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117. Hot Spot: Guillaume Thomas + Andrew Weir of Martingale Cognac Nov 20, 2024

Are you familiar with the three key tiers in Cognac production? These include the distillers, the grape growers, and those who age the eau-de-vie. In Cognac, it’s quite uncommon for a single brand to oversee every aspect of the process—growing grapes, distilling, and aging. However, our next guests are doing just that. Some might even say this challenger Cognac brand has been a century in the making.

Our next guests, Guillaume Thomas and Andrew Weir, co-founders of Martingale Cognac, are no strangers to the spirits industry. Guillaume spent nearly a decade at Pernod Ricard as Chief Financial Officer for North America. He also comes from a family that has been producing Cognac since 1920. Andrew, on the other hand, worked for William Grant & Sons and also held a leadership role at Pernod Ricard, spearheading Aberlour Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Despite their impressive pedigrees and deep industry knowledge, nothing quite prepares you for the challenges of start-up life—especially in a time as turbulent as this, and in a category that is navigating its own set of challenges. Guillaume’s family at Maison Thomas, who have been growing grapes, distilling, and aging Cognac since 1920, are no strangers to change. They’ve endured numerous economic and political storms over the last century.

And yet, despite their long history, they’ve never had their own brand—until now. Martingale, the French term for “doubling down,” perfectly embodies the vision of Guillaume, Andrew, and the entire team. They are doubling down on the Cognac category with an exciting new offering that strikes an exquisite balance of complexity and smoothness.

Learn more about Martingale Cognac:

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116. Debby Soo: OpenTable Reimagines Reservations Oct 30, 2024

Our next guest is on a mission to support restaurants and reclaim market share in a sector her company helped revolutionize 26 years ago. Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, the pioneering platform for restaurant reservations, founded in 1998 in San Francisco. Today, OpenTable remains the leader in online reservations as part of Booking Holdings Inc., but being the first and largest doesn’t automatically mean it’s the best.

Debby took the helm in 2020 during an extraordinarily challenging time for the restaurant industry, facing stiff competition and an evolving dining landscape. Over the years, platforms like Resy and Tock have gained traction, partnering with top-tier restaurants and renowned chefs, raising the bar for what reservation platforms can deliver.

Determined to reclaim OpenTable’s position, Debby and her team have embraced an ambitious, offense-driven approach, recently announcing a partnership with Visa to enhance their offerings. A recent article in The San Francisco Chronicle described OpenTable as “shedding its reputation as an old-guard.” Debby echoed this commitment, stating, “I want to make the best reservations system on the planet.”

In this episode, we’ll dive into her strategic vision, her perspective on innovation, and her plans for the future of OpenTable.

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115. Mauro Colagreco: The Next Era for Chefs Oct 16, 2024

Chef Mauro Colagreco has famously said, “We aren’t a restaurant with a garden, we are a garden with a restaurant.” He and his team are deeply committed to safeguarding the world’s culinary heritage, particularly through the preservation of biodiversity in both flora and fauna. This dedication has extended his role far beyond the kitchen and his numerous restaurants, positioning him as a global leader in sustainable gastronomy.

An Argentine-born chef, Mauro has embraced a philosophy of circular gastronomy that honors the natural cycles of the environment. He constantly challenges himself and his team to explore what it truly means to be a responsible chef in today’s world. His commitment to excellence is matched by a deep appreciation for the simplicity of life, making him a true citizen of the world.

Since 2006, Mauro and his family have called Menton, France—near the Italian border—home. It is here that he transformed Mirazur, a three-Michelin-star restaurant, into a globally celebrated culinary destination. Mirazur was named the Best Restaurant in the World in 2019 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants. Spanning five hectares, the restaurant embodies the philosophy of living in total harmony with nature.

In addition to Mirazur, Mauro now oversees more than 25 restaurants across the globe, including locations in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Palm Beach, and Buenos Aires. His influence extends beyond the kitchen; he has lectured at Harvard University on the cosmic influences of gastronomy and was appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity in 2022. Mauro also serves as Vice President of Relais & Châteaux, further exemplifying his commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.

In this episode, we delve into the evolving role of chefs and explore Mauro’s vision for how the responsibilities of chefs will continue to expand in the future.

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114. Hot Spot: Jon Yao + Ryan Bailey of Kato Sep 25, 2024

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Chef Jon Yao and Sommelier Ryan Bailey, co-owners of Kato, an Asian American restaurant that artfully explores the intersection of Los Angeles culture and the Asian diaspora.

Kato originally opened in a small Westside strip mall, operating in a space just one-quarter the size of its current location in Downtown LA. At that time, Jon was just 25 years old. Despite its modest beginnings, the team’s innovative approach earned them widespread recognition, including a Michelin star in 2019.

Two years ago, Kato transitioned into its larger downtown space, and has continued to thrive, retaining its Michelin star. This past June, Kato was honored with the Resy One to Watch Award at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024. Gabriel and our team was fortunate to witness this moment in Las Vegas as Chef Daniel Humm handed Jon and the team the award. As a friend and industry colleague, we couldn’t have been prouder—not just for them, but as fellow Angelenos.

This recognition not only highlights the exceptional work of the Kato team, but also shines a global spotlight on the dynamic and ever-evolving culinary scene in Los Angeles.

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113. David Leventhal: Living Playa Viva Aug 07, 2024

In January 2023, Gabriel traveled to the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico, in the state of Guerrero, to experience Playa Viva, an eco-luxury and regenerative boutique hotel founded by our next guest, David Leventhal, and his then-wife shortly after purchasing the land in 2006.

Playa Viva is situated at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains, just forty minutes from Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH). This unique hotel embodies the concept "where your vacation meets your values™," dedicated to a triple-bottom-line approach that benefits the planet, people, and prosperity. With 19 treehouse rooms spread across nearly a mile of private beach and 200 acres of nature reserve, guests enjoy "The Luxury of Immersion in Nature."

In 2023, Playa Viva achieved B-Corp Certification, becoming a world-leading example of experiential travel. The hotel offers an authentic, all-encompassing regenerative experience, combining wellness, action/adventure, excursions to unique places, and a commitment to restoring and regenerating the landscape and local communities.

David’s passion for sustainability also led him to co-found Regenerative Travel, a company that connects travelers with independent hotels deeply rooted in their communities, enabling people, nature, and culture to thrive. Think of it as a Relais & Châteaux for ultra-eco-conscious sustainable properties worldwide. (I’ll include a link in the show notes to explore it further.)

During my stay at Playa Viva, David and I discovered a shared love for building community and fostering genuine human connection—a mission David has successfully pursued since the inception of Playa Viva.

In this episode, you’ll hear more about Playa Viva’s core values and why they have recieved numerous accolades from prestigious publications like Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure Co., and Global Design News, which have elevated David and his team to a global stage.

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112. High Tea: Clay Williams Jul 29, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Clay Williams, Brooklyn-based James Beard Award-winning photographer.

Clay has been capturing and helping tell stories about food, hospitality, and the people and places that define our culture for more than 15 years. His work has appeared in the pages of Food & Wine, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and Travel + Leisure, as well as in cookbooks by Chef Kwame Onwuachi and Atlanta chef Todd Richards.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️New stage in where hospitality is going

☑️Storytelling through food

☑️Hospitality if ready to move out of survival mode

☑️A snapshot of Philadelphia based culinary creatives and doing it their way

☑️Fusion food is American food

☑️Clay’s unique creative approach to capturing content

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111. High Tea: Adam Teeter Jul 22, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Adam Teeter, New York-based Co-founder and CEO of VinePair.

Adam and Josh Malin Co-founded VinePair ten years ago and together they’ve grown the platform into the largest multi-media publication about wine, beer and spirits in America, reaching almost 40 million people a month.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Remake the industry in a new image

☑️Journalism through the lens of the glass

☑️Educating the next generation

☑️How drinks culture has shifted over the past 10 years

☑️Cocktail culture is dominating

☑️Rise of the celeb bartenders

☑️Challenges ahead for Somm’s and Wine Directors

☑️What does the VinePair data tell us?

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110. Hot Spot: Ian Burrell + Aaisha Dadral of Equiano Rum Jul 17, 2024

Our next guests are Ian Burrell and Aaisha Dadral, Co-founders of The Equiano Rum Company, creators of the world’s first African and Caribbean rums. This pioneering venture not only celebrates the rich heritage of rum but also champions the values of freedom and equality, inspired by the legendary figure Olaudah Equiano.

Ian, known globally as the Rum Ambassador, has spent decades entertaining and educating audiences about the diverse and exhilarating world of rum. He is the visionary behind The UK RumFest, which has inspired a wave of similar festivals worldwide. Ian is one of the most traveled and respected figures in the rum industry, known for his passion and deep knowledge of the craft.

Aaisha, a branding and marketing executive, began her illustrious career in the music industry with major record labels like Island Records, Mercury/Def Jam Records, and Levels Entertainment. She is also the founder of Crave, a brand studio that showcases her innovative approach to branding and marketing. Her expertise has been instrumental in shaping Equiano Rum’s distinctive identity and global appeal.

Together with their partner Amanda, Ian and Aaisha have set out to make a significant impact not only in the rum category but in the global spirits industry. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable journey of Olaudah Equiano—from slavery to freedom—they have introduced the world’s first African and Caribbean rum. This unique blend not only pays homage to Equiano’s legacy but also contributes a percentage of the profits to organizations dedicated to freedom and equality annually.

The story of Equiano Rum is not just about producing exceptional spirits; it’s about creating a brand that embodies resilience, liberation, and a commitment to positive change. This ethos resonates deeply with those who believe in the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of honoring cultural heritage while driving social progress.

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109. High Tea: Matthew Kaner Jul 15, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Matthew Kaner, Los Angeles-based sommelier, wine educator, correspondent and consultant.

Matthew is the wine correspondent for Men's Journal which garners 12,000,000 unique monthly views. He’s also the Owner of “Will Travel For Wine Consulting” and literally will travel anywhere and everywhere on the globe for wine and food experiences. Matthew was named one of the Sommeliers of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine and in 2019 Wine Enthusiast named him on the 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list among numerous other accolades.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️You can’t just be good anymore!

☑️Finding people who know the best times are ahead of us

☑️Find way to be comfortable in the uncomfortable

☑️Staying relevant and keeping up with culture

☑️Article, “I know how to save the wine industry”

☑️Make memories with friends a family

☑️The wine Matthew wants to bring to the world

Articles by Matthew Kaner:

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108. High Tea: Rita Jammet Jul 08, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Rita Jammet, New York-based restaurateur, hospitality advisor and Founder of La Caravelle Champagne.

Rita and her husband André owned and operated the iconic New York French restaurant, La Caravelle. The New York Times described La Caravelle as a “French Legend and a Paris in Manhattan experience to food enthusiasts and the A-list of American society.”

After closing La Caravelle restaurant in 2004, Rita started to market and distribute La Caravelle Champagne available in a number of distinguished New York hospitality, restaurant and retail establishments.

An avid Champagne lover, Rita promotes not only her champagne but the Champagne region and wines in general. In recognition for her services to the food, wine and hospitality worlds, Rita was recently bestowed the Order of Agricultural Merit by France’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Simply put, Rita is apart of the social and cultural fabric of New York’s dining scene, a who’s who if you will of New York’s hospitality elite. But more important than that, Rita has a true love for people and hospitality and is actively building community and supporting her industry friends, colleagues and the next generation.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️The joy of hospitality

☑️More positivity and support in the industry

☑️Jamal James Kent Memorial / Celebration of life

☑️The next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals

☑️Rita’s lessons and learning from the restaurant business

☑️La Caravelle Champagne Relaunch (“Champagne is magic!”)

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107. Jhonatan Cano: Adventures Of A Gourmand Jul 03, 2024

Our next guest bathes throughout the year in an energy of potential and is constantly on a journey of exploration and discovery.

Meet Jhonatan Cano, restaurateur, travel enthusiast, and global citizen. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Jhonatan always had a deep yearning to discover the world. He began his career in award-winning hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, and Conrad Hotel. Later, he joined José Andrés and the ThinkFoodGroup as an integral team member of the flagship Minibar and Barmini.

Jhonatan is now a Partner and Director of Operations for Hive Hospitality, alongside celebrated chef Ryan Ratino. Chef Ratino is best known for Bresca, a one Michelin-starred bistro, and Jônt, a 17-seat intimate dining experience with a strong Japanese influence, holding two Michelin stars in Washington, D.C.

In addition to his role and influence at Hive Hospitality and their growing portfolio of restaurants, Jhonatan is well-known for his travels and passion for fine dining.

