The Aimless Cook Podcast

This week, we wrap up our Lunar New Year special with a look at some old and new Lunar New Year traditions. Jay also talks with our special guest, Ji Won (Jessi) Yu from Stay Social YYC for a special look at 4 local Asian-owned restaurants with unique offerings that keep us coming back for more. Have a happy and prosperous Year Of The Dragon! As always, please rate, review, and share with your fri...

In Part One of the Lunar New Year Special, Chef Jay talks to Ricky Chung and his daughter, Joanne from Hung’s Noodles. Ricky tells his immigrant story from his humble beginnings, developing his noodle recipes in his uncle’s workshop, to Hung’s transformation over 3 generations to the business it is today. It’s an inspirational story of strength, resilience, and the importance of family. Special th...

On this Freestyle Friday, Chef Jay reads your comments and DMs from the past week, then talks about some of his pet peeves in the food space from the industry perspective and the dining and creator perspective. He then talks about his most recent food epiphanies, going over some of his newer flavour experiences, including Nigerian food and Korean raw marinated crab. Finally, and as always, the YYC...

Alberta is the place for beef, and what better way to showcase this wonderful product than with burgers? Calgary has seen a lot of great burger spots open up and I have tried quite a few of them over the years, including one of the newest burger bars, Class Clown Hamburgers. In this episode, we talk about cooking burgers, favourite styles, thin patty vs. thick patty, cheeses, the origins of the sm...

Today, we talk about foodies. Whether you like the term or not, foodies are an integral part of the complex culinary landscape we wander through every day. It seems we are continuously inundated with a deluge of food-related content, be it by choice or involuntarily. I asked you, the listeners, what you think being a foodie entails and on this episode, I talk about your comments. I also talk about...

Dim sum is a cultural culinary phenomenon that I connect to a lot of fond memories. It’s a great way to come together and share in a meal with no special occasion required. It can be a casual catch-up session with a friend or a huge family gathering. Whatever the case may be, the sheer joy of seeing these wonderful delectable dishes hitting the table as they embrace us with their steamy tendrils o...

On this episode of Freestyle Friday, we catch up after the holidays and after being super sick for the past few weeks. It was a hell of a time, but I'm glad to be healthy again. Also, I talk about the Calgary restaurants that are long gone, but not forgotten. I will also talk about my recent visit to Rain Dog Bar in Inglewood, and how their menu captured my attention and made me forget I was there...

In this episode, we talk about solo dining! I start with an ode to pho at one of my favourite spots, Pho Rang Dong in Forest Lawn. After that, I talk about some of the benefits of eating alone, I share your thoughts on solo dining, and of course, some great spots in YYC for your next solo dining experience! You can find me at: @theaimlesscook IG @ricedaddyeats Tiktok www.theaimlesscookpodcast.com...

Special thanks to today’s guest: Chef Zac Ardena @zacariel_ @flip.the.dishes Also, props to one of YYC’s pop-up masters: Chef Keisuke @tokyochopsticks The places we talked about today: Billie’s Smash Burgers at Roy’s Kitchen @billies.yyc Saffron Street at First Street Market @saffronstreetyyc @firststreetmarketyyc Pho Hoai Vietnamese Noodle House 132 3 Ave SE, Calgary AB U & Me 233 Centre St S...

On this episode of The Aimless Cook Podcast, I talk about visiting out of the way restaurants, taking time to enjoy the dining experience, Asian Grocery Stores, and why I started a food Tiktok. Restaurants I talked about on this episode: Krave’n (Great Plains Recreational Facility) IG: @kravenyyc Le Pichet (Seattle) IG: @lepichetseattle Fonda Fora IG: @fondafora The Chuckwagon Cafe IG: @thechuckwa...

On this episode of The Aimless Cook Podcast, we will be talking about the world of Food Influencers! The good, the bad, and the cringe inducing. My first ever special guest, Chanry Thach, shares her wisdom on how restaurants can find the perfect partnership with a social media marketing manager. It’s gonna be an episode filled with a little history, education, and some recommendations for great YY...

On this episode of The Aimless Cook Podcast, we celebrate the beauty in the simplicity of one of Asia’s most beloved dishes: Congee. Special thanks to everyone that submitted their congee nostalgia. I appreciate you all. Chef Zac Ardena of Fortunas Row @zacariel Chef Duncan Ly of Bar Chouette @chefdly Tea Neill @teaneill Chef Brandon Bauzon of Nan’s Noodle House @lasacookingyyc Liz Tang of Deep Di...

On our first Freestyle Friday, I talk about the tried and trusted tools that I always keep close when I work. I also share your comments on this subject from Instagram and Facebook, so please keep those comments coming! I also talk about the virtues of late night dining, especially on those nights after a particularly tough night at work in the kitchen. Shout out to our friends at Oneway Seoul Poc...

On this week’s episode of The Aimless Cook Podcast, I want to share with you 5 of the most impactful cookbooks on my life. Cookbooks are not only collections of recipes, but also provide so much in terms of insight and perspective on the chefs that created them. In the case of the books I cover this week, they are memoirs that inspired me and helped guide me to where I am today. I hope that you en...

On our first episode, I want to give you a little background on who I am. My introduction to the food and hospitality industry was one that may have started like many, but soon became something very unique and rewarding. It has been an adventure to say the least. I only hope that you find the same adventures in your own journey in this exciting and often challenging career of being a chef. Subscri...

If you’ve found us, thank you for listening! This is The Aimless Cook Podcast. My name is Jay del Corro. I am a chef and video creator located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This show is everything about food including the industry, restaurants, careers, cooking, recipes, reviews, food in pop culture, and more! Subscribe now and let’s talk soon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...