The Ultimate Dish

In today’s episode, we speak with internationally-recognized author, educator, and public speaker, Ann Cooper—recognized by the New York Times as today’s “Renegade Lunch Lady.”  Ann’s life mission is dedicated to making quality, delicious, nutritious, and sustainable school food accessible for all children. As the Director of Nutrition Services for the Boulder Valley School District, she launched...

In today’s episode, we speak with Tracy DeWitt, winner of the Food Network Challenge and an educator with nearly 30 years of experience teaching and mentoring aspiring chefs. Chef Tracy   believes that nurturing passion and preparation is more important than focusing on perfection. Taking this approach led her to win two gold medals and one silver medal on the Food Network Challenge. It’s no surpr...

In today’s episode, we speak with Julie Peláez, a Board-Certified Holistic Health Coach, a certified yoga instructor, and co-founder of the Conscious Cleanse.   Julie believes that transformation is found in the mind, body, spirit, and food connection. With her expertise in helping people use diet and nutrition to create radical change, she has coached thousands of people to improve their mental a...

In today’s episode, we speak with Jake Plummer who is excited to spread the word about how to feel better physically and mentally. Jake Plummer is a former Pro-Bowl NFL Quarterback who led the Denver Broncos to the 2005 AFC Championship Game. He currently works with UMBO Mushrooms , and owns MyCOLove Farm, where he is considered the “Jake-of-all-trades.” Since retiring in 2007, Jake has been a lon...

In today’s episode, we speak with Skip Lackey , a business and leadership coach who has worked with over 10,000 clients across the restaurant industry and beyond. Skip is an entertainer at heart — having taught over 1,000 workshops and on stage in front of over 1 million people in his 35-year career. Skip’s interesting career path includes working as a professional clown, a Nickelodeon employee, a...

In today’s episode, we speak with former stand-up comedian and culinarian Jon-Paul Hutchins, who believes that everyone needs a creative expression with no limits. Chef JP is a humorous, high-energy culinary veteran with nearly 40 years of experience as an executive chef, instructor, consultant, and entrepreneur. He spent 12 years as stand-up comedian and has worked on the Today show, Food Network...

In today’s episode, we speak with Edward Leonard, an award-winning Certified Master Chef, a Culinary Olympic gold medalist, author, and an international lecturer.  Edward led the American Culinary Federation’s Team USA to five championships and over 34 gold medals.  Throughout his career, he also received global recognition for his contributions to the culinary industry and passionate leadership,...

In today’s episode, we speak with Travis Smith, the winner of six gold medals and three silver medals in the Culinary Olympics and World Cup competitions. Travis Smith is a Certified Executive Chef, Certified Executive Sommelier, Level 3 Pro Chef, and a fellow in the American Academy of Chefs.  Listen as Travis talks about what it’s like to compete in top culinary competitions, his experience cook...

In today’s episode, we speak with Josie Clemens, who learned to “feel the mission” in her culinary career, which made all the difference for her when things got heated. Josie Clemens is the first vegan chef on Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen: Young Guns Edition, and a new culinary director at Jackfruit Land .  Listen as Josie talks about what it’s like to work in Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay,...

In today’s episode, we speak with Josh Sharkey, who is building culinary tech for future generations of foodservice professionals. Josh Sharkey is the founder and CEO of meez , a recipe tool for professional chefs. He’s an entrepreneur, chef, and restaurant operator with over 20 years of experience in the industry (including restaurants Oceana, Tabla, Bouley, and Cafe Gray).  Listen as Josh talks...

In today’s episode, we speak with John Percarpio, who never lost his drive or passion for culinary arts. John Percarpio is a Certified Executive Chef, Level 1 Sommelier, and longtime instructor at the Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts. Chef John has cooked for Michelin Star restaurant Palais Lenbach Otto Stasse 6 in Munchen, Germany.  Listen as Chef John talks about honoring the culture of...

Kareen “Chef Coco” Linton is an Escoffier Chef Instructor as well as the founder and CEO of A Dash of Coco . She is the recipient of multiple awards, including: Disciples d'Escoffier, National Cutting Edge Award by the American Culinary Federation, and Top 100 Leaders in Education Award by the Global Forum for Education and Learning. Listen as “Chef Coco” Linton talks about taking control of...

