Dining On A Dime

We're diving into summer with in-depth conversations regarding the page-turning heat behind Tracey Medeiros' latest cookbook, "The Vermont Farm Table Cookbook: Homegrown Recipes from the Green Mountain State." Then we kick our heels up for a relaxing weekend-long retreat at Daddy O Hotel, Restaurant & Bar with the Director of Operations, Pete Palladino. And since traveling and family-friendly fun coincides with touring museums, zoo's, and more--we spoke with SSA Group's Corporate Executive Chef, Matthew Beaudin, on how the family-owned business integrated an elevated, diversified, and sustainable menu into their partnership's locations. (episode 235)

What drives you? We wondered what drives our guests in their success, and Kayla Bolyai of Altamerea Group, Kyle Algaze of Iron Rooster, and Scott Noye of Chef Dad's Table joined us on Food Farms & Chefs to discuss their respective backgrounds, current ventures, and what to look forward to in the near future! (episode 234)

We began this week's episode with Chef Kiki Aranita, who's delicious creations for Poi Dog put her on the culinary map.  She has since had to close the beloved Poi Dog restaurant, however the name (and sauces) live on!  You've most likely heard of her, considering Chef Aranita has appeared on numerous magazines, television shows, and syndicated news outlets--and currently, on the shelves of businesses throughout the Philadelphia region.  Join us as we speak with Kiki about her heritage, how she grew her business, and transitioned into creating a line of sauces that we're clamoring for!We then spoke with Farmer Lee Jones, who has literally wrote the book on regenerative farming methods! Not only has Jones written a book on how to grow  nutrient-rich vegetables, his more than 300-acres of farmland has been nurtured to provide ingredients sought-after by the likes of Rachel Ray, Wolfgang Puck, and many more!  His merits do not end there, he and his farm family have garnered James Beard Foundation Awards, a colla

In episode 232 of Food, Farms, & Chefs Radio Show you'll hear:0:20~Chef-Owner Adam Diltz is not a stranger when it comes to hard work, and is leading the way as he brings back some of the delectable meals made popular via the Pennsylvania Dutch.  His Fishtown-based restaurant, Elwood offers a tasting experience that few Chefs provide: On his menu, you can enjoy items like his Gobbler's Ridge Farm Rabbit, Pork Tenderloin, and Sturgeon served family-style with seasonal accompaniments.  Or you can enjoy an evening out when he offers a tasting event in collaboration with an author or fellow chef.  No matter when you go, you'll feel sated with not only his plated cuisines--you'll feel filled with an exquisite encounter like no other.16:18~Our next guest, Matthew Hendricks, takes gaming to another level. When you visit Thirsty Dice in the Fairmont region of Philadelphia, or Twenty One Pips in Ardmore, PA, you'll enter into a space that is geared to having fun!  If you're curious as to what we are speaking of, w

This week's Food Farms & Chefs show is shore to be fun as we take you to some of the best beachy spots in NJ! We first introduced you to the owner of Vagabond, Elvis Cadavid.  Elvis and his business partner took over the local restaurant in 2013, after hurricane Sandy hit the NJ shore.  After years of experience in the hospitality business, both Cadavid and Tom Harris rebuilt and renovated Vagabond, turning it into a spot that everyone wanted to hang out at--including Food Network's Guy Fieri.  Years later and having weathered numerous storms and an epidemic, they are still going strong and offering a delicious array of menu and cocktail options. Speaking of options, we next spoke with Donna & Kevin McCarthy who own and operate Hannah G's in Ventnor, NJ.  This breakfast and lunch spot has been around since 2001, offering hearty meals including a large selection of vegan, gluten-free, and organic choices.  Hannah-G's serves up their delightful breakfasts and lunches all year round, and when you visit,

0:26~Our first guest, Chef-Owner Dominic Piperno, began his culinary journey as a youth.  Guided at a young age by his Grandparents who immigrated to the USA from Germany & Italy, Chef Piperno gained a lifetime of knowledge on how to cook with zero food-waste, using the freshest ingredients, and balancing his passion as a chef with personal time.  With those seeds planted, it is no wonder that he circled back to those habits ingrained in him from his upbringing.  This is why he chose to switch from an a la carte menu at Hearthside in Collingswood to the more efficient tasting menu.  You can visit Hearthside to experience an elevated menu, curated with the best ingredients that Chef Piperno obtained, for an exquisite dinner for two via making a reservation.17:16~Commercial Break17:40~We next spoke with Joey Ward, whose passion to bring fine dining to Georgia stems from years of experience beginning as a young man.  At 16 years old, he began his career while working at a local country club.  After earning a

