Talk and Chew

Vic and Donnie sit down with Roy Bass and Chris Builder from Those Guys Pies to talk about their journey from the East Coast to building a growing brand in Las Vegas. With backgrounds rooted in real chef experience, they break down how they’ve brought a different level of quality and approach to their food. The conversation goes into signature items, the importance of ingredients and technique, an...

Vic and Donnie sit down with Ryu Sauce for a conversation about building a platform through food content and using social media the right way. From showcasing the Las Vegas food scene to helping restaurants grow, Ryu breaks down how authentic content can create real impact. The episode dives into viral food trends, content strategy, and why storytelling matters more than chasing views. They also t...

Vic and Donnie sit down with the team behind Weera Thai, along with Patranya, for a conversation about building one of Las Vegas’ go-to spots for authentic Thai cuisine. From signature dishes like the larb duck salad to constantly evolving the menu, they share what goes into creating food that stands out. The episode dives into restaurant growth, community support, and the role of media and brandi...

Vic and Donnie sit down with Yelena Anter, a master mixologist and beverage developer behind Cocktail Vision, to talk about her journey from Russia to becoming a recognized name in the Las Vegas cocktail scene. From working her way up to creating high-end drinks, she shares how her path shaped her approach to mixology. The conversation dives into the creative process behind experiential cocktails,...

Vic and Donnie sit down with Blake Wright, the founder of Hibachi Done Wright, along with AlwaysSunnyInVegas for a conversation about building one of Vegas’ most recognized food trucks. From starting with limited resources to creating a loyal following, Blake shares the journey behind the brand and what it took to grow it. The episode dives into the realities of the food truck industry, from findi...

Vic and Donnie sit down with Heavy D (Derek Hendrickson) to talk about his journey from competitive eating to becoming a well-known name in the Las Vegas food scene. From food challenges to restaurant recommendations, he shares how he built his platform and the experiences that shaped it. The conversation dives into the reality of competitive eating, the impact of food culture in Vegas, and the im...

Vic and Donnie sit down with food influencer Eat With Vaughn to talk about how he built one of the fastest growing food platforms in Las Vegas in just two years. Known for his honest approach and detailed reviews, Vaughn shares how authenticity and consistency helped him build trust with his audience while supporting local restaurants. The conversation dives into the reality of food influencing, f...

This week we sit down with Ken Knipe and Fitz Villarreal, the founders of Volcano Grille, along with food influencer Cindy West (@LasVegasFood) to talk about building a restaurant in one of the most competitive food cities in the world. From their journey into the industry to launching Volcano Grille’s fast-casual hibachi concept, they share the story behind the brand and how it grew in the Vegas...

In this episode of Talk and Chew, we sit down with the team behind Buldogis — the Korean-fusion brunch concept known for their signature gourmet and bold “Seoul Meets Soul” flavors. Chef Boizie shares his journey from casino chef to restaurateur, how the food truck era shaped the brand, and how consistency, presentation, and customer service became the foundation of their growth. We also break dow...

In this episode of Talk & Chew, we sit down with Ellie Parker, winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 24, to break down her journey from a passionate young cook to culinary champion. Chef Ellie shares what it really takes to get cast on Hell’s Kitchen, the mental toughness required to compete at that level, and the lessons she learned under pressure. She also talks about mentorship, perseverance, and...

Today we dig into the story behind China Mama, one of Las Vegas’ most beloved Chinese restaurants. From classic soup dumplings and crispy beef to the importance of community support and maintaining quality while scaling, this episode goes beyond the plate. We talk about how the restaurant bounced back after a devastating fire, expanded into multiple concepts and locations across the valley — inclu...

Bake the Cookie Shop stopped by the Talk and Chew podcast to talk about building a cookie brand in Las Vegas during one of the toughest times to start a business. From launching in the middle of COVID to finding support from the local community, they break down how trust, consistency, and creative flavors helped them grow. We get into what makes their cookies stand out, the role packaging and pres...

We sit down with Swetta, content creator and brand ambassador for Real Vegas Magazine, alongside Candice Wiener, owner of RVM, to talk about what Las Vegas really feels like right now. From food and beverage culture to influencers, downtown energy, and how local businesses actually get supported, this episode is all about the people shaping the city from the inside. We get into how Vegas has evolv...