He regularly travels across the globe for 48 to 72 hours to experience the best restaurants in the world. Jhonatan has visited all 50 of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, all three Michelin-starred restaurants in the U.S., 83 three Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide, and over 40 countries and counting. As you’ll hear Jhonatan discuss, it's more than just food; it’s an emotive and therapeutic experience for him.

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106. High Tea: Bill Esparza Jul 01, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Bill Esparza, Los Angeles-based James Beard Award winning writer and author of LA Mexicano.

Bill is a leading authority on Latin American cuisine as a freelance writer for publications such as New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Eater; he’s also appeared on several food television programs.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Travel always inspires him to discover more

☑️Afro-Mexican cuisine of Oaxaca

☑️”The indigenous-exchange”

☑️Brief history of Afro-Mexican people

☑️Evolution of Mexican cuisine in Los Angeles

☑️Los Angeles is the 2nd largest Oaxacan city on earth

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105. High Tea: Esther Tseng Jun 24, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Esther Tseng, Los Angeles-based food, drinks and culture writer.

Esther is an Academy Chair of the USA West region for The World’s 50 Best Bars and has served as judge for the James Beard Foundation. She has contributed to numerous publications like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Eater, Civil Eats, Saveur, Resy, VICE, Time Out and many more.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Esther’s recent tasting menu experiences

☑️National Geographic walking guide of Los Angeles

☑️Culver City itinerary, starting at Jordan Kahn’s Destroyer

☑️How to be a good diner and respectable guest?

☑️Are the days of, “the customer is always right over?”

☑️Celebrity restaurants

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104. Daniel Johnnes: America's Pioneering Sommelier Jun 19, 2024

Daniel Johnnes, truly needs no introduction. He is a luminary in the wine industry, renowned for his leadership and community-building efforts. As one of America’s pioneering sommeliers—one of our forefathers in the field, if you will—Daniel has dedicated decades to mentoring and educating the next generation of wine professionals.

Daniel is the visionary founder of several prestigious wine events and initiatives. He established La Paulée, an annual celebration inspired by the traditional Burgundian harvest festival, which brings together top winemakers and wine lovers from around the world. He also co-founded La Fête du Champagne with Peter Liem, a celebration dedicated to the wines of Champagne, showcasing the region's finest producers. Additionally, Daniel created La Tablée, another esteemed event that honors the rich culinary and wine traditions of France.

Beyond these festivals, Daniel is the founder of Pressoir, a unique organization that hosts exclusive wine events and tastings, offering unparalleled experiences for wine enthusiasts. In his role as Corporate Wine Director for the renowned Chef Daniel Boulud, Daniel oversees the wine programs across Boulud's acclaimed restaurants, ensuring exceptional wine pairings and selections.

Daniel's contributions to the wine world have earned him numerous accolades. He is a three-time James Beard Award winner, a testament to his excellence and influence in the industry. Moreover, he has received several prestigious awards from the French government, recognizing his dedication to promoting French wines and culture. Listen, learn and enjoy from Daniel Johnnes!

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103. High Tea: Mike Jordan Jun 17, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Mike Jordan, Atlanta-based journalist and Senior Editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

As Senior Editor, Mike leads the media brand “UATL,” which focuses on Black culture. Just last week, Mike won the James Beard Foundation’s 2024 Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award for coverage of Atlanta. He’s also an executive board member for the Atlanta Press Club. His work has been featured in National Geographic, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Southern Living, and other national and international publications.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Mike’s love for Atlanta

☑️The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, UATL - Black Cultural Coverage

☑️Winner of the Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award 2024

☑️Why is Atlanta misunderstood?

☑️The depth of Atlanta’s culinary scene on Buford Highway

☑️2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta

☑️Not having a segregated dining scene in Atlanta

☑️The Michelin Guide in Atlanta

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102. High Tea: Xanthe Clay Jun 10, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Xanthe Clay, UK-based chef and food writer with 25 years of experience as a Telegraph columnist.

For the past 11 years Xanthe’s been The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy Chair for UK and Ireland. At the Telegraph she provides guidance on everything from roasting a Christmas turkey to baking the perfect loaf of bread. She’s also focused on taking a deep-dive into topical issues such as ultra processed foods, ethical farming and sustainability.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Chef’s are more connected to where food comes from

☑️Importance of Regenerative Agriculture

☑️The ripple effect and influence of fine dining

☑️The World’s 50 Best Restaurants platform builds community

☑️Restaurants taking care of staff and valuing staff

☑️50 Best Talks in Las Vegas

☑️More casual restaurants on future lists (Xanthe's hope)

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The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024:

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101. Hot Spot: Jordan Kahn of VESPERTINE Jun 05, 2024

As the Beatles sang in their 1967 hit, “All You Need is Love,” they weren't just referring to the love of another but also the love of oneself. Our next Hot Spot guest, Chef Jordan Kahn, is writing a new chapter in his career, focused on redefining success and joy through love.

Jordan honed his skills under culinary icons like Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, and Michael Mina. He has been at the forefront of LA’s culinary scene with his restaurants—Destroyer, an informal daytime spot serving sophisticated, wholesome fare; Meteora, a transporting, holistic restaurant focusing on live-fire cooking that opened in 2022; and the recently reopened Vespertine, his extravagant experiment in fine dining that closed for the greater part of three years.

Vespertine’s previous accolades include two Michelin stars from 2019 to 2021, recognition as one of the Most Beautiful Restaurants by Condé Nast, and a spot on Time Magazine’s prestigious list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places.

Despite the awards, accolades, and so-called success, Jordan felt depleted and undernourished by his work. The pandemic, although devastating to the industry, also allowed him to slow down, find balance and meet the love of his life. His wife Zara has had a tremendous influence on him, helping him move "from the head to the heart" in both his creative culinary pursuits and in life in general.

Learn more about VESPERTINE:

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100. High Tea: Cláudia de Brito Jun 03, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Cláudia de Brito, Dubai-based journalist, host, moderator and content creator.

Born to Portuguese-Cape Verdean parents in Singapore, raised in Dubai and educated in London, Cláudia’s depth of experience and global perspective has helped her cover hospitality and travel for over a decade. She’s was the Editor of several publications including Caterer Middle East and Hotelier Middle East. In 2021, she was appointed Gulf Academy chair for MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants and is now also a Middle East Academy Chair for World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️The Worlds 50 Best Restaurant 2024, Las Vegas

☑️MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy Chair

☑️Champions of Change Award 2023 | Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen of Amal in Marrakech, Morocco

☑️Dubai’s current culinary scene

☑️What defines Middle Eastern hospitality?

☑️Where her chef friends are eating in Dubai

☑️Dubai as a culinary destination!

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99. High Tea: Kayla Stewart May 27, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Kayla Stewart, Houston-and-NY-based food and travel journalist, cookbook author and Editor of Eater Houston.

Kayla’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Eater, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, and others. Her piece, “The Sweetest Harvest,” won the 2023 James Beard Foundation Profile Award, and her story, “Teach a Man to Fish,” will be anthologized in the 2023 edition of Best American Food Writing. She’s currently working on a cookbook with Chef Christopher Williams about Black cuisine in Texas for Ten Speed Press.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Cultural applications to timeless American classics

☑️Cultural convergence in the dining scene

☑️Food and dining is changing. Tastes are changing

☑️American food has always been impacted by immigrants

☑️Generation of diners who want to know where their food is from

☑️Eater Houston working on coverage with Latino and Asian communities

☑️Cookbook about w/ Chef Christopher Williams

☑️Thoughts on future of storytelling in food

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98. Deuki Hong + Matt Rodbard: Koreaworld May 22, 2024

When was the last time you ate Korean food at your local Koreatown, enjoyed a K-drama on your favorite streaming service, or flipped open TikTok to a viral sensation soundtracked by a famous K-pop band? Have you noticed the impact of Korean cuisine and culture on our world? Maybe you're noticing it now, or perhaps you're already a citizen of Koreaworld, deeply connected to the culture.

Our next two guests, Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard, are true citizens of Koreaworld—global ambassadors with a deep love, passion, and appreciation for Korean food and culture. Their recent book, titled Koreaworld: A Cookbook, encapsulates this passion with over two years of travel specifically for this book and close to a decade of exploration.

Deuki is a Korean-American executive chef and owner of The Sunday Family Hospitality Group in San Francisco. Matt is a writer, editor, and author of food and culture books with more than two decades of experience. He's also the co-host of This Is Taste podcast. Together, 10 years ago, Deuki and Matt co-authored the New York Times Bestseller Koreatown: A Cookbook.

As they both witnessed the continued influence and impact of Korean culture worldwide, they were compelled to follow up their first book with Koreaworld: a story about vibrant people, community, and brilliant recipes. You're about to listen to the story of a culinary revolution.

Learn more about Koreaworld: A Cookbook:

https://bit.ly/3WQUcgv

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https://bit.ly/4bQHz99

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97. High Tea: Prairie Rose May 20, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Prairie Rose, Los Angeles-based journalist, trained sommelier, cocktail book author, and wine and spirits educator.

Prairie is Food & Wine's senior drinks editor and also the senior editor of Liquor.com. In addition to Food & Wine, her work has been featured in The Whiskey Wash, Forbes, Men's Health, Self Magazine, and Design Sponge, among others. She is the author of the book Mixology for Beginners: Innovative Craft Cocktails for the Home Bartender.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️New move to Senior Drinks Editor, Food & Wine

☑️Ability to reach a broader audience, more culinary focused audience

☑️Exploration of non-alcoholic, teas, kombuchas, etc.

☑️Celebrity booze brands..finally some transparency

☑️The experts behind these “Celeb brands”

☑️How do we stay excited about beverage storytelling?

☑️What are we drinking summer 2024?

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96. High Tea: June Kim May 13, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with June Kim, Los Angeles-based food media executive and Head of Video for Bon Appétit and Epicurious.

As Head of Video, June oversees numerous shows and series highlighting compelling chefs and restaurants, delicious recipes from their test kitchen, and other food and beverage culture formats that help bring Bon Appétit and Epicurious to life on screen. June and her team were recently nominated for two James Beard Awards, for their shows, On The Line and Street Eats, which are available on the BA website and YouTube.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Video and the world of storytelling

☑️Reinventing or redifining American cuisine

☑️Bringing BA to a more international audience

☑️Finding the talents in these international markets

☑️Street Eats with Lucas Sin

☑️Exploration of India and Mexico

☑️June loves the show, “The Bear”

☑️Pulling inspiration from Tik Tok

☑️Two James Beard Noiminations

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95. Dan Barber: Chefs Can Save Our Planet May 08, 2024

This is an episode rerelease from our On The Pass archives. We hope you enjoy!

Can chefs step up and takeover our broken food system? Chef Dan Barber thinks they can and should. Dan is the Co-owner of Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, author of The New York Times Bestseller "The Third Plate", and Co-Founder of Row 7 Seeds, a company developing and exploring new varieties of vegetables and grains.

We dissect today’s broken food system and take a deeper look at the current state of our farms, how the seeds today have been modified for high yield rather than grown for nutrition, and how his company Row 7 Seeds is looking to combat that by breeding organic seeds that result in maximum nutrition and flavor.

Dan is someone who is deeply committed to the concept that better ingredients means better health for ourselves and for our lands. He also is adamant that chefs can be the vehicle to help change our world. Honest, open, and quite the conversationalist, this episode is not to be missed.

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https://bit.ly/3UPgL3v

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94. High Tea: Kat Odell May 06, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Kat Odell, Brooklyn-based food and travel journalist.

Kat is the author of Unicorn Food and Day Drinking and is a TasteHunter for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and 50 Best Bars. She’s been published in Vogue, New York Times’, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Bloomberg and Michelin Guide to name a few. As a creative consultant, she also advises numerous companies on their culinary strategy.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️New Openings — César Ramirez

☑️10 seat sushi counter called Sendo — Sushi Namba

☑️Omakase 5 Day Pop-up

☑️Mike + Kat looking at next concept to create

☑️Kat's love and passion for Japanese food and culture

☑️Sip&Guzzle (West Village NYC)

☑️The power of hospitality and human capital

☑️New York is the gold standard for high end sushi experiences

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93. High Tea: Dev Reed Apr 29, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Devin Reed, Los Angeles-based Sommelier, wine consultant and creator of Wine and Culture LA.

As producer and host of Wine & Culture LA, a content series and moment he created for the culture and enjoyment of wine, Dev sits down with notable guests like Cedric the Entertainer, Maverick Carter who’s (LeBron James’ business partner) and Neil brown Jr, who you’ll know from Issa Rae’s HBO series, Insecure, and many others.

