In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, host Max Trujillo speaks with Courtney Blake, owner and managing director of Pilot Light Consulting. They discuss their shared bi-coastal experiences and delve into serious topics like the natural disasters affecting California and North Carolina. Courtney shares insights into the challenges faced by the food and beverage industry, the evolution of restaurant consulting, and the importance of building sustainable business models. We highlight the essence of California and Southern cuisines, trends in the industry, and the innovative ways to maintain quality and profitability. We explore Courtney's background, her educational journey, and how Pilot Light Consulting helps restaurateurs develop robust business and cultural systems. They wrap up with a discussion on the vibrant food scenes in North Carolina cities like Charlotte, Durham, and Asheville.

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, host Max Trujillo connects with Jimmy Kim and Andrew Robison to discuss their exciting venture into opening the third Cucciolo location, Cucciolo Famiglia, near Southpoint Durham.

We get into the unique Italian journey of the Cucciolo brand, from its origin in Korea to its expansion in North Carolina. Kim and Robison reveal their plans for Cucciolo Famiglia to offer approachable, family-friendly Italian-American staples, focusing on a neighborhood restaurant feel.

We also reflect on the North Hills community's response to recent local tragedy at Coquette, and our hearts go out to their families, friends and coworkers. 

The NC F&B Podcast is produced, engineered and edited by Max Trujillo of @Trujillo.Media

For inquiries about being a guest, or to sponsor the show, email [email protected]

We have returned! And to kick off 2025, the NC F&B Podcast starts right by featuring renowned bartender, author, and cocktail expert Jim Meehan. Celebrating his new book, 'The Bartender's Pantry,' Meehan reflects on his journey from Madison, Wisconsin to New York’s elite bars like Gramercy Tavern and PDT. He shares anecdotes about working with Danny Meyer, the philosophy behind his writing, and his views on the modernization of the cocktail industry. Meehan highlights the importance of service, community, and the true essence of hospitality in bartending. The episode showcases Meehan’s meticulous attention to detail and his dedication to preserving the craft of cocktail making in a fast-evolving industry.

The NC F&B Podcast is produced, engineered and edited by @Trujillo.Media

For inquiries about being a guest, or to sponsor the show, email [email protected]

In this inaugural episode of  @WineCentricShow , host Matt Weiss interviews Eric Asimov, the wine writer for The New York Times. They discuss various topics including the importance of evaluating wine producers over individual bottles, the role of blind tastings in wine education, the rise of natural wines, and the cultural significance of wine. Asimov emphasizes that wine should be enjoyed without the pressure of expertise and that there are many layers to the experience of wine appreciation.

Follow him on Instagram @WineCentricShow

Max sits down with Mike De Los Santos, popularly known as Mike D from Mike D's Barbecue in Durham. We get into Mike D's Dominican heritage, financial and operational challenges faced in the restaurant industry, and the art and science of barbecue-making. It's a blend of humor and seriousness, touching on community support, moral values, and the pursuit of culinary authenticity. Mike D employs a strategy to create standout barbecue sauces and dishes, his commitment to paying a living wage, and the importance of local support in the barbecue business.

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Chefs Dylan Cook from Fork Grove Barbecue and Jacques Larson of The Obstinate Daughter join the conversation, set on day three of Euphoria's Feast on the Field, explores their diverse culinary backgrounds—Dylan's roots in barbecue and his journey from a musician to a pitmaster, and Jacques's expertise in French and Italian cuisine. They discuss the influence of modern culinary trends, the impact of social media, and their passion for pushing culinary boundaries. Their discussion highlights the evolving food scene and the significance of collaborations and shared experiences in the industry. The podcast ends with a shout-out to visit their respective restaurants in South Carolina.

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Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay introduce Chef T from Union 41  in Bristol, Virginia, and Chef Sean from Noble Barbecue in Kingsport, Tennessee, recorded live at the Euphoria food festival in Greenville, South Carolina. Chef T discusses her innovative approach to Appalachian cuisine, incorporating elements from the Caribbean diaspora, particularly from St. Vincent. Highlights include discussions about her signature jerk chicken and famous fried chicken recipes, emphasizing the layers of flavors and the importance of execution. Chef Sean highlights the new Noble Barbecue location, emphasizing their creative use of bourbon barrels for tables and the high-end bourbon selection. Both chefs share their dedication to evolving their craft and maintaining continuity in the dynamic culinary world.

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Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay interview Chef Christian Hunter, partner chef at Atelier in Chicago. Christian shares his journey from Lexington, Kentucky to Chicago. He delves into his background, culinary philosophy, and experiences, including earning a Michelin star at Atelier. The discussion covers his use of local ingredients, innovative approaches to traditional dishes, and the importance of honoring food's cultural and historical roots. Christian also hints at his upcoming restaurant, Laverne's, named after his mother.

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Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay talk with Nikko Kagalanan, a Filipino chef from Charleston, South Carolina, who runs Kultura a unique pop-up restaurant with a minimalistic kitchen setup. Nikko shares his journey from the Philippines to Charleston, detailing his experiences working with renowned chefs and the creative challenges he faces due to the limited kitchen facilities. Despite the constraints, Nikko has garnered significant recognition, including being named an emerging chef by the James Beard Foundation. He also discusses his participation in the Euphoria festival, collaborating with Chef Dayna Lee from Comal 864 to create a Filipino-Mexican fusion dinner. The conversation highlights the importance of community-driven initiatives and the innovative spirit in the culinary world.

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Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay chat with Chef Michael Kramer, the owner of Gianna, recorded during the Euphoria festival in Greenville, South Carolina. We cover Kramer's extensive culinary background, including his time in California and work with Wolfgang Puck. Kramer shares insights into his transition to Greenville, the inspiration behind his newly released cookbook ‘Jianna,' and the simplicity of Italian cuisine. The conversation offers a glimpse into Kramer's passion for cycling, his approach to maintaining fresh and innovative restaurant menus, and the importance of authentic hospitality in the culinary world.

Get the cookbook Jianna Here

🚨BIG NEWS🚨 This is Matt Weiss’ last episode on the NC F&B Podcast. After 8 years and 500 episodes, Matt is moving on to explore new ventures. Look for his wine podcast coming soon. 

The NC F&B is hosted by Max Trujillo and will make some big changes in the new year… so for now, listen to Matt’s final episode, gear up for his new @winecentricshow, listen to Max’s new show Every Second Counts about The Bear TV Show (coming soon) and never forget to Eat & Drink Merrily!!!

Produced and edited by Max Trujillo of Trujillo Media