Hidden F&B CHS -- Episode 111 -- Michael and Caitlin Toscano - 2-28-24 8.58PM

 Jason Male is a bartender at SNOB in Charleston. SNOB stands for Slightly North of Broad, and it’s one of the bastions of Charleston’s restaurants Jason talks about how he keeps it fresh, what Charlestonians love to drink, and new American gin. Jason Male, on the Hidden F&B Charleston.

Alex Eaton of Estadio, the elegant tapas restaurant in Charleston, has had her baby since this conversation. Depending on when you go, you might see her in the kitchen with a baby strapped to her as she does the dance required to cook in an open kitchen. Alex Eaton, on the Hidden F&B Charleston.

Damian Sandoval is the executive chef and he’s bringing a mixture of his own Mexican background and a whole lot of other cuisines to Coterie in Charleston,  but he won’t show off and make fancy food just to make fancy food. He won't cook anything he wouldn’t eat at home, And, also? He was inspired to cook when he was young by a rat. Damian Sandoval, on the Hidden F&B Charleston.

 Carter Currey from Halls Chophouse in Charleston runs the beverage program at this mainline restaurant. He’s so settled in that you’d never know he had a life as a nomad before he settled down in Charleston. Carter Curry, on the Hidden F&B Charleston.

 Jill Matthias of Chez Nous and Juan Cassalett of Malagon are married and it seems their temperaments and their separate restaurants complement each other. Jill Matthias and Juan Cassalett on the Hidden F&B Charleston.

This episode was recorded as Michael and Caitlin Toscano were about to open their new place, Da Toscano Porchetta Shop and they were scrambling, but they were nice enough to stop and chat. In fact, if you listen carefully, you may hear the background conversation of construction. The shop has since opened, after a brief flood, and the two are juggling that and their other businesses while keeping it delicious. Michael and Caitlin Toscano, on the Hidden F&B Charleston.

Did you do Dry January and now you want to extend that feeling a little bit? Emily Heintz of Sechey says Sechey stands for “dry-ish,” which means you can go with the non-alcoholic stuff in her store all the time, or when you just feel the need to dry out a little. She’s latched onto a big trend, and Target has noticed and is putting Sechey non-alcoholic beverages in their stores. Emily Heintz, on the Hidden F&B Charleston.

Christine England started Lowcountry Eat Out as a little Facebook group to connect restaurateurs with people looking to buy their overstocks during COVID. It’s grown to almost 100,000 followers and restaurant owners say the attention this group has given them may have saved them. The only rule? Don’t yuck on someone’s yum. Christine England, the creator of Lowcountry Eat Out, on the Hidden F&B Charleston.

We talk with Kari Weaver of Charleston Wine Festivals. Now, this isn’t the huge Charleston Wine and Food Festival you may be familiar with – this is much more casual. This weekend, in fact, is the Mimosa Festival – and who doesn’t need a Mimosa on the weekend? Kari Weaver,on the Hidden F&B Charleston.

Lynn Hobart is the owner of the food truck Seoul Ah’s Gourmet Korean Hot Dogs and More. I first met Lynn when she was with a friend of mine at Charleston’s Wine and Food Festival. She shook my hand and said I should have her on the Hidden F&B. She would need that kind of spirit because, shortly after we spoke, her house caught fire and she and her partner lost a week’s worth of pop-up income and had to live in a hotel for a while. She’s back in business now, though. Lynn Hobart, on the Hidden F&B Charleston.