Dev also works with La Fête Rose, which is the only minority-owned Rosé in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez in the South of France. He’s been featured in Wine Spectator, Shoutout LA, Entertainment Weekly, Decanter, and others.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Wine is having its moment

☑️Just jump into the wine space. Get involved

☑️Dev’s show, Wine and Culture LA

☑️Season 3 of Wine and Culture LA…Tune in!

☑️His goal is to introduce everyone to the secret society of wine

☑️Wine Wine Wine by Dev The Somm

☑️There is always more to learn in wine. Dev goes to Robert Vardanian when he has tough questions!

Learn more about Dev Reed and Wine and Culture LA:

https://bit.ly/3UElVOP

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https://bit.ly/3xXmawv

Listen to his song "Wine Wine Wine" by Dev The Somm:

https://bit.ly/3WiQDPE

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92. Edoardo Tonolli: The Art of Gelato Apr 24, 2024

What could be better than enjoying gelato with friends on a warm evening? It's a simple pleasure that captures life's essence. But what sets apart a truly great gelato?

Meet Edoardo Tonolli, the Co-founder and CEO of Bacio di Latte, a Gelateria dedicated to crafting the world's finest gelato and spreading joy to every customer.

"Bacio di latte" translates to "kiss of milk" in English, embodying their belief that while any ingredient can make a gelato, it takes something special to create a Bacio di Latte experience. Once you taste it, you'll understand the truth in this statement.

Edoardo's journey began in Milan, where his love for gelato blossomed during frequent gatherings with family and friends. After completing his degree, he ventured across the Atlantic and volunteered at a hospital in northern Brazil. Along the way, he noticed a scarcity of gelato shops in Sao Paulo. His passion for gelato collided with the opportunity to make his mark in Brazil.

In 2011, Edoardo realized his vision by establishing a premium Gelateria in Sao Paulo. Today, Bacio di Latte boasts nearly 180 locations in Brazil and four stores in Southern California, with plans for expansion in the coming months. This is a story inspired by Italy, perfected in Brazil, and now leaving its mark on Southern California.

Learn more about Bacio di Latte:

https://bit.ly/3wh6mUN

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91. High Tea: Kristen Hawley Apr 22, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Kristen Hawley, San Francisco-based journalist and Founder of Expedite, a newsletter about restaurant technology and the future of hospitality.

For the last decade Kristen has been at the forefront offering pragmatic coverage and sharp analysis of the technology that’s changing our relationship with restaurants.

Her writing has appeared in Bon Appetit, Insider, Food & Wine, Eater, Robb Report, the San Francisco Chronicle, and many more.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️People caring how restaurants work

☑️Her work and focus is adding a layer of understanding to how these businesses function

☑️Fast Company Most Innovative In Dining 2024

☑️Wonder — a new food hall partnering with chefs

☑️Zume, the start-up flop who was supposed to revolutionize the food system (Soft Bank funded)

☑️Sign up for Expedite Newsletter (link in show notes)

Learn more about Kristen Hawley and Expedite Newsletter:

https://bit.ly/3U8XwQY

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90. High Tea: Dana Cowin Apr 15, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Dana Cowin, New York-based food-obsessed journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine.

Dana is an award-winning editor, author, podcast host, TEDx speaker and facilitator who creates change through food, gathering, conversation and community.

She believes in the power of food to bring joy, connection and transformation and is doing all of this with her new platform, Progressive Hedonist. A Progressive Hedonist is a person whose sense of enjoyment is amplified when their actions also help heal the planet.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Farmers evolving climate resilient crops

☑️More delivery options

☑️Progressive Hedonist launch event + upcoming collaboration events

☑️Farm-House French 75 w/ Anytime Spritz (Regenerative Organic)

☑️Good Food Awards 2024

☑️The work and mission of Progressive Hedonist

☑️5 Principles of Progressive Hedonist

☑️What most surprised Dana about food over the last few decades

Learn more about Dana Cowin and Progressive Hedonist:

https://bit.ly/3Q25Z7g

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89. Hot Spot: Ari Heckman + Xavier Donnelly of ASH NYC Apr 10, 2024

Step into a world where every hotel feels like a scene from a captivating movie, with you as the supporting cast member. Join us as we delve into the visionary minds behind Ash NYC, a trailblazing design firm and hotelier known for crafting unforgettable experiences in the boutique hospitality realm.

Meet Ari Heckman, the Co-founder and CEO, and Xavier Donnelly, the Creative Director, leading Ash NYC. Their portfolio boasts iconic projects like the enchanting Hotel Peter & Paul in New Orleans, the stylish Dean in Providence, Rhode Island, the alluring Siren in Detroit, and the forthcoming Shenandoah Mansions in Richmond, Virginia, set to open this fall.

For Ash NYC, hotels are not just places to stay; they are cinematic fantasies waiting to be explored. Each property is a meticulously curated world, inviting guests to embark on an immersive journey of discovery. Through their work, they breathe new life into forgotten spaces, transforming them into vibrant cultural hubs that redefine the essence of a city.

Welcome to the world of ASH NYC—a place where every stay, every play, and every moment promises a new adventure.

Learn more about ASH NYC:

https://bit.ly/43UxwNN

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https://bit.ly/3JguhXv

Explore ASH Souvenirs:

https://bit.ly/3xwjJ3U

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88. High Tea: Mike Traud Apr 08, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Mike Traud, Philadelphia-based lawyer-turned-chef-turned-university instructor and Founder and Executive Director of The Chef Conference.

Mike founded The Chef conference in 2013 in partnership with Drexel University. It has evolved to become its own entity still lead by the vision and leadership of Mike.

The Chef Conference is set to kick off in Philadelphia from April 12th - 15th, serving up opportunities for both hospitality professionals and food lovers to eat, drink and share their passion for the culinary arts via a sweet of engaging programing, for example, live talks, tastings, special collaboration dinners, podcasts recordings and more.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Willingness to engage in dialogue

☑️Provide a space for necessary conversation

☑️The Chef Conference 2024

☑️Alain Ducasse Book Discussion

☑️Beauty in the accessibility

☑️2024 Programming

☑️How The Chef Conference evolves

Learn more about The Chef Conference:

https://bit.ly/3vFSWl7

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87. High Tea: Marian Cheng Apr 01, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Marian Cheng, New York-based restaurateur and food and travel enthusiast.

Marian is the Co-founder of Mimi Cheng’s along with her sister Hannah. Over the last decade they have become a celebrated New York staple, beloved for their casual counter service restaurants serving fresh heritage Taiwanese dumplings and creative monthly specials and collaborations.

Mimi Cheng’s has locations in East Village, Upper West Side and Brooklyn. Marian has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 and Zagat 30 Under 30 among many others.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Highlights from Natural Products Expo West 2024

☑️Founder's community rooted in support and mentorship

☑️Mimi Cheng's celebrating 10 years this July

☑️New Mimi Cheng's frozen dumpling venture

☑️Monthly specials and collaborations

☑️Mimi Cheng's growth in 2024

Learn more about Mimi Cheng's:

https://bit.ly/49j3B2L

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86. Alberto Landgraf: Where Talent Meets Perseverance Mar 27, 2024

Brazil stands out as one of the world's most diverse countries, deeply influenced by global cultures. Its rich tapestry of art, music, dance, architecture, and, notably, cuisine has left a lasting mark on the global stage. Within this vibrant landscape emerges a new wave of Brazilian creatives, eager to showcase the nation's present while honoring its storied past.

Among these individuals is Chef Alberto Landgraf, a luminary in the culinary world with accolades like Two Michelin stars and recognition in the prestigious World's 50 Best Restaurants list for Oteque in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. His mission? To illuminate the trajectory of Brazilian cuisine on a global scale.

Alberto's culinary journey began in London during the early 2000s, where he honed his skills alongside renowned chefs like Tom Aiken and Gordon Ramsay. Returning to Brazil, he made waves with his first restaurant, Epice, in São Paulo, earning critical acclaim including a coveted Michelin star.

In 2018, Alberto made a pivotal move to Rio and unveiled Oteque, drawing inspiration not from his Japanese heritage in ingredients but in ethos: embracing simplicity and meticulous technique. A true global citizen, he traverses the globe for collaboration dinners with culinary icons, yet always remains rooted in his Brazilian heritage, ensuring that his creations resonate with the soul of Brazil.

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https://bit.ly/3TS7Cqx

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85. High Tea: Dana Beninati Mar 25, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Dana Beninati, New York-based chef, instructor, writer and third level sommelier.

Dana has traveled the world cooking and competing in different kitchens and holds an M.B.A. in management and hospitality from Cornell University. She spent 6 years at The Food Network as their supervising culinary director and is an instructor at Sommelier Society of America, a judge for StarChef’s SommSlam and serves on the board of the Food Education Fund. She’s been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Forbes, HGTV, and the Wall Street Journal.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Celebrating Women’s History Month

☑️Women in the wine industry (Kristin Olszewski, CEO of Nomadica)

☑️Sindyanna of Galilee, The Taste of Fair Trade

☑️Teaching the next generation

☑️Pairing, “One elevates the other”

☑️Science of flavor combinations

Learn more about Dana:

https://bit.ly/4a68WeV

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84. High Tea: Eddie Zamora Mar 18, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Eddie Zamora, Los Angeles-based host, home chef and brand ambassador.

Eddie is the creator of TheYUMYUMFoodie, a blog and social platform to share all his numerous culinary explorations and travels. He’s also an amazon TV host, west coast ambassador to Havana Club and host of Kill The Bottle, a podcast that dives into his love for food and travel.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️His love for Spain

☑️Basque Country wine region (Txakoli)

☑️Ribera del Duero (Spanish Wine Region)

☑️Exploring cocktail culture

☑️Vila Viniteca Barcelona, Spain

☑️Opportunity to shift your mindset

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83. Kanchan Koya: Culinary Medicine Of Spices Mar 13, 2024

If you've been a long-time listener to our podcast, you're aware of the strong connection between flavor and nutrient density. Episodes such as Dan Barber's delve deep into this correlation, underscoring the significance of quality ingredients and our interconnectedness with the environment and one another.

Our upcoming guest, Kanchan Koya, is dedicated to helping us lead healthier, more vibrant lives. With a background as a chef and nutrition coach trained at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, she's also the author of "Spice Spice Baby," hosts the Radical Vitality podcast, and holds a PhD in Biomedicine from Harvard University.

Having grown up in India, where spices are integral to cuisine and Ayurvedic wisdom is deeply rooted, Kanchan was exposed to these teachings from a young age. However, it wasn't until later in life that she truly grasped their significance.

Kanchan is at the forefront of advocating for spices as not only flavor enhancers but also as crucial elements of preventive medicine. Supported by compelling scientific research, she remains optimistic about their long-term health benefits, as well as their potential to broaden our palates and enrich our culinary experiences.

Discover more about REPÚBLICA DEL CACAO:

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https://bit.ly/3IC7qoW

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82. High Tea: Andy Wang Mar 11, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Andy Wang, Los Angeles-based freelance journalist with well over a decade's experience covering food, dining, bars, and travel.

Andy writes for such publications as Food & Wine, Los Angeles Magazine, Zagat, and Robb Report. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, Taste, Observer, Epicurious and Ocean Drive.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Food is a bigger part of cultural moments

☑️Carbone Beach coming back to F1 weekend

☑️South Beach Food and Wine

☑️Miami’s continued momentum

☑️Chef Niven Patel’s ERBA

☑️How things continue to evolve

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81. High Tea: Jean Trinh Mar 04, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Jean Trinh, reporter who writes about food and culture based in Los Angeles.

Jean is deeply passionate about and specializes in uncovering stories that look into the communities, cultures, people, and history behind food. She’s been published in outlets like Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, The Washington Post, Eater, and WIRED.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Passion, survival and resilience

☑️Continue to uplift voices who don’t usually get access to media

☑️Cali Tardka

☑️Nonprofit, No Us Without You

☑️Prosperity Market - above and beyond for comunities

☑️Jean's Memoir

Learn more about Jean Trinh:

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80. Hot Spot: Pietro Brembilla of Sogno Toscano Feb 28, 2024

Imagine a picturesque Italian countryside stretching from the coast, adorned with vineyards cascading down hillsides, lush with cypress trees, and iconic architecture evoking a simpler era, all the while, wild birds gracefully dance through the air. It's the epitome of a dream, isn't it? Well, it's more than just a dream—it's the essence of Tuscany, the inspiration behind our next guest's journey.