We're taking an insiders look on this week's Food, Farms, & Chefs show, as we celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Masonic Village at Burlington with LIVE interviews during the Gala event. We spoke with the Executive Director of the Masonic Village, Anda Durso, as well as the Mayor of Burlington Township, NJ, E. L. "Pete" Green aka Elrich Green. And we ended our live interviews on a sweet note with Sarah Craft, Owner of Amazing Cakes and More! We also had the very talented Chef David Price on, who is the Executive Chef at Blondie in Manayunk. After proudly serving our country and retiring from active duty, David Price turned to his love of cooking and earned a culinary degree from The Art Institutes. Since then, David has worked for several restaurants, eventually finding an opportunity in the very hip neighborhood of Manayunk. Blondie, which opened early in 2022, combines a little atmospheric glitz & glam to go with their comfort foods-based menu during the day; and at night, Blondie transforms i

On this week's Food Farms and Chefs Radio Show, we spoke with Chef Toni Lorraine who owns Dr. Brownies, then Chef Kyle Berman of Co-Op Restaurant & Bar, and the Chef & Owner of Forged Eatery, Chris Amendola. We began our show with Chef Toni Lorraine PhD(c), who owns Dr Brownies. Lorraine transitioned from creating Jamaican cuisine to creating plant-based brownies inspired by her family's needs. The pandemic hit a reset button for her, and she started down her path of creating plant-based desserts, learning how to create crave-worthy treats free of animal products. Her passion extends beyond her decadent desserts; her career spans being a Culinary Instructor, Management positions within the culinary community, and a strong dedication to supporting the community. In particular, she joined The Bowman Foundation for Workplace Equity and Mental Wellness in 2022. We next spoke with Chef Kyle Berman who works at CO-OP Restaurant & Bar located in University City, Philadelphia. This wonderful restaur

Guests: Monica Mannion, Carlos Raba, and Jesus Reyes Synopsis: We're celebrating a lot during this week's Food, Farms, and Chefs Radio Show, including the history behind Cinco de Mayo.  We began this week's show with Personal Chef, Monica Mannion, then Carlos Raba who is the Chef and Owner of Clavel Mezcaleria in MD, and we ended our show with Jesus Reyes who owns Luna y Sol in NJ. One resounding (and very meaningful) fact regarding each guest is their closeness to family.  More specifically: They discussed how they learned from, and were inspired by, their family.  Throughout the years, those same close-knit relationships blossomed into co-founding business ventures; traveling the globe; learning new cuisines and culinary techniques, and creating meals together in family-owned restaurants.   This week, we celebrate not only their individual achievements, we're celebrating their heritage, accomplishments, and continuing endeavors as a whole.

We began our show with the booming restaurant chain, Kura Sushi with their Philadelphia store's Manager, Taylor Hopkins. Hopkins joined Kura Sushi when she wanted to transition from Sushi Chef to FOH (Front Of House) responsibilities, and found her perfect opportunity when Kura Sushi opened in Philadelphia's University City. The fast-paced environment was a challenge at first, but Hopkins soon learned the pace and moved up in her position there. But we're here for the love of food, so we further discussed how this energetic environment, coupled with tech-forward ordering systems, offers its rotating conveyor of plated sushi favorites right to your table! And there's even a sweet reward when you dine-in: For every 15 plates, you receive a reward (like stickers, a lanyard, etc.).We next spoke with owners Jessica and Justin Minchak, whose love of cooking led them to meet and eventually open Two Birds Cafe. Although Jessica's love for learning began in Anthropology and Writing, she was drawn to the art of cooking

