That Was Delicious

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62. What To Pack For Your Next Trip To Italy Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Brooke offers a detailed guide on what to pack for a trip to Italy, drawing from years of experience hosting Female Foodie Tours. The episode is filled with practical packing tips for everything from clothing and shoes to personal items and gadgets. Whether you're a light packer or prefer to check a bag, you'll learn essential strategies to maximize your trip to Italy or Europe in general. The episode also includes advice on dressing according to Italian culture, handling long-haul flights, and avoiding common packing pitfalls. Key Takeaways

[04:20] The importance of considering the time of year you visit Italy. If possible, visit during spring or fall to avoid the peak summer crowds and enjoy more pleasant weather.
[06:00] Traveling light can be beneficial, especially in locations like Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast, where navigating the terrain with heavy luggage can be challenging.
[07:10] Always use an AirTag when checking bags, as it helps track lost luggage, giving you peace of mind.
[13:07] Italians don't typically wear athleisure in public, so consider packing clothes that fit in with local styles if you prefer not to stand out.
[15:34] Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable when packing for Italy. Opt for sneakers, and make sure they're broken in before your trip.
[22:40] Pack essential toiletries and a spare change of clothes in your carry-on, especially for long-haul flights, in case your checked luggage is lost.

Notable Quotes

(05:32) "I want you to have an incredible trip, so being prepared is key."
(07:10) "Buy an AirTag—it's worth every penny. It gives you peace of mind when your bag is lost."
(13:07) "Italian women don't wear athleisure. If you don't want to stand out, consider packing clothes that match the local style."
(15:33) "The most important item you will pack for Italy is comfortable walking shoes."

Resources:

ON walking sneakers
MZ Wallace Travel Bag
Apple AirTag
Packing Cubes
Bed Head Dual Voltage Curler
Best Conditioner In The World (not travel size)
Travel Bottles Set for Toiletries
Lululemon Belt Bag / Fanny Pack
Apple World Travel Adapter Kit
Neck Pillow Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

61. 13 Perfect-For-Fall Recipes Sep 16, 2024

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60. How Husband & Wife Pizzeria Went From Brand New To "50 Top Pizza USA" In Less Than A Year (Chris Flanagan & Maya Setton) Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of That Was Delicious, we sit down with Chris Flanagan and Maya Setton, the dynamic husband-and-wife team behind Grana, a Neapolitan pizzeria in Portland, Oregon. From humble beginnings as a pop-up to becoming one of the top pizza destinations in the U.S., Chris and Maya share their journey in the culinary world. They delve into their passion for authentic pizza-making, the challenges of running a restaurant, and the joy of turning a vision into reality. Listeners will gain insights into the art of Neapolitan pizza, building a successful business, and the power of perseverance in the food industry. Key Takeaways

[00:35] The Start of Grana: Chris and Maya began as a pop-up pizzeria, slowly building a reputation for authentic Neapolitan pizza.
[10:00] Pizza Journey: Chris's journey from a small-town upbringing in Oregon to becoming a chef, with his first job in a pizzeria, to opening Grana.
[14:42] Family-Driven Business: The couple navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship while raising kids and balancing family life.
[16:42] Neapolitan Pizza Secrets: Chris shares the intricate process of perfecting Neapolitan pizza dough and why temperature and timing are critical.
[26:45] Las Vegas Pizza Challenge: Chris's experience competing in the international pizza competition, placing 15th out of 100 competitors.
[35:00] Vision Board Success: Maya's story of how they made it onto the prestigious "50 Top Pizza" list and the power of manifesting their dreams.
[42:20] Staffing Challenges: The importance of building a reliable team and overcoming staffing challenges in the restaurant industry.

Notable Quotes

(12:24) "Every single pizza that comes out of the oven makes me happy. It's like a growing dough that you shape, and when everything comes together just right—it's magic." – Chris
(22:35) "We built a business during COVID, with two kids at home. It was chaotic, but we figured it out." – Maya
(35:05) "We believed in our product and knew it was good, but we just needed our big break—and it came with the '50 Top Pizza' list." – Maya
(42:24) "The hardest part was staffing—finding people who believe in what you're doing and want to be a part of it." – Maya

Resources:

Visit the official Grana Pizzeria website
Follow Grana Pizzeria on Instagram
Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

59. Debbi Fields: How Mrs. Fields Built An Empire & Became America's Cookie Queen Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of That Was Delicious, host Brooke welcomes the iconic Debbi Fields, the founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies, to discuss her journey from a young cookie enthusiast to becoming America's Cookie Queen. Debbi shares her story of growing up in a modest household, the challenges she faced while building her cookie empire, and how her determination and passion for quality ingredients led to her success. Listeners will gain insights into Debbi's entrepreneurial spirit, her innovative approach to overcoming business challenges, and the importance of perseverance. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply love a good success story, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and inspiration. Key Takeaways

