In this inaugural episode of  @WineCentricShow , host Matt Weiss interviews Eric Asimov, the wine writer for The New York Times. They discuss various topics including the importance of evaluating wine producers over individual bottles, the role of blind tastings in wine education, the rise of natural wines, and the cultural significance of wine. Asimov emphasizes that wine should be enjoyed without the pressure of expertise and that there are many layers to the experience of wine appreciation. Follow him on Instagram @WineCentricShow ..read more

Max sits down with Mike De Los Santos, popularly known as Mike D from Mike D's Barbecue in Durham. We get into Mike D's Dominican heritage, financial and operational challenges faced in the restaurant industry, and the art and science of barbecue-making. It's a blend of humor and seriousness, touching on community support, moral values, and the pursuit of culinary authenticity. Mike D employs a strategy to create standout barbecue sauces and dishes, his commitment to paying a living wage, and the importance of local support in the barbecue business ..read more

Donate to World Central Kitchen Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay chat with Chef Michael Kramer, the owner of Gianna, recorded during the Euphoria festival in Greenville, South Carolina. We cover Kramer's extensive culinary background, including his time in California and work with Wolfgang Puck. Kramer shares insights into his transition to Greenville, the inspiration behind his newly released cookbook ‘Jianna,' and the simplicity of Italian cuisine. The conversation offers a glimpse into Kramer's passion for cycling, his approach to maintaining fresh and innovative restaurant menus, and ..read more

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss interview Chef Scott Alderson, owner of Native Prime Provisions, a hidden gem located in a strip mall in Cashers, North Carolina. Scott shares his journey, love for fresh, high-quality ingredients, and innovative yet strict approach to running a 10-seat counter restaurant. Despite some harsh Google reviews, Scott emphasizes his commitment to providing exceptional food and experience while setting clear boundaries for his guests. The conversation covers sourcing fresh seafood, local partnership ..read more

Having recently celebrated our nation's independence, this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, celebrates 32 years of the independently owned Margaux's in Raleigh. The NC F&B Podcast, hosted by Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss, speaks with owner Steve Horowitz and Chef Andrew Pettifer, as they discuss the restaurant's history, rooted in French Nouvelle cuisine, the pivoting to Pacific Rim and Thai fusion, and the challenges they faced, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode delves into their commitment to fresh, local, sustainable ingredients and the significance o ..read more

Go behind the scenes and on the Red Carpet at the Lyric Auditorium in Chicago as we dive into the 2024 James Beard Awards! We're in town to support our NC nominated crews, such as Jamie Davis of the Hackney in Washington, NC, Crawford Hospitality for Outstanding Hospitality and Chef Dean Neff for Outstanding Chef. We take you inside, discuss what it takes to get nominated, what it's like backstage and how the city of Chicago embraces the biggest food event of the year!  Video Production by Forrest Mason On the mic: @trujillo.media @weisswine Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod Follow us ..read more

The best kept secret in Winston-Salem is Broad Branch Distillery - Until now. We tasted through the various whiskeys, ryes, and rums with Anna Windham and Donald Jenkins of Broad Branch Distillery. That was a memorable afternoon of tasting. And their commitment for flavors is quite inspiring. Listen in to hear how they started the distillery, the choices they made to keep their style unique and what future plans they have from growth in the heart of Winston-Salem. On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @aaronvaughen Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod Support ..read more

Donate to World Central Kitchen Chefs Dylan Cook from Fork Grove Barbecue and Jacques Larson of The Obstinate Daughter join the conversation, set on day three of Euphoria's Feast on the Field, explores their diverse culinary backgrounds—Dylan's roots in barbecue and his journey from a musician to a pitmaster, and Jacques's expertise in French and Italian cuisine. They discuss the influence of modern culinary trends, the impact of social media, and their passion for pushing culinary boundaries. Their discussion highlights the evolving food scene and the significance of collaborations and s ..read more

Donate to World Central Kitchen Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay introduce Chef T from Union 41  in Bristol, Virginia, and Chef Sean from Noble Barbecue in Kingsport, Tennessee, recorded live at the Euphoria food festival in Greenville, South Carolina. Chef T discusses her innovative approach to Appalachian cuisine, incorporating elements from the Caribbean diaspora, particularly from St. Vincent. Highlights include discussions about her signature jerk chicken and famous fried chicken recipes, emphasizing the layers of flavors and the importance of execution. Chef Sean highlights the ..read more

Donate to World Central Kitchen Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay interview Chef Christian Hunter, partner chef at Atelier in Chicago. Christian shares his journey from Lexington, Kentucky to Chicago. He delves into his background, culinary philosophy, and experiences, including earning a Michelin star at Atelier. The discussion covers his use of local ingredients, innovative approaches to traditional dishes, and the importance of honoring food's cultural and historical roots. Christian also hints at his upcoming restaurant, Laverne's, named after his mother ..read more