To start, I spoke with the immensely impressive Rhys Powell, who transitioned from Wall Street to Founding Red Rabbit.  Red Rabbit is leading the way to provide meals which represents more culturally diverse cuisines so all students can enjoy a lunch that reflects what they would partake of at home. These meals and menus are curated by professional chefs who live and grew up within the same culture and heritage of the surrounding communities, and those meals are provided through Red Rabbit's lunch programs which are currently being offered within the Tri-State region, with plans to continue to expand. So, what does that mean to you?  Tune in to find out, and share with anyone you know who is a teacher, parent, or advocate for nutritional meals for children in schools.

Speaking of schools and food...my next guest, Zach Poznan, was formerly the math teacher at Conwell Middle School in Kensington.  The math teacher-turned-baker began his path to owning Brass Monkey Bread Co. during the pandemic, and after several mishaps and a fellow friend/sourdough enthusiast asked for help--Zach came to his friend's rescue while re-igniting his desire to try something new.  Armed with more knowledge on how to make sourdough (and their starters), Zach raised the bar to become a sourdough aficionado.  Today, Zach has since transitioned into working as the full-time owner and head baker for Brass Monkey Bread Co, and is excited to join us and share where we can carb-load when he vends at various locations throughout the year.

Lastly, we spoke with what I consider as one of the best comfort foods around.  TuckedIto (pronounced, Tuck-dee-too) is owned by brothers Brendan and James Pinder, and offers several meat-based taquitos and tacos.  We discussed their various options on what they offer, what their personal favorite tacos are, and the in's and out's of owning your own business.  Its a lot to take in, but trust the process...and trust me...they offer tempting descriptions from their menu, as well as an abundance of advice that you may not get from anyone else in the business.

We began with Robert Dumont, owner and Chef behind Farmstead Foods - a mobile catering concept which focuses on locally-sourced ingredients that caters to your preferences. What does that mean? He has a wealth of experience, having previously worked inside the kitchens of restaurants and prepared food markets along the eastern coast. His vast knowledge of various cuisines lends itself to his ability to create any number of menu options that you would want, however he does have some select fan-favorites, especially when he sets up at local breweries or events. If you want to know where he will be at--tune in to Food Farms and Chefs to find out!

Next, we spoke to an owner whose business is located in the heart of East Passyunk Ave in Philadelphia! Nano Wheedan owns Taco Heart off of the food-trendy portion of Passyunk Ave, bringing his love of breakfast tacos from Texas to Philadelphia. Wheedan was enlightened to the delicious breakfast treat several years ago while living in Texas, also learning that tortillas were the equivalent of bread in Texas. After advancing his position within a pizzeria company located in Austin, Wheedan moved back to his native Philly to help open Korshak Bagels, and eventually decided to share his love of Texas-based favorite foods by opening Taco Heart.

Our last guest hails from Northern New Jersey--a short trip for anyone living in Philadelphia or New York. Mohammad Fakhrzadeh aka "Moe Zadeh" has always owned a landscaping business, however, his friends and family have also made sure to let Moe know that his wife's cooking was equally as top-notch as his skill with his business. The result of which led him and his wife to pursue their dream of opening up a restaurant or bakery. So, in 2018 Moe opened Friends Cafe in New Brunswick. Soon thereafter the pandemic hit, so the cafe was put on hold but the dream was still alive! Today, Josephine and Mohammad offer a huge variety of foods to eat, along with sweet treats, and of course all varieties of caffeinated beverages!

Kevin Baxter has always enjoyed the taste of pickles, and noticed how popular pickles have been trending in more recent years.  So, he founded a festival that fans of the brined cucumbers could relish in: The Big Dill Pickle Festival!  Since its inception in 2019, The Big Dill has blossomed into the worlds largest pickle party, with visitors traveling from across the globe to attend.  Kevin joined us to give us the 4-1-1 about this year's festivities happening on June 15th at Xfinity Live in Philadelphia.  To hear all about the festival, along with where to buy tickets, tune in to Food Farms and Chefs!

Our next guest, Shayna Minuto, gained a strong knowledge of running an Italian-based cuisine while working in her father's restaurant.  After graduating college, Shayna found herself drawn further into the industry, and eventually opened her own concept, Hold My Knots, inside the Gansevoort Market in the Meatpacking District of NYC. After finding increasing success, they crossed the bridge into New Jersey, taking over ownership of her father's restaurant to establish a permanent location for Hold My Knots in Bergen County.  Now, Hold My Knots is looking to expand their brand's locations and available Food Trucks to spread the joy of their menu options for carboholics (including GF options) to more areas.
 
