NC F&B Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 83 - How to Start Your Own Distillery Feb 22, 2018

Show notes

Want to start your own distillery? The first step is to resolve to make at least one bottle of liquor, that's what the Pinetop Distillery team did. This is the story of how four neighbors with engineering backgrounds created a grain to glass distillery in Raleigh, NC.

In this episode Jon Keener and Grady Knight put the shine on Moonshine! They tell a classic story of, have you ever had one of those days at your job where you say to yourself "geez I wish I was doing something else?" We all have and the guys and gals behind Pinetop put "substance behind passion." At first everything was handmade and operated until they used some science savvy to automate a few things. Jon, Grady and the rest of the team put pen to paper, hashed out logistics and maximized strengths of each individual to create a genuinely successful Raleigh distillery that is currently producing 750 bottles per month, of high craft grain to glass liquor booze.

This episode will give you insight into the science and the art of distilling. Additionally, you will get a sense of how to organize a business successfully with buddies. Finally, you will also get a couple of cool cocktail ideas, "sip" back and enjoy.

Episode 82 - From Ski Bum to Chef... A Chef's Story Feb 15, 2018

Show notes

How does one fuse creative drive with practicality? How about be a ski bum for a few years then decide to go to culinary school?

Growing up, Sean's father made Golden Corral a successful national restaurant chain, but that didn't push Sean into restaurants. Sean worked restaurant jobs to support his skiing habit and after a few years realized he needed a steady job. He decided to go to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and hone his culinary skills there. While in New York City he worked at some notable establishments, most impressively, was the time he spent learning from Chef Eric Ripert at Le Bernadin.

After working at Le Bernadin and sharpening his technique, the call of home, North Carolina began to ring. Eventually, Sean used both practical and creative parts of his brain to run his own business. In order to learn how to become a business owner in North Carolina, Chef Sean worked his butt off at the Fearrington House for seven years; eventually he became the Catering Chef. During his time, Fowler met his wife Lizzie by wooing her with his culinary delights.

Lizzie and he were ready to strike out on his own when the Fowlers created Mandolin. The location for their new project serendipitously happened to be Sean's childhood stomping ground.

Since 2011, Mandolin has been a staple of the Raleigh farm to table culinary world. The Fowlers planted a farm in order to supply the restaurant with all sorts of produce. Mandolin is in elite company in the Triangle of North Carolina as one of the few restaurants to be awarded 4.5 stars from the News and Observer. Enjoy Chef Sean Fowler's song on his Mandolin...

Episode 81 - Being a Female Business Owner in the F&B Industry Feb 08, 2018

Show notes

Learn how to plan your life. Coleen Speaks has it all mapped out. Coleen knew that she wanted to live in New Orleans after high school so she found a university in New Orleans that would accept her and fit her needs. She knew accounting would be a major part of running a business so she decided to major in it in college. While in college she strategically decided that working front of the house at NOLA for Emeril Lagasse would be more knowledge she could bank for her own future business.

After New Orleans, Coleen intentionally went to a city that was on the rise as a culinary destination. Not only did Coleen move to Raleigh but also when she got here she worked for none other then Ashley Christensen, waiting tables at the cutting edge Enoteca Vin. While working at Enoteca she also began her catering business, oh and by the way she was five months pregnant!

Mrs. Speaks is the ultimate juggler however it's evident that when you love what you do, and you know where you want to go, you grow extra hands to juggle with. Coleen grew Posh Nosh catering from a small kitchen in her home to today where she has three businesses at the ultra-cool dock 1053 adjacent to downtown Raleigh. Three businesses aforementioned are Hummingbird Café, Posh Nosh Catering and the party venue for catering events Whitaker and Atlantic. Impressive would be an understatement in describing Coleen Speaks. I recommend that unless you are Kasparov; do not challenge this woman in chess!

Episode 80 - Blake Gotliffe of Under the Oak Farm Feb 01, 2018

Show notes

Blake Gotliffe doesn't stop. After Blake regained consciousness from a heroin overdose to find himself in his mother's arms and alive he regained control of his life. His near death experience was the catalyst for him to be able to juggle so many businesses and activities. Whether Blake is curing meat to end up at your next dinner party or perhaps on your sandwich order from Meats and Pickles, he doesn't stop. Blake might be pickling vegetables picked from his own garden so that he can use that in a future Under the Oak Farms dish. It doesn't end there as Blake might be helping his expecting wife Megan create a new icing for her I Do Cakes business or he might be reaching out to colleagues to help him out in a Roots For Reece charity dinner. At this juncture of the story you get the point, Blake Gotliffe is not only a tenacious worker but a talented and resourceful chef. Hear how darkness turns to light in this story of an addict revived!

Episode 79 - Chef Keith Rhodes of Catch Wilmington Jan 25, 2018

Show notes

"Cheap seafood ain't good & good seafood ain't cheap!" Listen to the silky tones of the Steward of North Carolina Aquaculture aka our original fan, Top Chef contestant Keith Rhodes explain that statement. Chef Keith walks the walk and talks the talk. He literally eats, breathes and sleeps (in that order by the way) the North Carolina food culture. Rare is it to find such humility, passion and sincere zeal for others' success, in such an accomplished chef.

