Track & Food Podcast

In the first of our monthly book club series, we tackle the book that put famed Chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain on the map, Kitchen Confidential. A rousing and fun read, we discuss how the book relates to some our own experiences working in hospitality, how Anthony's personality was fuelled by some of the choices he made and what the significance of the book has come to be 18 years a...

In this episode we sit down with the fellas behind the emerging catering/consulting company Ono Vancouver. Chefs TJ Conwi and Bruce Nollert dish the goods on their latest project, ‘Chefs in the Hood’, a pop dinner featuring chefs from various Vancouver restaurants who will look to showcase their talents from the hoods they represent. With an emphasis on high quality food, and a farm to table objec...

In this episode we bring on a close friend of the podcast and someone who’s work we’ve admired for some time, Chef Jeff Koop, formerly of Vancouver staple Mamie Taylor’s, now to be found working with the talented David Gunawan at his highly respected farm to table restaurant, Farmer’s Apprentice. Jeff led us down the rabbit hole of his life as we touched on his early start in the business, why he...

In this episode we chat with Vancouver bartending legend Shaun Layton. We wax on his career in hospitality, his years behind some of Vancouver’s best bars, most notably at L’abattoir and Juniper, where he helped spearhead some of Vancouver’s most innovative beverage programs. Shaun also gives us the inside scoop on his forthcoming venture Como Taperia, where he is a co-owner. He delights us on wha...

In this episode we tackle the issue of Veganism and the construct of Carnism. Based on the Green Pill episode of The Ezra Klein Show (and also the book by author and activist Melanie Joy: Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism) we dive into the choices we make as humans and how they trickle down into other issues facing the world. Is Jamie thinking about becoming veg...

In this episode we bring on two prominent pillars of the BC Craft Beer community in Nick Black of Strange Fellows Brewing and Patryk Drozd of Good Company Lager. We wax on their careers in beer, business philosophies and how their brands differ. Later we discuss the beer community at large and how we see it evolving in the ensuing decade. Delicious beer is consumed and laughs are shared. Mick was...

In this episode we talk with Max Borrowman and Mike Shum about the state of the Vancouver dining scene, how to fix it and favorite hidden gems. We tackle new restaurant issues and what it should take to "make it" as a new concept in the city. Things gets opinionated to say the least, feelings get hurt and Jamie fires up some great questions for the group...it was probably the bubbles..

In this episode we talk with Oakwood GM and over all great guy Tristan Young on his experiences running a top Vancouver restaurant as well as his start in the industry. Mick and Tristan reminisce on working for the trend setting restaurant chain Glowbal Group, then we get in to a bunch of industry stories and chit chat...Jamie gives us the questions and we have the answers! Also, management styles...

In this episode we reminisce on fun times spent in Portland, Oregon. Then, we dive into Jamie’s new column about price misperception in the restaurant industry. NBA basketball gets some serious love and we touch on the legacy of American celebrity chef, author, travel documentarian, and television personality Anthony Bourdain. Jamie schools Mick on wine as usual and cocktails are back!

In this episode we talk with Bruce Nollert about his start in the industry and his new chef consulting business Ono here in Vancouver. Bruce shares his thoughts on everything from family values to the problems facing our food industry right now. Jamie gives Mick the gears about fake meat and veganism and we somehow solve all of the worlds problems. not talking cocktails was nice......

In this episode we chat with Lobby Lounge Bar Manager Sean McGuigan on his rise in the cocktail scene, fine spirits and the ups and downs of competing on the biggest stage. Sean then distills us with his insane knowledge of Rum and Amari. Brunch talk gets heated and Mick joins the "Sean's home bar" club

In this episode we talk to ninja barman Chris Enns on his experiences in the wide world of cocktail competitions, his start in Saskatoon and in Vancouver and his love of beignets. Chris then talks fondly about his time spent in New York, Kentucky and in New Orleans when he attended the famed Tales of the Cocktail. We then wax on favorite Bourbons and the new Dave Chang podcast. Jamie sounds off on...

In this episode Jamie and Mick welcome Ron Oliver, Owner of popular Chinatown restaurant Mamie Taylors to discuss the recent release of the top 100 restaurants in Canada as well as the top 50 cocktail bars. Then we dive into the recent California wine expo in Vancouver and try to figure out hits, misses and favourites from all three happenings. Ron gives insights on everything from all time great...

In this episode Jamie and Mick discuss the super hot Diageo "made with love"cocktail competition and some favorite watering holes in the city. We explore and question the relevance of the airport cocktail bar with the help of the life behind bars podcast , reminisce on recent great cocktail experiences and dive in to the mental benefits of a healthy and hearty diet

In this episode Jamie and Mick discuss one of his previous columns on medium "Is it fair to ask a chef to work 14 hour days?" . Jamie questions the state of Granville Island's street cred as we look into the new proposed eatery by 4 of Vancouver's top chefs there and David Chang's new Netflix series "Ugly Delicious" get's a healthy back and forth surrounding...