Food About Town

Chris Lindstrom hosts a discussion on the Food About Town podcast that dives deep into the evolution of PlantiePops (@plantiepops), a business that focuses on vegan options in Rochester and beyond! Check out their vegan tasting event event at Balsam Bagels on August 9th from 2pm - 4pm. Get your tickets at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/plantiepops/1796361 or find the link on plantiepops.com!...

Check out the upcoming Glorious Garlic Festival (@gloriousgarlicfestival) being held at the Geneva Lakefront on August 2nd and 3rd. Chris chats with Brud Holland (@flxmaker), the chef at Fox Run Vineyards, who shares insights about his Sunday cooking demo at the festival, where he’ll showcase a creative dish featuring local ingredients like blue corn and organic chickpeas. They explore the importa...

Chris Lindstrom hosts the Food About Town podcast, diving into the vibrant world of culinary experiences centered around the Glorious Garlic Festival (@gloriousgarlicfestival). The episode features Christin Ortiz, who is set to lead a food demonstration Sunday August 3rd showcasing roasted garlic gnocchi topped with fresh pesto. Ortiz emphasizes the importance of approachability in cooking, aiming...

Chris Lindstrom hosts a deep dive into the upcoming Glorious Garlic Festival (@gloriousgarlicfestival) happening at the Geneva Lakefront on August 2nd and 3rd. Chris and Reagan Burns discuss the festival's new features, including a family zone and VIP tent, aimed at enhancing visitor experience. Regan shares insights on taking over the festival and her passion for garlic, emphasizing the diversity...

Chris Lindstrom hosts the team from the Sager-Stoneyard Pub including Jim Zobel from Doughboyz! This episode revolves around the collaboration between Sager Beer Works and Stoneyard Brewing, highlighting how partnerships just might be the future of brew pubs! Listeners are introduced to Paul Guaracini and his journey in brewing, along with Oz from Stoneyard, who brings his unique brewing style to...

Chris Lindstrom (@stromie) hosts a captivating discussion about the vibrant food and beer scene in Rochester, particularly focusing on the upcoming Rails and Ales festival. Otto Vondrak (@roc_otto), the marketing manager for the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad (@rocrealtrains) and create of the Rochester Beer Blog (@rocbeerblog), joins the conversation to share insights about the festival, t...

Note from Chris (@stromie) - this was intended to be an episode with short interviews with all of the vendors mentioned recorded live at the Lilac Festival (@rochesterlilacfestival), but unfortunately, technical issues are preventing these from being listenable. Instead, I am bringing you some highlights from my discussions with these fascinating people with the hope that you can go visit them eit...

This episode of Just Can't Not features Chris Lindstrom (@stromie) chatting with Magnus (@magnusapollo) to learn about the interactive art he created for the 2025 Lilac Festival (@rochesterlilacfestival)! This project has everything - a photo scavenger hunt of animal art around the park, a giant Magnus along the entrance, laser artwork on rocks, and more! This project is so Magnus and we are all e...

The Rochester Lilac Festival (@rochesterlilacfestival), a celebrated institution marking the commencement of spring and the festival season, is ready to kick off on Friday May 9th! This year, the festival commemorates 127 years of tradition, having evolved from a modest gathering into a grand ten-day event that attracts over half a million visitors. Guests can expect diverse attractions, including...

This episode of the Food About Town podcast features guests Matthew and Oliver from the One Drink Podcast (@onedrinkroc), who join Chris in discussing their gas station snack favorites in a tournament to crown the best snack on the go! They explore the nostalgia tied to snacks encountered on road trips and late-night adventures, emphasizing how these experiences shape our choices at gas stations....

Welcome to a VERY SPECIAL crossover podcast episode between @FoodAboutTownPodcast / @LunchadorPodcasts and the sister shows That Sounds Terrific in the 585 (@soundsterrific) and That Sounds Terrifying (@thatsoundsterrifying) hosted by Christine Green (@chrissygreenny), Nick Koziol (@kozioln), and Jess DiCotas (@rocjessy)! The crew talks about the origin of each of their shows, the challenges of be...

The episode commences with an introduction to a special event, celebrating the ten-year retrospective of Explore Rochester at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. The host expresses gratitude towards Steve Carter and Justin Doucet for their involvement and the opportunity to conduct nearly fifty-five interviews, capturing the essence of Rochester through the perspectives of various contributors....