[07:58] The Power of Passion and Quality Ingredients: Debbi shares how discovering butter as a key ingredient transformed her baking and led her to commit to using only the best ingredients.
[13:01] Facing Rejection and Persevering: Despite numerous rejections from investors, Debbi's relentless pursuit of her dream helped her secure the funding needed to start Mrs. Fields.
[21:20] Innovative Marketing Techniques: On the first day of business, Debbi's innovative approach of giving away free cookies to attract customers helped her turn failure into success.
[25:01] Building a Brand Around Customer Experience: Debbi focused on creating a memorable customer experience, believing that customer satisfaction would naturally lead to financial success.
[29:18] Overcoming Personal and Professional Challenges: Balancing her role as a mother of five and a businesswoman, Debbi talks about the importance of finding support and staying true to one's personal and professional goals.
[36:34] Empowering Employees and Creating a Positive Culture: Debbi discusses her unique hiring process, emphasizing the importance of passion for the product and the ability to create a fun and engaging environment.
[44:58] Adapting to Change and Knowing When to Let Go: Debbi reflects on the difficulty of selling her company and the importance of staying true to one's values, even when faced with challenging decisions.

Notable Quotes

(08:15) "Butter changed my life. At 13, I decided I would never use margarine again. Quality is affordable."
(16:30) "The chance will never come if you give up. Keep knocking, keep asking, because someone out there wants to say yes to you."
(25:10) "I never focused on money. The only register that matters is you want to register happiness."
(39:25) "When you're building a company, you need people willing to move mountains, to do something fun, different, and even embarrassing."

Resources:

Visit the official Mrs. Fields website
Purchase Debbie's Cookbook, Mrs. Fields Cookie Book
Follow Debbi Fields on Instagram
Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

58. Annie Fenn: Preventing Alzheimer's Through Food Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Annie Fenn, a renowned expert in brain health and the founder of the Brain Health Kitchen, joins us to discuss how our dietary choices can significantly impact cognitive function and the prevention of dementia. Dr. Fenn, who transitioned from a career as an OBGYN to a focus on brain health, shares invaluable insights from her latest research and her cookbook dedicated to brain-healthy recipes. Listeners will gain practical tips on how to incorporate brain-boosting foods into their diets, understand the science behind cognitive health, and learn how to make simple but effective changes to their daily routines for long-term brain health. Key Takeaways

[13:00] The Impact of Diet on Cognitive Health: Dr. Fenn explains how specific dietary patterns, like the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by over 50%.
[31:00] Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods: Why eliminating ultra-processed foods is crucial for brain health and how they contribute to inflammation and cognitive decline.
[16:00] Brain-Healthy Food Groups: A focus on the ten food groups essential for brain health, including berries, leafy greens, and nuts, with practical advice on incorporating them into everyday meals.
[21:30] The Role of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Why extra virgin olive oil should be a staple in your diet and how it protects both brain and heart health.
[38:00] Mindful Eating Practices: How to build a brain-healthy diet by making strategic food swaps and paying attention to the diversity of foods consumed.

Notable Quotes

(31:15) "Brain health begins in the kitchen. The foods we choose to eat directly impact how our brains age and function."
(13:50) "The Mediterranean diet isn't just about what you eat—it's about how you live, how you gather, and how you enjoy food."
(22:00) "Even small swaps in your diet, like replacing butter with olive oil, can have a profound impact on your long-term brain health."

Resources:

Get Annie's cookbook, The Brain Health Kitchen
Check out Annie's website at Brain Health Kitchen
Follow Annie on Instagram
Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

57. Megan Foley: Food & Life In The Olympic Village As Told By A Performance Dietician & Pro Triathlete (Paris 2024 Olympics) Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Brooke welcomes Megan Foley, a seasoned performance dietician and professional triathlete, to discuss her experiences at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Megan shares a behind-the-scenes look at life in the Olympic Village, the challenges athletes face in terms of nutrition and daily routines, and her role in supporting athletes to achieve peak performance. Listeners will gain insights into the unique lifestyle within the Olympic Village, the importance of proper nutrition for athletes, and the pressures of competing at the highest level. Key Takeaways

[00:44] Megan's background in sports performance nutrition and her experience as a professional triathlete.
[05:02] The two pathways in elite triathlon: Olympic distance and Ironman, and how Megan found her niche in short-distance racing.
[15:53] Life in the Olympic Village, from dorm-style accommodations to the 24/7 cafeteria and the social dynamics among athletes.
[24:26] The importance of carbohydrates in an athlete's diet and how the Olympic Village catered to these needs with various food options.
[30:06] The challenges athletes face in finding time to relax amidst a busy schedule, and the importance of managing stress and recovery.
[34:48] Megan's insights on how the food provided in the Olympic Village could be optimized to better meet the specific needs of elite athletes.
[36:59] Megan's favorite food memory from the Olympics – the fresh baguettes that were available daily in the Village.

