NC F&B Podcast

Conrad Hunter has lived 5 lifetimes and knows as much about music as any music pro and more about wine than most Sommeliers! However, hospitality is where him and Foxcroft flex their muscle best. This episode is complete with:

• Why Frank Sinatra does not move pianos
• Inspiration of wines like La Mission Haut Brion
• And the lore of former Charlotte restaurant Chez Darryl.

Get your tix to Bubbles & Bagels here

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

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Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, co-hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss sit down with Kristen Mullins, the owner and head baker of the award-winning Slice Pie Company. From humble beginnings, refining her father's traditional pie recipes to owning a successful business, Kristen shares her journey and the unique challenges she overcame during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As she discusses her experiences of being a pie expert, the future of Slice Pie Company, and her innovative sales strategies, the conversation takes an exciting turn exploring trendy food industry topics such as the growing importance of diversifying roles and the potential decline of sommeliers in mainstream American restaurants.

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

00:37 Meet the Hosts: Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss

00:54 Special Guest: Kristen Mullins, Owner of Slice Pie Company

02:01 The Art of Pie Making and the Journey of Slice Pie Company

02:54 Exploring the Neighborhood: Saunders Street, Raleigh

04:56 Upcoming Events: Bubbles and Brisket, Bubbles and Bagels

08:43 The Slice Pie Company: Behind the Name and the Pies

11:03 The Vegan Surprise: Unveiling the Secret of Slice Pie Company's Crust

26:02 Celebrating Pi Day and Slice Pie Company's 10th Anniversary

26:47 Pie Day and Catering

27:24 The Journey to Becoming a Pie Expert

29:07 The Birth of a Passion for Pie Making

31:41 The Impact of COVID-19 on the Business

33:43 The Challenges and Triumphs of Running a Pie Business

34:57 The Future of Slice Pie Company

37:28 The Art of Pie Making

39:27 The Importance of Entrepreneurship and Education

42:05 The Role of Family in the Business

48:44 The Importance of Wine Knowledge in the Restaurant Industry

56:44 The Future Plans for Slice Pie Company

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Chef Dan Jackson of Osteria Georgi shares his journey in the restaurant industry and coping with his wife Stephanie's passing. He also discusses his time at Eleven Madison Park, meeting his wife there, and eventually opening his restaurant in Chapel Hill. The episode also touches on managing a restaurant while raising three children, and how tragedy gave him an interesting perspective on life. The hosts, Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss, along with Chef Dan, engage in an in-depth conversation about the realities of running a restaurant and offer some insightful anecdotes about their experiences in the industry.

 02:54 Meet the Hosts: Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss

03:02 Guest Introduction: Chef Dan Jackson of Osteria Georgi 04:25 Behind the Scenes of a Restaurant on Valentine's Day 

07:21 The Journey of Chef Dan Jackson 

09:21 The Challenges and Triumphs of Running a Restaurant 19:06 Remembering Stephanie Jackson

34:37 The Hiring Philosophy of USHG

35:06 The 51% Rule and Its Impact

35:51 The Stephanie Jackson's 100% Award

36:56 Returning to New York and Joining Union Square Events 37:55 The Challenges and Triumphs of Catering

40:17 Becoming Parents and Navigating Career Changes

41:32 Facing a Devastating Diagnosis

42:10 The Journey of Grief and Resilience

45:57 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Reflections

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod Support our Sponsors: Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!! Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Listen to our previous episode on

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

It's the return of the 2021 Person of the Year, 2-time James Beard Nominee, and owner of Cheeni Indian Food Emporium: Preeti Waas. We discuss the benefits of getting nominated with the James Beard Foundation and how it positively affected her business. Also how Indian food is top of mind in the food industry. Get insights on how to expand your restaurant, and your influence on the industry. There's a lot to unpack in this episode, so let's get started.