Chef Keith Rhodes is a 3 time best chef Wilmington award winner and a James Beard Award nominee for best chef in the Southeast. Keith discuses the high level of work, dedication and focus it takes to be successful in the restaurant business. We delve into how a prospective chef should build their resume. We come to understand how the culinary culture has ethnically evolved in this country; thanks to television minorities can see chefs of the same ethnic background become successful in the culinary world, it becomes a "if you can see, I can be" mentality.

There are so many valuable lessons learned in this episode. Find chefs who go beyond cooking, their soul speaks to the community. Understand why it's important to eat local and support your neighbors. Finally, answer the question, are we experiencing a turning point in North Carolina food culture different from anything before? Listen and learn!

Episode 78 - Manna Wilmington & Billy Mellon Jan 18, 2018

Show notes

The future Mayor of Wilmington, North Carolina must be Billy Mellon. Billy is a driving force behind putting Wilmington on the culinary map. Manna is one of the culinary beacons of North Carolina, east of interstate 95. Thanks to his stick-to-itiveness, resiliency, innate sense of hospitality and his attention to detail, Manna is thriving.

In addition to building a restaurant, Billy shakes hands, kisses babies, finds up-and-coming musical acts and also directs the 40 Eats culinary collaborative. He literally does it all from helping to raise his son, curate the wine list, oh and now he's writing a book.

Billy is not only the future mayor of Wilmington but he is also the angel feeding the people "Manna" from heaven. Fascinating does not even begin to describe Billy; you will have to listen for the whole story. On top of everything, we learn what Ronnie James Dio means and the origin of Devil Horns. When I tell you this episode has it all, believe me.

Episode 77 - Pinpoint Wilmington Chefs Dean Neff & Lydia Clopton Jan 11, 2018

Show notes

Walk up the down staircase a few times in your life. Going in the opposite direction will give you perspective and give you insight into the minds of Dean Neff and Lydia Clopton. Dean and Lydia's journey took them from Athens, GA to Atlanta through Asheville, NC to finally settle on the coast in Wilmington, NC.

Some Chef's come in with pre-conceived notions of what a restaurant in going to be but not Dean and Lydia, they let the place and space dictate the menu. Some might say they listened to the waves. Pinpoint takes fresh and local ingredients and turns them into sophisticated yet crowd pleasing food. We learn how local catfish can be elevated into an ethereal dish and how roasted dandelion root can turn into delicious ice cream.

Dean Neff learned from the best such as Hugh Acheson and Jonathan Fleer, after fifteen plus years of world class tutelage Dean was ready for his own restaurant. With Lydia Clopton providing desserts to equal Dean's savory menu a gem of a restaurant was born right near the water in downtown Wilmington, NC.

CLICK FOR TICKETS TO 'PORK & RUM' JANUARY 28TH, 2018

Episode 76 - Want To Be Wealthy? Listen to Chef Ben Barker Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

Would you like to be wealthy?

Listen closely to Chef Ben Barker's wisdom and you will be rich with stories of humility, North Carolina history and family values. Chef Ben Barker is literally a living legend of NC, he has won the James Beard award for best chef in the southeast and has been nominated six times. His restaurant Magnolia Grill was the epicenter of North Carolina Cuisine for decades.

The coolest part of Ben's story goes beyond the man. Karen Barker, Ben's wife is also a James Beard award winner for Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2003. On top of all their success, the Barkers are still in the game as they are intimately involved in their son Gabe's restaurant Pizzeria Mercato.

Join us in Carrboro, NC where we sat down to chat with the Godfather of North Carolina fine dining.

Episode 75 - Charlie Deal of Jujube, Juju & Dos Perros Dec 28, 2017

Show notes

Charlie is quite a big Deal! Learn how one man, who could at times be perceived as curmudgeonly, is in fact a gregarious restaurateur. Charlie Deal is a chef, sommelier and innovator all wrapped up into one.

We covered everything in this episode. We learned why Charlie left the Golden State behind to move to North Carolina. Hear how he changes food to match the wine. Why there is too much sugar in most Asian food. We learned the art of the short list and how to cleverly buy close out wine deals. Listen to why Charlie is in love with Gamay. Oh yeah we also talked about virginity.

I told you this one has it all!

Episode 74 - Sommelier Jordan Salcito Dec 21, 2017

Show notes

Jordan Salcito is a woman possessed with success. Whether the task is staging at Restaurant Daniel for Daniel Boulud or working harvest in Burgundy for Alix de Montille she will achieve. Get this woman to a spin class in the morning and watch her run the world for the rest of the day.

Jordan joined us at Poole's Diner in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. Jordan was in NC to raise awareness for her creations Bellus wines and Ramona. While Jordan was here we took the opportunity to chat about what it's like to work for David Chang and be the Director of Wine and Special Projects for Momofuku restaurants. We also got behind the scenes of what it's like to sit for the Master Sommelier exam, be a mom and a somm and finally what High-Low means.

Listen to this episode to be inspired, awed and entertained. Jordan's story is one of endless energy and drive plus intelligence and charm. Forget TED Talks, sit down with Jordan for about an hour.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected