If you're a chef, you probably don't know Rakan. However, if you're a new restaurant owner it's very likely you do know Rakan. He's helped multiple restaurant owners achieve their dream of ownership and he's my latest guest on the podcast.

On July 1st, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will cease to exist. Which departments will pick up their responsibilities and who will take over restaurant inspections? That's why I've asked Derek underwood to join me. He's a Clemson grad, a huge fan of our state's fresh fruits and vegetables, and as the assistant commissioner of consumer safety, he's going to be the guy in charge of restaurant inspections. What does that mean for the restaurant owner or the dining public? Take a listen. 

What can be said about Carl Sobicinski that hasn't already been said? He's the proprietor of the most successful restaurant in Greenville and he's the brains behind the Table 301 Group which includes, past and present, Passerelle Bistro, The Lazy Goat, Nose Dive, Southern Pressed, Restaurant O, Jones Oyster Company, The Loft, and Table 301 Catering.  Carl joined me in the studio to discuss everything from his childhood to his faith. 

George Buell has a long and interesting background in Hospitality. He's owned a market, tended bar, managed bustling steakhouses and while in college, he managed the dining room of his Ivy League school. Today he helps people buy and sell restaurants through National Restaurant Properties.  If you've ever been tempted to be in the business, listen in then share with someone you'd partner with. 

As the Christmas holiday is up on us, I've gone outside of South Carolina for my guest and welcome to Laura Pauli, a private chef and certified sommelier in San Francisco, CA. Listen in as she discusses her time in Poland with World Central Kitchen and the visits she made to Ukraine. 

Mortal Wombat IPA. Do I have to say more? CJ Golobish is the brewmaster behind some of Greenville's most respected beers and he's a fascinating guy that's traveled the world, served in the US Marine Corps, and knows his beer and world history. Listen is as he and Jeremy Cody, the packaging manager of Liability, join me for an intriguing conversation and beer tasting. 

Erik Guzman has the restaurant business in his blood. The son of a chef, Erik spent time in the construction business before launching Cucho's Taco Grill  during the height of the pandemic. Listen in as John and Eric discuss the many challenges of opening and running a bustling restaurant. 

No sooner had Russia invaded Ukraine under false pretenses of exterminating Nazis, World Central Kitchen was there. They set up a kitchen inside a warehouse in Przemysl, Poland and set about feeding the refugees from Ukraine. In mid-March I spent ten days there and on May 1st I returned for a second tour, and this time I recorded short interviews with my fellow volunteers. I hope this compels you to consider volunteering with WCK and if you have any questions about this please feel free to reach out to me. 

You've read her essays on Greenville's food and beverage scene in Town Magazine, Spirit which is the magazine of Southwest Airlines, Tempus Magazine, 10Best.com, and USA Today. Prior to that Linda was the executive editor of Michelin's Red Guide of the US. Chefs across the country trembled at the prospect of being included in the Red Guide and it takes a battery of perfectionists to even attempt to achieve three stars. Listen in as Linda talks about meeting Chef Eric Ripert, lunch at Per Se, and a week joining a Michelin inspector team for lunch and dinner.

He's done an internship at The French Laundry, cooked at Greenville's favorite modern restaurant, Devereaux's, and is a graduate of Johnson & Wales Culinary. He also spent time as a GM of Chuck E. Cheese and those experiences taught him the secret of preparing for success. Listen in as Chef Brian and host John Malik talk about the many joys of cooking in the eldercare space.