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Pietro Brembilla, the Co-founder and CEO of Sogno Toscano, which translates to "Tuscan Dream." Sogno Toscano is a premier single Italian brand distributor, bringing the authentic taste of Italy to America. Their extensive range of product offerings spans fresh and genuine Italian meats, cheeses, pastas, beans, sweets, and, naturally, oils. Supplying to some of the finest chefs and restaurants across America, they also extend their reach to households nationwide through SognoToscano.com.

Pietro and his co-founder, Brian Persico, share a lifelong bond forged amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Tuscany. Their formative years, spent immersed in the region's natural splendor, galloping through vineyards on horseback, and savoring the finest ingredients Italy has to offer, not only cemented their friendship, but also laid the groundwork for the realization of the Sogno Toscano dream.

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https://bit.ly/3TeoCXz

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79. High Tea: Victoire Loup Feb 26, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Victoire Loup, food critic, culinary consultant and cookbook author based between Los Angeles and Paris.

Victoire writes for the Michelin Guide and Le Fooding, a print and digital guide to discover the best of France and has also appeared as a guest judge on several TV shows. She’s been featured in the LA Times, Bon Appetit, Vogue, and Vanity Fair for her expertise in food and Since 2020, she’s published six cookbooks.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Expanding dry January

☑️Non-alcoholic pairing at Kato Restaurant

☑️Her best selling book, "CUITES"

☑️Coolest wine bars in Los Angeles

☑️Discovering the people behind these incredible brands

☑️Why should booze cost more!?

Learn more about Victoire Loup:

https://bit.ly/3TdMk6c

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78. High Tea: Palak Patel Feb 19, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Palak Patel, Atlanta based chef, traveler and writer. Palak is a classically trained chef, Atlanta Restauranteur and two time Food Network champion winner of Food Network’s famed shows, Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay. Palak has also appeared as a guest judge on Food Network’s competition series, Money Hungry.

Her style of cooking is greatly influenced by her childhood in India and time spent working in the south of France, San Francisco and New York.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Importance of a strong community

☑️Women focused support system around food and wellness

☑️Nourishing your body/soul = better performance

☑️What is your relationship to food?

☑️New Book: Food Is Love (Pre-Order)

Learn more about Palak Patel:

https://bit.ly/3UJxjKE

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77. Jamila Robinson: Food Culture For Everyone Feb 14, 2024

People often highlight how food brings us together, yet seldom do we acknowledge its potential to divide us. Our upcoming guest firmly believes in the mantra, "food culture is for everyone," shaping her vision as the newly appointed Editor-in-Chief of Condé Nast's Bon Appétit.

In this On The Pass episode, we are joined by Jamila Robinson, a veteran journalist, esteemed leader in food media, and an innovator. Jamila's incredible career has spanned decades, with notable tenures at media organizations such as Atlantic Media, the USA Today Network, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Detroit Free Press. Previously, until August 2023, she served as the assistant managing editor for food and culture at The Philadelphia Inquirer, a position she held since 2020. In addition to her editorial roles, Jamila has played pivotal roles in renowned culinary institutions, having chaired the James Beard Foundation’s Journalism Awards Committee and currently serving as an active Academy chair for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards.

On August 28th, 2023, The Philadelphia Inquirer announced Jamila's departure from the publication to assume the role of Editor-in-Chief at Bon Appétit. In her new capacity, she will direct the editorial direction, brand strategy, audience development, and all content for Bon Appétit and their recipe website, Epicurious.

This conversation with Jamila holds significant importance on multiple fronts: it marks one of Jamila's initial public interviews as Editor-in-Chief and presents an opportunity to delve into her visionary plans for this iconic brand. Amidst the numerous shifts in the media landscape, Jamila's unwavering commitment and fervent vision propel her forward. She is dedicated to establishing Bon Appétit as one of the most important food culture brands globally, demonstrating to the world that food culture is for everyone.

Now, let's get into the conversation with Jamila Robinson, Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appétit.

Discover more about REPÚBLICA DEL CACAO:

Learn more about Bon Appétit:

https://bit.ly/49CWK51

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https://bit.ly/48mwHOi

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76. High Tea: Jacqueline Coleman Feb 12, 2024

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Jacqueline Coleman, Miami based wine and travel writer, judge and wine consultant.

I had the pleasure of spending a week with Jacqueline in northern Portugal with our friends at The Fladgate Partnership. For seven years, she's been Miami's only regular wine colunmist, wiriting the monthly “Vino” column for the Biscyane Times. She also contributes to Luxury Guide USA and is the Co-Editor of Wineguide Miami.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Miami as a mature culinary destination

☑️Strong beverage community in Miami

☑️Florida Wine Academy | changed the wine landscape in Miami

☑️Wine shops you need to check out in Miami

☑️Uncommon wine regions she’s loving

☑️Wine Paris Expo

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75. High Tea: Alissa Fitzgerald Feb 05, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Alisssa Fitzgerald, Brooklyn-based freelance food, travel and spirits writer and chef.

Alissa’s wealth of information is rooted in her diverse work and life experiences, ranging from cooking on yachts in Croatia, to working with startups in San Francisco, and spending time in various kitchens throughout Brooklyn.

Her passion lies in highlighting individuals dedicated to innovating in the food and drink industries, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and regeneration. You can explore her contributions on Forbes, Travel + Leisure, The Observer, The Kitchn, Insider, and Food & Wine

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Corportations breaking the mold (Young Beam)

☑️What is Grappa? Example: Grappa Ninino

☑️ Regenerative practices and how we think about what we eat/drink

☑️Rooftop Honey

☑️Korbel California Champagne

☑️Exploring Belize + Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce

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74. Adrian Bridge: Innovating Port-to-Tourism Jan 31, 2024

When was the last time you indulged in the rich flavors of port wine? Whether it was a festive holiday occasion or an exquisite tasting menu paired with delectable sweet treats, this episode is designed for both seasoned port enthusiasts and those new to the category. The aim here is to encourage everyone to break free from their preconceived notions, explore new drinking experiences, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the birthplace of ports.

In our upcoming On The Pass episode, we are joined by the remarkable Adrian Bridge, Chairman and CEO of The Fladgate Partnership, a dynamic holding company based in Portugal with diverse ventures in port wine, tourism, and distribution. Best known for their iconic Taylor's Port, established in 1692, the group has evolved significantly over the last 300+ years and 13 generations of family ownership. Their acquisitions include renowned brands such as Croft Port and Fonseca, along with ventures into hospitality tourism, exemplified by The Yeatman Hotel and the captivating cultural destination WOW (World of Wine), featuring seven museums, twelve restaurants, bars, shops, a wine school, and much more.

Port wine, a traditionally sweet fortified wine from Portugal, is truly a unique experience. Fortified with a grape spirit, it boasts a higher alcohol content, typically ranging from 18-20% ABV. The distinctions between Ruby and Tawny ports add further layers to this delightful beverage – Ruby being aged in bottles for up to 3 years, while Tawny matures in casks for decades.

Accolades have showered upon The Fladgate Partnership, including the prestigious title of European Winery of the Year by The Wine Enthusiast. Their collection boasts more 100-point wines than any of their competitors.

Reflecting on my own fortunate journey to Porto, Portugal in September 2023, where I explored the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Douro Valley – the very birthplace of port. The mesmerizing blend of natural landscapes and centuries-old human creations left an indelible mark, making it one of the most distinctive wine regions globally.

Adrian Bridge and his team have passionately worked to transform Porto and the Douro Valley into a sought-after travel destination. During my visit, I had the pleasure of savoring exceptional ports from their diverse portfolio. Adrian and his wife Natasha warmly welcomed us, allowing us to partake in the age-old tradition of stomping grapes, a practice integral to the winemaking process in the Douro.

Adrian Bridge, a former military serviceman, avid traveler, mountaineer, and collector of ancient drinking vessels, emerges as one of the most intriguing personalities in the world. Now, let's delve into my conversation with the captivating Adrian Bridge.

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73. High Tea: Jasmine L. Pierce Jan 29, 2024

On This episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Jasmine L. Pierce, New York based hospitality publicist, freelance writer and founder of JLP Consulting. Over the last decade Jasmine has worked with notable clients like The Standard Hotels, The Jose Andres Group, Daniel Boulud’s Dinex Group, and beverage brands like Louis XIII and Ten To One Rum to name a few. Jasmine is also a freelance writer with bylines in EBONY Magazine, POPSUGAR and The Zoe Report.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Sustainable / regenerative travel

☑️Conscious decision making

☑️Conservation diving / Blue Apple Beach Cartagena

☑️Regenerative food programs

☑️Whats a destination dupe?

☑️New York food scene

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72. High Tea: Jillian Dara Jan 22, 2024

On This epiosde of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Jillian Dara, a freelance journalist and avid traveler. Jillian's expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives about travel, wine & spirits, and culture. Chances are, you've come across her articles in renowned publications such as Forbes, Travel + Leisure, Vine Pair, Wine Enthusiast, and more.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Multigenerational travel

☑️Luxury deepens into more experiential travel

☑️ Sober and wellness travel is having a moment

☑️Her love for Napa and its continuous evolution

☑️Emphasis on smaller wine producers from specific storied regions

☑️Where she’s traveling to in 2024

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71. Hot Spot: Franco Sampogna + Bernardo Silva of FREVO Jan 17, 2024

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with with chef Franco Sampogna and operator Bernardo Silva, co-owners of FREVO, a contemporary French restaurant hidden behind a small art gallery in Greenwich Village, New York—a secret you'd want to share with everyone.

The name "Frevo" in Portuguese means "to boil," reflecting not only the shared language of the co-owners but also the vibrant energy of New York City. Originally from Brazil and Portugal respectively, Franco and Bernardo crossed paths in their late teens in France, driven by a youthful hunger for knowledge and a passion for the hospitality industry. Franco spent a decade in France, working with culinary legends like Alain Ducasse, Guy Savoy, and Fabrice Vulin, while Bernardo focused on honing his hospitality management skills at esteemed places such as the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris and Hôtel Windsor in Nice.

France served as their training ground and foundation, but New York remained their North Star. After almost a decade in France, Franco and Bernardo made the leap to New York, slowly shaping their dream. Despite the challenges, they opened FREVO, featuring an exquisite tasting menu an intimate 18 counter seats and a table for six.

Tune in as Franco and Bernardo passionately narrate their journey—a tale of friendship, partnership, and the pursuit of their dream against all odds in the bustling city of New York.

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70. Hot Spot: Tolu Eros of Ilé Sep 27, 2023

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Chef Tolu Eros. Chef Eros is a storyteller, entertainer and African ambassador on a mission to share and explore the wonders of West African food; a food and culture full of life and flavor, just like Eros. Chef’s formative years were spent between Benin City and Lagos, Nigeria, where he learned from his mother, “if food does not have love, you might as well not cook it at all!" It is that love for food and for building community that brought Eros to Los Angeles in 2021. The many years he spent in Nigeria honing his ability to entertain and educate through food brought him to the entertainment capital of the world. But not to open a restaurant right away, he started with a series of intimate, well thought out dinners at his personal home, in Hollywood. Eros quickly received critical acclaim from numerous publications and from industry icons like Wolfgang Puck, expressing their excitement and passion for the food and overall experience. His private dinner series is called Ilé, which in the Yoruba language means home, which Eros gives you listeners a look into this memorable experience. His food has and always will be about bringing people together, in a way that is elevated, yet fun, fresh and worth talking about. He also recently opened up Ilé Bistro, in Culver City, which highlights some of his classic favorites, but in a fast casual setting. I encourage you all to head to the show notes while listening to this episode to check out Chef Eros on instagram and his concepts. There is so much more to say, but I’d rather you hear from Chef himself. Listen as we explore his mind and creativity, his vision for continuing build community through West African food culture and what we can expect next from him.

