Ingredient Insiders: Where Chefs Talk

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse sit down with Sean Hayes of Coke Farm to explore the ever-evolving world of fresh produce and the ingredients inspiring today's chefs. Sean shares his expertise on two vegetables that deserve far more attention than they often receive: cabbage and celery. From their versatility in the kitchen to their nutritional b...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome two of Chicago's most respected chefs and restaurateurs: Paul Kahan, James Beard Award-winning Executive Chef and Partner of One Off Hospitality Group, and Matthias Merges, chef, restaurateur, and proprietor of Folkart Restaurant Management. The conversation explores their shared passion for Pilot Light, th...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Sarah Grueneberg, James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio in Chicago. Known for her inventive approach to Italian cuisine and her passion for exceptional ingredients, Sarah shares the experiences and influences that have shaped her culinary career. The conversation...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Bianca Kaprielian, Co-CEO and Owner of Fruit World, a company with deep roots in California agriculture. Bianca shares the story of her family's history as fruit growers and how generations of experience have shaped Fruit World's commitment to quality, innovation, and exceptional citrus. The conversation ex...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse sit down with Chef Hillary Sterling, Executive Chef of Ci Siamo and author of the new cookbook AMMAZZA! Hillary shares the story behind her culinary journey and the influences that have helped shape her distinctive cooking style. The conversation explores her love of citrus zest and how a simple ingredient can tran...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse are joined by Chef Thai Dang, the culinary force behind Chicago favorites HaiSous, Crying Tiger, and Ca Phe Da. Thai shares how his Vietnamese heritage continues to shape his approach to cooking, from the flavors he grew up with to the dishes he serves today. The conversation dives into Thai’s surprising love for b...

In this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse sit down with Chef Jeremy Fox, acclaimed chef and owner of Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica, California. Known for his ingredient-driven, “seed-to-stalk” philosophy, Jeremy shares how his approach to cooking celebrates seasonality and sustainability while transforming humble ingredients into extraordinary dishes. They...

In this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Karen Akunowicz, James Beard Award–winning chef and owner of Fox & the Knife in Boston, Massachusetts.  Karen shares how she developed her bold, crave-worthy style of cooking, blending Italian inspiration with her own creative flair. They discuss her experiences on Food Network competition shows like To...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse sit down with Allison Hooper, cheesemaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Vermont Creamery. Allison shares the inspiring story of how she founded the company that helped put American artisan cheese on the map. She reflects on the collaborative culture she built with other pioneering female cheesemakers and offers val...

On this special live episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse sit down with Miami-based Chef Danny Ganem along with Harris Heckelman, Executive Vice President of Protein at Chef’s Warehouse. Together, they dive into Danny’s culinary journey—from how he first discovered his passion for cooking to how he built his career in Miami’s vibrant food scene. Danny shares...

Ever wonder what makes the perfect scone? This week on Ingredient Insiders, hosts John Magazino and Andrea Parkins from The Chef’s Warehouse sit down with Chef, Baker, and owner of The Hungry Gnome, Danielle Sepsy — also known as The Scone Queen. Danielle shares the story behind her royal nickname, her experience competing on Dan Levy’s The Big Brunch on HBO Max, and the secrets to crafting the id...

Join us on Ingredient Insiders as we unwrap the delectable history of chocolate with a special guest, Amy Guittard, Chief Marketing Officer at the renowned Guittard Chocolate Company. In this episode, we delve into the rich tapestry of the oldest continuously family-owned and operated chocolate company in the United States. Amy Guittard shares captivating insights into the storied journey of the G...

Get ready to dive into the delicious world of chocolate on this episode of Ingredient Insiders! Our guest, Nicoll Notter, the esteemed Head Chef of the Chocolate Academy in New York, takes us on a tantalizing journey through the nuanced universe of cocoa. In this mouthwatering episode, your hosts John Magazino and Andrea Parkins sit down with Chef Nicoll to explore the subtle art of pronouncing th...

Join us on Ingredient Insiders as we sit down with Sébastien Espinasse, President of Fabrique Délices, the artisans behind exceptional charcuterie. Join hosts John Magazino and Andrea Parkins as they explore the diverse world of charcuterie ingredients, from mouthwatering pâtés and mouses to an array of premium meats that have made Fabrique Délices a name synonymous with culinary excellence. In th...

