How Did I Get Here? With Ryan Poli

In the penultimate episode of Season 2, Ryan chats with chef, baker, and deep-thinker Sam Tucker. At the helm of Village Bakery and Provisions, Tucker has cultivated a people-first, tradition-honoring bakery which serves some of the best restaurants in town (including Poli's own critically acclaimed Iggy's). The duo cover a surprising amount of ground, especially given that our guest was...

Managing partner of Michelin Starred hospitality group Emmer & Rye, Alicynn Fink handles the financials, PR & marketing, and HR of the now twelve-restaurant-strong F&B juggernaut.  Fink's diligence and passion for all things culinary led her to attain a Master's Degree in Food, Culture, and Communication from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy. She has...

Chef and owner of Austin's la Barbecue, Ali Clem is the proud leader of one of the few Michelin-starred barbecue joints in the world. With a clear mindfulness and patience that only a true pit-master can develop, Clem has transformed la Barbecue into a staple for brisket-lovers around the globe. Ryan chats with Ali about all things barbecue, from technique and ingredients to the esteemed rest...

In this episode, Ryan sits down with celebrated chef Nicholas Tamburo, who recently opened his seafood-focussed concept, Smithereens, in the East Village. Tamburo has worked his way through several venerable culinary establishments over the years, including a long tenure at Momofuku (both Ko and Nishi) as well as being part of the opening team for fellow East Village favorite Claud.  Now, he'...

Kevin Fink is an extraordinary chef and restauranteur who, as owner of Emmer & Rye hospitality, has opened a myriad of acclaimed restaurants in Austin, TX (Emmer & Rye, Hestia, Canje, Nicosi, and Kalimotxo just to name a few). With a strong focus on hospitality and seasonality, Fink and his team strive to highlight so many different styles of cuisines across their impressive roster of eate...

In this Austin-edition of the Ryan Poli Podcast, Ryan chats with Amanda Rockman, veteran pastry-chef and recipient of multiple Jean Banchet Awards + James Beard semi-finalist. The two personalities chat about the perils of opening a new space, overcoming unforeseen obstacles, and finding the balance between emotional connection and business. Check out Rockman here: rockmanatx.com 

In this week's episode, Ryan has a particularly philosophical chat with Tavel Bristol-Joseph. Bristol-Joseph is the Director of Hospitality, co-owner, and pastry chef for Emmer Hospitality. He recently launched his dessert-bar concept, Nicosi, which features a playful, inventive take on the post-dinner staple. Tavel and Ryan discuss coming to America from Guyana, culinary school, their take o...

This week's episode is a doozy. Ryan chats with esteemed Austin restaurant critic Matthew Odam about city development, memes, AI, and pretty much everything in between. Oh, there may be some discussion about food in there, as well. Please enjoy this exceptionally comedic pair of FRIENDS as they navigate the world's problems. Check out Matthew's writing here: statesman.com

Our next guest needs little introduction. Arnold's Country Kitchen has been a Tennessee mainstay since its opening in 1982 by Jack and Rose Arnold. The classic meat and three serves up some of the best, heartiest meals in the Southeast, with a no-frills focus on tradition and food made from scratch. Khalil continues his father's vision of good food with a healthy dose of hospitality as A...

Ryan has a borderline-unhinged chat with chef Brian Daniel, owner and head chef of Tresini, a celebrated Italian "bar and cucina" in the Philadelphian suburbs (Ambler, PA). They touch on many topics, from old school kitchen rhetoric to the strategies of opening a new restaurant amidst a heavily saturated market. Don't worry if that sounds daunting, though, there are plenty of hilari...

In this episode, chef Ryan takes the podcast all the way to Austin, TX to chat with legendary pit-master, author, recipient of James Beard's "Best Chef" award, and recognized member of the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame, Aaron Franklin.  The chefs talk about going from a small BBQ operation on the side of the interstate to being an internationally acclaimed restaurant, nerd ou...

In this episode, Ryan chats with chef/owner of St. Vito Foccaciaria Michael Hanna about guerrilla tactics in finding investors, opening a restaurant, and how the journey from fast-casual fry-cook to owner and head chef of a celebrated Italian restaurant has shaped his relationships both in and out of the kitchen. Check out St. Vito here: stvitonashville.com

Today's episode tackles some big, albeit heady, ideas. Is AI going to change the restaurant industry? How about the way we interact with each other as a whole? Will Ryan's prophetical musings on Gen-Z come true? Listen in to find out what this week's guest, chef Greg Kuzia-Carmel, thinks.  Kuzia-Carmel runs both Canteen and Camper out of Menlo Park, CA. Rooted in relaxing, "nor...

