Taste Music Hear Food Podcast Show

Grammy Award-winning producer, DJ, and Naughty By Nature founding member Kay Gee joins TMHF for one of the most revealing conversations of his career — from East Orange roots to building a hip-hop dynasty. Inside this episode: the origins of Naughty By Nature, producing timeless classics, working across hip-hop and R&B, why ownership matters more than charts, and building a legacy that lasts....

From battlefields to back kitchens, Chef Lance McWhorter has lived a life forged by fire, rhythm, and relentless reinvention. An Army and Navy veteran turned award-winning chef, Lance has transformed East Texas dining with  Heritage East  and  The Plaid Rabbit   blending global flavor with Southern soul. In this episode of TMHF, we dive deep into grit, gastronomy, and groove exploring how identity...

In this episode of TMHF, we sit down with world-renowned saxophonist  Mike Phillips , the first musician ever signed to  Jordan Brand , and the only artist to have performed with  Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson . Together, we explore the intersection of  sound, culture, and flavor , diving into how identity and artistry can feed the soul like a perfectly seasoned dish. From his Mount V...

In this elevated episode of TMHF, we sit down with cultural curator and cannabis pioneer  Hawaii Mike Salman - the visionary behind  Chef For Higher ,  Fly Private Social , and the deeply introspective  Mask Off Podcast . From managing hip-hop legends like Mobb Deep to hosting intimate infused supper clubs that blend food, music, and plant medicine, Hawaii Mike breaks down how he turned a lifestyl...

In this flavorful episode of TMHF, we sit down with Tom Dokman and Ross Rehschuh — the dynamic duo behind Minnesota’s very own  Here’s The Deal Spice Co.  — to unpack how a simple wedding favor turned into one of the Midwest’s most talked-about spice brands. From Tom’s punk rock roots and fine-dining background to Ross’ love for layered flavor and community connection, the two dive deep into how t...

In this episode of Taste Music Hear Food, we sit with Jacqui Thompson, a visionary force who moves between worlds with ease: from soundboards to stills, boardrooms to agave fields. As a co-founder of Las Melodías de la Luna Mezcal , Jacqui blends ancestral spirit with musical memory. We unpack her evolution from managing icons like Prince and Outkast to championing women distillers in Oaxaca speci...

In this episode of the TMHF, we sit down with Reggie Wilson Sports Director at KARE 11, proud Mizzou alum, member of Kappa Alpha Psi, and one half of a dynamic media power couple alongside his wife, journalist Alexis Rogers. From his Southern Illinois roots to his rise in Minneapolis media, Reggie unpacks how his faith, fraternity, and setbacks helped shape his purpose in sports journalism. We get...

In this episode of Taste Music Hear Food, we sit down with Gustavo & Kate Romero; the powerhouse couple behind Minneapolis’s beloved Nixta Tortilleria and the James Beard–nominated Oro by Nixta. From ancient nixtamalization to the realities of running a kitchen (and a marriage), we dive into it all: How heirloom corn became their shared love language What it’s  really  like building a food emp...

In this episode of TMHF, we sit down with Dusty Wahl, the founder of  Cosmic Coffee , a beloved café in Northeast Minneapolis that’s become a cornerstone of community and connection. From his roots in Mahtomedi to running a thriving business in one of Minneapolis’ most creative neighborhoods, Dusty’s journey is one of passion, resilience, and the power of people coming together over a good cup of...

In this unforgettable episode of TMHF, we dive deep into the soulful world of Chef Brent Weathers known to many as  @brenteatsfood a culinary craftsman who blends the bold beats of 90s hip-hop, the raw grit of professional kitchens, and deep-rooted personal faith into one unforgettable experience. Brent opens up about his journey from DJing in Murfreesboro to helping launch Michelin-starred restau...

On this episode of TMHF, we step into the razor-sharp world of  Johnathan McCastle , master barber and founder of  The Top Shave Lounge   a sanctuary where self-care, style, and community collide. From a rough first shave to becoming the go-to groomer for NFL stars and luxury retailers, McCastle shares how he’s elevating the barbershop game into an experience that’s part therapy, part cultural hub...

In this soulful and unfiltered episode, Mayor Jacob Frey pulls up to the table to talk about what it really takes to lead a city like Minneapolis ... in real time, under real pressure. From protests to policy shifts, family dinners to cultural milestones, Mayor Frey gets candid about the weight of public service, the healing power of the arts, and why food, music, and identity are central to his v...

In this powerful and soulful episode of TMHF, Chef Brother Luck joins us at the intersection of food, music, and culture to serve up hard-earned wisdom, raw vulnerability, and undeniable flavor. From battling inner demons to breaking onto the national stage through  Top Chef  and  Beat Bobby Flay , Brother unpacks the journey that turned pain into purpose and a plate into a platform. We dive into...

In this episode of TMHF, we sit down with  Hayley Matthews-Jones , the powerhouse founder behind the Minneapolis Craft Market and Minneapolis Vintage Market. From her London roots to becoming a cultural force in the Twin Cities, Hayley shares how she built a creative empire that now hosts over 120 events a year and supports thousands of local artists and vintage vendors. We dive into the art of cu...

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode of TMHF, we sit down with hip-hop legend and cultural curator  Paradise Gray  , the man behind the Latin Quarter’s golden era, a founding member of X-Clan, and the Chief Curator of The Hip-Hop Museum. From his early days in the South Bronx to preserving the artifacts that shaped the genre, Paradise takes us on a journey through the moments that built the...

In this episode of  Taste Music Hear Food , we sit down with James Beard Award Winning Chef  Yia Vang , the culinary visionary behind  Vinai  and  Union Hmong Kitchen , to explore the powerful intersections of  Hmong cuisine ,  hip-hop culture , and the immigrant experience. From his roots in a Thai refugee camp to national recognition by TIME Magazine and Iron Chef, Chef Vang shares how he uses ...

In this episode of the TMHF, we sit down with celebrated stylist and creative visionary  Kimberly Steward  - the creative force behind powerful campaigns, bold editorials, and the iconic looks of WNBA star  Napheesa Collier . From starting her first business at 19 to leading the KS Styling Team, Kimberly opens up about the grind behind the glam, the influence of music and food on her creative dire...

In this episode of TMHF, we sit down with Tim Wilson , the force behind Urban Lights Music, to break down how he curates culture in the same way a chef curates a tasting menu -intentional, emotional, and always rooted in the people. He shares how Minneapolis hip-hop is a flavor all its own, and why his work isn’t just about music - it’s about preserving a movement, plating it, and serving it to th...

In this episode of TMHF, we sit down with the founder of  Craftmade Aprons , the Minneapolis-based brand that’s become the trusted gear for chefs, bartenders, and culinary creatives worldwide. What started as a labor of love for her chef sons has turned into a symbol of purpose, pride, and protection in kitchens across the globe. We dive deep into Kate’s origin story, her battle-tested resilience,...

In this episode of  Taste Music Hear Food  (TMHF), we sit down with the legendary Mr. Peter Parker nationally recognized DJ, radio personality, and cultural curator. Known for his iconic presence on  Sway in the Morning  and his role in shaping the Twin Cities’ hip-hop scene, Peter has been behind the scenes of some of the genre’s most significant co-signs and emerging artists. Peter shares never-...

In this episode of TMHF, we chop it up with the maestro of Midwestern cuisine Chef Gavin Kaysen. From working in one of the best restaurants in the world to leading Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or, Gavin’s journey is part jazz solo, part business masterclass. We talk about his transition from chef to restaurateur, the soul behind Soigné Hospitality, the creation of KZ Provisions, and how  The Synergy...