women chefs

Sometimes it just takes moxie. Shannon Mangini  is living proof of that. In just a few short years since graduating from U Penn's Wharton School with a degree in economics, entrepreneurship, and finance, Shannon has brought DiFara Pizza to the North Fork of Long Island. In addition, she has been serving as Senior Director of Brands and Partnerships for the OTG Management Group, which owns and operates food concessions in airports around the country. We discuss all of this, happened so quickly, and what's next for this dynamic rising star, on this week's episode of Pizza Quest with Peter Reinhart.

Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. 

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Being a new mom breastfeeding her baby has it challenges. Being a new mom working in a restaurant is almost impossible. But there’s an app for that. Pumpspotting, the online baby feeding and lactation support platform, specifically designed a version of its app to accommodate the fast-paced environment of the restaurant industry. A new partnership, between Kalamata’s Kitchen, Resy, and The Lee Initiative is covering the cost for all working mothers in the restaurant industry to gain premium access at pumpspotting.com/restaurants. There’s also a business version for restaurants that want to support and retain parents by offering breastfeeding benefits. On this episode of Tech Bites, host Jennifer Leuzzi talks with Derek Wallace, co-founder of Kalamata’s Kitchen and Beverly Kim, chef/owner of Parachute and Wherewithall restaurants and the founder of The Abundance Setting, about why it is critical to pioneer ways to make it easier for women and mothers in the culinary industry to feed both their families and careers.

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When rent negotiations with her landlord were going south, Chef/owner Angie Mar knew it might be time to say goodbye to the historic New York City restaurant space that changed her life. So what did she do? She returned the keys, walked away, and rented the space right next door. Angie joins us to discuss her decision to close The Beatrice Inn, the challenges of 2020, the future of fine dining, and more. As Chef Angie’s fans know, she’s a bit of a glamour puss, so we also asked her a few questions about her fashion faves and her beauty routine. Tune in to learn more about this colorful and creative personality.

Thank you to Catbird, the finest fine jewelry, for supporting this episode.

Eden Grinshpan is the author of Eating Out Loud: Bold Middle Eastern Flavors for All Day, Every Day, a spirited cookbook that captures her appetite for life and great food. The always lively Eden joins us to talk about her book, plus the journey that took from high school in Toronto to culinary school in London to hosting Top Chef Canada, with stops in India, Israel, and NYC along the way. Get ready to be inspired by Eden’s adventurous spirit, and get her take on tahini, homemade versus store-bought pita, shakshuka, and more.

Thank you to Catbird for supporting today’s show. Catbird’s mission is to make beautiful, sparkling jewelry that will bring you joy now through forever. Visit catbirdnyc.com for more. 

At the end of the show, learn why Cherry Bombe intern Grace Reynoso thinks Shirley Raines of Beauty 2 the Streetz is the Bombe.

Mashama Bailey is the chef and co-owner of The Grey, one of the most important restaurants in America today. Located in Savannah, Georgia, in what was once a segregated Greyhound bus station, The Grey is the subject of a new book written by Mashama and her business partner, John Morisano. Titled Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant, it is a unique memoir that came about after tough conversations concerning racism, life, and the real meaning of partnership. Mashama joins us to talk about her book, as well as a new virtual restaurant project with Intersect by Lexus, which brings Mashama’s signature dishes to New York City.

Thank you to Catbird for supporting today’s show. Catbird’s mission is to make beautiful, sparkling jewelry that will bring you joy now through forever. Visit catbirdnyc.com for more. 

It's Inauguration Day in the United States, and we open this week's episode with a moving conversation with Aquavit chef and Swedish native Emma Bengtsson, who became a US citizen on January 6, 2021, the day of the horrific insurrection at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Emma shares the mix of emotions she felt on that day, and where her subsequent soul-searching led her.

And our feature interview this week is with Helene Henderson, another Swedish woman (we swear this is a coincidence), who founded the successful restaurant collection Malibu Farm, with outposts in California, Florida, and New York. Helene takes us through her early life in Sweden, the odd jobs she worked in New York and California, her catering and private chef career, and the evolution of Malibu Farm from a quirky pop-up to a bi-coastal enterprise. 

Listen to our earlier, feature interview with Emma Bengtsson.

Support Aquavit restaurant!

Support Malibu Farm in California, New York, and Florida!