Notable Quotes

(09:55) "If you are constantly operating in a deficit, you're never going to be at 100%. You're never going to actually reach your potential because you're always just leaving this margin of unmet needs."
(13:00) "We really need to stop the messaging that you need to diet to be a better athlete or be super lean. Nobody's weighing endurance athletes at the end of an event."
(30:45) "You haven't laid down in three days, right? Rest is as important as training, especially at this level."
(36:20) "There's just something about bread straight out of the oven that's hard to beat, and it was not beaten."

Resources:

Visit her website at www.megafoley.com
Follow Megan on Instagram
Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

56. Alessandro Frassica: Florence's Best Panino & The Story Behind Ino Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

Alessandro Frassica is an Italian chef and the creator of our favorite panino shop of all time, Ino, in Florence, Italy. Alessandro is a cookbook author, the recipient of several noteworthy culinary awards, and a proud husband and father. His friends affectionally call him Ino and today on That Was Delicious, we discuss what makes a fantastic panino, how he started his iconic panino shop 18 years ago, and how to enjoy Italian food in its purest form without overcomplicating things.

Follow Ino on Instagram
Follow Female Foodie on Instagram
Visit Ino in Florence

55. Carolina Gelen: How This Passionate Immigrant Cook Became One Of The Most Iconic Recipe Developers & Cookbook Authors In The U.S. Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

Carolina Gelen is an exceptionally talented food writer, recipe developer, and cookbook author. Originally from Romania, she immigrated to the U.S. in 2021 to pursue her passion for cooking. Carolina is without question one of the most noteworthy, talented recipe developers of our time. Today on That Was Delicious, Brooke & Carolina discuss Carolina's captivating story of how she immigrated to the U.S., some of the culture shocks she encountered early on, how she grew her audience and began developing recipes, and what it was like developing a cookbook with 100 original recipes with noteworthy publisher Clarkson Potter.

Resources:

Get Carolina's cookbook, Pass The Plate
Follow Carolina on Instagram
Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

54. Where To Eat In Maui Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

Island Vintage Coffee (https://www.islandvintagecoffee.com/en-hi
Miso Phat Sushi (https://misophatlahaina.com/)
808 Deli (https://www.808deli.com/)
Ululanis Hawaiian Shave Ice (https://www.ululanishawaiianshaveice.com/)
Tin Roof Maui (https://www.tinroofmaui.com/)
Marlow (https://www.restaurantmarlow.com/)
South Maui Fish Company (https://www.southmauifishco.com/)
Mama's Fish House (https://mamasfishhouse.com/)
Merriman's (Kapalua) (https://www.merrimanshawaii.com/kapalua/)
Fairmont Kea Lani (https://www.fairmont-kea-lani.com/dine/kea-lani-restaurant/)
Kihei Caffe (https://kiheicaffe.com/)
Leoda's (https://www.leodas.com/)
Star Noodle (https://www.starnoodle.com/)
Nalu's (https://naluskihei.com/)
10 Best North Shore Oahu Restaurants (https://www.femalefoodie.com/restaurant-reviews/top-oahu-north-shore-restaurants/)
Follow Female Foodie on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/femalefoodie/)

53. Italians Know What They're Doing: 7 Invaluable Lessons From Italian Food Culture May 30, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes: Subscribe for info on the Female Foodie Rome Tour Subscribe for info on the Female Foodie Tuscany Tour Fresh off a seven-week adventure hosting Female Foodie tours in Italy, Brooke shares seven invaluable lessons she learned from Italian food culture in this episode. From perfecting signature dishes to savoring slow meals, Brooke's observations offer a glimpse inside Italian cuisine and what makes it so spectacular. Whether you're a foodie, a home cook, or you simply love Italy, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips to bring a touch of Italy into your own kitchen. Key Takeaways:

Perfect Signature Dishes: Italians perfect their signature dishes by cooking them repeatedly, resulting in unparalleled quality and consistency. Implement this by focusing on a few key recipes and refining them over time. (03:02)
Cook with Seasonal and Local Ingredients: Embrace the seasons and cook with what is regionally available, enhancing flavors and freshness. Visit local farmers' markets for inspiration and fresh produce. (07:08)
Keep It Simple: Simplicity is key in Italian cuisine. Use high-quality ingredients and let them shine without overcomplicating dishes. Aim for fewer ingredients with better quality. (10:15)
Moderation over Restriction: Italians enjoy their food without obsessive restrictions. Focus on balanced portions and enjoy a variety of dishes in moderation. (14:53)
Include Children in Food Rituals: Italians cherish involving children in meals and cooking, fostering a love for food and family traditions. Encourage kids to help in the kitchen and make mealtime a shared experience. (21:18)
Value Family Recipes: Preserve and pass down family recipes to maintain culinary heritage and create lasting memories. Spend time cooking with older family members to learn and document traditional dishes. (24:25)
Savor Slow Meals: Italians take time to enjoy their meals, using food as a vehicle for connection and conversation. Make an effort to slow down and savor your meals, especially during family gatherings. (30:35)

Notable Quotes: