Behind the Counter with the Food Czar

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Ryan DePersio, a true force in New Jersey’s culinary scene. Born and raised in Nutley, New Jersey, Ryan’s passion for food started early, shaped by family, tradition, and the influence of his mother, a recipe developer for women’s magazines. From a young age, he was drawn to the kitchen and committed to learning the craft from the ground up. After attending c...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Behind the Counter with the Food Czar , I sit down with Alex Berkowitz, the founder and owner of Bagel Nook — the viral bagel concept that completely changed the breakfast game. When Alex opened his doors in 2015, no one thought bagels needed reinventing… except him. What started as a bold idea — turning flavors like Doritos, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Oreos, and Fruity Peb...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Gustavo (Gus) Gutierrez — the high-energy entrepreneur behind Cubita Cafe and the growing fleet of Cubita Food Trucks . Gus grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey knowing he needed to find a path that would keep him focused and out of trouble. After discovering a culinary program built around hands-on experience, he dove into the restaurant world — s...

Send us Fan Mail This week we sit down with Staci Puleo — the heart and hands behind Staci’s Sandwich Joint — whose journey into the food world is proof that it’s never too late to start something completely new. Just over a year ago, Staci was a stay-at-home mom thinking about what her next chapter might look like when her kids got older. With zero restaurant experience , she took a leap of faith...

Send us Fan Mail In this special Mother’s Day episode, I sit down with Deborah and Sam Stymest, the mother-and-son duo behind Sam’s Table in Montclair, New Jersey. What started during COVID as a backyard, socially distanced dining experience for neighbors—seven courses, shared from a distance but deeply connected—quickly became something people truly needed. A way to gather, to feel a sense of nor...

Send us Fan Mail This week we sit down with Allie Chernick, the founder of Allie’s Banana Bread, whose signature banana bread — made from her Grandma Sheila’s cherished recipe — turned into one of NYC’s most buzzed-about baked goods. From growing up in Rhode Island to studying photography at Syracuse and building a career at Ralph Lauren, Allie followed a creative path — all while quietly becoming...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode explores reinvention, resilience, and listening to the pull you can’t ignore. We sit down with Matthew Chappina, the creative force behind Perla Oyster Bar in Maplewood, NJ. After starting out in theater, Matt found his true calling in the kitchen—working through restaurants in Brooklyn and NYC before launching a sandwich concept that gained momentum, then stal...

