Restaurant Magic's Podcast

Former teacher Pat Dawson never gave up on her dream of cooking.  Mrs. Pat shares wisdom and knowledge on how to never give up and how she started her catering business.

Area Marketing Director, Lisa Greene of Zaxby's keeps breaking the glass ceiling.  Amazingly, her influence produces the top performing restaurant franchises in her marketing territory.  Lisa shares the secrets to maintaining success on everything she sets her mind to and how she is a true trailblazer for women.

The Hotness and Sweetly take on 60 of the Triangle's best restaurants serving food and beverage samples.  Who will win?  Hint! The food won.  This festival had live entertainment, chef demonstrations, and fantastic music.  Take a moment and live vicariously through us as we take you through the Thrive NC Food Festival!

Personal Chef Terique Epps of Epps Bistro brings quality ingredients and food directly to your kitchen.  He has worked with famous sports athletes in preparing the finest meals to ensure they meet his clients goals.  Not to mention, Epps Bistro is one of the top caterers in North Carolina.  Chef Terique shares his story on branching out to live his entrepreneur dream.

Wedding Coordinator and Catering Manager, Lynn Wittig loves City BBQ so much that she even dreams about it! Lynn talks about her passion for City BBQ and helping couples plan their weddings.  Serving others is her gift and she shares how she became a part of the City BBQ family.  Also, for those interested in having a hands on experience working as a wedding coordinator...Lynn is your person.  Lis...

Home of Chef Andarrio's Famous Lobster Mac & Cheese, Fried Chicken, and Red Velvet Waffles - Cuzzo's Cuisine restaurant is quite popular in the Queen City.  Chef Andarrio stays true to his roots with his catering and restaurant business by creating unique one of kind signature dishes full of flavor. 

Owner and chef, India Jackson of V's Kitchen pays homage to her grandmother and mother by stepping out on faith to open V's Kitchen restaurant.  India brings fresh southern foods, joy, and love to every dish.  An inspiring story for those afraid to step out on faith.

Owners Vivián Joiner and Stephanie Tyson of the award winning Sweet Potatoes Restaurant located in Winston Salem, North Carolina talk about their successful partnership.  Serving the downtown arts district of Winston Salem for over a decade, these phenomenal women have it down to a science from guest relations to the unique southern down-home cooking.  Visit Sweet Potatoes Restaurant and you'll fi...

A continuation of our interview with The Clemmons Family Farm.  Lydia (Junior) ​shares how she continues her family's legacy and how her heritage is more than a Farm... it's a 148-acre center where everyone can celebrate African-American heritage, farming, the arts and sciences, and multiculturalism in a breathtaking setting located in Charlotte, Vermont.

We interview Mrs. Clemmons (Lydia Senior) of The Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte, Vermont.  It's ​one of the largest African-American-owned historic farms in Vermont. Treat yourself to a wealth of knowledge.  The Farm is one of the twenty-two landmark museums, cultural sites and historic markers on the  State of Vermont's African-American Heritage Trail.

Culinary artist, Eloy Guzman of The Clemmons Family Farm offers insightful and delicious information on the secrets to his success in the kitchen and where he learned his phenomenal cooking skills and fantastic dance moves.

"First you rave, then you crave!" It's one of the hottest and delicious Peruvian chicken restaurants taking the U.S. by storm.  Catering manager, Ashlyn discusses her successful journey with Viva Chicken and how their authentic Peruvian dishes keep customers coming back for more.

Owner of Beyu Caffe (pronounced be-you), Dorian Bolden explains his entrepreneurial concept for one of the hottest spots in downtown Durham, North Carolina.  Beyu Caffee is a combination of business models - coffee shop, restaurant, and bar bringing the best experience and food to customers!

Husband and wife team, Jerome and Briana Smallwood explain how their dream of opening a restaurant turned into a reality.  Vivian's Soul Food motto is "Food for the Soul".  Take a listen on how this family owned restaurant is bringing the soul food flavor and love to Cedar Rapids!  An awesome story on how hard work truly pays off!

Chef Corey and his wife Loniesha are cooking exquisite seafood dishes that are OFF THE HOOK! Chef Corey has been featured on the Food Network, his wife, Loniesha takes time to explain how they got from a food truck to owning two highly successful restaurants.  And she shares intel on their top secret dessert: Kool-Aid Pickles! Yummmy!

Continuing with their cooking adventure with Chef Teresa Fox, The Hotness and Sweetly have fun with hands on cooking at The Midway Community Kitchen during Latin night.  Of course, Sweetly does all the cooking and The Hotness does all the eating!  Great learning, awesome fun, and find out how Sweetly makes the vegetables "sweat."

Midway Community Kitchen is a place where people come to learn all about food.  This fabulous place offers wonderful cooking classes and fantastic food experiences.  Executive Chef and Culinary Food Instructor, Teresa Fox, reflects on what it takes to follow your passion and how she became a renowned chef in North Carolina.  And Chef Fox explains what is a Sommelier (hint) it's all about the wine!

Chef Tai is a true chef and restaurant entrepreneur.  He shares how he learned his awesome culinary skills from his beloved Grandmother and brings cutting edge food bar concepts to all his restaurants.  His knowledge is quite inspiring for those interested in opening their own restaurants.  Hartford, Connecticut has it going on with Chef Tai on the scene!

Proudly serving and supporting the Durham community since 1957, The Chicken Hut owner, Tre Tapp explains how he manages to continue his parents vision.  In business for over 68 years, The Chicken Hut restaurant is one of the longest established African-American owned businesses in Durham, North Carolina.  Mr. Tapp shares the secret to his success: Faith, Family, and Fried Chicken.

This Fall Fete had edibles from more than 40 exceptional chefs and artisan from across the great state of North Carolina and featured more than 40 beverages from around the globe.  Those participating in the festival included: Queen George's Ginger, Chocolatay Confections, Urban Street Eats, The Catch, Saltbox Seafood, Green Valley Grille & Print Works Bistro, Mission Pizza, Joe VanGogh Coffee Ros...

Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place has been serving some of the best soul food in The Mid Western Region.  Co-owner Cynthia Wilson shares the secret to the longevity (20+ years) and success of this restaurant gem in Indianapolis...where celebrities go to eat their famous catfish, collard greens, neck bones, and top of the line desserts.

Mrs. Joyce explains how against all odds, her buffet restaurant continues to be a success.  The home-style cooking of Joyce and Family Restaurant showcases the best of Fuquay Varina.  Customers love Joyce and go through great lengths to support her, take a moment to listen to this interview and you will find out why Joyce is so BLESSED!

Chef Yvonne Anderson-Thomas has put Mountain Home and Boise, Idaho on the map.  She cooks with heart and soul while bringing Southern-style cuisine direct to customers via her food trucks and catering business.  Smoked turkey legs, barbecue chicken, and jambalaya are some of her signature dishes.  Listen how she found her passion for cooking.

Hilreth Dyer, owner of the Jamaican Grille restaurant talks oxtails, jerk chicken, and 50 cent jerk chicken wings!  She shares her knowledge and insight on creating authentic Jamaican cuisine in the heart of North Carolina.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Ramy Bahgot, one of the three owners of Raleigh Rolls talks about the latest rolled ice cream craze  taking the city of Raleigh by storm. Ice cream lovers beware!