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Listen in today to hear how Tina Karras, the owner of Tina's Vodka, uses her skills as a musician, a bartender, beverage purchaser and her own savvy to battle it out in the heavily saturated market of the Vodka industry. Her organic, gluten-free and non GMO vodka hit the market recently and is coming to a liquor store near you very soon. Check out her latest album on Spotify here:https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p5hbQMWIIXDWYQvVUCZqU?si=962dsThVR0mpGj1m6dYYIA

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Two-time James Beard nominee, Chef Oscar Diaz of Little Bull in Durham, NC Joins Matt on this weeks pod. Tune in to learn insights about his unique 'Pocho Cuisine' and future restaurant ventures. Our security-turned-chef guest introduces us to his latest endeavor of transforming airport food culture with his Mexican restaurant. He draws from his experiences as a former airport security worker while discussing his west coast-style business, plans for a taqueria, coffee shop, and potential cocktail bar. The conversation concludes with a creative spin as he reveals plans to incorporate freestyle rap into his new menus. Tune in to discover their journeys, inspirations, challenges, and exciting upcoming projects in the food industry.

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Two-time James Beard nominee, Chef Oscar Diaz of Little Bull in Durham, NC joins Matt on this weeks pod. Tune in to learn insights about his unique 'Pocho Cuisine' and future restaurant ventures. Our security-turned-chef guest introduces us to his latest endeavor of transforming airport food culture with his Mexican restaurant. He draws from his experiences as a former airport security worker while discussing his west coast-style business, plans for a taqueria, coffee shop, and potential cocktail bar. The conversation concludes with a creative spin as he reveals plans to incorporate freestyle rap into his new menus. Tune in to discover their journeys, inspirations, challenges, and exciting upcoming projects in the food industry.

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Oaklore Distilling's Matthew Simpkins and Jack Schute join the pod this week. Throughout their discussion, they delve into Oaklore's unique bourbon and whiskey production process, including their commitment to high quality, transparency, and North Carolina roots. They share insights into the distinct characteristics of their four-grain bourbon and honey-finished bourbon, and exciting future releases. The episode also touches on the challenges faced by distilleries in North Carolina. Matthew Simpkins also shares interesting anecdotes about his past as a pastor and their fun tastings.

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Oaklore Distilling's Matthew Simpkins and Jack Schute join the pod this week. Throughout their discussion, they delve into Oaklore's unique bourbon and whiskey production process, including their commitment to high quality, transparency, and North Carolina roots. They share insights into the distinct characteristics of their four-grain bourbon and honey-finished bourbon, and exciting future releases. The episode also touches on the challenges faced by distilleries in North Carolina. Matthew Simpkins also shares interesting anecdotes about his past as a pastor and their fun tastings.

00:48 Unveiling the Lore of the Oaks: Oaklore Distilling

01:23 The Taylor Swift Connection

04:02 The Birth of Oaklore Distilling

06:11 The Art of Whiskey Tasting

10:30 The Journey to Becoming a Distillery

12:01 The Role of Aging in Whiskey Production

16:17 The First Taste of Oak Lore Whiskey

17:17 The Process of Making Oak Lore Whiskey

23:30 The Importance of Being a North Carolina Company

24:44 Discussing Barrel Storage and Production Facilities

25:17 Exploring the Uniqueness of the Aging Process

25:35 The Art of Blending Whiskeys

26:24 The Role of North Carolina in Whiskey Production

26:44 Sharing Personal Experiences and Industry Relationships

29:04 The Distilling Process at the Distillery 

29:26 Future Plans for the Distillery

29:46 The Role of the Bar in Expanding the Portfolio

32:59 Reflecting on Past Sales Experiences

33:20 Tasting and Discussing the Rye Whiskey

41:50 The Journey to Joining the Whiskey Industry

46:53 The Impact of Direct Shipping and E-commerce

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Join the hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss, as they reflect on the events and highlights of 2023 and share their hopes and expectations for 2024.

This episode includes discussions about their favorite dining and food experiences of the past year, insights on upcoming trends and restaurant openings, and plans for future expansion of their podcasting and video content. The episode also reveals the winner of their annual POTY Award.