We love the combination of food, beverages, and fun! So, we brought Lee Leung (Regional General Manager of Fearless Restaurants) on to help celebrate their Spring menu options, the Kentucky Derby and other special events, and new openings under their restaurant group!  Lee also grew up inside her parent's restaurants, and was drawn back into the culinary world after graduating college.  Soon after graduating, she began working for restaurant groups with recognizable names.  Today, you can find her making all the events at Fearless Restaurant Group's Autograph Brasserie, Triple Crown in Radnor, and Rosalie a delicious and memorable experience!

We began the episode with Morgan and Deb Manchester who own CraveWell Cafe in Pennsylvania. The husband and wife partners began their path to a fast-casual healthy concept after Deb had a medical scare. The duo decided that they didn't want Deb going back to work for someone else, and they wanted to focus on healthy food options--something they found was lacking when they were out and looking for a quick bite to eat. Now, they've just celebrated their 5-year anniversary of owning CraveWell Cafe and are excited to share their healthy smoothies, sandwiches, cold-pressed juices, and more with all of you!

Liam Kelly is no stranger to hard work, and even began helping out a family member's business at the age of 8. Later on in life, he found himself drawn into the culinary world when Ireland competed in the 2010 world cup and was hooked. So, in the late 90's he made the decision to move to the states and was offered a job inside a Manhattan bar. Soon after, he became a managing partner of the place and helped to open Tir-Na-Nog, a well-known Irish Pub & Restaurant chain. After that, he took a break and worked in Australia on boats...but eventually was drawn back to the states with a desire to open his own place in Philadelphia. Today, Liam is the Managing Partner of Con Murphy's Irish Pub in Philadelphia, Con Murphy's Ocean Bar & Grill in Florida, and he is a buyer for Aylesworth's Fish and Bait, Inc.

There's some sweet rewards when you stay tuned for our last guest, Gize Negussie, who owns and operates Negus Winery which is located in Alexandria, VA. Why is this such a sweet reward? Gize is the first Ethiopian Honey Wine maker in the US, with strong familial bonds. The recipe for his signature blend was the one he was raised on. According to Gize, Tej (the honey wine, which is similar to mead) is always on the table when there's an occasion to celebrate. The signature wine also happens to be his mother's recipe but modernized to meet the needs of US regulations, and stamped with his mother's approval. Gize also offers other varieties of wine inside his tasting room, as well as specific varieties available to ship nationwide, so if you want to sip on something originally created for royalty--check out Negus Winery online or in-person!

Cake Life Bake Shop has always been a popular spot in Philadelphia, as a result of Owner and Pastry Chef Nima Etemadi using the highest-quality ingredients with a zeal for the arts. His journey to becoming a Pastry Chef and owner of Cake Life Bake Shop had its ups and downs, as he transitioned from working in the culinary industry to working in the arts. It wasn't too long before Nima realized his true passion was founded in the culinary world. Since then, he has gained world-wide attention after designing and baking cakes for well-known celebrities, and we are happily sharing his journey with all of you, along with baked goods that are Queen Bey approved.

Speaking of celebrities, our next guest has been seen on television, in mass media, and numerous publications. Chef Jen Carroll has achieved a lot in her career, and continues to do so with her self-named brand Carroll Couture Cuisine. Carroll's love of cooking began at an early age, and continued throughout her entire life. Even while pursuing a pre-law degree in college, she still found herself drawn to cooking, so she changed course and graduated with her culinary degree as a Chef. Today, Chef Carroll offers a wide variety of opportunities through her business, along with helping other women in the industry as one of the Co-Founders of Sisterly Love Collective. If you want to learn more about what Chef Carroll offers, and to hear a big announcement--stay tuned till the end to find out!

