Behind the Counter with the Food Czar

Send us Fan Mail This week, we’re honored to sit down with legendary artist Antonio Reonegro—the creative force behind some of the most iconic Grateful Dead posters, backstage passes, and artwork that have become beloved collector’s items for fans around the world. Antonio’s journey into the world of art started simply: he liked it, and he believed he’d be good at it. That belief took him to art s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with the dynamic and fearless Chef Leia Gaccione, a well-known name in the New Jersey food scene. Born and raised in Passaic, Leia’s love for cooking was sparked early—her earliest memory of food inspiration comes from watching the original Iron Chef from Japan as a little girl. That curiosity quickly turned into passion, eventually leading her to culi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with powerhouse couple and major content creators Tess Sinatro (aka Lambchop) and Carly Shapiro of Sistersnacking. Based in New York City, these two have quickly become a standout duo in the digital space—blending food, lifestyle, and authenticity in a way that resonates deeply with their growing audiences. (Collectively, they’ve amassed 2.6 million fo...

Send us Fan Mail Born in Baltimore and raised in Nutley, New Jersey, Chef Jamie Knott’s journey to culinary greatness was anything but linear. Before finding his true calling, Jamie explored restaurant work in Boston, where the kitchen first sparked his passion. Determined to refine his craft, he enrolled in culinary school and dove headfirst into the hustle of New York City’s restaurant scene, ju...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how influencers/content creators who take over our social media algorithm, breakthrough, and become one of the most followed and trusted? Becoming one of the best in this ever changing space is not as easy as it seems. In this episode we talk to Eric Hammer—aka @theerichammer—who is one of the most recognizable faces in the food content world today, but the path he too...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Jimmy Kunz, the founder and owner of The Truffleist, a unique company dedicated to creating elevated truffle products. Born into a culinary household, Jimmy's father was a celebrity chef, giving him a front-row seat to the high-stakes world of fine dining. However, after witnessing the intense time commitment it took to run a restaurant, Jimm...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the heart of downtown Newark and through the doors of Hobby’s Delicatessen, a century-old institution where tradition, family, and flavor come together. In this episode, we sit down with brothers Marc and Michael Brummer, second-generation owners of the iconic Jewish deli their father purchased in 1962. Raised among the clatter of plates and the aroma of corned beef, Mar...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Nick and Michael Conforti , the incredible brothers behind Angeloni’s Pizzeria & Restaurant in Caldwell, NJ—home of the legendary "Thinny Thin" pizza. Growing up in Bloomfield, NJ, as two of four siblings, family has always been their foundation. Their journey began in Nutley, NJ, with Michael’s Pizza , but it was their mom’s homemad...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Josh Gottheimer for an open and informative conversation. Staying true to this podcast’s mission, I remain neutral—because being governor means representing all New Jerseyans. Josh shares his Jersey roots, growing up in the Garden State and what inspired him to run for office. We dig into his agenda, priorities, a...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, we sit down with Pam Sunshine and Jenn Sherman—also known as Sunny and Jenn—to dive into the story behind their 40-year friendship and the exciting new chapter they’re embarking on together as content creators. From their shared history to pivoting into the world of digital content, they open up about the evolution of their bond and how...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Lauro , the owner of Anthony’s Cheesecake in Bloomfield, NJ. Born and raised in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, Anthony’s journey into the restaurant world was anything but traditional. After realizing accounting wasn’t for him, he took a bold leap—opening his first restaurant at just 21 years old with zero experience. While that vent...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Cliff Crooks , a renowned chef whose career has taken him from top-tier kitchens to the bright lights of television. Raised in Livingston, NJ, Cliff’s path to the culinary world wasn’t always clear—he once planned to become a physical therapist. But after working at Panevino in Livingston during high school and later stepping into his first cookin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Adam Goldberg , the founder of PopUp Bagels , to hear how a pandemic hobby turned into a full-blown bagel empire. Born and raised in Livingston, NJ , Adam started baking sourdough bread at home, but through a series of happy accidents, he discovered his passion for bagels. What began as a small pop-up quickly gained a cult following, leading to mu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Anthony and Gino Pascarella, the dynamic duo behind Pascarella Brothers Deli in Chatham, NJ. More than just deli owners, these brothers are true community champions, deeply rooted in the town they were born and raised in. From an early age—Gino started working for Anthony at just 10 years old—their bond has been unbreakable, built on hard work, pa...

