NC F&B Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"I'm gonna fry chicken the rest of my life" - James Beard Finalist Jamie Davis of The Hackney May 30, 2024

Show notes

Chef Jamie Davis, executive chef at The Hackney in Washington, NC recently found out he was a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best Chef Southeast, then he found out he was a finalist. What's next? We will find out on June 10 in Chicago for the James Beard Awards 2024.

Before then, Jamie shares his insights into his journey, from growing up in Jacksonville to his time in the military and eventually making his mark in the culinary world. We hit on the importance of acknowledging diversity in the culinary world while also hoping to get to a place where it doesn't matter anymore. We explore the significance of community, camaraderie, and visibility in the food industry, along with Davis's experiences in Iraq and the importance of supporting local farmers.

Let's cheer on Jamie and our other North Carolina JBF finalists as we venture to Chicago next week!

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

And welcome our newest sponsor Got To Be NC!

Moonbird & GOATZ - the latest, greatest spirits out of Raleigh, NC May 23, 2024

Show notes

We sit down with partners of Spirit of the Dao, Drew Schenck and Kevin Barrett, to discuss their newest venture into the spirits world: Moonbird Gin and Goatz Spiced Rum. Owners of the well-respected cocktail lounges across the state: Dram & Draught, have created an English dry gin and a Barbados spiced rum. Both have recently received top honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Double Gold & Gold respectively) and are headed for national distribution soon. Get an insight on to how their creations were thoughtfully planned out and executed with some of the top minds in the industry. We also are happy to announce that Dram & Draught will be our beverage sponsor for this year's BUBBLES & BRISKET event this June 8th! Get your tickets NOW!!!

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

And welcome our newest sponsor Got To Be NC!

BBQ, Bourbon, and Belly Laughs with Dave Williamson & Jesse Jones May 16, 2024

Show notes

In the first half of this week's episode, we explore the intersection of comedy and culinary culture, featuring comedians @davewcomedy & @bourbonshowdown who blend humor with a love for food and beverage, particularly barbecue and bourbon.

We shift for the second half with our newest sponsor of the podcast, @gottobeNC's own Chad Blackwelder to discuss the importance of why promoting local food makers across the state and fostering collaborations with chefs help to create a unique culinary industry.

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

And welcome our newest sponsor Got To Be NC!

Our Recap of Beaufort Wine & Food May 09, 2024

Show notes

We packed up the family wagon and headed to the coast to explore the Beaufort Wine and Food Festival, discussing wine, culinary delights, local seafood sustainability, oyster farming, and the festival's evolution.

Engage with wine experts like chef/sommelier, Doreen Colondres, learn about sourcing local seafood from Captain John Mallett of Southern Breeze Seafood, learning about the life of an 18 year old oyster farmer from Changing Tide Oyster Co, and steady guidance of the food industry from our very own Chad Blackwelder of Got to Be NC, our new sponsor to the show!

Max's wife of 19 years, Felicia Trujillo of Food Seen makes a cameo to help the conversation about what it takes to become wine certified through the WSET.

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

A History of Laurent Perrier Champagne May 02, 2024

Show notes

Delve into the enchanting world of champagne with Laurent-Perrier, through insightful discussions from the 4th generation of the family, Lucie Pereyre, about their rich history, dedication to quality, and innovative practices. Learn about the nuances of champagne-making, the importance of Grand Cru vineyards, and the company's commitment to excellence across generations. Joined by the President of Laurent Perrier US, Michelle DeFeo, discover the unique position of Laurent-Perrier in the market and the fascinating journey through time towards future champagne innovations.

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

The Private Lives of Private Club Owners - Durham's University Club Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

Jessica Lee and Kelly Santel met at the Club. Got married at the Club, and even had a child... at a hospital... c'mon, there's health regulations... and sometimes it simply doesn't work out. But sometimes, it actually turns into something beautiful in its own unique way.

Listen in to hear the ex-couple, but current business owners, detail their journey of running the University Club amidst a divorce, a pandemic, and coming together to co-parent their 2 children, their daughter, and The University Club.

We also delve into the Club's Chef Alejandro Uribe's culinary competition victory at Cooking for the Kids.

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

What You Don't Know About Italian Food, with Sysco's Chef Bennett DePew Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

Chef Bennett Depew, Director of Italian for Sysco of the Carolinas. The discussion covers the rising popularity of Italian cuisine in America, particularly in the Carolinas, and the evolution of Italian cooking from traditional dishes to novel ingredients like 'nduja and Taleggio cheese. Chef Bennett shares insights on how the Italian segment of the restaurant industry uniquely thrived during the pandemic due to the travel-friendly nature of Italian cuisine. They delve into how restaurants can maintain profitability amidst changing trends like gluten-free diets and the use of technology to streamline operations. The conversation also touches on the importance of work-life balance in the restaurant industry, the role of Cisco in supporting local businesses, and the benefits of utilizing technology and local sourcing to improve restaurant operations and menu offerings.

