Ingredient Insiders: Where Chefs Talk

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Chef Bob Somsith of Lao’d Bar in Austin, Texas, for a conversation about Lao cuisine, family traditions, and the ingredients that bring his cooking to life. The featured ingredient is tamarind, known for its distinctive tangy, sweet, and sour flavor. Bob explores what makes tamarind such an important ingred...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Chef Ali Clem, chef and owner behind the Texas-style smoked brisket at la Barbecue in Austin, Texas, a Michelin-starred barbecue destination. The featured ingredient is black pepper, a cornerstone of Texas barbecue and an essential part of building the bold, flavorful bark that makes smoked brisket so memor...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Chef Felipe Riccio of Goodnight Hospitality in Houston, Texas, for a conversation about culinary influences, unexpected ingredients, and the experiences that shape a chef’s career. The featured ingredient is licorice, an ingredient that Felipe and at least one host share a love for. They explore what makes...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Chef Aaron Bludorn, chef and owner of Bludorn and Navy Blue in Houston, Texas. The featured ingredient of the episode is oysters, an ingredient that Aaron and the hosts share a deep appreciation for. They discuss what makes oysters so special, the many ways chefs can showcase their unique flavors, and why t...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Pastry Chef and Owner of Emmer & Rye Hospitality, for a conversation about creativity, travel, and the pursuit of a lasting culinary legacy. The featured ingredient of the episode is matcha, an ingredient Tavel has developed a deep appreciation for. Tavel shares what draws him...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Chef Amanda Rockman, Chef and Owner of Rockman Coffee and Bakeshop in Austin, Texas. Amanda shares the story of her remarkable culinary journey, from working in the demanding kitchens of Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants to opening and operating her own neighborhood bakery. She discusses the challeng...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Juan Cardenas of IRCA for a deep dive into the world of professional pastry and gelato ingredients. Juan shares his own journey as a pastry chef and explains how his experience working in professional kitchens informs his approach to helping chefs find the right ingredients for their creations. He also intr...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Chef Charles Webb, founder and Global Experiences Curator of Chef On Tour, for a conversation about food, wellness, and the power of culinary experiences to connect us with the world. The featured ingredient of the episode is acai, as Charles explores the origins, flavor, and versatility of this vibrant fru...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse sit down with Lena Ciardullo, Executive Chef of the legendary Union Square Cafe in New York City. Lena shares the story of her journey to becoming Executive Chef of one of America's most iconic restaurants, reflecting on the mentors, experiences, and philosophy that have shaped her approach to cooking. She discusse...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Carolina Aboumrad, co-founder of Huitla, for a fascinating exploration of one of Mexico's most unique and celebrated ingredients: huitlacoche, often called the "Mexican truffle." Carolina shares the rich history of huitlacoche, explaining how this naturally occurring corn fungus has been prized in Mexican c...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Chef Norman Fenton, Executive Chef and Owner of Cariño in Chicago, for a conversation celebrating the rich flavors, traditions, and culture of Mexican cuisine. Norman shares how his passion for Mexican food and culture has shaped his culinary philosophy, inspiring him to explore regional ingredients and aut...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Shauna Alexander, Head of Coffee at Stumptown Coffee Roasters, for a fascinating deep dive into one of the world's most beloved beverages. Shauna shares a behind-the-scenes look at how Stumptown approaches sourcing, roasting, and crafting exceptional coffee. The conversation explores the different species o...

On this episode of Ingredient Insiders, hosts John and Andrea from Chef’s Warehouse welcome Greg Wade, Managing Partner of Publican Quality Bread in Chicago and a celebrated artisan baker known for his dedication to traditional techniques and exceptional ingredients. Greg shares his favorite ways to enjoy a great cup—from how he takes his coffee to the role it plays in his daily routine and creati...

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...