Send us Fan Mail In this special live-recorded episode, we sit down with the one and only Max Cohen , better known as Murray Hill Boy , in front of an amazing audience at Temple B’nai Abraham on February 27, 2025 . Max, a content creator known for his hilarious and heartfelt skits, shares his journey—how he got to where he is today, the struggles along the way, and the messages he weaves into his...

Send us Fan Mail Known throughout the tri-state area as a top fitness expert, Jersey-born Kenny Santucci has returned home to open his second gym, The Strength Club NJ in Caldwell. After years of success with The Strength Club NY, Kenny is bringing his passion for health, fitness, and community back to where it all began. In this episode, we dive into his journey—his no-nonsense approach, his dedi...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode, I sit down with my close friend, Kaan Erpanur—a renowned fitness expert whose life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with hereditary heart disease at the age of 39. Despite a lifetime dedicated to health and fitness, Kaan underwent a triple bypass surgery, a moment that changed his life forever. Together, we explore his deeply personal story of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the story behind Montclair’s hottest sandwich spot: Dutch’s Sandwich Shop.  Meet Amir Kamal, a New York native with deep culinary roots — his father owned a NYC pizza shop, and Amir cut his teeth in hospital kitchens and catering before taking the leap to open his own place. Now, Dutch’s is the talk of the town, known for its incredible variety of san...

Send us Fan Mail As we embrace the start of a new year, many of us are embarking on health journeys or setting resolutions to improve our well-being—an endeavor that can often feel overwhelming and stressful. In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Hunter Stoler, widely recognized on social media as "Health with Hunter," to discuss practical strategies for starting and s...

Send us Fan Mail Chicken nuggets have been an American favorite since their introduction in 1983. But have you ever visited a restaurant entirely dedicated to them? Enter The Nugget Spot, a unique concept that started in New York City and has since found a new home in Chatham, NJ. In this episode, I sat down with owner Jason Hairston to dive into the story behind this simple yet ingenious restaura...

Send us Fan Mail Do you remember the joy of eating Zeppoles at the Jersey Shore boardwalk as a kid? The irresistible smell, the cloud of powdered sugar, and, of course, that unforgettable taste? In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the vibrant and charismatic Maria Pucillo, the visionary behind Boardwalk Zeppoles in Livingston, NJ. Maria's journey to building her wholesale...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sat down with Josh Berman, better known as @joshsfoodnstuff on social media. With nearly 60,000 followers, Josh has become one of New Jersey’s most prominent food reviewers, and I was eager to learn about the journey that brought him here. From a desk job to becoming a certified sommelier, from his passion for cooking and baking to filming honest, in-the-moment...

Send us Fan Mail Belgiovines Italian Deli in Montclair, NJ has been a cherished community favorite since it opened its doors in 2008, thanks to the Dimatteo family. In this episode, I sit down with Petey Dimatteo, the next generation to help manage this thriving local institution. Petey shares the story of his family’s journey to owning the deli, his own career path, and the passion that led him t...

Send us Fan Mail This episode shines a spotlight on  Table to Table , New Jersey’s first food and most successful food rescue organization. Dedicated to reducing food waste and feeding those who need it most, Table to Table partners with restaurants, supermarkets, and other food providers to rescue fresh, high-quality, and nutritious food. This rescued food is then delivered to Table to Table&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Some might say lightning in a bottle doesn't exist, but after listening to this episode with Dom Calise, owner of Bucky’s Pizza, you’ll think twice. What began as a pop-up at local breweries and events in the summer of 2023 quickly turned into a beloved destination for pizza lovers, thanks to their unique and mouthwatering Detroit and NY style pizzas. Now, Bucky’s has a brick...