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69. Fawn Weaver: Cementing A Legacy Sep 06, 2023

You’ve probably heard the incredible story of Nearest Green, the former slave who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. If you have, I invite you to dive deeper into the story, the history, the mission and the legacy, guided by Fawn Weaver, Founder and CEO of Grant Sidney, Inc. (GSI), a privately held investment company, which owns Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Uncle Nearest is currently the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in U.S. history. A brand she founded with her husband in 2016 and has since made her mark on history, culture and the spirits industry. After learning about Uncle Nearest, a formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make Tennessee whiskey, Fawn was on a mission to solidify, or as she says, cement the legacy of Nearest Green. Uncle Nearest as he was referred too, was the first known black master distiller, which up until that point when Fawn started this journey, was sadly lost in history and less known by a wider audience. Fawn and her husband purchased the 300-acre farm in Tennessee, where Nearest taught Jack how to distill and has since been on a mission to bring this legacy to life through the bottle, its award winning liquid and incredible story. As actor Jeffrey Wright (a passionate consumer and collaborator of Uncle Nearest) who you’ll know from popular series and films like Westworld, Shaft, The Batman, James Bond No Time To Die and many others, says…”its a story that unifies us.” There was a deep love and respect between Jack Daniel and Uncle Nearest. This is a story of love and respect, not a story of a successful historical white man taking advantage of a black man. But just like Uncle Jack, as he’s known in Tennessee, Uncle Nearest’s legacy deserves to stand on its own and to never be lost again. Fawn and her team are ensuring people will be telling the story of Uncle Nearest for generations to come, but also uplifting and supporting so many other brands along the journey. Please enjoy the conversation with storyteller, serial entrepreneur and sprits industry innovator Fawn Weaver.

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68. Gonzo Jimenez: Life Of A Chocolatier Aug 16, 2023

He's been referred to as the real life “Willy Wonka!” Gonzo Jimenez is a celebrated pastry chef, chocolatier and República del Cacao’s North American corporate pastry chef. We believe, if Willy Wonka was real, he would actually want to be Gonzo Jimenez. Gonzo, as he openly says, "had a very blessed start,” originally from Northern Argentina and was raised in a Spanish household surrounded by good food and long family meals. These strong family values helped him find his calling in food, but specifically on the sweeter side of the business. His early training taught him that he was able to apply not only science, but also artistic expressions when it came to presenting beautiful sweets and confections. He was instantly hooked and found his true calling. In addition to being a valued República del Cacao partner, Gonzo is an educator, Co-owner and chocolatier of Miette et Chocolat in Denver Colorado where he currently lives. You may also recognize him from the Netflix Original Series “BakeSquad," hosted by Christina Tosi, where Gonzo and the cast of talented pastry chefs develop some of the most incredible treats for life celebrations. Get ready for a fun filled, energetic and informative conversation as Gonzo gives us a look into his life as a chocolatier, what motivates him personally and professionally and why he finds so much joy in being a República del Cacao partner, helping educate and empower the future generation of culinary creatives.

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67. Hot Spot: Yiming Lin of Literally.Starving Aug 03, 2023

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Yiming Lin. He’s the creator and food ethnographer behind Literally.Starving—the highly popular social media platform and human interest food account he started in the summer of 2022 as a means of understanding his personal relationships with food and creating community as a new resident to New York.

It's no surprise that in less than a year, Literally.Starving has garnered over 3 million subscribers from around the world and has been featured on BuzzFeed, First We Feast, World Journal, Fox News, and numerous other publications. We’re excited to have him at On The Pass where we dig deeper into his creator journey.

This journey began long before the genesis of Literally.Starving and stretches back to when his Chinese immigrant parents sought a better opportunity and escaped China’s one child policy regulations. Yiming’s parents settled in Tampa, Florida and opened a local Chinese-American takeout restaurant, which is where he truly found his love and deep curiosity for cooking and how food brings people together.

In this episode, we discuss the impact of his upbringing in his family’s restaurant, the origins of Literally.Starving, the evolution of both his content creator journey and this platform, and the responsibility and ethics around creating media and having a growing, global platform. It’s a story about entrepreneurship, community building, and following one’s passions.

Hungry for more? Let’s get into our exciting conversation with Yiming Lin of Literally.Starving!

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66. Leonor Espinosa and Laura Hernández Espinosa: Colombia’s Mother-Daughter Duo Jul 12, 2023

Did you know Colombia is home to 87 indigenous communities and 51,330 species of flora and fauna, which makes it the second-most biodiverse country in the world?

Back in April 2023, Gabriel had the pleasure of spending time in Bogotá, Colombia with our next guests: Chef Leonor ‘Leo’ Espinosa and her daughter, the sommelier and drinks alchemist, Laura Hernández Espinosa. Both are the owners and creative visionaries behind the critically-acclaimed and globally recognized restaurant, LEO.

Chef Leo and Laura are Colombia’s highest-profile women working in gastronomy and have played an integral role in putting Colombia on the global culinary map. Restaurante LEO has ranked in both The World’s 50 Best and Latin America’s 50 Best lists many times, and Leo has been named The World’s Best Female Chef. She also took home the prestigious Basque Culinary World Prize for the social and economic development work she, her daughter, and their team do at their NGO, FUNLEO.

Both inspiring women are on a mission to reintroduce Colombia’s ancestral culinary knowledge, while also supporting the country’s Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities. Colombia has 1.5 million indigenous people who, like elsewhere in the world, have been historically stripped of their rights and left with little resources. Leo and Laura are artfully telling the story of Colombia’s invisible territories and indigenous communities through the experience of fine dining.

Both the food and drinks proposal are uniquely delicious and extremely memorable. Leo and her team bring you on an unforgettable gastronomic journey through Colombia’s incredible biodiversity. It’s been one of Gabriel's favorite meals this year, and this experience has been a catalyst for wanting to discover more of Colombia and learn more about its numerous beauty and offerings. Our hope is that this episode sparks a similar interest and curiosity for listeners to get out and explore Colombia’s rich culture and delicious culinary scene.

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65. Shep Gordon Rerelease: The Man Who Created Celebrity Chefs Jun 21, 2023

This episode was recorded and released in Feb 2021. Who is Shep Gordon? You’ve probably heard the popular phrase "Chefs Are The New Rockstars" — you can thank Shep for that. He's the visionary who brought chefs like Roger Vergé, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Roy Yamaguchi and Daniel Boulud to the mainstream and coined the term “Celebrity Chefs.”

Coming from a colorful life as a music manager to artists like Alice Cooper, Luther Vandross, Blondie and Teddy Pendergrass to name a few, Shep brought his show business know-how to the culinary arts where he singlehandedly paved the path for chefs to become today's cultural icons.

If you've seen him in the beloved 2013 documentary Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon, directed by Mike Myers, his persona is no different in this episode. Being the phenomenal storyteller that Shep is, he shares personal stories about some of today's most iconic chefs before their heydays, what he saw in chefs that encouraged him to create a highway for them to have a better life, and his own journey with food.

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64. Sherry Villanueva: The Business of Happiness Jun 07, 2023

Starting any business requires your energy, enthusiasm, and passion for the space, but to catalyze its success, you also need a mission, vision, and business plan. Our next guest, Sherry Villanueva, was a first-time hospitality entrepreneur, but with a focused vision and mission, she’s been able to successfully grow a multifaceted restaurant and hotel company. The mission is simple: Make people happy.

Sherry is the founder and managing partner of Acme Hospitality and proudly serves as the owner and operator of an innovative collection of restaurants and historic hotels. If you’ve spent any time in Santa Barbara, we guarantee you’ve eaten, sipped on a fun cocktail, or enjoyed a glass of wine (or some combination of the three) at one of her spots like Loquita, The Lark, Santa Barbara Wine Collective, La Paloma Cafe, Lucky Penny, Helena Ave Bakery, and numerous others.

With over a decade in the business, Sherry and her team diversified their portfolio several years back, started Acme Lodging, and have since opened historic properties in Grass Valley, Nevada City, and the newly opened 1950’s mid-century modern Palm Springs hotel, Azure Sky.

Sherry discusses helping pioneer Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, gives us a look into her creative process, and foreshadows what we can expect from her and her team in the years to come.

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63. Hot Spot: Sean MacDonald of Bar Monette May 17, 2023

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with chef and restaurateaur Sean MacDonald. Sean is the chef/owner of Bar Monette—one of LA’s newest and most talked about restaurant openings located in Santa Monica. Sean was named Canada’s best young chef in 2016 by San Pellegrino and through the years, he has since made his mark on Toronto’s fine dining scene. Thanks, in large part, to his lovely wife Monette—for which his newest Santa Monica concept, Bar Monette, is named after—he made it out west to sunny Southern California.

Shortly after attending his friends and family pre-opening, Gabriel posted on social media saying, "Bar Monette will become your new third place, an instant neighborhood classic with delicious food and an even better vibe...Sean is setting the tone for the impact he will have in Los Angeles." Fast forward a month, it‘s been lovely to see publications such as Forbes, Time Out, Eater, and the Los Angeles Times, who have recently covered Sean’s exciting opening, share their high praises, too.

Listen as Sean talks about the development of Bar Monette, how he approaches challenges and cultivates joy, and how he plans to continue to evolve and grow in the City of Angels.

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62. Larissa Zimberoff: The Update On Future Foods May 03, 2023

A little over 2 years ago, we released Season 2 episode 27 titled “The Future of Food and Tech,” featuring journalist and author of “Technically Food”, Larissa Zimberoff.

So much has transpired in the last 2 years since the release of this episode and her book, “Technically Food”. Given the lightning-fast pace the food-tech space moves at, it only made sense to have Larissa back on the podcast for a Part 2.

It brings us great pleasure to welcome Larissa back to the show to enlighten us, once again, on all things food-tech and future foods. If you’re new to this podcast, I suggest you go back and listen to episode 27. Larissa’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Bloomberg and many others.

In this episode, Larissa discusses the responsibility investors have in helping propel the future of food. She provides an update on what’s happening in the alternative protein space, the latest on cultivated meat, and helps answer some questions around when we will see future foods hit grocery stores and restaurants.

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https://bit.ly/42gPEPQ

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BBC - The secret that fuels Metallica? Earl Grey Tea

https://bbc.in/3LrrLOU

61. Steve Schwartz: Activating The “Tea Mind” Apr 12, 2023

“Tea mind,” as referenced by Steve Schwartz, is the simple, celebratory act of serving tea and has well-documented, powerful health and wellness benefits on a physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional level. Over the years, researchers have discovered how the ingredients in a cup of tea can lift mood, improve focus, and perhaps even ward off depression and dementia. The combination of this simple act paired with quality ingredients lends itself to a 360 welness experience.

Master Tea Blender and Founder and CEO of Art of Tea, Steve Schwartz, in large part, has based his career on his belief in the powerful benefits of tea and is on a mission to impact as many lives as possible through tea. Steve lost his mother at an early age, and the tragic loss lead him on a path to discover and explore wellness. He found Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical system based on ancient writings that rely on a “natural” and holistic approach to physical and mental health.

Steve begins our conversation with a proper tea tasting experience, giving both myself and listeners a snapshot of the art of tasting tea. We get properly grounded, present, and activate our tea minds. He shares his own philosophy around healthy living, which he pulls from his studies of Ayurvedic practices. Steve also provides insight into his travels in search of the perfect product, as well as the numerous lives he gets to interact with along the way.

Grab yourself a cup of tea, get grounded, and enjoy episode 61 with Steve Schwartz, Founder and CEO of Art of Tea.

🚀Special offer to On The Pass listeners. 20% off discountable Art of Tea products through June 21st with code ONTHEPASS20

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60. Hot Spot: Kristin Olszewski of Nomadica Wine Mar 29, 2023

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with entrepreneur and sommelier Kristin Olszewski. Kristin is the Founder and CEO of Nomadica Wine—a premium, sustainably sourced canned wine brand that is looking to make waves in the industry, or as they say on the Nomadica website, they are sourcing universally gratifying wines with flavor profiles that are “serious enough for a glass, but vivacious enough to be sipped out of the can.”

Kristin earned a degree in sustainable agriculture before embarking on pre-med studies at Harvard, but life had different plans for her. She met the owner of a wine bar who sparked her passion for wine, and decided to drop out of Harvard Medical School to earn a Level 3 sommelier certification.

Kristin then spent the next decade working at iconic and award winning establishments like Saison, Osteria Mozza, Gigi’s, Husk and numerous others. Now Kristin is on a mission to disrupt the wine industry and is architecting a plan to draw in younger consumers to the category.

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59. Philippe Bongrain: Chocolate With Purpose Mar 09, 2023

"Everywhere in the world there are tensions – economic, political, religious. So we need chocolate,” says the great Alain Ducasse—iconic chef, creator, and artisan of living. We couldn’t agree more and believe life is so much better because of chocolate. Chocolate is one of the most beloved foods and ingredients around the world. Almost every culture and society have a passionate love affair with it. There is no limit to the power chocolate has in cultivating emotive reactions, and it often accompanies major milestones throughout our lives.

But have you ever been curious about how chocolate is made? The rich history of chocolate? Ever wonder about the ways chefs and chocolatiers from all over the globe put their own unique, creative twists on this ancient super food? At On The Pass, these are questions we often contemplate on, as we are fortune enough to sit down with the best chefs and creatives in the business. We decided to go straight to the source and have on our next guest.

