The Ultimate Dish

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Shari Bayer, founder & president of Bayer Public Relations, as well as host & producer of All in the Industry podcast . With over 30 years in the industry, Shari established her PR agency in 2003, representing chefs, restaurants, and culinary-focused clients. As a Les Dames d’Escoffier NY member since 2010 and former president of the New York Wom...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Wonda Grobbelaar, an expert in soft skills, leadership quality assurance, and management training.  As a PhD candidate, Wonda shares her ground-breaking research on how chefs can navigate stress, offers tips on hospitality leadership, and discusses the future of workplace psychology. She advocates for quality cultures in higher education, guides culinari...

To celebrate our 100th episode, today’s special guest is Michel Escoffier, the great-grandson of our school’s namesake Auguste Escoffier, renowned as the ‘King of Chefs’ and the pioneer of modern French cuisine. Michel holds the esteemed position of President at the Auguste Escoffier Foundation and Museum in Villeneuve-Loubet, France. Additionally, he serves as an advisory board member at the Augu...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Gavin Kaysen, an award-winning chef and founder of Soigné Hospitality Group in Minneapolis, home to his nationally-renowned restaurants and cafes in the Twin Cities.  Gavins sheds light on how he became a nationally recognized chef, launching restaurants like Spoon and Stable, a 2015 James Beard Award Finalist for Best New Restaurant; and Demi, a 20-seat...

In this episode, we're joined by Ragnar Fridriksson, the Managing Director of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies and the host of "World on a Plate," a podcast presented by Worldchefs.  With an impressive culinary career spanning over 25 years, Ragnar's expertise covers a multitude of roles – from consultancy and food & wine writing to the art of capturing delectable...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Gina Homolka, founder of the award-winning food blog, “Skinnytaste,” and best-selling cookbook author.  In this episode, Gina offers an intimate insight into the genesis of Skinnytaste in 2008, a venture ignited by her desire to “ slim down some of her favorite recipes. ” Through the ingenious combination of seasonal produce and a mindful approach to por...

In today’s episode, we speak with David Wiens, a former professional cross-country mountain biker and Executive Director at the International Mountain Bicycling Association. With a prestigious induction into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 2000, David shares his remarkable story of how he achieved an incredible feat—six consecutive victories in the grueling Leadville Trail 100 MTB race. Along th...

In today’s episode, we speak with Les Misfits d'Escoffier, a small virtual meetup group of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts graduates from around the country.   Back in January 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, these students came together with a simple goal: to help each other with assignments beyond the classroom. Since then, this small virtual community has grown, attra...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Jocelyn Delk Adams, author behind the award-winning cookbook and her eponymous food blog , Grandbaby Cakes . In this episode, Jocelyn shares more about her decision to leave her 9-5 job to pursue blogging full-time, how she began authoring cookbooks, and her advice to beginner bakers. She also delves into her experience as a national TV personality, co-h...

In this episode, we're thrilled to chat with Chad White—a Navy veteran, award-winning chef, and restaurateur. Chef Chad shares his journey from the United States Navy to becoming a Top Chef contender. His dedication led to opening successful restaurants, including Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar (2016), winning Best New Restaurant and Chef of the Year awards for an impressive five consecutive years....

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest John Lehndorff, an acclaimed Colorado-based food writer, radio host, and editor.  In this episode, John shares how he pivoted from yearning to be a music critic to becoming an award-winning food media professional—penning the Nibbles column since around 1985 and hosting Radio Nibbles show at KGNU FM for more than 25 years. He takes a deep dive into his “...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Dan Pelosi, better known as “The Italian American Meatball” and the content creator behind GrossyPelosi on social media. In this episode, we delve into Dan's inspiring story of transitioning from a design career to building his own brand during the pandemic. Through the natural comfort and connection of food, he shares how this bright online communi...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Nisha Vora, a lawyer turned foodie and full-time blogger behind Rainbow Plant Life.  In this interview, Nisha outlines her journey to mastering vegan cooking at home through flavorful vegan recipes, entertaining cooking videos, and tips for making a vegan lifestyle easy. She also shares how she began to build a thriving social media presence, garnering o...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Iliana Regan, a self-taught chef who currently runs Milkweed Inn with her wife Anna.  In this interview, Iliana shares why she turned over her successful Michelin-starred restaurant Elizabeth to her employees to run a 150-acre bed and breakfast—set deep in the upper peninsula of Michigan. She also divulges intimate details about finding her identity as a...