Tune in for a fun and insightful conversation about North Carolina's food and beverage scene.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to the Podcast

00:28 Reflecting on the Holiday Season

01:27 Celebrating Partnerships and Events of 2023

03:29 Challenges and Triumphs: The Bubbles and Brats Event

05:48 Venturing into the Video Realm

07:15 Launching 'Where Do We Eat?' Series

13:00 Recap of the Year and Notable Guests

15:50 Looking Forward: Predictions for 2024

22:23 Introducing the Podcast Nominees

23:16 Favorite Food Experiences of the Year

24:24 Memorable Music and Dining Experiences

25:26 Aja: A New Dining Experience

27:19 Other Noteworthy Dining Experiences

28:30 Holiday Celebrations and Traditions

33:36 Announcing the Podcast Award Winner

35:30 Looking Forward to 2024

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Join hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss for some candid chef confessions during Bubbles and Brats in Asheville. Witness hilarious and heartfelt revelations from chefs about their careers, culinary preferences, fears, and their signature dishes. From the favored utility salt to the perils of restaurant ownership in the era of COVID-19, we delve deep into their thoughts. Highlighting the event's challenges, the chefs' career reflections, and their culinary convictions, this unfiltered coverage genuinely captures life as a restaurateur.

Chefs: Bobby McFarland, Scott and April Franqueza of High Hampton, Jay Medford of STORM RHUM BAR,  Ben Hester The ODD, Alex Ricci  of Prospects Kitchen, as well as Cassie Geiger, Jared Burton and Jacob Cruze. 

00:41 Introduction and Overview 01:30 Chef Confessionals: The Questions Begin 03:18 Chefs Discuss Their Career Choices 06:30 Event Reflections and Challenges 12:39 Chefs Discuss Their Signature Dishes 16:40 Closing Remarks and Thanks

Directed and edited by Max Trujillo

Produced by Matthew Weiss

Camera and field production by Jared Burton

Written by Max Trujillo & Matthew Weiss

Music provided and licensed by Epidemic Sound

 Sponsored by Sysco, New Belgium Ale, Devil's Foot Beverage, Pleb Winery, Metrowines, Winebow, Southern Distilling

Join hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss for some candid chef confessions during Bubbles and Brats in Asheville. Witness hilarious and heartfelt revelations from chefs about their careers, culinary preferences, fears, and their signature dishes. From the favored utility salt to the perils of restaurant ownership in the era of COVID-19, we delve deep into their thoughts. Highlighting the event's challenges, the chefs' career reflections, and their culinary convictions, this unfiltered coverage genuinely captures life as a restaurateur.

Chefs: Bobby McFarland, Scott and April Franqueza of High Hampton, Jay Medford of STORM RHUM BAR,  Ben Hester The ODD, Alex Ricci  of Prospects Kitchen, as well as Cassie Geiger, Jared Burton and Jacob Cruze. 

00:41 Introduction and Overview 01:30 Chef Confessionals: The Questions Begin 03:18 Chefs Discuss Their Career Choices 06:30 Event Reflections and Challenges 12:39 Chefs Discuss Their Signature Dishes 16:40 Closing Remarks and Thanks

Directed and edited by Max Trujillo

Produced by Matthew Weiss

Camera and field production by Jared Burton

Written by Max Trujillo & Matthew Weiss

Music provided and licensed by Epidemic Sound

Sponsored by Sysco, New Belgium Ale, Devil's Foot Beverage, Pleb Winery, Metrowines, Winebow, Southern Distilling

World class coffee, trash tv, naked attraction!

• A Latina-owned, women-forward company.
• Livable wages for our diverse and open-hearted team.
• 90+ small and independent vendors.
• Sustained relationships with coffee producers worldwide.

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

World class coffee, trash tv, naked attraction!

• A Latina-owned, women-forward company.
• Livable wages for our diverse and open-hearted team.
• 90+ small and independent vendors.
• Sustained relationships with coffee producers worldwide.

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Madre Raleigh is redefining fine cuisine in Raleigh. From design to food this restaurant is teeming with attractiveness! Chef Luis Zouain helms the kitchen and tells us all his secrets! In this episode we learn the secrets of;

• What makes a Cauliflower dish memorable
• Why cook a French Onion Croquette
• Who has Indian Motorcycles

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Madre Raleigh is redefining fine cuisine in Raleigh. From design to food this restaurant is teeming with attractiveness! Chef Luis Zouain helms the kitchen and tells us all his secrets! In this episode we learn the secrets of;

• What makes a Cauliflower dish memorable
• Why cook a French Onion Croquette
• Who has Indian Motorcycles

Subscribe to their YouTube page HERE

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

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!