Brandon Pitcher is an advocate for the implementation of a “blue and circular” economy. This means an economy that incorporates sustainable design, reuse, up-cycling, the sharing economy, and more.  The founder of Blue Circle Farms, Brandon is an award-winning change agent and educator, having gained an understanding of social and ecological entrepreneurship nearly two decades ago.  Listen as Bran...

In this episode, we're speaking with Chef Erik Niel, a restaurateur  who knows how to connect a culinary career path to a distant culinary arts goal. Erik Niel is the co-owner & executive chef at Easy Bistro & Bar and Main Street Meats in Chattanooga, TN. Chef Niel is a James Beard semi finalist from 2016 and 2017 for Best Chef: Southeast. In his career, he was awarded Chef of the Yea...

In today’s episode, we speak with Steve Konopelski who is cheering for everyone to be “unapologetically themselves.” Chef Steve Konopelski had a successful 11-year career as a Broadway dancer before turning his sights to culinary school. Today, Chef Steve keeps busy with his YouTube baking show “The Sweet Life of Steve,” as well as empowering aspiring culinarians as Chef Instructor for Escoffier’s...

In today's episode, we're speaking with Nickie Jurado, host of the Kitchen Scene Investigator podcast. Nickie graduated from Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts with honors and has worked as a creative producer, writer, communication strategist, and on-camera talent for various outlets, including ABC, NBC, and BSMG Worldwide.  A cooking enthusiast since age 9, Nickie became known a...

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Escoffier Baking & Pastry Chef Instructor Colette Christian, Certified Master Baker (CMB), a published author, and host of Baking with Colette . She mentored under the great White House Pastry Chef Albert Kumin, worked in upscale restaurants and luxury hotels, and owned a bed & breakfast and a successful wedding cake business. Colette is a Certi...

Parker Wilks-Bryant is an Escoffier graduate who overcame addiction to not only graduate with honors, but also complete an externship at Pujol, considered by many to be the best restaurant in Mexico City, and is currently ranked the 9th best restaurant in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Today, Parker works for Caruso's, a Michelin Guide restaurant, where he continues to sharpen...

Chef Chris McAdams is an Escoffier graduate who has paved his own lane in the culinary industry as an R&D consultant. Chris specializes in consumer packaged goods (CPG) product development, plant-based protein innovation, recipe and product development, as well as trend-driven ideation. As a self-proclaimed "culinary gun-for-hire," he has done everything from kitchen and menu design...

Kathleen Vossenberg is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.  Kathleen joined Escoffier a little over a year ago as the Director of Program Development and was recently promoted to her current leadership position - a role in which she is already delivering tremendous value to our students and the greater culinary community.  Kathleen has worked with i...

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Dr. Amy Sapola, a Certified Wellness Coach, Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, and Doctor of Pharmacy with a B.S. in Nutrition. Dr. Sapola is the Director of Farmacy (that’s farm - F-A-R-M-ACY) at The Chef’s Garden in Huron, Ohio where she works to help guide consumers towards a mindful relationship with food by connecting the benefits...

In today's episode, we chat with Philip Tessier, an award-winning chef, author, coach, culinary partner and innovator.  He was the first American chef to ever place on the podium at the biennial Bocuse d’Or competition in Lyon, France, and coached the 2017 U.S. team to a gold-medal victory, a journey that he recounts in his book: Chasing Bocuse. Philip began his training in the kitchen at a y...

Bobby Stuckey is the Master Sommelier and Co-Owner of Frasca Hospitality Group, a collection of four Colorado restaurants, one of which, Frasca Food and Wine, won the 2019 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Service.  Bobby began his distinguished career in restaurants in his home state of Arizona, working his way from dishwasher to management, establishing his position as one of the lead...

Katrina Markoff is the founder, CEO, and Chocolatier of Vosges Chocolat - a Chicago-based luxury chocolate brand.  Katrina is a world-traveler who uses her global experiences to bring culture, intuition, and joy to her customers through chocolate. With three boutiques, an ecommerce platform, and international patrons, Katrina is one of the most successful chocolatiers in the industry.   In the las...

Rip Esselstyn is the founder and CEO of PLANTSTRONG, an organization that is helping people lead healthier lives through plant-based nutrition. Rip is a New York Times Bestselling author, world record holder, professional triathlete, former firefighter, and sought after public speaker. Rip spent a decade as one of the premier triathletes in the world. He then joined the Austin Fire Department wher...