You may remember on a previous episode, Gabriel was in Mérida, Mexico in November 2022, for Latin America’s 50 Best Awards and got to spend time with Philippe Bongrain. Philippe is the CEO of República del Cacao, a Certified B-Corp creating the most authentic Latin American Chocolate hand-in-hand with local communities.

As Chief Executive of one of the premier chocolate manufacturers based in Quito, Ecuador—the birthplace of the modern domestication of premium fine cacao—Philippe provides in-depth insight into his company’s passion and dedication to the craft and a step-by-step process from cacao seed to chocolate bar. Philippe enthusiastically takes us on a journey through Ecuador, the origins of modern-day chocolate making, and República del Cacao’s mission of creating a chocolate with purpose.

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http://bit.ly/3ZRoVIv

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58. Nina Oduro: Amplifying The African Diaspora Feb 22, 2023

The journey of an entrepreneur is often layered with numerous challenges and setbacks. It requires a certain level of determination, sacrifice, willingness to learn, and getting used to hearing alot of no’s. Layering on the challenges Black women face in our society adds another element of difficulty. Our next guest speaks to her own entrepreneurial journey as a Black woman, the hurdles she has faced, and her beautiful breakthroughs.

Nina Oduro is an entrepreneur, host, social justice warrior, and Chief Enjoyment Officer, as she proclaims on her Instagram. She is the CEO and Co-founder of Dine Diaspora, an agency connecting people and brands to African food culture through experiential marketing and branding services. She’s also Co-founder of Black Women in Food, an initiative she launched in 2018 that, “identifies, amplifies, and supports Black women in the food and beverage industry."

Nina was born in Ghana, West Africa and was raised in the United States. Her mission is to create a more equitable food system through initiatives that center the African diaspora. She has been recognized by numerous organizations for her work, and her writing has been featured in Black Enterprise Magazine, Cuisine Noir Magazine, and Fields Magazine.

Nina discusses her journey as an entrepreneur into the culinary industry and the many challenges she’s faced. She also touches on the impact and incredible programming she and her co-founders are developing to advance Black creatives and their work, as well as contribute to a more equitable and sustainable food system. Listen now to this inspiring, informative, and fun conversation as Nina takes us through her entrepreneurial journey.

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https://www.cloverhillbk.com

57. Hot Spot: Charlie Mitchell of Clover Hill Feb 01, 2023

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Chef Charlie Mitchell, chef and co-owner of Clover Hill, a restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. Charlie is no stranger to the kitchen. Over the past 9 years, the 30-year-old Detroit native has worked sous chef and executive sous chef positions at Eleven Madison Park, Jônt in DC, Bresca in DC, the Greenwich village neighborhood classic Villanelle, and One White Street in Tribeca. An incredible resume for just under a decade in the business. Only 8 months after Charlie began his first executive chef position at Clover Hill, he made history by becoming the first Black chef in NYC to receive MICHELIN Guide NY 2022 Young Chef Award. And just a week ago, James Beard Foundation announced Charlie as one of the semi-finalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards' Emerging Chef category. In this episode, Charlie and I discuss his history-making Michelin award and what that means for him, his partners, and his team moving forward. He shares how he stays balanced and grounded, while also pushing forward and continuing to evolve as a chef. We cannot wait to see how Charlie continues to make an impact in NY and around the world as his platform grows.

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56. Luis Vargas: Purveyors Of Joy Dec 21, 2022

“Fill your life with adventures, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.” - Unknown

This quote really embodies how Luis Vargas lives his life and runs his business. Luis is one of the worlds premier experiential travel executives and thought leaders. He is Founder and CEO of Modern Adventure, a certified b-corp, climate neutral and award winning travel company based in Portland, Oregon.

Luis and the Modern Adventure team, as they say, are purveyors of joy, and believe that travel can be a force for good in the world, but also how we travel matters. Luis and his team go through a great deal of effort to not just ensure travel clients are satisfied, but also the impact they leave on the local destinations are positive and majority of the money stays within the country.

In 2017 Luis delivered his TEdx talk entitled “Travel more, buy less” where essentially he is encouraging us all to invest in experiences not more stuff, a talk which has since garnered over 1.7M views and growing.

He discusses how travel has shaped his journey and development as a man, a father, a husband and CEO. We explore how his company, Modern Adventure focuses on culinary and chef talent as an integral component of many of the travel experiences they develop. And now as a company, they are moving even deeper into this space, with the recently launched new division, Paragon by Modern Adventure, a collection of the worlds premier culinary, creative and cultural travel experiences.

Clients can experience the best in travel coupled with top tier iconic talent being their guides. A recent, Paragon partnership is with Kyle Cannaughton. Kyle is the Owner/Chef of SingleThread a 3-Michelin star and World’s 50 Best Restaurant in Healdsburg Ca. For example, this program gives clients the opportunity to book an exclusive travel experience to Japan or explore California Wine Country intimately with Kyle.

We also touch on some travel trends and what to expect in 2023. Happy Holidays and enjoy!

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https://www.groundworkcoffee.com

55. Eddy Cola: Coffee As A Force For Good Dec 15, 2022

Did you know, coffee consumption in the United States rose by 14% from January 2021 through January 2022, according to the National Coffee Association? And demand for top-quality coffee like organic and fair-trade is on a roll in every region of the world.

Coffee was an important part of my early life for many years, but not for the reasons you may think. I wasn’t a consumer, or even the passionate consumer I am today until 2011. From 2002 - 2009 I was a barista at Starbucks, but never drank coffee. At that time, I was just deeply passionate about coffee culture, and how this ritual was impacting people lives. I was so happy to be apart of this 2nd wave, bringing joy into peoples mornings and creating community. It wasn’t until I moved to Venice that I became a consumer and in large part I have to thank Groundwork Coffee for that. I’m just happy my entry point into the category as a consumer was with such a premium, organic and great brand.

I recently met Eddy Cola, CEO of Groundwork Coffee Co at a restaurant in Venice. Being as Groundwork was a catalyst for my early entry point into coffee, I was excited to chat with him. Eddy, is a fascinating person and entrepreneur originally from Montreal Canada. His career started in music, both as a musician and talent mamanger and then developed into a management role at his family business, a beef processing company. He joined Groundwork in 2011, and has been on a mission to build this organically gown, fair-traded coffee brand into the 10 retail cafes, two roasters, a brewery (for cold brew/nitro) and the national network of distribution, it is at today.

In this epiosde, Eddy highlights how Groundwork recently celebrated 3 decades in business and went through a recent rebranding. He discusses his guiding principles of conscious capitalizism and how he leads Groundwork into the future as the category and competition continues to grow.

For On The Pass listeners, Eddy and the team are offering 20% off orders made through their website with the code ONTHEPASS20. Get your coffee supply up for the holidays and take advantage of this generous offer.

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54. Daniel Boulud Rerelease: Four Decades of Service Nov 21, 2022

This epiosde was recorded in Jan 2020 and released in April 2020.

Iconic award-winning Chef-Owner and Restaurateur Daniel Boulud discusses the early days in his career, why building a strong corporate culture is important, and how he’s maintained longevity with over 4 decades in the culinary industry.

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53. Hot Spot: Chef Pyet DeSpain Jun 01, 2022

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Chef Pyet DeSpain, a rising culinary talent who hit national notoriety as the recent winner of Gordon Ramsey’s "Next Level Chef" Season 1 on Fox Network.

Having grown up on a reservation and a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Pyet collides the cuisine of both her Native American and Mexican heritage.

Having won "Next Level Chef" on national TV, she talks about finding a new sense of identity as a spokesperson to share her knowledge, shine light on the Indigenous community, and to be proud of the resilience that is engrained in the culture.

Listen to this epsidode as we dive into who Pyet really is and explore the cultures that inspire her mission driven work.

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https://www.fasano.com.br

52. Gero Fasano: Taking A Family Business Global May 12, 2022

It all started in 1902 when Vittorio Fasano, an Italian from Milan arrived in São Paulo, Brazil with a dream to open a restaurant. Since then, the Fasano family — the biggest name in Brazilian hospitality for over a century — has built a legendary portfolio that expands over 26 restaurants and 9 hotels across South America and more recently North America.

This episode's conversation takes place in person at Fasano Restaurant in New York, the newest addition to the group's roster, with Gero Fasano, the great grandson of Vittorio and the present-day face behind Fasano Group.

Having created culturally relevant scenes that epitomize classic, cool, and timeless since buying the family business back at 19 years old, Gero recalls the impact Fasano had in permeating elevated hospitality throughout South America. He also shares what’s next for the brand as it plans to bring its distinct personal approach of luxury to major cities around the world.

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51. Sebastien Silvestri: The Next Era In Fine Dining Apr 27, 2022

Opening a successful restaurant in New York City is no easy feat, yet famed chef Daniel Boulud has managed to successfully open multiple restaurants in the city and around the world in places like Singapore, London, and Toronto.

So how does one man do it all? The answer is The Dinex Group, chef Daniel Boulud's restaurant group — the machine that powers his concepts such as Daniel, Bar Boulud, Le Pavillon, and the newly announced Le Gratin.

Our next guest is Sebastien Silvestri, CEO of The Dinex Group, who along with chef Daniel Boulud has quickly grown the group into an empire of restaurants. As a veteran in the business of hospitality, Sebastien honestly shares what it was like facing the pandemic as the new CEO, his joy of working with his mentor and friend, the harsh realities of a restaurateur in the ever competitive landscape, and how he’s helping shape the next era in fine dining for The Dinex Group.

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50. Elisa Fernandes: Living Her Passion & Purpose Apr 13, 2022

Whether you're exploring the spirited streets of Rio de Janeiro, laid-back beaches of Bahia, or the ultra stylish neighborhoods of São Paulo, you will get to experience a beautiful range of food, culture, and people across its different regions.

São Paulo, the home of today's guest, is an international blend of influences from places such as Japan, Italy, Africa, France, Germany, and Lebanon. You would be remiss if you didn't try the foods from these cultures or explore the different restaurants while in the city.

Elisa Fernandes is the Chef-Owner of Clos Wine Bar and Bistro, a personal project in collaboration with her husband, a natural wine importer. The restaurant fuses their love for natural wines and french bistronomy — serving up dishes that could compete with any Michelin starred restaurant, but done in an approachable and fun everyday atmosphere to be paired with any of the 100 labels of wines they offer. With a large and continuously growing list, Clos Wine Bar and Bistro has the largest offering of natural wines in the country, while the food takes on flavors and nuances from the city's international inhabitants.

In this episode, we get a look into Elisa's time in France working for chef Alain Ducasse after winning MasterChef Brazil, her passion for supporting women, and creating a more equitable future for women in all sectors. She also drops some local knowledge of her favorite spots and hidden gems to discover in São Paulo.

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49. Life Lessons From The Best In Hospitality Mar 30, 2022

We hope you are all enjoying Season 3 thus far and have had the chance to listen to our last few episode with Fulani Chef Fatmata Binta, Chris Jackson & Hélène Seillan of VÉRITÉ wines, and Rafael Shin of Agua Mágica Mezcal. All incredible creative entrepreneurs with valuable wisdom and insight from their personal journeys. This is the last week of March 2022 and our hope for you is the energy and enthusiasm you started the year off with is not only still present, but building momentum. Despite the world issues, conflict taking place in Europe and general easing back into life, coming out of the pandemic, our hope is you still feel optimistic on both a personal level and for your business as well. This is always the time of year for us where some of that initial excitement of the new year starts to wear off a bit. Maybe some of the stresses of work or personal life begin to weigh a little heavier or are more present. It’s during this time we like to remind ourselves of all the lessons we've learned, what we've accomplished and the incredible people we have in our life. That always puts things into perspective, builds confidence and puts us in a state or gratitude. Maybe this resonates with you, so we wanted to dedicate this episode to the life lessons our rockstar guests have shared on this show. At the end of every episode I ask our guests, to leave us with a life lesson, and here are some of our favorites. Enjoy!

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48. Hot Spot: Rafael Shin of Agua Mágica Mar 16, 2022

The addition of Mezcal to menus has been on a high rise the last few years, yet it still feels like it’s just the beginning for this complex and storied spirit.

Rafael Shin, Founder of Agua Mágica Mezcal, is looking to change how people interact with the sprit by honoring the Oaxacan culture and its people, where almost 90% of all Mezcals' are made.

Having grown up in Mexico, Rafael shares personal stories about his introduction to Oaxaca, the first time he ever tried Mezcal, and the spark that brought Agua Mágica to life.