Join us on this episode of Ingredient Insiders as we dive into the world of nuts with a true industry maven, Rocco Damato, the CEO of Bazzini Nuts. In this nutty adventure, we explore the rich history of Bazzini Nuts, discovering the company's roots and evolution over the years. Rocco takes us on a global journey, offering insights into the fascinating realm of nut farming. From the meticulous cul...

We continue our California tour in San Francisco to speak with Liz Prueitt about all things honey! Fresh off the 20-year anniversary since starting Tartine, Liz brings us inside her decades-long journey in the bread and pastry world, her father’s beekeeping days, and how honey has endless possibilities to enrich our food, coffee, and more! Joining the honey talk is Ted Dennard of Savannah Bee Comp...

Truffles are a rare and prized ingredient. They can be described as having a powerful aroma, euphoric smell and intoxicating flavor. This season in particular, truffle prices are skyrocketing. Rowan Jacobsen, author of "Truffle Hound: On the Trail of the World's Most Seductive Scent, with Dreamers, Schemers, and Some Extraordinary Dogs" shares his quest to uncover the culinary delicacy. Sabatino T...

Up until 20 years ago, caviar was a wild and highly prized delicacy from the beluga, sevruga or osetra species of sturgeon. But in recent years, caviar is sustainably farmed, resulting in a high-quality delicacy that has increased in demand, allowed it to be more approachable and accessible, and has provided surprising nutritional benefits. Acclaimed chef Michael White, known for his luxurious pas...

Chef Burt Bakman opened Slab BBQ in 2018 after years and years of perfecting the craft of smoked meats. On a trip to Texas, Chef Bakman, a real estate agent at the time, was inspired by the barbeque scene and, over the next several years, decided to perfect the craft at home. He developed a reputation for outstanding barbeque and gives us in-depth knowledge in this episode! From Westholme Wagyu, D...

We continue the west coast tour with a stop in beautiful Healdsburg, California, to speak with the legendary Chef Charlie Palmer about beef! Recording from Dry Creek Kitchen, Chef takes us through his culinary journey from running from one shift to another in New York City in the 80s, moving his family to California, to opening Charlie Palmer Steak. We also speak with Harris Heckelman of Allen Bro...

Award-winning chef Nancy Silverton of Mozza Restaurant Group joins from her restaurant kitchen to talk all things mozzarella and shares some of her favorite recipes with the ingredient. Stefano Bruno of di Stefano Cheese, a family-owned​ dairy company in Southern California, reflects on their tradition and passion for making cheese and the introduction of burrata to chefs in the United States, inc...

Single Thread Farm, Restaurant, & Inn is a 3-Michelin Star powerhouse helmed by Chef Kyle Connaughton. Today we dive deep into California tomatoes and how his wife, Katina Connaughton, farms their bountiful array of vegetables for their restaurants. We then speak with Hugo Gomez of Munak Farms to talk about his family’s farm, selling at the California farmer's markets, and how they are meticul...

Chef and restaurateur Doug Psaltis of Chicago's Andros Taverna opens up about his heritage and passion for Greek cuisine and the versatility Greek olive oil plays in his cooking. He shares his experiences using different olive oils in some of the world's most prestigious kitchens with chefs like Alain Ducasse in New York City and Monaco to Thomas Keller in San Francisco. ILIADA, a multi-awarded ol...

Dan Richer, Chef & Owner of Razza Pizza Artigianal, details the art of tomatoes and how the ingredient is key to pizza making. He breaks down the variation among tomatoes from California to Italy and the several components he looks for when tasting tomatoes: color, viscosity, texture, seeds and skins, quantity, positive flavor attributes, negative flavor attributes, acidity and sweetness. Kim...

There are few ingredients you will find in every single chef's kitchen. Across cuisines, styles, and preferences, there may be none as fundamental as salt. Gracing us for a second time is food journalist, cookbook author, and New York Times columnist Melissa Clark in our New York studio. Melissa, John & Andrea discuss the history of salt and how they like to implement it into their recipes and...