We pulled up to the grand opening of Forke Restaurant to celebrate Las Vegas food, community, and a big milestone for Chef Miguel Martinez. From working for others to opening his own doors, Chef Miguel shares what it really takes to build something of your own, why community support matters, and how Forke came together as a space that feels welcoming, intentional, and rooted in collaboration. Vic...

In this episode of Talk and Chew, Vic and Donnie sit down with Sunny, aka Always Sunny in Vegas, to talk about food, community, and what it really takes to support local in a city like Las Vegas. From food trucks to restaurants, Sunny shares how highlighting small businesses became his mission and how consistency and genuine love for the scene helped him build a trusted voice in the city. The conv...

In this episode of the Talk and Chew podcast, Chef Vic Vegas and Donnie Fobbs sit down with the team from SMKD BBQ to talk real barbecue, real work, and what it takes to build something meaningful from the ground up. From stepping away from corporate careers to committing fully to the pit, they break down the mindset, discipline, and intention behind their food — from smoked meats to the creative...

Kicking off 2026 with a real conversation about food, work, and growth in Las Vegas. Vic and Donnie sit down with Richie Z to talk about his path from emergency services into the food world and how that experience shaped the way he approaches health, business, and influence today. They get into what healthy eating actually looks like when food is your job, how influencers can support restaurants t...

In this episode of the Talk and Chew Podcast, we sit down with Todd "TH Blades" and the team behind Pho You & Mi for a conversation centered on Vietnamese culture, gastronomy, and the stories behind the food. Joined by Todd Harrington, Tony, and Andrew, the episode explores how tradition, technique, and personal experience come together to shape their approach to Vietnamese cuisine i...

This episode of Talk and Chew is a little different — and a lot more personal. For the Christmas special, Vic’s dad and Donnie’s mom join the table while Vic cooks a nostalgic Italian holiday meal during the conversation. Growing up in New York and now living in Las Vegas, they share stories from back then, family traditions, and what life was really like before everything changed. Between the foo...

Chef Vic Vegas and Donnie Fobbs sit down with Chef Dan and Brandy D’Agostino to dive into the story behind D’Agostino’s Trattoria — a family-driven restaurant built on tradition, heart, and the kind of dishes that carry real meaning. They get into Chef Dan’s culinary journey, the lessons and mentors that shaped him, and the new happy hour menu that’s making waves. Brandy shares her perspective on...

This week we sit down with Steven Stott—also known as Old Man Liver—to talk about the history, grit, and wild creativity behind the Pioneer Saloon. From whiskey and live music to signature dishes and new food concepts, Steven shares how community has shaped everything he does. They dive into the culinary gauntlet inspired by Fallout, how the event drew a massive turnout despite the weather, and wh...

Exploring the culinary journey of Cheese Time, we sit down with Charlie Lee and Chef Magali Jimenez to talk roots, fusion, and the heart behind their restaurant. They break down how Italian and Asian flavors came together, the pricing strategies that keep their food accessible, and why community engagement is at the center of everything they do. From live entertainment and social media presence to...

In this episode of the Talk and Chew Podcast, Brian Spoor and Antonio Morales sit down with the crew to talk food, community, and the journey that brought them into the heart of the Las Vegas culinary scene. From personal health transformations to becoming trusted voices in the food space, they share how their love for discovering great spots turned into something much bigger. The conversation div...

In this episode of  Talk and Chew , Chef Vic Vegas and Donnie Fobbs sit down with  Zach Tolen , hibachi chef from  Vanilla Rice , to talk about his culinary journey from small kitchens to serving up fire-grilled favorites for celebrities like IShowSpeed. Zach shares how he built his career through consistency, social media creativity, and a deep love for connecting with people through food. From p...

In this episode of the Talk and Chew Podcast, hosts Chef Vic Vegas and Donnie Fobbs welcome Rick DiPippo from Twisted Pizza in Las Vegas. They dive into the passion behind perfecting pizza, the creative drive that keeps chefs pushing boundaries, and how the love for the craft connects back to Rick’s East Coast roots. The conversation also explores how innovation in the kitchen and smart use of soc...