We talk about how he chose Mezcalero Don Rogelio to partner and co-own the brand with, and dive into the important brand mission to empower local entrepreneurship.

Listen now to Rafael Shin of Agua Mágica Mezcal!

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47. Chris Jackson & Hélène Seillan: Two Families, One Legacy Mar 02, 2022

The story of our next guests starts with the late Jess Jackson, a monumental visionary and entrepreneur who built a wine empire around Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay — catapulting him into the category as one of northern California's most recognizable self-made billionaires.

In the late 1990’s, Mr. Jackson asked Pierre Seillan, a Bordeaux winemaker from France to come to Sonoma, CA to help him realize his dream of creating one of the best wines in the world. Together, they created Vérité wines and subsequently has become one of Sonoma's elite wineries. Today, Vérité is lead by Mr. Jackson's son Chris Jackson, and Pierre's daughter Hélène Seillan, as Assistant Vigneron. Together the two are slated with the responsibility to take Vérité to new heights, having true liberty to blend and curate an exceptional product that reflects Sonoma County.

Listen now as they discuss the beauty of Sonoma County, their respect and admiration for their fathers and the future of this great brand.

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46. Fatmata Binta: Food For The Adventurous Diner Feb 16, 2022

What is West African food? You probably didn’t think of traditional Fulani cooking or Fonio, millet, and dawadawa which are a few of the grains, seeds, and locust beans that make up the traditional Fulani diet.

Our next guest, helping us kick off Season 3 of On The Pass is chef Fatmata Binta, the mastermind behind the international nomadic restaurant Dine on a Mat, a 5-course Nomadic Dining Experience and Founder of the Fulani Kitchen Foundation.

Fatmata, who comes from the African nomadic Fulani tribe, has dedicated her career to educate the world on the Fulani way of life and its culture.

In this episode we explore the diaspora of West African cuisine and how chef Binta incorporates ancient recipes that have been passed down through generations.

We also hear stories about Dine on a Mat’s guests. Her food she says is “for the adventurous diner,” while explaining delicacies such as cows tongue or goats testicles never go to waste with the Fulani people.

This episode sheds light on the beautiful Fulani culture and the ways we can learn from their sustainable lifestyle.

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44. Hot Spot: Courtney Boyd Myers of AKUA Nov 18, 2021

Cultures around the world have been eating sea kelp for centuries, but in some places like America, the concept is quite new. Our next guest in the Hot Spot series is Courtney Boyd Myers, the co-founder and CEO of natural food startup Akua. Her company is known for making delicious and nutritious food products from kelp such as its fan favorite the Kelp burger with a mission to feed the planet sustainability while restoring the health of oceans.

Unlike a lot of food tech products, the kelp burger is naturally dense nutrients like Vitamins A, B6, E, K, as well as Zinc, Calcium, Folate, Potassium, & Iron.

Listen to this episode as we find out Courtney’s personal driving factor to starting Akua, what tough lessons presented themselves along the way as a first time entrepreneur, and what we can expect from Akua’s future innovations.

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43. Matthew Hofmann: Where Whiskey Meets Agriculture Nov 03, 2021

There are only four ingredients needed to produce whiskey, and yet there are endless possibilities that can be expressed. Some put an emphasis on the water while others others focus on the wood with their own specific maturation philosophy, yet few really focus on the quality of whiskey's key ingredient: barley.

Majority of whiskey today is produced with commodity barley, but our next guest Matt Hofmann is looking to change this ecosystem by focusing on regionally-grown and shortening the distance between distiller and farmer.

Matt is Co-Founder and Master Distiller of Westland Distillery, the makers of an award-winning line of American Single Malt Whiskey. Matt is deeply passionate and knowledgeable and it's no surprise he was awarded in 2015 Whiskey of the Year by the American Distilling Institute, and in 2018, Whisky Magazine named him Master Distiller/Blender of the Year.

Matt takes us on journey through the Pacific Northwest and shares why this region is so important and how it reflects in his products. He also talks about the need for reconnecting the industry to agriculture, and Westland’s commitment to local farmers through barley sustainability initiatives such as The Bread Lab, in partnership with Washington State University.

Listen to this episode and get inspired by a passionate entrepreneur paving his own path in the whiskey space.

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42. Christian Lachel: Creating Multisensory Cultural Experiences Oct 20, 2021

In the last decade with the rise of social media and our abilities to document every detail of our lives, the word experience has become synonymous with our generation. It's been said that consumers today care more about experiences than possessions which is why brands have had to evolve the way they interact with their customers. From store pop-ups to brand themed restaurants, companies are leaning into that word by creating memorable activations that change the way they connect to their customers.

Our next guest is Christian Lachel, an experiential strategy & design expert and Chief Creative Officer of BRC Imagination Arts, a global experience production company founded in 1981. For the past 40 years BRC has worked with some of the world's biggest brands like General Motors, Brown-Forman, NASA, Pernod Ricard, Walt Disney, Ford and Coca Cola to name a few. Some of their more recent experiences include the World Food Center in the Netherlands, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Ohio, Jameson Distillery Bow St. in Dublin, and Johnnie Walker Distillery in Scotland.

As CCO, Christian has devoted his career in creating sensory interactions. Whether he's doing it for whiskey lovers in the whiskey drinking capital of the world or beer drinkers in Amsterdam, he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes bridging the gap between ideas and reality. Listen to this episode as we talk about his most recent projects, his personal creative process, and how to create meaningful yet unique touch points for different audiences.

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41. Rising Talent: Andy Kadin of Bub and Grandma’s Oct 06, 2021

For this addition of our Rising Talent series on On The Pass, Gabriel Ornelas chats with Andy Kadin, a Rising Talent 2019 Finalist. Andy is the owner and baker behind Bub and Grandma's, one of LA’s most beloved bread. What launched in 2014 as a small and humble business, after leaving behind an advertising career, has now evolved into a wholesale bakery with over 150 customers around LA, many of which are some of the city's most well known restaurants. Andy shares how he got his start, the evolution of Bub & Grandma’s incredible growth, and his upcoming sandwich shop which has been years in the making.

About Rising Talent Series

The Rising Talent series on On The Pass coincides in conjunction with The Art of Plating Rising Talent 2021 program. This series highlights some of the emerging individuals on the list who are are all making an impact on our industry. Rising Talent 2021 Finalists will be announced on Monday, October 25, 2021.

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40. Simon Kim: How Failure Cultivates Resilience Sep 29, 2021

Imagine walking into a bustling restaurant filled with intoxicating energy. The awards hanging on the walls, food is hitting the table, the wine is flowing, the music is setting the mood, and you even spot a celebrity face or two in the corner booth. When that picture is painted, it's not hard to see why restaurants get romanticized. Yet, what is usually hidden behind the curtains is often the turmoil of day to day operations and the sad reality of how many perceived successful restaurants can barely pay the light bill. Our next guest, restaurateur Simon Kim, personally knows what it's like to be in that position. Before opening New York's first Michelin starred Korean steakhouse, Cote with a newly opened 2nd outpost in Miami, Simon had to deal with failure. In today's conversation, we dive into his formative teenage years having to adapt in America as an immigrant and what it was like to run his former restaurant Piora, a bustling Michelin starred restaurant that could not financially sustain itself. He shares with us the valuable lessons he's learned through that experience and how he's evolved into the restaurateur he is today as the owner of Gracious Hospitality Management. We talk about his philosophy on growing the business with the right team and the right financial goals. This episode is a must listen. It’s an honest conversation about turning failure into wisdom and resiliency.

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39. Victoria Blamey: Breaking Free Aug 18, 2021

It's no surprise that being a chef is challenging — the commitment, hours, and lack of sleep that all strains relationships. Now add the layer of being a South American female in what has been a predominately white male environment which has made it even harder to get ahead. This has been chef Victoria Blamey’s experience over the past 17+ years. In reference to Victoria in Episode 31, chef Dan Barber said, “anyone who’s had her experience, any man who’s accomplished what she’s accomplished, would be at the top ranks of the profession.” Born in Santiago, Chile, Victoria has worked all over the world in some of the best fine dining establishments. She's cut her teeth at restaurants like The Vineyard at Stockcross, Interlude in Melbourne, Mugaritz in San Sebastian, Atera in NYC, and many others before becoming the Executive chef of legacy restaurants like Chumley's and Gotham Bar & Grill. In today's episode, Victoria shares what’s it like to finally break out of the constraints that's held her back from fully expressing herself. We talk about her recent residency at Stone Barnes, her residency at Fulgurances in Brooklyn, and her hope for the future.

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38. Hot Spot: Santiago Lastra of Kol Restaurant Aug 04, 2021

On this latest edition of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas chats with Santiago Lastra, Chef and Co-Owner of Kol restaurant and Kol Mezcaleria in London. Santiago —who is originally from Mexico —was recently named GQ Food and Drink Award's Best Chef 2021. Santiago humbly talks to us about working on Rene Redzepi’s Noma Tulum pop-up, one of the most globally recognized pop-ups of all time, and what he learned through that experience which allowed him to explore Mexico's rich culinary history and deepen his relationship to ingredients and techniques from local indigenous communities. We also talk about how his journey took him across the world to London to create a restaurant that is somehow both deeply Mexican and British at the same time. Santiago gives us an in-depth look at the restaurant where he marries Mexican cuisine with local and fresh British produce, the Mezcaleria, and the Mexican spirits and cocktails they are offering.

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37. Rising Talent: Jenny Dorsey of Studio ATAO Jul 21, 2021

Launching today is our new series Rising Talent on On The Pass in conjunction with The Art of Plating Rising Talent 2021 program. This series highlights some of the emerging individuals on the list who are are all making an impact on our industry. To kick off our first episode of this series, Gabriel Ornelas chats with Jenny Dorsey, an On The Rise awardee on the 2019 Rising Talent list. Jenny is a Chef, writer, artist, and activist who fuses interdisciplinary storytelling with food as medium to explore topics like income inequality, social issues, and racial injustices. In this episode, Jenny discusses a recent tool kit she published through Studio Atao, a 501c3 non profit she founded. The tool kit guides entrepreneurs and companies on implementing systemic changes towards equitable representation in food media. You can find info on the tool kit in the show notes below, we highly recommend you check it out.

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36. Manu Buffara: Community Is Key Jul 07, 2021

Beaches, caipirinhas, açaí, and the Amazon are probably just a few things that come to mind when Brazil is mentioned, but there is so much more to this diverse nation than our preconceptions. Being Latin America's largest country, it's layered with both international and indigenous influences, history, experiences and cuisine across its different regions. In this episode, we learn about Curitiba through today's guest Manoella “Manu" Buffara, chef-owner of Manu, a restaurant that has singlehandedly put this city on the map and exposed food lovers to its culinary scene. Curitiba, located in the southern part of Brazil, is most sought after for its agricultural biodiversity and farming lands -- something Manu is deeply integrated in. Manu has become known around the globe as a figure that leads by example with her work. Not only has she created a sustainable ecosystem in her restaurant through responsibly sourced products, she's dedicated her time to create farming programs that educate local underserved communities. We talk about her work installing over 4,000 beehives in the region, transformed 89 abandoned sites into urban gardens, and her support of local artisans. In addition, she gives us a glimpse into her 2nd restaurant Ella which is slated to open mid 2022 in Chelsea, NY. For more info on Manu: http://www.restaurantemanu.com.br/us-en/menu-us-en/ Follow Manu Buffara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manubuffara/

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https://www.kineuphorics.com

35. Hot Spot: Jen Batchelor of Kin Euphorics Jun 23, 2021

When you’re innovating in a category, there is no clear roadmap––you have to pave your own path. This week’s guest did just that and focused on creating a brand, building community and tapping into the deep social connection that we all so desperately crave. On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas chats with Jen Batchelor, Co-founder and CEO of Kin Euphorics, functional non-alcoholic adult beverages made with adaptogens, nootropics and botanicals. Each of their mood-boosting blends were developed to uplift, balance and create joy.

Jen launched the company in 2018, and since then it has developed a cult-like following among the sober curious and those simply looking to re-examine their relationship with the ritual of drinking. One thing drinking for centuries has gotten right is it brings people together; creating community and fostering memorable experiences. Jen and her team have taken a special focus on developing and building the Kin community, with social connection at its core. Even during the pandemic, they challenged themselves to create social moments and experiences where people could connect, express themselves and find a bit of joy in what was a dark and uncertain time for many.

