The Chef's Cut

Adrienne and Joe sit down inside the walls of the iconic Le Bernardin in New York City for an intimate chat with chef Eric Ripert. He tells them the secrets behind his ascent to helming one of the best restaurants in the world, including what it takes to maintain a level of excellence worthy of becoming (and remaining) a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Plus, we discuss: How fine dining has radi...

Joe is set to open his newest restaurant, Bar Tutto, and Adrienne asks him all about what it takes to go from concept to reality with a new establishment. He takes us behind the scenes to share all the things you don’t hear about when a restaurant gets started. Plus, we discuss: The great Paris pastry debate: which French treat do you pair with your coffee? Fork It or Forget It: Chicago Deep Dish...

In a Chef’s Cut first, Adrienne and Joe sit down with co-chief restaurant critic for the New York Times, Ligaya Mishan. They ask her all about taking over for Pete Wells and what goes into writing her reviews every week. Plus, we discuss: The controversial Alinea review everyone is talking about Whether or not a one-star review should be considered "good" How the NYT picks restaurants to review Th...

This week, Adrienne and Joe are back and giving us their reaction to the viral Golden Diner pancakes everyone is talking about. Joe prepared a batch at home and shares his honest opinion on whether they’re worthy of the hype. Plus, we discuss: What’s your go-to steakhouse order? Adrienne’s controversial opinion on A1 steak sauce Cookbooks: All the inside info on what it takes to go from idea to re...

Adrienne and Joe are joined by one of the most celebrated chefs in the world, Dan Barber of the legendary Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Family Meal at Blue Hill. He tells us all about his innovative approach to cooking and sustainable agriculture, including how he runs his own kitchen at Blue Hill. Plus, we discuss: Farm to Table: Has the word lost its meaning? The origins of “farm to table” and wh...

This week, Adrienne and Joe are back to chat about the newest list everyone is talking about: North America's 50 Best Restaurants. They tell us what they love about the list, how it actually gets made, and what it means to restaurants who make the list. Plus, we discuss: Diner classics: Adrienne and Joe pick their favorite breakfast foods Fork It or Forget It: Using AI to help with new menus (and...

Adrienne and Joe return for the third and final installment of our series on private chef work, and this time they’re joined by the Obama family’s longtime personal chef, Sam Kass. He tells us all about his journey from some of the highest pressure kitchens in America and Europe, to landing with the first family and running the kitchen in the West Wing. Plus, we discuss: Adrienne and Sam’s connect...

We’re back for part two of our three-part series on private chef work, this time with guest Olivia Tiedemann. She tells us how she went from the fine dining world of New York City, to working as a private chef, to Instagram stardom. Plus, we discuss: The “kitchen habits” from restaurants that we just can’t kick Fork It or Forget It: Breaking pasta in half How Olivia transitioned out of fine dining...

In part one of our three-part series on private chef work, Adrienne comes clean to Joe about what she really does for a living and pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to work as a private chef. Plus, we discuss: Global Condiment Cup: Mayo takes the crown Whisk Takers: Adrienne’s story of going from fine dining to private work The longest Adrienne went without repeating a dish Some little-know...

This week Adrienne and Joe are joined by Ayesha Nurdjaja, Executive Chef of Shuka and Shukette in New York City. She tells us all about her recent debut as the newest Titan on Bobby's Triple Threat. Plus, we discuss: Kitchen Pet Peeves: Dirty floors, painted nails, and not saying hello Fork It or Forget It: Zesting lemons… the right way? Review Review: Showing up without a reservation at a busy re...

As summer slowly comes to a close, Adrienne and Joe share some of their favorite flavor combinations that signal fall is just around the corner. Farmer’s market, here we come! Plus, we discuss: Fork It or Forget It: Whipped Honey Coffee Review Review: Joe had the audacity to take his birthday off from work! Line Check: Major fine dining restaurants like Alinea and Noma go on the road in their own...

Adrienne and Joe are back with another guest, and this week they’re joined by two-time Top Chef champion Buddha Lo. He fills them in on his latest culinary ambitions following the move of his home restaurant Huso into a bigger space (Michelin star incoming?). Plus, we discuss: Fork It or Forget It: Caviar on Fried Chicken (and the latest in condiment mania) Review Review: restaurant no-shows are a...

The World Condiment Cup has officially begun so Adrienne and Joe kick things off with the results from the first round. Which will move on to the next round: may, mustard, tzatziki, or hoisin sauce? Plus, we debate how 'mother sauces' play into condiment rankings. On this episode we also discuss: Fork It or Forget It: French Dip Mania Review Review: a Five-Star guest gets all the credit for his ho...

Adrienne and Joe are joined by special guest and friend of the show, chef Fariyal Abdullahi. She fills us in on what it’s like to be the executive chef at one of the most sought-after restaurant reservations in New York City, Hav & Mar. Plus, we discuss: Fork It or Forget It: Crack Burgers (yes this is a real trend) LA vs. New York: Who holds the Ethiopian crown? (How about Washington DC) Tips for...

This week of The Chef’s Cut kicks off with an important debate: which condiment in your fridge would come out on top in a battle of the bottles? They tell us which condiment ranks atop their own favorites, and throw it to the listeners to help build a bracket of champions. Plus, we discuss: Fork It or Forget It: Dining al fresco Whisk Takers: Joe tell us about the biggest career bet he made on him...

Adrienne and Joe are back for another episode of The Chef’s Cut, and this time they’re joined by longtime friend and James Beard award winning chef Erick Williams. They find out how he came to be one of the most respected chefs in Chicago, including what brought him to the kitchen at Virtue Restaurant in Hyde Park. Plus, we discuss: Review Review: Takeout complaints at Virtue (spoiler: they don’t...

Hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm are joined by Missy Robbins (Lilia, Missi) to talk about her ascent into becoming a Michelin star chef and James Beard Award winner. Plus, we cover: The importance of a caring mentor and impact of Tony Manuano (Spiaggia, Top Chef Masters) on Missy and Joe’s careers Fork It or Forget It: Seafood and cheese Missy's journey through various kitchens and her approa...

We’re back with another episode of The Chef’s Cut featuring hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm, who tell us exactly how chefs plan their trips around food, including their favorite dining spots and the importance of leaving room for spontaneous culinary adventures. Plus, we discuss: Fork It or Forget It: Raw Milk edition (featuring some unpasteurized opinions) The latest NYT restaurant review a...

Celebrity chef Eric Adjepong joins hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm to dive deep into the realities of food television, leadership in the kitchen, and the secrets behind surviving the restaurant world. 🔥 In this episode: The mentors who shaped Eric’s culinary journey Lessons from working with Bobby Flay Why top chefs struggle to cook at home Navigating personality clashes and communication s...

In the latest episode of The Chef's Cut, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm share how they got their start as chefs — and the paths that brought them to New York and Chicago. They dive into: Big debate: Is rhubarb ever worth the trouble? Why they both love Le Creuset (how could you not?) The challenges of transitioning from culinary school to a real working kitchen A brutal one-star review from...

In this episode of The Chef’s Cut, recorded live from the 2025 James Beard Awards launch party at BLVD Steakhouse in Chicago, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flam sit down with celebrity chef Stephanie Izard (Top Chef, Girl and the Goat) to talk about what it’s really like to win a James Beard Award. 🎙️ Topics covered in this episode include: Is it more memorable to win Top Chef or a James Beard A...

Award-winning chef Kristen Kish joins hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm for a deep, fun, and unfiltered conversation about her Top Chef memories, Chicago food roots, and the biggest lessons from the kitchen. In this episode, they dive into: The power of kitchen mentorship, featuring the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Kristen, Adrienne, and Joe’s first impressions and early memories of one a...

Chefs Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm reunite as former Top Chef finalists and launch their brand new podcast with a behind-the-scenes look at their journey—from competing in the kitchen to becoming co-hosts and close real-life friends. 🎙️ In this debut episode of The Chef’s Cut, Adrienne and Joe dive into everything from food industry headlines to hilarious kitchen horror stories, including: 🍽️ G...

Each week, Top Chef alums Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm give you a seat at their table as they have hilarious, vulnerable, and oftentimes messy conversations with other chefs, restaurateurs, celebrities and friends about what it means to build something bigger than yourself. New episodes out every Tuesday