Spring has sprung, and we're celebrating it with frozen treats, delicious eats, and artisanal caffeine to keep you motivated for your warm-weather fun! We began our show by staring at clouds...Cloud Cups to be exact! Galen Thomas, who founded Cloud Cups in 2018, joined us to announce the Grand-opening of his first brick and mortar location in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood. Thomas, who co-owns the popular gelato company along with Kolande Oronti and Drew Posey, is opening Cloud Cups where Little Baby's Ice Cream was previously located. What's even more exciting than enjoying the sweet frozen treats? How about grabbing a slice of 'za from Pizza Brain and some of Thomas' gelato! That's right--the best of both (culinary) worlds is back: Pizza and Gelato from two Philly favorites! And if you want to learn more about Cloud Cups, or taste some of Galen's delicious flavor creations for yourself, order some online to be shipped or stop by when he opens Cloud Cups in a few weeks! Now that you've made room

We began by speaking with Jonathan Anolik, who co-owns Four Humours Distilling with his father in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood.  After searching for the perfect location, the father and son team opened Four Humours Distilling in the midst of the pandemic, and under the litany of rules and regulations of PA.  Also of note: All good things take time--especially when it comes to a good whiskey.  So, while their own branded labels continue to mature, visitors will be delighted to encounter other philly-born libations along with Four Humours' three-year aged Bourbon. Although Jonathan suggests your tasting includes a 'neat' pour, there are a plethora of cocktails to choose from, as well as lite bites to compliment your tasting.Speaking of tasting experiences, our next guest jumped from the corporate world to owning and operating Modern Classical Chefs, an in-home dining experience that will elevate your next gathering.  Dan Ninerell, who was inspired to start his company during the pandemic, increased his

Guests:Kevin Meeker, Bill Elmer, Mike Dalewitz, Jesse Bongiovi Synopsis:This week we're focused on all the greatest hits--meaning some amazing restaurateurs who have adapted their venues (and menus) to come up with delightful dining options that everyone can enjoy!  And we love to wet your appetite, so we're plating up those heavenly dishes with a rosé that everyone's raving over!We first spoke with Keg & Kitchen's Chef Bill Elmer and Owner, Kevin Meeker.  Although the two have known one another for years, this is the first time Elmer has worked for Meeker. These two friends have years of experience and familiarity with one another, which lends itself to scrumptious results that patrons of Keg & Kitchen can enjoy.  Chef Elmer, who is familiar with Owner Meeker's famed Philadelphia Fish Company, designed specials based on the former PFC's menu. Those specials are currently available throughout Lent, Easter, and some will be integrated into their Spring & Summer seasonal menu too.  Look for those sp

Food fuels our bodies in the same way that we fuel your taste buds and culinary interests, especially when it comes to this week's guests on Food Farms & Chefs Radio Show! We're bringing friend of the show (and celebrity guest) Roberta Pipito of Homemade Delish on and the OG of his New York neighborhood, Vlad Grinberg of The Organic Grill! To start, we caught up with our amazing, multi-talented, and dynamic friend Roberta Pipito!  Not only has Roberta found a huge following as a blogger, she became an internet sensation who is lovingly referred to as "Philadelphia's Racheal Ray." And Roberta's continued success has paved the way to creating delicious recipes which have been highlighted on morning shows, local news, and magazines. And her star is still rising: Her wonderful personality & culinary talents caught the attention of television producers. So she joined us to officially announce her brand-new TV shows which will both premiere this summer on Recipe.TV!  That's right, you'll hear her big anno

National cheesesteak day lands on March 24th, and we're celebrating the Philadelphia foodie favorite with Del Rossi's Cheesesteak Company's owner, Nish Patel.  Nish, who acquired ownership of Del Rossi's Cheesesteak Co pre-pandemic, completely renovated the space and its menu.  After bringing Chef Gregorio Fierro on as his confer, Chef Fierro implemented changes to the dough that inevitably enhanced the flavor & profiles of their menu.  Included in some of the changes made were artisanal options as well as sourcing their ingredients from the freshest and highest-quality purveyors, which garnered the tastiest Pizzas, Cheesesteaks, and coming-soon: Calazones, around! We then spoke with one of Bilal's Bakery & Deli co-owners, Chef Jamela Bilal.  This is not the first time one of the Bilal family members opened an eatery, nor their first business. Chef Bilal, whose parents also own and run a cleaning business in the Philadelphia region, has deep roots within the culinary community. Jamela's roots are with