Join us on a journey into the world of Kin Euphorics. Their drink lineup includes a handful of staples: High Rhode (Kin’s version of an aperitif), Dream Light (Kin’s version of a nightcap), Kin Spritz (Kin’s bestselling blend) and Lightwave (their newest launch). The attention to detail on the ingredients used and the science behind these products is fascinating. Enjoy!

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https://samsonandsurrey.com

34. Robert Furniss Roe: Putting The Spirit in Spirits Jun 02, 2021

How do spirits brands create memorable experiences and build a loyal following? Veteran spirits executive Robert Furniss Roe believes it comes down to the few fundamental principles of authenticity, differentiation, flavor and building brands with a certain humanity behind them.

Having been the former President and Regional CEO at Bacardi Limited, he follows those principles through to Samson & Surrey, a boutique spirits house he Co-founded whose portfolio of brands includes Bluecoat American Dry Gin, Vago Mezcal, FEW Whiskies, Ocho Tequila, Brenne, and small batch bourbon Widow Jane.

He shares his journey and valuable insight into creating and maintaining a beverage brand in today’s competitive market.

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https://www.grupohabita.mx

33. Carlos Couturier: Uncovering Mexico Through The Eyes of a Hotelier May 19, 2021

From the dense city life of CDMX to tranquil sands of Cabo, Mexico has become one of the top travel destinations in the world, yet so much of it has been undiscovered. In this conversation, legendary hotelier Carlos Couturier, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Grupo Habita, a boutique hotel group with destinations across Latin America, passionately takes us on a journey through Mexico through his eyes as a hotel developer.

Over the last two decades Carlos and his partners have been credited with invigorating destinations throughout Mexico with art, design, architecture, culinary, and of course exceptional hospitality.

He shares his approach to developing in unique neighborhoods and regions, the importance of finding your tribe, and learning to let the guests give life to a hotel's personality. We also dive into his most recent hotel project Baja Club in La Paz, a place he considers one of Mexico's best kept secret.

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https://www.bajaclubhotel.com

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https://www.lettucegrow.com

32. Hot Spot: Jacob Pechenik of Lettuce Grow May 05, 2021

Having kids changes your life and for our next guest it was the catalyst to better understand food and nutrition, which - like a true entrepreneur - led him to the launch of a new venture. On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas chats with Jacob Pechenik, Co-founder and CEO of Lettuce Grow, an outdoor and indoor hydroponic growing system that allows it’s users to grow their own fresh food such as veggies, herbs, leafy greens, and fruits at home without pesticides and with 95 percent less water than traditional gardening.

Before coming onto the show, Jacob expressed his passion and interest in Mezcal, so it was only appropriate to host him at the On The Pass studio for this chat while sipping some artisanal mezcal Gabriel recently brought back from his trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.

Jacob shares how having kids was his catalyst for healthy eating and how a farm he helped start in Austin, Texas propelled the creation of Lettuce Grow and the beloved Farmstand product. Not only is The Farmstand producing delicious fruits and veggies at home, but it's an educational tool helping families reconnect with their food. Jacob's hope is his product helps create a deeper appreciation and better decision making around food.

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https://www.bluehillfarm.com

31. Dan Barber: Chefs Can Save Our Planet Apr 22, 2021

Can chefs step up and takeover our broken food system? Chef Dan Barber thinks they can and should. Dan is the Co-owner of Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, author of The New York Times Bestseller "The Third Plate", and Co-Founder of Row 7 Seeds, a company developing and exploring new varieties of vegetables and grains.

We dissect today’s broken food system and take a deeper look at the current state of our farms, how the seeds today have been modified for high yield rather than grown for nutrition, and how his company Row 7 Seeds is looking to combat that by breeding organic seeds that result in maximum nutrition and flavor.

Dan is someone who is deeply committed to the concept that better ingredients means better health for ourselves and for our lands. He also is adamant that chefs can be the vehicle to help change our world. Honest, open, and quite the conversationalist, this episode is not to be missed.

This episode was brought to you by Perrier-Jouët as part of our series to bring sustainability inspired content in celebration of Earth Day. We love their holistic approach to becoming a more sustainable Champagne House, not only in the vineyard but also in production. Perrier-Jouët has reduced their carbon footprint by 55% since 2009, and recently launched the Ecobox, a fully recyclable and sustainably sourced gifting solution made of 100% natural fiber, inspired by the chalky soils of Champagne. Join us in making eco conscious choices and enjoy 15% off the non-vintage Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs EcoBox with code TAOP15 until April 30th. Enjoy, and please drink responsibly.

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https://www.zerofoodprint.org

30. Anthony Myint: Solution Is In The Soil Apr 20, 2021

Can healthy soil save our planet? The short answer is Yes. The long answer is we radically have to rethink how we cultivate and giveback to our farm lands. Our next guest, Anthony Myint, Co-Founder of Mission Chinese Food SF and Zero Foodprint (ZFP), a nonprofit organization building a renewable food system rooted in healthy soil, is taking action to be apart of the daunting solution to a better future. Anthony is the 2019 winner of Basque Culinary World prize and 2020 James Beard Humanitarian Of The Year award winner.

This is an eye opening conversation around where we are today with climate change, getting to the core of the effects from conventional farming, and how the solution to climate change is in healthy soil.

Soils have become one of the most vulnerable resources in the world from the effects of biodiversity loss due to the heavy use of chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Carbon farming or Regenerative Farming on the other hand restores soil biology, naturally pulling tons of carbon out of the atmosphere to bring soil back to life and replenishing its nutrients.

Taking this into consideration, ZFP is a platform that engages key players in the food system such as chefs, restaurants, and food companies to participate by adding a few cents per meal to help farmers implement carbon farming projects through grant programs. ZFP members are funding regenerative agriculture projects in CA and CO, and will begin in the Northeastern US later this year, as well as international collaborations in Asia and Europe.

This episode was brought to you by Perrier-Jouët as part of our series to bring sustainability inspired content in celebration of Earth Day. We love their holistic approach to becoming a more sustainable Champagne House, not only in the vineyard but also in production. Perrier-Jouët has reduced their carbon footprint by 55% since 2009, and recently launched the Ecobox, a fully recyclable and sustainably sourced gifting solution made of 100% natural fiber, inspired by the chalky soils of Champagne. Join us in making eco conscious choices and enjoy 15% off the non-vintage Perrier-Jouett Blanc de Blancs Ecobox with code TAOP15 until April 30th. Enjoy, and please drink responsibly.

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https://www.instagram.com/ikoyi_london/

29. Hot Spot: Jeremy Chan + Ire Hassan-Odukale of Ikoyi Apr 07, 2021

Breaking barriers and expectations while staying authentic to one’s vision despite the world's exterior pressures is a way of life for our next guests. On this episode of the “Hot Spot” series, Gabriel Ornelas chats with chef Jeremy Chan and Ire Hassan-Odukale, the creative and business minds behind Ikoyi, a London based restaurant in St James Market. Having no real prior restaurant experience, within a year of jumping onto the scene Ikoyi was awarded a 1 Michelin star along with other numerous accolades.

Jeremy who is Chinese-Canadian and Ire who is Nigerian, marry inspiration from West Africa and other parts of the world with quality seasonal British produce. Today, Ikoyi has become their creative haven to explore unique flavors, ideas and serve up delicious mind-bending food.

Jeremy and Ire discuss how their friendship and partnership has evolved over the years and how they support each other by leaning into each others respective strengths. We talk about their evolving menu, where they began and where they are today, and what guests can look forward to as Ikoyi begins to open back up post pandemic.

This episode is about two friends on a journey to find their own identity through a restaurant they call home.

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https://ikoyilondon.com

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https://www.instagram.com/canlisrestaurant/

28. Brian Canlis: Leading and Learning Through Vulnerability Mar 24, 2021

Our guest this episode is Brian Canlis, someone who along with his family has had a reputation for setting the bar for hospitality through their 70 year old restaurant Canlis, a Seattle institution created by his grandfather Peter Canlis. Since the 1950’s, the restaurant has won multiple awards including their most recent James Beard award for Outstanding Hospitality.

Today, Brian and his brother Mark are at the helm of Canlis. Bringing a fresh perspective, they’ve made changes to keep the restaurant evolving and in the last year they’ve steered the restaurant through the pandemic with quick start-up like pivots from turning the restaurant from a fine dining institution to a burger joint, among many other concepts.

It's not every day you get to connect and learn from a 3rd generation family restaurant owner. Many times, generational owners take on a huge responsibility to upkeep the legacy and standards of their restaurant while simultaneously working hard to stay relevant. Brian shares his approach to evolving as a brand, his leadership style, and some valuable lessons from his parents.

This is an eye-opening episode on how leading and learning with vulnerability is absolutely a strength rather than a weakness. Enjoy!

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https://canlis.com

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27. Larissa Zimberoff: The Future of Food and Tech Mar 10, 2021

You don’t have to be in the food-tech space to know there is a lot going on. A simple google search will send you down an endless labyrinth of information overload. You’ve probably heard of companies like, Impossible foods and Beyond Meat, who have raised millions, grown significantly, and can now be found at many local grocery stores and mainstream restaurants.

There’s a whole host of other brands, technologies, and innovations that are being developed such as eggs made of mung beans or protein from fungi, for example. Wanting to learn more, Gabriel talks to our next guest, Larissa Zimberoff, a freelance journalist, who specializes in covering the convergence of food, tech and business. Larissa’s work has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Businessweek, and many others.

Driven by her personal health journey to better understand and navigate the universe of food and technology, Larissa’s expert research can be explored in her new upcoming book, Technically Food. In this conversation, she is a wealth of knowledge into the diverse and sometimes complex universe of food tech and plant based proteins.

More importantly, we ask the fundamental questions: will these innovations become a part of our everyday diet and is it even good for our health?

For more info on Larissa Zimberoff: https://larissazimberoff.com Pre-order her book, Technically Food: https://larissazimberoff.com/book Follow Larissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/technically.food/

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https://www.instagram.com/revelspirits/?hl=en

26. Hot Spot: Micah McFarlane of Revel Spirits Feb 24, 2021

What is Ávila? There's more to the agave spirits category than just Tequila and Mezcal. On this episode of the “Hot Spot” series, Gabriel Ornelas chats with Micah McFarlane, CEO of Revel Spirits, an emerging agave spirits brand making Ávila, a regionally specific product with deep roots to Mexico's second smallest state Morelos.

With big ambitions to put this new agave subcategory on the map, Revel Spirits combines the techniques of roasting (mezcal) and steaming (tequila) piñas to create an exceptional spirit with subtle smokey notes.

Micah, who came from a lifelong career in the entertainment industry as a tour manager for numerous artists, describes his fateful "meeting of someone in a bar" that led him to a beautiful world of agave, the people of Morelos, and to where Revel Spirits is at today.

*Hot Spot is an On The Pass series highlighting emerging brands and people in food, drink, and hospitality.

More info on Revel Spirits: https://www.revelspirits.com

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25. Shep Gordon: The Man Who Created Celebrity Chefs Feb 10, 2021

Who is Shep Gordon? You’ve probably heard the popular phrase "Chefs Are The New Rockstars" — you can thank Shep for that. He's the visionary who brought chefs like Roger Vergé, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Roy Yamaguchi and Daniel Boulud to the mainstream and coined the term “Celebrity Chefs.”

Coming from a colorful life as a music manager to artists like Alice Cooper, Luther Vandross, Blondie and Teddy Pendergrass to name a few, Shep brought his show business know-how to the culinary arts where he singlehandedly paved the path for chefs to become today's cultural icons.

If you've seen him in the beloved 2013 documentary Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon, directed by Mike Myers, his persona is no different in this episode. Being the phenomenal storyteller that Shep is, he shares personal stories about some of today's most iconic chefs before their heydays, what he saw in chefs that encouraged him to create a highway for them to have a better life, and his own journey with food.

For more info on Shep Gordon:

Website https://www.shepgordon.com

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https://www.lynnettemarrero.com

24. Lynnette Marrero: Crafting a Life In Mixology Jan 26, 2021

If anyone knows what goes into making a great cocktail, it's Lynette Marrero, award-winning bartender, mixologist, and philanthropist who is often regarded as a pioneer in the cocktail space.

To help us kick off Season 2 of On The Pass, Lynette joins us to talk about her formative years spending summers in Puerto Rico, to her transition from the musical theatre stage to behind the bar post 9/11. She shares her process in pairing cocktails with food and her approach to working closely with chefs to develop a best in class cocktail experience. -- like the ones she created at Llama San and Llama Inn in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

We also dive into Speed Rack, a non-profit competition for female bartenders she co-founded to champion women in the space while raising almost a million dollars for cancer research.

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https://www.speed-rack.com

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