Our final guest, Chef Christiana Ruiz who owns Manny Vibez, is passionate about serving you some of the best 'Brotherly Love' that you'll find around. Growing up, Chef Ruiz and her brother dreamed of one day owning a restaurant. A passion that Chef Ruiz shared with her grandmother who also inspired Chef Ruiz's love of cooking as she was growing up. After graduating high school, Ruiz joined the military. When she left the military, Ruiz pursued her dream, earning a culinary degree from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. After working for various catering companies and inside Jose Garces' Buena Onda, she learned how to manage and run her own restaurant. So when the opportunity to own a space in her neighborhood, she took the faithful leap and named the restaurant in honor of her brother. To hear more about Chef Ruiz and Manny Vibez, stay tuned till the end of this week's show!

Farmers markets are a fun way to not only pick up your next ready-made meal or produce and spices from local farms and businesses, they're also a great way to learn something new. One of our friends, who is the founder of Forest Farmers Market AND Moneta Farmers Market in Virginia, happens to know a thing or two about that. Dorothy, who you can learn more about her when she joined us in October 2023 on episode 250, let us know about the new season for Moneta Farmers Market, what's been going on throughout the winter season for Forest Farmers Market, and (more importantly) what we can look forward to for this coming Spring through the Fall! So, if you're planning to travel or if you live in the area--be sure to tune in to find out all the exciting news for Virginia's perfect place to shop, eat, and have fun while you learn!

Speaking of fresh--Dori Fleekop sat down with us to chat about his new fast-casual concept, Bites & Blends. Although 'fast-casual' restaurants are associated with unhealthy foods, Dori's new eatery is abundant with healthy options. We love a frozen treat when the weather starts to warm up, and what better way to enjoy something sweet than grabbing a nutritious smoothie, bountiful salad, or scrumptious panini! Perhaps you're looking to kick-start your diet to get ready for swimsuit season--Bites & Blends is here to help jump start that diet with grab and go juice cleanses, cold-press juices, and nutrient-forward products made in-house! If you want to know how delicious being healthy can be, tune in to hear from Dori and then be sure to taste his healthy foods for yourselves!

We've all felt sluggish after a heavy meal, so it's safe to assume that you know what you eat affects your body. Although there has been a long-standing trend on eating healthier and eating gluten-free (GF) not everyone has to. However, individuals who have been diagnosed with celiac disease need to follow a gluten-free diet in order to stay, and feel, healthy. Chef Monica Glass not only follows a gluten-free lifestyle, she has created and dedicated her culinary ventures within the GF community since 2009. As a well-known Pastry Chef, Writer, and wellness advocate, Chef Glass has created products and recipes that are indulgent and GF. Chef Glass joined us to discuss all of her GF endeavors, along with announcing her newly co-founded business: Verveine Cafe & Bakery. Verveine Cafe & Bakery will open its doors in the next few weeks, offering breakfast and lunch options for anyone living or visiting Boston, MA. And for anyone who wants to learn more about Monica and her healthy endeavors, stay tuned till the end of this week's episode to find out!

Our first guest has accomplished a lot since he began working as a glass collector in his hometown of Belfast, Ireland. Jack McGarry began his career in Ireland and worked his way to a pub in London, eventually crossing the ocean to open the Dead Rabbit in New York. Since then, McGarry's desire to create Pubs that elevate the 'Irish pub experience' has found its place, along with numerous well-earned awards celebrating 'The Best Bar in the World.' How does he do it? By crafting an intriguing selection of menu items along with an experience that showcases Irish culture, history, and customs. However, the Dead Rabbit is not this entrepreneur's only accomplishment-but you'll have to tune in to find out more about Jack, what he's accomplished, and what to look forward to during the Dead Rabbit's "It's Paddy's Day NOT Patty's Day" events!

This week is looking up, especially for anyone celebrating St. Patrick's at Dooney's Pub in Delran and Voorhees New Jersey! Dooney's Director of Operations, Ariane Bonnes, joined us to announce their annual Kegs and Eggs in Delran, along with their other popular menu items that are fan favorites each year. On top of that, visitors can look forward to live music at both locations, dancers, bagpipers, and green beer to amplify the fun! In addition to their weekend-long celebrations, you can keep the celebrations going with their month-long cocktail and menu specials. But don't take it from us--turn your dials to Food Farms and Chefs to hear more about what you can look forward to from Dooney's Pub!