Please consider supporting Andrew Talks to Chefs via our Patreon page–pledge $10 or more per month and gain access to bonus, patron-only episodes, blog posts, polls, and more. 

Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related information.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.

We'd love if you followed us on Instagram. 

Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.

For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.

Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!

We’re airing three very special moments from our first-ever Jubilee Seattle. First, we’ll hear how pastry chef Crystal Chiu went from working for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to making beautiful desserts at Seattle hot-spot Canlis. Then, we will hear about Chef Emme Ribeiro Collins amazing journey with a special introduction from Cherry Bombe cover girl Sophia Roe. Last, an insightful conversation between Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond and biohacker Van Nguyen sheds light on keto diets, intermittent fasting, and other data-driven wellness practices.

Plus, Cherry Bombe member and baker Tiff Bryant tells us why they think Moonlynn Tsai of Kopitiam in New York City is the bombe!

On the day her movie A Fine Line: A Woman's Place Is In the Kitchen debuts in New York City, filmmaker Joanna James discusses her documentary's exploration of the struggles and triumphs of women chefs and restauranteurs, and the story of her mother Val's life in the industry. The movie intercuts Val James' story with interviews with top women chefs including Dominique Crenn, Barbara Lynch, and Mashama Bailey.

And, continuing a conversation from last week's show, chef and author Rocco DiSpirito discusses how he became focused on health and fitness, his new cookbook Rocco's Keto Comfort Food Diet, his years away from restaurants, why he came back, and what he's thinking of doing next. 

EPISODE GUIDE

0 - 4:25  Intro

4:25 - 51:35  Joanna James

51:35 - 54:20 Show Notes and Updates

54:20 - 1:55:50 - Rocco DiSpirito, part 2

1:55:50 - end  Outro

LINKS

ANDREW TALKS TO CHEFS official website 

A FINE LINE movie official website

MAPP (A Fine Line's social impact campaign)

Rocco's Keto Comfort Food Diet

Rocco DiSpirito website

Benno restaurant (hosted Rocco DiSpirito interview) 

Mermaid Inn (hosted Joanna James interview)

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.

We'd love if you followed us on Instagram. 

Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.

For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.

Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!

The James Beard Awards have been called the Oscars of the food world, and most chefs and restaurateurs hope to snag one in their lifetime. But who is James Beard? And who is behind the awards? James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach sat down with host Kerry Diamond to learn more about the awards process, the namesake gourmet behind the operation, and what Clare and her team are doing to make the Foundation a more vibrant, modern organization. Clare also gets personal about her life as a single mom and the decisions she faced about starting a family on her own. 

To learn more about James Beard Foundation initiatives and events, visit https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/tickets

Plus, find out why co-owner and operator Kiki Aranita of Poi Dog in Philadelphia thinks Jiyun Jennifer Yoo of Gotham Grove in NYC is the bombe! 

“My identity was completely lost,” said Crystal De Luna-Bogan, the chef and co-founder of The Grilled Cheeserie in Nashville, who struggled with post-partum anxiety after giving birth to her daughter last year. With the help of family, friends, and professionals, Crystal was able to get to a healthier place and is now learning how to balance motherhood with the chef life and the realities of being an entrepreneur. Today, she and her husband Joseph Bogan have three locations of The Grilled Cheeserie and they are busy serving up some of the best sandwiches in Music City. We, of course, asked Crystal for some tips for making the best grilled cheese ever.

Thank you to today’s sponsor the book Sugar Free Three by Michelle Promolayko

Stay tuned to learn why Destiny Luna of The Wing thinks Martha Stewart is the bombe.

Radio Cherry Bombe stopped in San Diego, California, last year as part of its Food For Thought tour for a live episode.

Retired school teacher Diane Rocha, Monica Maccioni of Bobboi Natural Gelato, and Laura Johnson of You & Yours Distilling Co. each spoke about what’s on their mind when it comes to the food world.

They are followed by a panel featuring farmer Mai Nguyen, Chef Claudette Zepeda, baker Crystal White of Wayfarer Bread, and Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond.    

Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting our tour.

Camilla Marcus is one of the most dynamic women on the food scene. Not only is she the founder of west-bourne, the rule-bending, community-minded all-day eatery in SoHo, but she is a change agent pushing the industry to confront the challenges faced by working families. Camilla, who became a mom recently, has partnered with a local child care company and is providing her employees with subsidized access to daycare and nightcare. Tune in to hear how Camilla is making it happen. 

