Food Origins Podcast

David is the founder of Kairos, a premium seasonings and provisions company built around the belief that the best moments in life happen around food, fire, and good people. What started as a pursuit of adventure turned into a lifelong obsession with quality. From learning how to hunt and becoming successful in the field, to chasing surf around the world, getting lost deep in Mexico on dirt bikes,...

Join us as Chef Joel Gil shares his inspiring journey from law enforcement to culinary success, highlighting his passion for open fire cooking, local sourcing, and the importance of resilience. Discover practical insights, memorable stories, and future plans that showcase his dedication to community and cuisine. Chef Joel Gil is a talented chef based in Bozeman and Big Sky, Montana. With a deep-ro...

Derek Ikeda is a third-generation Japanese American carrying forward a family legacy rooted in farming, resilience, and great food. He operates Ikeda's Bakery alongside his father Glen, uncle Steve, and brother Brendyn—continuing a business first started by his grandparents, Sam and Sally Ikeda. What began as a small orchard has grown into a Northern California staple: part bakery, part resta...

Entrepreneur, TV host, and Certified Chef, Shelly Meyer brings unique flavor to everything she takes on. Chef Shelly is the host of Shelly’s Game Kitchen where she treats viewers to her incredible homecooked recipes.  First airing on ROKU, Eat This TV Network in 2021, then transitioned to CarbonTV in 2023, available on multiple Streaming Platforms.  Beyond her work in front of the camera, Chef She...

Jeff Nichols is a former U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six operator and exercise physiologist who brings real-world combat and human-performance science together to prepare the next generation of Navy SEAL, BUD/S, and Special Forces candidates. As the Department Head of Human Performance at SEAL Team Six, Jeff spent nearly a decade designing and implementing strength, conditioning, and recovery programs for...

Mark is the creator of the Modern Rural Civilian channel, creating content about his ongoing DIY journey to design and build his dream "off grid" property and homestead. In the summer of 2021 Mark and his fiancé Heather sold everything they owned to buy bare, rural acreage in the mountains of Idaho. Many people talk about their desire to detach and build their own oasis, to become more s...

With over 28 years of experience in martial arts, Rob Ingram holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate, a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Lissajous-Do, and a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His competitive career includes an impressive (6-0) record as an amateur boxer and a (4-2) record in amateur kickboxing. Rob was also a member of the prestigious international martial arts team, Full Circle, for two...

In this episode of the Food Origins podcast, Jacob Gonzalez shares his journey from the Coast Guard to running a successful pizza food truck, Fire and Dough, in the Flathead Valley. He discusses his culinary roots, the challenges of starting a food business, and the art of making Neapolitan pizza. Jacob emphasizes the importance of failure in the learning process and offers advice for veterans loo...

David Utterback is a multiple-time James Beard Award honoree and the first Nebraska-based chef to be named a finalist for Best Chef: Midwest (2023). As the chef and owner of Omaha’s acclaimed restaurants Yoshitomo, Ota, and Koji (his flagship Japanese restaurant, high-end omakase counter, and izakaya concept, respectively), he has earned national recognition for redefining Japanese cuisine in the...

Toby Roberts is a restaurateur at heart with over two decades in the hospitality industry. He started Thaan while serving as President of the acclaimed Pok Pok, and kept the flame alive while launching James Beard–recognized restaurants Gado Gado and Oma’s Hideaway. Across all of his ventures, Toby has championed hospitality, human connection, and creating unforgettable experiences around the tabl...

In this episode of the Food Origins Podcast , host David Sands sits down with Salvador Delgado , founder of Sonoran Honey Co. in Blythe, California. Salvador shares his journey growing up around bees, learning the craft of beekeeping from his father, and building a company rooted in honesty and purity. We dive deep into the art of honey making , the hard realities of beekeeping , and expose the mi...

Arn’s BBQ is more than just a food trailer in Whitefish, Montana—it’s a taste of true Central Texas barbecue in the heart of Big Sky Country. Founded by Arn and Leigha Mendez, the couple took their Houston roots and passion for low-and-slow smoked meats and built something special in northwest Montana. From the very beginning, Arn’s goal was to keep it real: post oak wood imported from Texas, bris...

Brandon Dearden is a passionate and driven executive chef with over 20 years of experience in fine dining and luxury hospitality. Known for his relentless work ethic and dedication to his craft, Brandon has built a career defined by discipline, creativity, and a true love for hospitality. Throughout his career, Brandon has held leadership positions in award-winning restaurants and luxury hotels, i...