Our final guest is bringing the band back together again, and we couldn't be more excited to have him on! Ray Sheehan, who is an expert on all things Barbeque, shared his journey as a chef, author, contributing writer, and guest host for Baseball and BBQ Podcast. After what has happened since we last spoke with him, we further discussed the importance of mental health in the culinary industry and the ability to adjust and think on your feet. Which led to a huge announcement, that you'll hear first on our show! Ray joined us to announce some exciting news for the first time on our show! But we don't want to spoil the surprise, so tune in to hear from Chef Sheehan and what you can look forward to in the very near future!

We had a burning desire to share our first guest's full story with you, especially after Kaylyn Kahana's business, Kay Kay's, became a viral sensation! As Kaylyn described her love of baking to us, she also explained how her knowledge in the culinary world blossomed, and how baking became a passion for her. In fact, Kaylyn's passion was so strong that she switched careers in order to start her own business. As luck would have it, the 'stars aligned' for her while she was transitioning from her startup kitchen into a professional kitchen, and she landed on a location in South Philly. Today, Kay Kay's is now the hottest spot to grab your next birthday cake--and feel free to check out Kay Kay's breakfast, lunch, coffee, and catering options too!
( https://www.facebook.com/KayKaysCakes/ )

Our next guest, Chef Andy Kahl, is a well-traveled individual who went from working in the culinary industry to becoming a photographer, and is now the Chef inside the newly opened Soko Bag in Phoenixville, PA. I know, you're probably wondering what Soko Bag is. If you've ever heard of Korean Fried Chicken, well, Soko Bag specializes in it. The concept was realized when Shea Winter Roggio and J.H. "Allie" Chang were living in Gumi with Allie's family during the pandemic. That's when the idea to create a fun, local, hangout spot for sports, beer, and Korean Fried Chicken was conceptualized by Shea. Having been friends for years, Shea reached out to Kahl. Now open, Phoenixville residents (and anyone who visits) can enjoy their extra crispy, bountiful flavored Korean Fried Chicken and beers at Soko Bag! ( https://sokobag.com )

We love to bite into a decadent dessert, scrumptious scone, or rich cheesecake, which is exactly what Sunflour Bake Shop specializes in. Owner and Chef Maggie Alfinito joined us for some cupcakes and a chat about what it took to open her bakery, and the growth that she has seen over the years. As a graduate of Walnut Hill College in PA, Maggie began her career working at local restaurants. Her brother, however, encouraged her to pursue her dream of owning her own bakery, and now 10 years later she is still going strong. And that continued growth is what led our co-host, Amaris Pollock, to finally learning of Sunflour Bake Shop. After Maggie expanded into their new (and much larger space) Amaris was introduced to Maggie, and fell in love with Maggie's delicious baked goods. ( https://www.sunflourbakeshopnj.com )

Our first guest is FORK's Executive Chef, George Madosky. Chef Madosky, who has worked inside numerous well-known restaurants in the North East, joined us to discuss his background in the culinary industry as well as other restaurants from the High Street Hospitality Group. To say the menu offerings at FORK and High Street Market are excellent is an understatement. From the moment you walk through the doors to when you see and taste each plated dish, Chef Madosky and High Street Hospitality Group's passion to offer the most outstanding experience emanates through every detail. For their current menu offerings and to make a reservation, visit https://forkrestaurant.com.

During our next segment, we spoke with the Chef and Owner of Culinary & Restaurant Solutions LLC, Chef Steph Musick. Chef Musick began a career in an entirely different field. As fate intervened, Chef Musick was drawn to the culinary industry, eventually earning her Culinary Degree at the Art Institute of California and her Culinary Management Degree from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. After working inside some of the more prestigious kitchens in Philly, and as fate intervened once again, Chef Musick founded her business, the Culinary & Restaurant Solutions LLC where Steph and her team of fellow Chefs offer dining experiences and/or meals curated to your needs. If you want to find out more--listen till the end, and then visit https://www.chefstephmusick.com.

Our final guest literally offers the cream of her crop to all of us; Sue Miller co-owns and operates Birchrun Hills Farm located in Chester Springs, PA. The first-generation and family-owned and operated farm offers cheeses produced from the milk of the 80+ holstein cows they raise. Their award-winning cheeses can be found inside the kitchens of local restaurants, at farmers markets, and on-site at Birchrun Hills Farm. And for anyone curious about their cheeses, tune in till the end of our show to find out how you can sample some for yourself! For more information about the Miller's, Birchrun Hills Farms, and locations their products are sold, please visit https://birchrunhillsfarm.com.

