And Dave Beran took that personally. Plus, Food & Wine snubs LA, three LA restaurants score major NYT praise, and our favorite CA pizzas outside of LA.

Today on The LA Food Podcast, Dave Beran—the award-winning chef behind Santa Monica’s Pasjoli and the tasting-menu temple Seline—sits down for his most candid interview yet. We talk about stepping into roles before you feel ready, the line between an intense kitchen and a toxic one, fundraising and vision, and how he truly feels about Seline not earning a Michelin star in year one. We also rewind to his Chicago years with Grant Achatz at Alinea and Next, and dig into how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership, hospitality, and creativity in Los Angeles.

Before that, part-time co-host Karen Palmer joins for recent eats in Ojai, what she’s working on next (including a shockingly great pizzeria in a surprising location), and Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss:

Food & Wine’s LA snub on its latest Best New Chefs list

Which LA spots made The New York Times 50 Best Restaurants in America (2025)

The latest trend sweeping LA restaurants and how we actually feel about it

If you care about fine dining, honest kitchen culture, and where Los Angeles food is headed next, this one is for you.

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