Also, learn why blogger Laura Scherb of Page And Plate thinks Emily Nejad of Bon Vivant Cakes is the bombe! 

This episode is presented by Sugar Free Three by author Michele Promaulayko.

Radio Cherry Bombe stopped in Columbus, Ohio, last year as part of its Food For Thought tour for a live episode at the headquarters of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.

Paula Haines of Freedom a la Cart, Chef Cara Mangini of Little Eater, and Faith Durand of The Kitchn each spoke about what’s on their mind when it comes to the food world.

They are followed by a panel featuring Chef Catie Randazzo of Preston's and Ambrose & Eve, Badisha Nag of Create Your Curry, Ms. Ena of Ena's Caribbean Kitchen, Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, and Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond.

Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting our tour.

Nothing can slow down Susan Feniger. She’s been a pioneer in so many regards, from food television (Two Hot Tamales, anyone?) to food radio to being one of the few female chef/owners on the Strip in Las Vegas. She’s also had an enduring and endearing relationship with her business partner, Mary Sue Miliken, who she met on the line in Chicago in the ‘70s. The two recently opened their newest restaurant, Socalo, an all-day California eatery, in Santa Monica. On top of all of this, Susan is on the board of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where she helped establish a ground-breaking culinary program. 

Stay tuned to learn why producer-cookbook author Lauren Deen thinks Pam Cannon of Ballantine Books is the Bombe.

When Dini Rao discovered her passion, there was no holding her back. She went from hosting wine tastings in her dorm room to working in the wine department at Christie’s to launching her own company, Life In Vino. Dini has a lot to teach us about following your bliss, breaking down boundaries, and being an entrepreneur. And as a bonus, she shares her picks for what to drink with your Thanksgiving meal. Also, joining us for the speed round is the newest member of Cherry Bombe, Maria Sanchez. Discover Maria’s desert-island food celeb pick and more. 

Stay tuned to the end to discover who Elizabeth Emery of Vancouver With Love thinks is the bombe. 

Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu culinary schools and Emmi cheese from Switzerland for supporting our show.

If anyone knows how to hustle, it’s Angie Mar. She took over the reins of the Beatrice Inn and turned the West Village spot from ho-hum to white hot, becoming a celebrated chef in the process. Angie just released her first cookbook, Butcher + Beast, and it’s as lush, creative, and contemporary as she is. We should also mention, like the Bea, it’s very, very carnivorous. Host Kerry Diamond sits down with Angie at the Beatrice Inn to talk meat, fashion, family, and hard work. Don’t miss their talk. 

Stay tuned to hear who Amanda Saab of Butter Bear Shop in Livonia, Michigan, thinks is the bombe!

Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Schools and Emmi Cheese from Switzerland for supporting our show.

Is there such a thing as too much Priya Krishna? We certainly don’t think so! The journalist, Cherry Bombe contributor, and author of the hit cookbook, Indian-ish: Recipes and Antics from a Modern American Family, visits Cherry Bombe HQ to catch up with host Kerry Diamond. They discuss favorite recipes, Bon Appétit YouTube videos, and how Priya’s life has changed since her book was published this past spring. In the second half, we’ll hear Priya’s talk from our Jubilee 2019 Conference with an introduction by Brooke Caison of Ovenly.

Stay tuned to hear who writer Lauren Elyse Garcia thinks is the bombe!

Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Schools and Traeger Wood Fired Grills for supporting our show. Don’t forget to support The Hunger Doesn’t Take a Break initiative from the Food Bank for New York City. Visit foodbanknyc.org for more.

Meet the original Grill Girl: Elizabeth Karmel, chef, tamer of flames, baker of cakes, and super taster. Elizabeth joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about her new cookbook, Steak and Cake: More Than 100 Recipes To Make Any Meal A Smash Hit, and her culinary path, which has taken her from North Carolina to the beach town of Amagansett, New York, with lots of stops in between. Learn the real secret of good grilling (spoiler alert: It starts with the “will to grill,” says Elizabeth) and find out what it means to have taste memory.

Who does Calli Marie of Brew Five Points think is the bombe? Stay tuned to find out!

Thank you to Le Cordon Bleu culinary schools and Traeger Grills for supporting our show. Don’t forget to support The Hunger Doesn’t Take a Break initiative from the Food Bank for New York City. Visit foodbanknyc.org for more.