It's been a hot minute since we've had an episode pop up on the podcasting airwaves, but we're back at it with esteemed guest Joe Frillman from Daisies (Chicago, IL). Frillman utilizes seasonal, hyper-local ingredients for his restaurant concept in Logan Square, drawing on his brother (Tim Frillman of Frillman Farms) to provide the freshest produce for his delightful array of vegeta...

Ryan goes deep with pastry chef extraordinaire Andres Lara. The two share a conversation about cooking, working with people above their paygrade while they were getting started, and the memorable, tangible moments that made lasting impressions on them both in and out of the kitchen. Check out chef Andres Lara here: instagram.com/andresflara

Longtime food columnist of the Tennessean Jim Myers left the food critic world to become a restaurant proprietor. His latest venture seats him comfortably in a General Management role at Nashville's historic Elliston Place Soda Shop. Originally opened in 1939, the midtown staple was acquired in 2019 by Tony and Lisa Giarratana. While the classic shop has gotten a much needed facelift, most of...

Chef Colby Rasavong sits down with Ryan to chat about his new restaurant concept, Bad Idea. A native of Alabama, Rasavong calls upon his Laotian heritage to infuse his food with Southeast-Asian flavors. Working under esteemed chef Sean Brock at Husk and Audrey, Rasavong honed his culinary skillset, which comes across in the beautifully-plated dishes coming out of the kitchen at Bad Idea. Check out...

Nashville-via-Miami food journalist Jackie Gutierrez-Jones is editor of, and longstanding contributor to, the Nashville branch of Eater magazine. Contrary to what one may think, her culinary musings and professional journalistic approach to food certainly haven't soured her taste (play on words intended) to Nashville's burgeoning food scene.  She has become a vocal champion for some of o...

Ryan sits down with award-winning chef and restaurateur Tim Hollingsworth. The guys reminisce about their days at the French Laundry, finding balance between the industry and personal life, and Hollingsworth's "elevated fast food" pop up, Chain. Tim Hollingsworth grit his way through the industry, from working as a line cook in his teenage years to cooking at some of the world'...

Chef Nicholas Romero stopped through town to help out in the kitchen at Ryan's new Nashville restaurant venture, Iggy's. During the episode, Ryan and Nick discuss the chef's many successful fine-dining ventures, reminisce on old times, and that one time Ryan accidentally worked at Disneyland.  Nicholas Romero has been the Chef de Cuisine at a number of well-praised restaurants over...

James Beard award winner and Michelin-starred chef Tony Mantuano has a deep history of fine-dining, from opening Chicago's Spiaggia to his current home at the Joseph Hotel in Nashville, he has never compromised on quality food and an elevated sense of service-focussed accoutrements. Chef Ryan Poli talks with Tony about bringing the first fine Italian dining restaurant to America and how that...

In the 22nd episode, chef Ryan Poli talks with Philip Krajeck, chef of both Rolf & Daughters and Folk restaurants in Nashville, TN. Serving up some of the best pastas and pizzas in town, respectively, Rolf and Folk have become hotspots of the local food scene. Ryan and Philip talk about how the acclaimed chef got into pasta making, how he landed in Nashville, and the importance of the dining e...

In the mid-80s, Ernie Vales began spray painting trains with his friends. Eventually, a thrilling hobby turned into a lifelong career, as he pioneered the popular 3D-style known today, collaborated with massive brands (Pepsi, Google), and made a name for himself in the upper-echelons of the street art world.  Ryan and Ernie talk about the talented artist's start in New York, the influence of...

LeeAnn Cherry, co-founder of Bear Creek Farm in Leipers Fork, Tennessee, raises some of the best beef in America. With a strong emphasis on home-grown feed, sustainability, and pasture-raised cattle and hogs, their product has become a kitchen staple for both professional chefs and at-home cooks in the region. Ryan and LeeAnn discuss the humble origins of her family-owned operation, the difficulti...

On the 19th episode, chef Ryan Poli goes deep into all things coffee with Rachel Lehman, owner and proprietor of one of Nashville's best coffee spots, Crema. With a massive focus on quality and ethical sourcing, Crema Coffee Roasters go above and beyond to ensure they are bringing the best product to the consumer. We also learned the innermost complexities about how coffee goes from the groun...