Chef Andrew Farley of Enswell in Philadelphia has honed his culinary skills under the tutelage of some very prestigious restaurateurs over the years, making a name for himself in doing so. So when the Rival Brothers Coffee owners, Jonathan Adams and Damien Pileggi, wanted to create a coffee and cocktail bar--Chef Adams reached out to someone he worked alongside with in the past - Chef Farley - to run the kitchen. Now, armed with a selection of creative menu items, the coffee & pastries in the morning-cocktails & plated lunch/dinner menus later in the day venue will meet all your beverage and meal desires throughout the day! And if you're curious to find out more about this unique venue, coffee & cocktails bottle shop--stay tuned till the end to hear all the juicy details!

We next spoke with the owner of Entree BYOB, Chef Kevin Addis. Chef Addis is a seasoned restaurateur, whose venture into the culinary world began as a youth inside the Hummingbird Room. After graduating from Johnson and Wales, Chef Addis worked inside numerous kitchens in Rhode Island, Massachuesettes, and Pennsylvania--eventually opening restaurants of his own; Entree BYOB in 2013 and Mari BYO in 2020. Mari BYO has since closed, and Chef Addis joined us to talk about the closing and move for Entree BYOB, along with the opening of a brand-new concept in the Pocono's--and if you want to learn more about Kevin's new announcements just keep your streaming devices tuned to Food Farms and Chefs Radio Show to find out!

Lastly, we spoke with Chef and Owner, CJ DeMarco of Santino's Tap & Table. CJ grew up learning the business from his father inside their Ridley, PA location. CJ's family's restaurant emerged when there was an Italian restaurant 'boom' in the area, so they sought out a way to offer craveable favorites with a Philly twist. Today, you can try some of their fan favorites, like the Sausage, Pepper, and Onions appetizer or their Scrapple Stuffed Pork Chop entree--all with an interesting take on an Italian classic--both of which made co-hosts Amaris and Gene drool. Want to hear more? Tune in till the end and you'll be drooling too!

Partners since birth, our first guest Stephen Servis owns Servis Events with his twin brother Nicolas. Stephen joined us on the show to discuss how both he and his brother became chefs through some pivotal decisions made earlier in their lives. Years later, Stephen and his brother built a reputation based on being heavily tattooed twin Chefs. Post pandemic, they decided to try something new and found WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) while staying with at a farm to work. This led them to another farm, located in Maine, where the seeds for Servis Events were planted and began to bloom. Now, they're back in Bucks County, sourcing the most nutrient-rich ingredients from local farms, providing a multi-course Chef's Tasting Menu to individuals looking for their services as private Chefs through Servis Events.

Our next guest helps Center City celebrate Vietnamese cuisine and culture, along with so much more at Miss Saigon. Chuong Nguyen is the Operating Manager and one of the co-owners of Miss Saigon in Philadelphia. The multi-level restaurant and bar offers an elevated take on Vietnamese street foods; providing menu options that are served family-style to encourage patrons to experience a variety of the tastes and flavors of the culture's cuisine. In addition to celebrating Vietnamese cuisine, the venue also provides a celebration full of PRIDE through their cocktail menu: There is a cocktail created for every color of the PRIDE flag! And be sure to reserve your opportunity to eat, drink, and sing inside their private Karaoke room with your friends! And keep your ears peeled through the end of this week's episode to find out when their first drag show will happen!

Our last guest has brought people together on a global level! Gizem White, who is an expert in Gastrodiplomacy and is the Founder and CEO of the Turkish Coffee Lady located in Alexandria, VA. Gizem's story began as she desired to share the history--and cups--of Turkish coffee with like-minded individuals. And in 2012, Gizem created a non-profit food truck called The Turkish Coffee Truck, where she handed out free cups of brewed Turkish Coffee. Years later, her efforts brought her media attention and recognition, including an article which stuck and later became synonymous with her brand. So in 2017, she created the Turkish Coffee Lady brand in the U.S. Now, after visiting several countries and cities across the globe, Gizem and her brand Turkish Coffee Lady are considered as a "Friendship building initiative between Turkey and the USA," according to the US government. I don't know about you, but the love of a great cup of coffee is a perfect way to bring people together--so stay tuned until the end to hear how you can buy some of her Turkish Coffee Lady blends and enjoy it with some new friends!