Fell Into Food Podcast

This week, I sit down with Pedrom Rejai. Pedrom is a supply chain expert and former Unilever executive who managed portfolios worth over $1.4 billion. With a background in chemical engineering, he has led operations for major brands like Hellmann’s and Dove. He now runs Elevate Growth Partners, helping small and medium-sized food businesses automate processes, scale operations, and navigate the ch...

From circling job ads in Time Out New York to running the kitchen at the massive, high-volume beast that is Buddakan, Chef Ed Harris has always been a study in contrasts. He was born in St. Lucia and raised in Guyana, yet built his reputation mastering French technique and Asian fusion. He is a Chopped champion who can break down a whole lamb, but today he is best known for his "Veganish"...

This week, I sit down with Chef Adina Mullen—a culinary artist, TV host, and author of Vegan Flavors of the World. Adina didn’t just stumble into plant-based cooking; she was pushed there by severe allergies to casein and eggs. But instead of seeing limitations, she saw a blank canvas. We talk about her journey from aspiring wedding cake decorator to traveling the globe, researching cuisines from...

This week, I sit down with Stephanie Lind—a sales powerhouse and the founder of Elohi Strategic Advisors. Stephanie is a veteran of the food and beverage industry who has led strategy for giants like PepsiCo and Impossible Foods, but her story starts way before that. We talk about her "fell into food" moment selling Girl Scout cookies at age five, and how a lesson from her mother about get...

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Melissa & Noelle from Governess. We dove into the fascinating world of consumer product goods (CPG), exploring their journey, the critical role of brand voice, and how design shapes impactful brands. We also tackled the challenges and opportunities within the CPG space, discussed AI's influence on copywriting, and highlighted the power of story...

This week, I sat down with Aaron Sharpe from Testo. Aaron started his journey wanting to decorate cakes — and ended up helping operators across the country rethink how they handle food safety. We talked about how a passion for pastry turned into a career that now bridges the gap between chefs, data, and smarter kitchen tools. Aaron breaks down how tech can actually make things simpler, why we’re a...

What happens when a bartender-turned-line-cook sees a better way to organize a walk-in cooler? You get Michael Smith — an operator, inventor, and all-around hospitality grinder. In this episode, Mike shares his path from small-town Ohio to the kitchens of Columbus to running concessions for The Ohio State University , and how a simple idea turned into a full-blown product: Rameking. We talk about...

This week, I sit down with Jeanne Jones — a lifelong culinary pro turned food blogger behind A Jeannie in the Kitchen . We talk about everything from cutting onions in goggles to working 18-hour days in catering, why she left the restaurant industry, and how she found new purpose in writing. Jeanne’s journey is filled with honesty, grit, and a deep love for food — whether she’s whipping up “first...

This week, I sit down with Chef Franck Desplechin — someone who’s spent decades in Michelin-starred kitchens and luxury hotels but has taken a step back to focus on what really matters. We talk about his new book Relentless Growth , but more importantly, we talk about what growth actually costs. Franck gets into burnout, ego, family, leadership, and what it means to build a life—not just a resume....

Evan Duignan went from rolling silverware in a dish pit to rolling out an industry-shifting machine. In this episode, Evan shares the startup journey behind Roller Express, how automation is reshaping hospitality, and the surprising lessons he learned building AlphaMated from scratch. It’s a real conversation about innovation, grit, and solving problems that actually matter. AlphaMated Website - h...

This week I sit down with Emra Nation from Oregon Fruit to talk all things beverage. We dive into the massive shift away from alcohol, the rise of mocktails, dirty sodas, boba, and why Gen Z is driving this movement. Emra’s insights into menu trends, functional ingredients, and her favorite new drinks make this one of the most fun and eye-opening convos I’ve had. If you’re in foodservice and not t...

In Part 2 of our conversation, Dustin dives deep into the hard truths of the restaurant industry — from outdated mentalities and toxic kitchen culture to how chefs can reclaim time, sanity, and sustainability through systems and tech. We unpack the power of efficiency, why automation isn’t the enemy, and how younger generations are reshaping the culinary world with curiosity, transparency, and a d...

