Sunday Sauce

On today's episode, meet award-winning baker Brenda Villacorta, the creative force behind Sucré Table. We chat about Brenda's journey from the vivid culinary scene of New York City to what it's like owning her own bakery in Tampa, Florida. If you've ever been curious about the intersection of food and entrepreneurship, this episode digs deep into the reality behind the wins we often see on Instagr...

What goes on behind the scenes of a cooking competition show? Found out on today's episode of Sunday Sauce, where I'm joined by Retro Rad Chef and Food Network queen, Emily Ellyn, and Chef Josiah Candelaria. The three of us recently appeared on Orlando-centric cooking competition show, Blind Kitchen, and reconvened to tease out exclusive behind-the-scenes moments. We share anecdotes, surprising in...

Hard truth: talking about wine is not nearly as easy as drinking it. In fact, it takes talent, a massive amount of knowledge and a trained palate to be an expert in the industry. On today's episode, I'm joined by 16-year restaurant professional, Dustin French, who's not only a sommelier at one of the best steakhouses in the country, but the keeper of the keys to the world's largest wine cellar. Tu...

Tableware nerds, rejoice! On today's episode, I'm joined by 5th generation restaurateur and the Director of Sales at Fortessa, Cassandra Gonzmart-Hill, to chat about how the art of plating, and quite literally the plate, helps shape the way we see, eat and interact with food. Cassandra and I cover topics like plate design trends and her transition from restaurant life to selling tableware, plus we...

What are chefs really thinking when a ticket with a food allergy gets rung into the kitchen? Find out on today's episode with Chef Bryce Bonsack, where we chat about food allergies from a chef and guest perspective. Bryce is the Executive Chef and owner of Rocca, an Italian restaurant that recently received a Michelin Star in Tampa. If anyone's familiar with the request for a gluten-free plate of...

Say hello to  Hannes Hennche , a former Michelin star restaurant chef who now specializes in teaching chefs how to earn six figures working in the private service industry. On today's episode, Hannes comes to the table with tools on how to stop trading time for money, the keys to finding your ideal client and an entire masterclass on securing financial and personal freedom as a chef. I loved our c...

You may have seen people on Instagram talking about not being able to leave the house without buying themselves a little something to eat, drink or admire. It's a moment in time thats officially been proclaimed "Little Treat Culture." But the power behind this emerging mindset is so much more than a social media trend. It's something that restaurants and food brands can integrate into their market...

This episode explores the power of finding and owning your creative point of view -- and why it's so important in the kitchen. Joining the conversation is Executive Chef Robb Garceau, who's developed a cooking style that's uniquely his and stands out in the marketplace. Throughout his culinary journey, Chef Robb has led some of New York's most prestigious catering and events companies like Union S...

You asked. We delivered. Since the launch of Sunday Sauce, you've been asking for someone to interview me. On today's episode, food writer and editor, Jenna Troyli, played host and did exactly that. Our conversation is casual with a hint of "how I built this," including stories about my biggest challenges as an entrepreneur, advice for freelancers and some career moments I've never spilled the tea...

Get ready for an energetic episode featuring Russell Leone, AJ DeSimone and Vinny Andriotti. This trio is responsible for the day-to-day magic at Cousin Vinny's Sandwich Co. a Tampa based restaurant that specializes in New York style Italian heroes and salads. There's never a dull moment when the three of them are in the room, and this episode is no different.  Tune in to hear their story about bu...

If you've ever wondered what a restaurant looks like through the eyes of a seasoned food critic, you're going to love today's episode. I'm joined by special guest, Tampa Bay Times Food and Dining Critic, Helen Freund, whose words can make or break a restaurant. With 15 years of experience in the industry, Helen has developed an impeccable palate, an affinity for the details, and the ability to eat...

Sunday Sauce is back, baby! Season 1 delivered almost 30 episodes of tasteful culinary conversations with chefs, restaurateurs and entrepreneurs. If you tuned in, we chatted about topics like how to get your brand featured on major media outlets, and the keys to building a thriving restaurant culture. You also got behind the scenes look into the private chef world, uncovered the secrets behind Wal...