Send us Fan Mail This episode dives into the inspiring, sun-soaked story of Kiersten and Krista Gormeley , the sisters behind Shaka Kitchen in Hoboken and Morristown. Raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the Gormeley sisters didn’t follow a traditional path. School wasn’t where they thrived — but curiosity, grit, and a shared desire for something more always were. Kiersten, the older sister, felt an ear...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Eric Taliercio—the heart behind Taliercio’s, the iconic Middletown, NJ deli turned tri-state and beyond food destination. Eric’s path wasn’t straightforward. Despite his father owning the deli since 1988, Eric grew up working everywhere except inside it. After college, he tried finance, only to find himself drained and unfulfilled. Everything shif...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Peter Falzo , the passionate owner of Vinnie’s Pan Pizza — a beloved pizza spot with locations in Millburn and Brielle, New Jersey . Peter’s story begins in the kitchen of his Uncle Vinnie’s legendary pizzeria, Cammarata’s in Livingston , where he learned not only how to craft the perfect pizza but also the values of hard work, family, and perseve...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Chef Josh Capon —an acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and the undeniable King of Hospitality . Known for his unstoppable energy, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering loyalty to his friends, family, staff, and customers, Josh is a force who elevates every room he walks into. Josh’s journey is a remarkable one—beginning as a dishwasher in a lo...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we sit down with Jacqueline Spiegel , better known as Jaxx Snax , whose story is as rich and layered as her famous babkas. Growing up on Long Island, Jacqueline wasn’t quite sure where life would take her. Her path meandered from exploring a career in health and nutrition to enrolling in culinary school , where she discovered her true calling — the delicate art of Frenc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Mike Barreto , Assistant General Manager of Judy & Harry’s in Asbury Park, NJ — a true creative force whose journey proves that passion and artistry can take many forms. Growing up in the punk rock scene, Mike always knew he belonged front and center — drawn to the energy, connection, and raw emotion of performing. After studying the arts and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Roger Schnorrbusch , the owner of Park Wood Deli and the social media sensation known as “The Deli Guy.” Roger shares his inspiring journey — from growing up in New Jersey and delivering newspapers as a kid, to working in restaurants instead of going to college, and learning the business from the ground up.  With relentless drive, Roger took over h...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode, I sit down once again with Dom Calise , owner of Bucky’s in Chatham, NJ , to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his pizza shop. Dom shares what it felt like to open the doors to Bucky’s on October 31, 2024 , and what it means to look back one year later at a thriving, tight-knit community built around great food and heart. We talk about the lessons he’s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by Jojo Sammut , the dynamic General Manager of Butterfish Sushi in East Rutherford — a high-end omakase restaurant that’s redefined New Jersey dining. Open just over a year, Butterfish quickly created major buzz for its exceptional fish, elegant craftsmanship, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere that keeps guests coming back. Jojo shares his remarkabl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Mike Bergemann , owner of Corner Slice in Maplewood, NJ , recently voted #1 on NJ.com’s “101 Greatest Pizzas” for their iconic upside-down pie. Mike’s journey is anything but ordinary. Growing up in New Jersey, his teenage dream was to be in a band. That dream took him on a road trip across the country to Portland, Oregon—where instead of finding...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by Chef Matt Ruzga , chef and owner of Porta Rossa Pasta & Provisions in Maplewood, NJ. Matt’s culinary journey began in high school in Freehold, NJ, before continuing through Johnson & Wales and culinary school. His path took him across the globe—from studying wine in Germany to working in kitchens in Las Vegas—before landing in New York City...

Send us Fan Mail This week, I sit down with Bill Butrymowicz , the Jersey-born founder of Loom Drink , whose journey is as unique as the beverage he’s created. Growing up, Bill watched his father build a successful beverage distribution company from the ground up—a lesson in grit and perseverance that stuck with him. But before returning to his roots, Bill carved out a name for himself in an entir...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Giuseppe “Joey Jr.” Ottaiano, one of the owners of Locale in Little Silver, NJ. Joey grew up in Livingston watching his father, a first-generation Italian immigrant, open Calabria’s Restaurant with his brother. From a young age, Joey absorbed the lessons of hard work, family, and hospitality that shaped who he is today.  We talk about how those ear...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Lewis and Morgan Kulessa, the partners behind The Wing Bar in Jersey City. Bryan, originally from Baltimore, and Morgan, from the Jersey Shore, became friends at Seton Hall University — Bryan studied communications, while Morgan majored in history. After college, their paths took different directions: Morgan worked her way through every posi...

Send us Fan Mail In this special live recording at Temple B’nai Abraham in Livingston, NJ, we sit down with Chris CARESNONE—social media sensation, culture ambassador, and the self-proclaimed Babka King . Chris has been warmly embraced by the Jewish community, and his contagious positive energy continues to unite people from all walks of life. We dive into his journey from sketch comic to wine rev...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we’re joined by Chef and Restaurateur Jonathan Kavourakis , a Jersey native whose unconventional path to success is as inspiring as it is impressive. Raised in Livingston, NJ in a vibrant Greek and Jewish household, Jonathan found his footing not in the classroom—but in the kitchen. Starting out in classic New Jersey diners alongside his father, a head baker, Jonathan’s...

Send us Fan Mail When the world shut down in 2020, Michal Prevor didn’t just bake bread—she baked a mission. In this episode, we dive into the heartwarming origin story of Babka Bailout , the beloved Jersey City bakery that started as a way to support Michal’s housekeeper who lost her income during the pandemic. What began as a small act of kindness quickly grew into a thriving business with a big...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, we talk with Nikki Ashkar, founder of Mav's Top Buns , about how a simple act of love turned into a fast-growing business. What started with baking her grandmother’s cinnamon bun recipe for her son’s first birthday has since become a household name in New Jersey and beyond. Alongside her husband Mike, Nikki launched the business in 2020 during the height of t...