James Beard Winner Charlie Mitchell on Leading Saga After James Kent

In today's episode, we chat with Charlie Mitchell, executive chef of New York's two-Michelin-starred Saga and James Beard Award winner for Best Chef in New York City.Charlie opens up about one of the most difficult transitions in fine dining: leaving Clover Hill, the intimate 20-seat Brooklyn restaurant where he made history as the first Black chef in NYC to earn a Michelin star, and taking the leap to Saga's 63rd floor after the tragic loss of his mentor, James Kent. He discusses going from managing 8 employees to leading 100, the management challenges that blindsided him, and how he's honoring Kent's legacy while making Saga his own.Join us as Charlie explains his "safe to learn" philosophy that's redefining kitchen culture, how Sunday dinners at his grandmother's houses in Detroit still influence his approach to fine dining, and how he balances nostalgia with technique.

In today's episode, we chat with Byron Gomez, executive chef of Denver's Michelin-starred BRUTØ and the first Costa Rican chef to earn this prestigious recognition.Byron opens up about the brutal truth behind his rise from fast food to fine dining, detailing how 23 years of unwavering commitment transformed early struggles into extraordinary success. He discusses climbing through legendary kitchens like Eleven Madison Park and Daniel Boulud's restaurants, and how his immigrant experience as a DACA recipient fueled his determination to break barriers.Join us as Byron explains how he's revolutionizing fine dining through "brutalism" - cooking everything over open fire and achieving zero waste at his 18-seat chef's counter. From his philosophy of "each one, teach one" to his commitment to sustainability, discover how Byron's story proves that relentless dedication and staying true to your roots can lead to groundbreaking success in the culinary world.

In today's episode, we chat with Connor Fowler, Escoffier graduate, certified sommelier, and rising talent in fine dining.Connor shares how his culinary education at Escoffier's Boulder campus, where he earned the Curtis Duffy Scholarship, led him from polishing glasses to serving wine at Michelin-recognized restaurants. He discusses his transformative externship in Florence that sparked his passion for wine, his journey through award-winning establishments like Rootstock and Frasca Food & Wine, and how he found himself serving guests the night Frasca received its first Michelin star.Join us as Connor reflects on the discipline required for fine dining success, the profound impact of losing his father on his career perspective, and how grief became an unexpected motivator in his pursuit of sommelier excellence and meaningful hospitality.

In today's episode, we chat with Curtis Duffy, James Beard Award winner, Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, and author of the powerful new memoir Fireproof.Curtis shares how his traumatic childhood in rural Ohio led him to find refuge in an unlikely place: a high school home economics class. He discusses his journey from that first spark of passion to training under culinary legends like Charlie Trotter and Grant Achatz, building Grace into a three-Michelin-starred institution, and the bold decision to walk away at its peak to launch Ever during a global pandemic.Join us as Curtis reveals why writing Fireproof was more challenging than earning any award, how putting his painful truth on paper became his ultimate act of healing, and what it really means to be "fireproof" — not avoiding the heat, but learning to thrive in it.

In today's episode, we chat with Lentine Alexis, certified holistic nutritionist, Ayurvedic health counselor, pastry chef, yoga and breathwork instructor, and sports performance coach.Lentine shares how struggling to fuel her training with traditional "athlete foods" led her to reimagine nutrition through a more intuitive, flavorful, and joyful lens. She discusses her transition from elite endurance racing to building thriving communities like her Recipe Club and Back to Forward platform, her mission to help others fuel not just performance but purpose, and how listening to her body became the foundation for her "against the grain" culinary philosophy.Join us as Lentine reveals how breaking the sports nutrition code and embracing joy as the secret to peak performance transformed not only her own relationship with food but is now revolutionizing how athletes and everyday eaters nourish both body and spirit.

In today's episode, we chat with Hosea Rosenberg, acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and founder of Blackbelly and Santo.Hosea shares how a college job to pay for school led him from studying astrophysics to training with culinary legends like Wolfgang Puck and Kevin Taylor, ultimately winning Top Chef Season 5. He discusses his commitment to sustainable sourcing, the evolution of Blackbelly from food truck to Michelin Green Star restaurant, and how his childhood in Taos inspired Santo's authentic Northern New Mexican cuisine.Join us as Hosea reflects on building a purpose-driven restaurant empire and how staying true to his heritage helped him become the Boulder chef who turned New Mexican roots into restaurant gold.

In today’s episode, we chat with André Hueston Mack, acclaimed sommelier, designer, and founder of Maison Noir Wines, whose journey into the wine world started far from the vineyard in a corporate office at Citicorp.André shares how a bold leap of faith led him from finance to fine dining, where he trained as a sommelier in San Antonio and eventually led award-winning wine programs at The French Laundry and Per Se. He discusses the importance of storytelling in wine service, his mission to make wine more approachable through design and media, and how his diverse experiences continue to shape his unique voice in the industry.Join us as André reflects on following passion over convention and the creative path that made him one of the most respected figures in modern wine culture.

In today’s episode, we chat with Claudette Zepeda, award-winning chef, culinary entrepreneur, and Creative Director of Chispa Hospitality, known for her fearless approach to regional Mexican cuisine and globally inspired storytelling.Claudette shares the creative vision behind her newest restaurant, Leu Leu. She reflects on growing up near the U.S.–Mexico border, how her travels have shaped her culinary identity, and the influence of fashion and music in her work. She also discusses her social impact initiative Viva La Vida, her journey as a single mom, and the deliberate choices that set her apart, including why she’s resisted putting tacos on any menu.Join us as Claudette reflects on her path from home kitchens to international acclaim—and how she continues cooking without borders, labels, or limits.

In today’s episode, we chat with Chef Stefani De Palma, former Chef de Cuisine at San Diego’s three-Michelin-starred Addison and Head Chef of Team USA at the 2024 Bocuse d’Or Americas.Stefani shares her journey from starting as a pastry chef to leading Team USA to a gold medal victory in New Orleans, securing their spot at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or finals in Lyon, France. She discusses the intense preparation, the challenges of the competition, and how her experiences have shaped her approach to mentorship and leadership in the culinary world.Join us as Stefani reflects on her path to culinary excellence and how she led Team USA to gold at the Bocuse d’Or Americas.

In today’s episode, we chat with Marc Vetri, an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author who helped put Philadelphia on the national culinary map.Marc is the founder of Vetri Cucina and the force behind acclaimed restaurants like Osteria, Pizzeria Vetri, and Fiorella. His journey began in a South Philly kitchen alongside his Sicilian grandmother, and took him from dishwashing as a teen to working under Wolfgang Puck in Los Angeles — before buying a one-way ticket to Northern Italy that would cement his path. Beyond the kitchen, Marc is a passionate mentor, musician, and founder of the Vetri Community Partnership, a nonprofit helping kids and families discover the power of cooking and nutrition.Join us as Marc shares the origin story behind his culinary empire — and why the best chefs don’t just cook, they care.