Javier Contreras is the CEO of Rancho El 17, a regenerative cattle ranch in Sonora, Mexico. Carrying forward the vision of Mr. Zambrano, Javier is helping reshape the ranch into a model of sustainable practices, ethical cattle raising, and premium beef production. Blending tradition with innovation, Javier is deeply committed to honoring the legacy of the land while looking ahead to the future of...

In this episode of the Food Origins Podcast, I sit down with my friend Russell Savage, founder and pitmaster of Pico's BBQ. Russell’s culinary journey started in the kitchen long before he ever lit a smoker — attending Johnson & Wales University and training under acclaimed chef Guillaume Bienaime (a fellow podcast guest EP. 20). From fine dining to fire and smoke, Russell later spent nea...

In this episode, we sit down with Master Butcher Noriaki Numamoto , a true craftsman in the world of wagyu and whole animal butchery. With decades of experience across Japan and the U.S., Noriaki has become a leading figure in the art of Japanese-style meat preparation — known for his precision, philosophy, and deep respect for the animal. This special conversation was recorded on-site at Niku But...

Meet Nico Lechuga and his wife Lauren, the founders of Señor Lechuga Hot Sauce out of Brooklyn, NY. What started as a small-batch passion project turned into a bold brand with serious fire—earning collabs with Joe Rogan, Hot Ones, Half Face Blades, Café Unido, Huckberry, Cosmo/GQ gift guides and so much more. Unable to find a clean hot sauce that delivered maximum heat without compromising flavor,...

Nate Kouhana is a former Green Beret turned entrepreneur. He brings the same discipline, resilience, and commitment to excellence from his military service into the world of premium meat snacks. As the founder of Anthem Snacks, a veteran-owned company, Nate is dedicated to crafting high-quality, protein-packed snacks that fuel adventure and honor the spirit of service.   With a deep love for the o...

Ranga’s journey is one of adventure, passion, and resilience. From his upbringing across Sri Lanka, Oman, England, Southern California, and Montana to his deep connection with fishing, foraging, and open-fire cooking, he has always embraced the outdoors as both a lifestyle and a calling. Now a private chef, he curates immersive fishing and cooking experiences, blending his love for nature with his...

With a CrossFit Games championship title and eight consecutive appearances at the highest level of competition, Jason Khalipa’s record speaks for itself. His lifelong dedication to training hard and his relentless pursuit of excellence have propelled him to success—not just in fitness, but in business and life.   As the author of “As Many Reps as Possible’”, founder of NC Fit gyms, Train Hard Fitn...

Jared began his love for the culinary experience in his grandmother's kitchen. Jared attended the California Culinary Academy and started his externship with Wolfang Puck and has been working for him for over 20 years along with his mentor Erick Klein . At 17 years old he started working at Spago in Palo Alto and from there he went on to work at several locations including Las Vegas and becom...

Taku Kondo, a sushi chef with a passion for outdoor cooking, brings the art of cooking in nature’s kitchen to your ears. From grilling over campfires to creating gourmet meals in the wild, Taku shares his knowledge, tips, and stories about food, adventure, and the joy of cooking outdoors. An amazing fisherman, Taku has caught or foraged for halibut, salmon, crab, uni, wild mushrooms, and so much m...

Greg Putnam , President of Little Belt Cattle Co. , is a former Navy SEAL and now a rancher in Montana. His transition from elite military service to cattle ranching is both inspiring and unique. After serving in the Navy as a SEAL, Greg sought a new chapter in life that aligned with his values of hard work, discipline, and connection to the land. Greg co founded Little Belt Cattle Co. with his pa...

Mike Glover is the CEO and founder of FieldCraft Survival , a leading company dedicated to teaching practical skills for everyday survival, self-reliance, and preparedness. With an extensive background as a former U.S. Army Green Beret and a seasoned survival expert, Mike has dedicated his life to training individuals, families, and organizations to stay safe in challenging environments. In this e...

Tim Freeman is a highly respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Sergio Silva and Eddie Bravo. With a deep passion for grappling and innovation, Tim has made a significant impact on the martial arts community as the host of his own Inside BJJ podcast and co-host of Grappling Hour. Tim has become a prominent voice in the martial arts community, sharing stories and insights that resonate with...