joined by two visionaries who have shaped the city’s food scene in distinct yet equally impactful ways. Dmitri Chekaldin, the mastermind behind DBG Hospitality, has transformed the dining experience wit...

Hi, everyone! The holidays may be behind us, but we’re diving headfirst into 2025. Can you believe it? Happy New Year! I’ve been reflecting on what an incredible 2024 it was, and wow—what a ride! Let’s start with travels: I’ve been all over the map! St. Martin’s Grand Case? Check. Medellín, Colombia? Absolutely—coffee tastings and Michelin-starred meals galore. New Orleans for the Beard Conference...

Hello everyone. Look I am somewhere new. You may recall the four shows out at Barrel Oak Vineyards. Remember that? Every week I would drive out and let the blood pressure just drop. And what did I tell you I did after every trip? I would drive down the road from Barrel Oak in to the pretty little town of Marshall. I’d stop by Red Truck Bakery for a few cookies and then I would have a late lunch at...

So it’s good to be back with you. Last week was pretty special being out at Fauquier County - horse country - letting the blood pressure drop as I left the city and drove out to Marshall. If you haven’t heard my chat with the amazing butcher boss babe, Amanda Luhowiak, owner of The Whole Ox — you need to — and take a scroll through insta to see all the deliciousness. NOW This week I do have anothe...

Per usual there is so much there’s so much going on and I’ve been eating, drinking, rubbing shoulders and shaking hands — I have really found myself chatting with some of the very best and brightest in the Industry - including today’s guest. I really do love what I do. Let’s go down memory lane shall we? I mean if you follow me on insta than you see a lot of what I am doing but you know I want to...

Last I left off that I was having lunch at Jose’s with Alice Waters and Joan Nathan — and a few others because Alice was in town to receive Julia Child Foundation award AND I was there at the Museum of American History and so was former award winners, Danny Meyers, Sean Sherman, Grace Young, Jacques Pepin on and one of my guests today  Toni Tipton Martin — to honor Alice who has been a champion of...

Hello it’s so good to be back on air. I did take another little break and there is a reason for that! I’ve had stuff!  There’s so much going on and I’ve been eating, drinking, emceeing and cavorting with some of the very best and brightest in the Industry. So as per usual I’m going to take you on a  little trip down memory lane on where I have been and what I have been doing.  AND then and only th...

Hello it’s so good to be back on air. Took a little break — well not really a break I’ve been working but I took a few weeks off from this show to get inspired and bring renewed energy. And Wow! There’s so much going on and I’ve been eating - per usual and doing — also per usual  So take a virtual trip with me of where I have been before I bring on this week’s guest Monica Saigal Took a working va...

So today I am back with the Peter Chang family at their latest restaurant in the DC Area - NiHao Arlington , at the new Amazon headquarters at National Landing in Arlington, VA. The vibe is very hip and summery, with an airy street-facing bar and lots of delicious small plates. Lydia Chang designed the gorgeous space and I cannot wait to catch up with her. ALSO on this show is good friend and rece...

Hello and welcome to another episode of Industry Night! Taking a break this week from residencies — although haven’t they been fun?! Loved being out in Delaplane, Virginia sitting amongst the vines of Barrel Oak  and the mountains of the Shenandoah off in the distance. It such a treat to tape this show on location but sometimes, just sometimes,— my guests are all the way across the country so we p...

Hello there and welcome to another episode of Industry Night with me, Nycci Nellis. I am in Delaplane at the beautiful Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery for the last show of the residency. So incredibly grateful to the team here for hosting me and the show. I just love the ride out here. Just a 60 minute drive from DC and here I am at this beautiful winery and brewery. Every week after the show I ta...

Well, hello there and welcome to another episode of Industry Night with me, Nycci Nellis. I am back in Delaplane at the beautiful Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery. One of the things I love most about living in the DC Metro area is that we are just a short drive to a completely and totally different experience. I mean — truffle hunting in Virginia?! Yes please. Stayed tuned for that Culpeper show an...

Well, hello there, and welcome to another episode of Industry Night with me, Nycci Nellis. If you are watching the show, you may be like — she is at a winery but not the one she was at last episode — and you would be right! This week, I am taking a break from Barrel Oak in Delaplane and out further in Virginia! I am in Culpeper, Virginia, at the Old House Vineyard. It's a Vineyard, A Brewery, A Di...

Hello again. Here I am out in beautiful Delaplane at the magnificent Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery. My residency is out here for a good part of the summer and can I just tell you what a treat it is to be out here? So if you live in the DMV or in the Philly area or really anywhere this part of VA — the Fauquier and Loudon Counties — of Virginia. As you drive out here and the highway gives way to a...

Did you miss me — probably not because a new Industry Night shows up in your inbox every week. But your girl here has been in Chicago for a few days for the James Beard Awards. AND OMG — so incredible. It’s hard to put into words how special it is to be out there with so many of the most important creatives who are changing the food space one bite at a time. The media awards are always a cozy affa...

Welcome to another episode for Industry Night. Today is my last session at the Capital Jewish Museum and even though I am so so excited about my next residency at Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery in Delaplane, VA — and the guests that will be joining me like Jarad Slipp and a fabulous VA wine maker panel — The last month of shows at The Capital Jewish Museum have just been amazing. If you are just...

Welcome back to another episode for Industry Night. If you are joining me on YouTube you can see I am still here at the Capital Jewish Museum. The Capital Jewish Museum celebrates DC’s Jewish heritage — it is full of incredible stories of Jewish people from all around the world who made their way to this city and were integral in laying the foundation for the vibrant community we live in today. As...