In today’s episode, we speak with “The Queen of Scones” Danielle Sepsy, chef and owner behind The Hungry Gnome, and a finalist on HBO Max’s The Big Brunch. In this interview, Danielle details her culinary journey, from starting her own scone business at the age of 13 to opening The Hungry Gnome based in NYC—where she and her team produce over 100,000 baked goods a month. She also discusses how she...

In today’s episode, we speak with Brian Malarkey, Top Chef finalist, San Diego-based celebrity chef, and restaurateur. Brian shares the “key” behind launching award-winning restaurant concepts, including Herb & Wood, named one of America’s 10 best restaurants by USA Today, and his latest work with Animae. He also reveals how he took his talent to television, with appearances on Bravo’s Top Che...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, a socially conscious American scholar, professor, and CEO, who advocates building “a sense of belonging” to strengthen student success. Since 2017, Terrell has been President/CEO of Do Good Work Educational Consulting Group —partnering with hundreds of colleges, universities, and agencies on the implementation of diversity, equity,...

In today’s episode, we speak with Rick Malnati and Jean Malnati Miller, Co-Owners and operators of Lou Malnati's Pizzeria—a Chicago-style pizza restaurant chain headquartered in Northbrook, IL. Since its grand opening in 1971, Lou Malnati’s has continued to be the most recognized pizza chain in Chicago. Lou’s son, Rick Malnati, and wife, Jean Malnati Miller, share how they’ve kept Lou’s vibra...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Gaby Dalkin, Los Angeles-based celebrity food influencer, chef, and cookbook author. In this interview, Gaby shares how she left her fashion PR job to attend culinary school, before entering the world of full-time blogging in 2009. Since then, she’s quickly become the “go-to girl for all things California” and superwoman behind the digital cooking empire...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Peter McQuaid, 25-year-old Executive Chef of Cala, a Clive Collective restaurant in Scottsdale, as well as the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America Award recipient at the JBF Taste America Tour in Phoenix. Referenced as a culinary “prodigy,” Peter shares how early career mentors such as Silvana Salcido Esparza at Barrio Café and Beau MacMillan at the S...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Bryan Dayton, founder of Half Eaten Cookie Hospitality. Bryan is also an award-winning mixologist, beverage director, decorated ultramarathoner, and trail runner.    From starting as a dishwasher at a mom-and-pop shop, then transitioning up the ranks through various bartending roles, Bryan shares his entrepreneurial journey and how he built an elite rest...

In today’s episode, we speak with Francois de Melogue, a chef, recipe developer, cookbook author, photographer, and mentor for revered chefs like Beau MacMillan .  With over 30 years of cross-cultural culinary experience, working in acclaimed kitchens such as The Bakery in Chicago, Old Drovers Inn, as well as opening an award-winning restaurant Pili Pili in his hometown of Chicago, Francois shares...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest James Porter, Arizona-born chef and business owner of TERRA farm + manor —a combined restaurant and rustic farm cooking school located in the Prescott National Forest.  With a career spanning 33+ years in the hospitality industry, including private clubs and boutique hotels, Chef Porter is nothing short of a creative visionary. Now at TERRA, he’s dedicat...

In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Jayson Simons-Jones, CEO of Lotus Alpine Adventures , an alpine rock, ice, and ski mountain guiding company, and the 95th American to earn his IMFGA/ UIAGM Mountain Guide License. Jayson has spent the last two decades of his life and career as an outdoor educator and mountain guide, which is his most authentic passion. Now he dedicates his career to ment...

In today’s episode, we speak with Jeffrey Saad, author of Jeffrey Saad's Global Kitchen: Recipes Without Borders: A Cookbook , and creator of several restaurants such as San Francisco’s Sweet Heat, Pasta Pomodoro, and the Grove. Chef Saad started his culinary career at the young age of 13 working in a local diner. Once the hospitality bug hit him, he followed his passion all around the world,...