This episode of FAT Bites was recorded on-site during March Magnus (@magnusapollo) at Made On State in the heart of Rochester. Chris chats with John Ballou (@jackbearstamps), an artist and curator of the Mini Mystery Art Machine (@minimysteryartmachine). Chris and John reflect on personal experiences, making it clear that community engagement is not just about the events, but the connections forge...

Chris chats with Courtney Klee, a farmer at Growing Family Farms, who shares her journey into agriculture and highlights the farm's commitment to regenerative practices. They discuss the variety of produce they grow and how CSAs foster a direct relationship between farmers and consumers. Courtney explains how CSAs work, allowing customers to receive fresh, local produce while helping farmers durin...

In this episode, Chris interviews Christine Montroy, the creator behind the Instagram page Fairport Food and Drink, who shares her journey of documenting local dining experiences. They dive into how Christine transitioned from merely taking pictures of her meals to fostering a strong community connection through her platform, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses. The conversat...

In this special episode of Just Can't Not, Steve Carter (@stevecarter) and Justin Dusett (@jdusett) join host Chris Lindstrom (@stromie) to explore the origins and evolution of Explore Rochester, highlighting its role in connecting individuals to their surroundings and each other. We explore the significance of the upcoming 10-year retrospective exhibition, which will be held at the Rochester Cont...

Chris Lindstrom hosts a conversation centered around the Rochester Supper Club, emphasizing its focus on communal dining and local ingredients. He chats with chef Mike Durfee and sommelier Shomari Smoak (@winewithsmoak), who share their experiences and the evolution of their collaboration. The duo discusses how they create unique, seasonal menus that highlight local flavors and pairings, making ea...

Chris Lindstrom hosts a chat with owner Jared Valentine from Open Face currently located at the Goerge Eastman Museum. Make sure you swing by for some sandwiches, soup, and Moxie any day the Museum is open! The conversation kicks off with a reflection on the restaurant's significance and its evolution over the years. Jared shares his journey from initially envisioning Open Face as an art gallery t...

Chris Lindstrom shares his recent adventures in Flushing, Queens, where he delved into the food that captivated him during his recent trip. The episode kicks off with Chris highlighting the vibrant mix of cultures in Flushing, particularly the strong Chinese influence. He recounts his explorations, from savoring delicate duck egg yolk noodles at Maxi's Noodles to enjoying fresh rice rolls made rig...

Cody Donahue (@codyreconnect), the director of policy and advocacy for Reconnect Rochester, joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s mission to promote car-light transportation options in the Rochester area. A significant focus of the conversation is the challenges and opportunities related to improving bike and pedestrian safety, particularly on dangerous roads like Empire Boulevard. Cody...

Petit Poutinerie's impending closure at the end of January marks a significant moment in Rochester's food scene, as discussed by Chris Lindstrom on this episode of the Food About Town podcast. Chris reflects on his personal history with Le Petit Poutine, from its origins as a tiny food truck to its brick-and-mortar restaurant, highlighting the impact it has had on the local culinary landscape. The...

Mercury Coffee Company, a new mobile coffee brand in Rochester out of The Commissary (@roccommissary), joins hosts Chris Lindstrom, Aaron Pascucci, and Wade Reed from Level Up (@levelup.wny) to delve into the journey of launching their venture, from the inspiration behind their delicious offerings to the challenges of starting a business in the food and beverage industry. Co-founders Kyle and Isab...

Chris Lindstrom sits down with Jon Olek, the founder of Black Cat Baking Company, to discuss his journey from working in various culinary roles to creating a successful vegan bakery in Rochester. They explore the challenges and techniques involved in vegan pastry-making, emphasizing the importance of quality and flavor. Jon shares insights into his experiences at renowned establishments, including...

Chris Lindstrom kicks off the new year with an update on the Food About Town podcast, reflecting on the past year’s successes and outlining ambitious plans for 2025. Listeners will appreciate the behind-the-scenes peek at recent episodes, including a memorable two-part dialogue with the NOMINATE team, where they delve into the impact of supporting local minority-owned restaurants. Food About Town...

The conclusion of the Nominate journey marks a significant chapter in the lives of the hosts, reflecting on three years of dedication to supporting local restaurants in Rochester and Buffalo. As they reminisce about their experiences, they share the challenges and triumphs that shaped their path, from navigating the complexities of running a food delivery service to building lasting relationships...