Everyone's Irish! Slainte to all of you, and to celebrate St. Patrick's Day we have three Pubs to bring you all the green beer, Irish-friendly menus, and fun on Food Farms & Chefs!We first hear from friend a of the show, McGillin's Olde Ale House and their amazing General Manager, Gabrielle Rubery.  As one of the oldest pubs in the country, this local favorite has some fame of its own. McGillin's, which is the oldest pub in Philadelphia, has been in Owner Chris Mullins' family since 1958. It's so famous, that people travel from across the globe to dine and drink at McGillin's. On St. Patrick's Day the green beer is kept flowing, and don't be surprised if you find your future love when you visit.  On top of all the festivities that happen throughout the year, McGillin's seems to offer good luck to people's love life...and has seen many couples pop the question in their pub.Speaking of festivities, we spoke with Dooney's Pub's Director of Operations, Ariane Bonnes to chat about how Jim and Mary Dooney start

Grab your bestie, because this week we're excited to introduce you to Crave Nature's Eatery, located in Lawrenceville, NJ. The health-conscious spot was co-created by four dynamic women, one of whom joined us on the show! Samanta Filip, the co-creator and Operations Manager of Crave, sat down for a fun discussion of their delicious menu and cool events coming up this month! So if you're looking for a flavorful way to enjoy some healthy bites, tune in (and check out) Crave Nature's Eatery-and maybe dance off some dessert at their adjoining Viva Ballroom Dance Fitness studio! We then swayed over to a hip spot that just opened in B-Town Philly. Co-Owner Derek Gibbons joined us to talk about Brewerytown Food Hall, the newest concept founded under Glu Hospitality. Brewerytown Food Hall is a multi-level space which offers a selection of cuisines from several of their restaurants. When you visit, you can look forward to a family-friendly environment, complete with games, a lounge area, food from Hunnie's Frie

Savor the flavors of this week's guests on Food Farms & Chefs Radio Show, because they're cooking up some hot commodities in their kitchens.  From a self-taught Barbecuer, to a fast-casual burger joint, and some dessert to follow--these dynamic individuals are creating treats for all of us to eat!We began our episode with Terrell Barkley, who started his BBQ business after he unintentionally became the neighborhood grill master.  He found his passion, and skill, to barbecuing while he was recovering from an injury.  When he started to cook, the neighbors sniffed out the delicious offerings, and soon he found himself feeding all the children and their parents.  As fate would have it, he met someone who wanted out of their business, and soon it became Barkley's BBQ.   His popularity grew with every tasty bite, and soon he expanded to meet the requests of his fans, committing to a food truck in addition to his brick and mortar location.We next wanted you to MEAT the self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur of Che

During our first segment, we spoke with Chef Tonii Hicks, who is currently participating in Garces Group's Chef in Residency program inside Volver.  Chef Hicks is utilizing her Chef in Residency to raise funds to purchase a large building in West Philadelphia.  Tonii's ultimate goal is to open a multi-level work space, with each level dedicated towards an independent purpose.  In creating this multi-level workspace, she envisions a place where businesses; startups; restaurateurs and artists can collaborate together on projects. Through Garces Group's Chef in Residency Program, which highlights rising stars and offers Chefs a platform to raise monies towards whatever initiative they choose, patrons can dine on a menu curated by Chef Hicks along with offering additional tips and/or donations towards her cause. Our impactful episode continued with Muhammad Abdul-Hadi.  Abdul-Hadi's story begins with his entrepreneurial spirit; as a youth he grew up learning the in's and out's of owning businesses from his older

We began with restaurateurs, Justin Weathers and Joseph Monnich, who own several dining establishments in Pennsylvania.  They are known for bringing an elevated style to foods that you love. They're joining us to discuss their newest restaurant, Joey Chops.  Joey Chops, which will hold its Grand Opening in the coming week, offers a luxurious dining experience with a cocktail menu tailored to impress.  Located in Malvern, PA, Joey Chops will put a modern twist on the classic American steakhouse--a perfect choice for your next night out.  Of course, if you're planning a Galentine's or romantic dinner, it's important to choose the perfect beverage to pair with your meal. To help you with your choice, we had a wonderful conversation with Sunshine Foss, owner of Happy Cork located in Brooklyn, New York.  In addition to offering bottles from well-known labels, Sunshine selects, sells, and offers brands that reflect her surrounding community. As a Black and Woman-owned entrepreneur, Sunshine recognized how impactful