Did you know that GenZ and Millennials are 99% more likely to choose a restaurant based on social media and online reviews? It's true. On today's episode, I interview Dara Pollak, a food influencer and NYC-based social media consultant, about everything restaurant owners and food brands need to know when it comes to having a strong presence on IG, TikTok and Facebook. Tune in to learn about easy-t...

Curious about how to get your brand featured in a daily morning show? Grab a cup of coffee and press play to hear the top tips in 10 minutes for how to land media exposure, shared by the host of health + lifestyle TV show BLOOM, Gayle Guyardo. Gayle and I have cheffed up countless recipes together in the BLOOM kitchen. Today, we decided to make our shared love for food and supporting independently...

Thinking of shaking things up and making the switch from corporate life to entrepreneurship? Tune into today's episode to learn from two incredible female mixologists Kim + Cha, known for their expert craft cocktail skills and passion for innovating the beverage space. This duo has worked their way through every hospitality role you can think of, gathering a lifetime of experience along the way. T...

Is hydroponic farming the future of food? I'll let you decide. Briant Wildes, brand storyteller and account manager at Brick Street Farms, chats with me about how it works, why it's beneficial and what goes on behind the scenes to make it one of the most sustainable farming practices out there. I loved our leafy green infused episode and if you're interested in where your food comes from, you will...

Are you a female founder or a woman thinking about starting a business? If so, grab a pen and paper and tune into this quick episode. I talk about what it was like starting my entrepreneurial journey and thoughtful questions every founder can ask themselves to feel more grounded, and confident in leaning into their purpose. P.S. In honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, you...

Coffee. We love it. We meme it. We dream about it. On today's episode I'm joined by Roast Master and Chief Operating Officer of Joffrey's Coffee and Tea Company, Chris de Mezzo, who shares an inside look into coffee's seed to cup journey. We talk all about his travels to coffee farms across the world, how he learned the science behind roasting, and the day he landed the partnership that made Joffr...

Are you routinely moving through your day-to-day existence or are you living your best life? Today's guest created a powerful personal brand dedicated to helping us answer that very question. This episode is a bit of an off-menu special, designed to take you away from the kitchen table and deep into the impact a relatable brand can have on the world. I'm joined by mindfulness expert and serial ent...

Prepare for a sweet spin on today's episode with special guest Emily Harpel, the Founder and CEO of specialty cotton candy company, Art of Sucre. Emily's cotton candy empire started as an idea to transform a nostalgic treat into an edible, chic moment. Today it's an international, e-commerce powerhouse and TikTok sensation... And that's just a taste of what the brand has to offer. Tune in to hear...

Do you ever wish you had the secret recipe for entrepreneurship? On today's episode, I'm joined by Rosana Rivera, a Tampa-based chef, restaurant owner and TV personality with over 16 years of experience. We chat about how she entered the food world, her biggest challenges and takeaways as a business owner, and how to manage the work that comes with multiple streams of income. Tune in to hear her s...

Food and technology aren't an obvious pairing, but they're an actual power couple when it comes to restaurant operations. #inlove On today's episode, I'm joined by serial entrepreneur, Chon Nguyen, the Founder & CEO of Newgentek, Co-Founder & CEO of Fusionprep and Partner of Proper House Restaurant Group, to share how he bridged the gap between hospitality and technology. Our conversation is fille...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a private chef? Prepare to be inspired by the colorful stories of Stacy Pearl. On today's episode, Stacy talks about everything from being the in-house chef for Rolling Stones Magazine at 18 to what her day-to-day life entails today, cooking for a family on Long Island. We touch on the reality behind the restaurant grind, a secret product she's developin...

With every new year comes a new outlook for the restaurant and hospitality industry. On this week's episode, I'm joined by Michelin Guide recognized chef and restaurateur, Noel Cruz, to chat about what the category can expect in 2023. We cover topics like current and potential challenges for operators, upcoming trends and what guests will crave more of this year. If you loved our conversation, che...

Today's episode of Sunday Sauce is taking you straight to Italy. If you've ever wondered about the technique behind the perfect Napoletana pizza, Dean Medico, pizzaiolo and creative force behind Pizza Luca, is telling {almost all of} his secrets. We talk about the moment Dean knew he wanted to pursue food as a profession, how he activated his pizza empire through a fleet of customized catering tru...