In Part 1 of my conversation with Dustin Selvaggio, we dive into the evolution of chef culture, the science behind koji, and how food tech like dry-aging cabinets and fermentation is reshaping kitchens. From navigating ego to pushing flavor boundaries, Dustin breaks down how chefs can stay creative without getting stuck in outdated mindsets. Guest Dustin Selvaggio - Dustin is a chef, fermentation...

Guest: Shane Lee – Founder of Dharma Food Group | Food Systems Innovator | MAP Packaging Expert From sweeping peanut shells at LongHorn Steakhouse to managing multimillion-dollar senior meal operations, Shane Lee’s journey into food was anything but planned. In this episode, we dive deep into the industrial side of food—how modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) changes shelf life, how Shane builds m...

From fine dining kitchens to chemical engineering labs to mushroom farms, Jim Fuller’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, we dig into how shiitake stems became a slow-cooked brisket alternative, why most mushroom prep is all wrong (hint: boil them first), and what it takes to scale a mycelium-powered meat alternative across the globe. If you’ve ever wondered what food looks like in...

In this episode, I’m joined by Rob Mattoch —a chef-turned-equipment-expert who’s out to make kitchens more human. We talk about how he fell into food growing up in Hawai’i, what sparked his transition from the line to the factory floor, and how he’s using smart design and cook-chill systems to reduce burnout and increase consistency in kitchens everywhere. We also dig into his work with Nourish Co...

In this episode, I’m joined by Luis Alvarado, one of the first cooks I ever worked with—back in our casino kitchen days. We catch up on life, swap some wild kitchen stories, and make his elevated version of corn in a cup (with a twist). From cutting our teeth on the line to where we’ve both landed today, this one’s full of laughs, nostalgia, and solid perspective on how far we’ve come. We talk abo...

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Messeroff, a former bartender who traded the fast-paced hospitality grind for a life of mindfulness and personal freedom. We talk about his journey from working behind the bar to coaching people on how to slow down, reduce stress, and actually enjoy life. Mike shares practical ways to a void burnout, prioritize well-being, and rethink what success really means...

This episode is best watched vs listened to. We were live on sight in the Content Kitchen. You don’t want to miss out. This episode is all about mushrooms—how to cook them, why they’re blowing up right now, and how they can completely change the way you think about food. I sat down with Tommy “The Mushroom Man” and Johnny from Windy City Mushrooms to talk about everything from pressing and searing...

In this episode of Fell Into Food , I sit down with Lenzy Ruffin, a former IT professional who unexpectedly found his way into the food industry—helping chefs turn their passion into cooking shows. Lenzy shares his journey from building computer networks to producing high-quality video content for chefs, and how a personal project turned into a full-blown business. We dive into why chefs need to s...

I had a fantastic conversation with Aaron Shapiro, the founder of Grillicious, a company revolutionizing the way we add flavor to our food.  Aaron's journey began with a simple desire for a better grilling experience, leading him to develop innovative flavor-infused cooking wipes. These wipes not only enhance the taste of food but also offer a healthier and more convenient alternative to tradi...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Andreas Duess, a true innovator who’s blending his deep-rooted passion for food with cutting-edge AI technology. From growing up on a farm and working in restaurant kitchens to building Canada’s largest independent food and drink ad agency, Andreas has seen it all. We dive deep into how AI is revolutionizing the food industry, making it more eff...

I had the pleasure of speaking with Chris Stein, the Corporate Innovation Chef at Brakebush, who shared his unique journey from biology student to food scientist to chef. We dive into the fascinating intersection of culinary arts and food science, and how this blend has shaped his approach to product development. Chris shares insights about the evolving food industry, the impact of global flavor t...

This week I’m cooking with the amazing Chef Joe Arvin and chatted about his journey from a small-town boy with big dreams to becoming a household name in the culinary world. We dove deep into how new technologies, like electric and ventless kitchen equipment, are transforming kitchens, making life easier for chefs, and ensuring every dish comes out perfect. Joe also opened up about the importance...

Welcome back to another episode of the Fell Into Food podcast! I’m Chef Jeff Fell, and as promised, we’re diving into part two of our visit to Windy City Mushroom. This time, we're taking a deeper look at their operation with John. Today, we're exploring the nitty-gritty of mushroom farming right in the heart of Chicago’s South Side. John walks us through their unique setup, from the concr...