00:00 Welcome to the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast

00:49 Introducing Chef Bennett Depew: A Deep Dive into Italian Cuisine

01:13 The Evolution and Resilience of Italian Food in America

04:57 The Art and Zen of Pasta Making

10:32 Navigating the Business Side: From Chef to Cisco Specialist

16:40 The Journey to the 'Dark Side': Transitioning from Chef to Sales

22:45 Reflecting on the First Day and Sales Experiences

22:56 The Evolution of Work-Life Balance in the Restaurant Industry

24:02 Improving Quality of Life for Restaurant Workers

25:45 The Impact of Minimum Wage Laws on the Restaurant Industry

27:55 Rethinking Tipping and Sales Commissions in Restaurants

29:17 Leveraging Technology for Restaurant Efficiency

33:35 Exploring Italian Cooking Trends and Ingredients

39:10 The Significance of Local Sourcing and Cisco's Role

42:13 Big Business Supporting Small: A New Era of Convenience

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

What's Next for Top Chef Contestant Manny Barella Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

We chat with Chef Manny Barella, visiting from Denver, Colorado. Barella, a Top Chef contestant and renowned chef, discusses his culinary journey, the inspiration behind his cooking, and his excitement for participating in Bubbles and Brisket. Beyond sharing his experiences on Top Chef and his recent culinary experiments, Barella also reveals his upcoming venture in Raleigh, Jaguar Bolera, an entertainment-focused concept aiming to offer high-quality, scratch-made food. The conversation touches on Barella's diverse cooking influences, expectations for his new project, and the significance of his Top Chef fraternity. 01:41 Chef Manny's Brisket Adventures 03:07 Diving Into Top Chef: The Competition, Challenges, and Cheese Curds 10:14 Building a Brand and the Business Side of the Culinary World 11:45 Chef Manny's Top Chef Cheese Curd Challenge: A Learning Experience 18:31 From Mexico to Michelin: Chef Manny's Culinary Odyssey 26:59 Journey to a Dream Job: From Michelin Stars to Top Chef 29:00 The Birth of Jaguar Bolera: Elevating Entertainment Dining 37:37 Culinary Innovations: Blending Cultures and Flavors 41:52 Expanding Horizons: From Chef to Culinary Director 46:47 Top Chef Insights: Behind the Scenes and Future Collaborations 55:54 A New Chapter in Raleigh: Bringing Unique Dining Experiences

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at NCFBPOD and though this week is audio only, follow us on youtube at youtube.com/@ncfbpodcast

Get your tix to Bubbles & Bagels here

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Rising to the Top with Top Chef Contestant Savannah Miller Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

We are joined by a newly minted contestant on Top Chef from Durham, NC Savannah Miller. Max & Matt delve into Savannah's culinary journey, from her beginnings in Southern Pines and education at the New England Culinary Institute to her roles in various restaurants, including her current role at M Tempura. The conversation highlights her early interest in pastry, her move toward a broader culinary role, and her experiences with Top Chef — including the audition process, working under the scrutiny of cameras and judges, and the challenges and opportunities that come with being on the show. Additionally, the hosts discuss their upcoming event, Bubbles and Brisket, and extend an invitation to Savannah to participate. The episode also touches on potential career paths post-Top Chef, and Savannah shares her dreams of owning a business that encompasses a restaurant, events, and a commissary kitchen on a farm.

03:06 Savannah's Journey: From Southern Pines to Top Chef
15:09 A Deep Dive into Top Chef and Savannah's Journey on the Show
25:27 The Unique Experience of Filming Top Chef in Wisconsin
29:06 The Intense World of Cooking Competitions
30:10 The Evolution of Chef Caliber on Cooking Shows
37:17 The Impact of Reality TV on Personal and Professional Life
39:21 Dreams and Aspirations Post-Top Chef
51:13 Reflecting on the Top Chef Experience and Future Opportunities

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at NCFBPOD and though this week is audio only, follow us on youtube at youtube.com/@ncfbpodcast

Get your tix to Bubbles & Bagels here

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Feast of Wilmington (Part 4 of 4) Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

Lastly, we have a bonus episode that features the ladies of the NC F&B Podcast, that's right, Sarah C Weiss and Felicia Trujillo take over the microphones to show us how to do a proper interview, featuring the local and delicious Boombalattis Ice Cream owners, Kristen and Wes Bechtel.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at NCFBPOD and though this week is audio only, follow us on youtube at youtube.com/@ncfbpodcast

Get your tix to Bubbles & Bagels here

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here