

Andrew Talks to Chefs
Andrew Friedman
Our top chefs, as you’ve never heard them before. Author Andrew Friedman, one of the nation's chief chroniclers of professional kitchen life, interviews a diverse cross-section of the best and biggest names in the business, bringing his personal relationships and industry knowledge to bear in coaxing personal and professional revelations from his guests.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 4, 2019 • 1h 39min
Episode 100: Special Report - LIVE from The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Competition
For our 100th episode, we have a special report from the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Competition North American regional semifinals. Andrew sat down with all of the emerging chefs who faced off in New York City a few weeks ago, for the right to represent North America at the Grand Finale in Milan, Italy, in 2020. In a series of short (10 minutes or less) conversations, he profiles this wildly talented and wonderfully diverse group. You’ll hear the stories of chefs who are plying their trade in New Orleans and Los Angeles, Calgary and Vancouver, New York and Ottawa. You’ll hear from sous chefs and executive chefs; those who work in restaurants and those who work in country clubs; those who are still in their home regions and those who moved to them from countries like Colombia and Italy. (The winner of the North American Semifinals, Chef Rafael Covarrubias, will be the featured guest on our next episode.)S.Pellegrino is a promotional partner of Andrew Talks to Chefs.Episode Guide0 - 10:52 Intro10:53 - 1:00:12 Pre-competition interviews (Jenny Dorsey, Yoann Therer, Camila Olarte, Kathryn Ferries, Francesco Di Marzio)1:00:13 - 1:03:03 Show notes and updates1:03:04 - 1:39:10 Post-competition interviews (Marvin Palomo, Jeremy Stephens, Vincent Gilliard, Garrett Martin)1:39:11 - Wrap upLINKS:Andrew Talks to Chefs official WebsiteS.Pellegrino Young Chef Competition Website
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!

Nov 20, 2019 • 2h 11min
Episode 99: Claudia Fleming (North Fork Table & Inn; author, The Last Course) and bonus guest Jeff Gordinier (Esquire magazine)
Andrew drove out to Southold, NY, this summer to visit influential pastry chef Claudia Fleming at her North Fork Table & Inn. They spoke about Claudia's Italian-Irish upbringing, her early days as an aspiring dancer, her transition to restaurant work (starting in the front of the house), and ascension to opening pastry chef at Gramercy Tavern, where she inspired generations of colleagues. Claudia worked in such seminal restaurants as the original Jams, Tribeca Grill, and Union Square Cafe, all of which are discussed in detail, as is the reissue of her cookbook The Last Course, just published last week.Joining Andrew for the intro this week is his colleague and neighbor Jeff Gordinier, food & drinks editor of Esquire magazine, whose 2019 Best New Restaurants list recently debuted. Jeff shares his extensive selection process, as well as some highlights from the list.Episode guide:1:25 - 33:40 Intro with Esquire magazine food & drinks editor Jeff Gordinier33:40 - 1:28:10 Claudia Fleming, part 11:28:40 - 1:39:28 More with Jeff Gordinier (mid-Show break)1:39:28 - 2:10:10 - Claudia Fleming, part 22:10:10 Wrap up with Jeff GordinierLinks:Andrew Talks to Chefs official websiteNorth Fork Table & Inn (Claudia's restaurant & inn)The Last Course (Claudia's book)Esquire's Best New Restaurants 2019Hungry (Jeff Gordinier's latest book)Please tell a friend about Andrew Talks to Chefs and/or rate/review us on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks for listening![photo of Claudia Fleming by Eric Striffler]
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!

Nov 13, 2019 • 1h 6min
Episode 98: Signature Dishes That Matter with Christine Muhlke & Michael Laiskonis
A fun episode for both professional cooks and chefs, and "civilian" food geeks alike: Christine Muhlke, co-curator and writer of the new Phaidon book Signature Dishes That Matter, joins Andrew to kick around the notion of signature dishes, how she and her collaborators made their selections, and even some dishes that didn't make the cut. Joining them is acclaimed pastry chef Michael Laiskonis, currently of Recolte, and a food scholar in his own right.The conversation ranges from the 1600s to 2018, from street food to haute cuisine, from nouvelle to New American, and touches on chefs ranging from Claudia Fleming to Wolfgang Puck, Paul Bocuse to David Chang, Alice Waters to Dan Barber.Special thanks to Benno restaurant for hosting this conversation.Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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!

Nov 6, 2019 • 2h 10min
Episode 97: Whitney Otawka; Laura & Sayat Ozyilmaz
Whitney Otawka, whom some listeners might remember from her stint on Top Chef, just released a new cookbook, The Saltwater Table, based on her exploration and interpretation of the terroir of Georgia's Cumberland Island. It's a fascinating read, and Whitney's story--she grew up as a wannabe archeologist in Southern California, discovered cooking in a first job in a two-person kitchen in Berkeley, and flowered as a chef after moving to Athens, Georgia--is compelling, to say the least.In our second interview, Andrew visits with husband-and-wife chef-restaurateurs Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz of San Francisco's hit restaurant Noosh. They share the story of how they met and how their stories and sensibilities--one's a lifelong cook, the other a career-changer--complement one another, and how Noosh came to be.Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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!

Oct 30, 2019 • 2h 3min
Episode 96: Erez Komarovsky; Nicholas Stefanelli
Andrew welcomes one of the founders of modern Israeli cuisine, Erez Komarovsky, to New York City, where he recently opened his first US restaurant, Mint Kitchen. The two discuss Komarovsky's culinary awakening in Tel Aviv, his development in Paris and San Francisco, and his storied, multifaceted career in Israel.In our second interview, Andrew visits with Nicholas Stefanelli of Washington DC's Masseria and Officina. They track how Stefanelli migrated from baseball to fashion to cooking, the similarities and differences between the two sides of his heritage (Italian and Greek), food history and its place in contemporary dining, and restaurant management.Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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!

Oct 23, 2019 • 1h 49min
Episode 95: Angie Rito & Scott Tacinelli; Victoria Blamey
After a long hiatus, Andrew Talks to Chefs is back with two interviews featuring chefs at the forefront of the New York City dining scene: First, Andrew sits down with Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli of the red-hot, red-sauce-inspired Don Angie, which draws on their shared and distinct Italian-American heritage and myriad New York City influences. Then, he catches up with Victoria Blamey (whom you already met in a deep-dive, late-night interview in Episode 9), who recently took the helm at the legendary Gotham Bar and Grill.Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!
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!

Aug 14, 2019 • 1h 55min
Episode 94: Jamie Simpson, Culinary Vegetable Institute Chefs Tristan Acevedo, Kayla Jarvinen, Lincoln Marquis, Madysen Maynard
While in Milan, Ohio, to partiticpate in a dinner at The Culinary Vegetable Institute at The Chef's Garden, Andrew grabbed the opportunity to interview one of his favorite people in the industry, the CVI's Executive Chef & Chef Liaison Jamie Simpson. Hear the story of how this young chef found his way to a unique six-year (and counting) stint at one of the most esteemed farms in the world, and what the the rewards of flowing to to the rhythms of a working farm are. Then, meet Jamie's kitchen team, a passionate group of chefs of varying ages and lengths of tenure who share a common enthusiasm for their surroundings and teammates.Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!Andrew Talks To Chefs is powered by Simplecast.
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!

Aug 7, 2019 • 2h 5min
Episode 93: Dave Beran
As he readies his new restaurant Pasjoli for a fall debut, Dave Beran--who's already enjoying great success in Santa Monica, California, at Dialogue--takes us back through his life and career, from his formative days in Upstate New York and Michigan, to his early kitchen years at Alinea and Next (he served as chef de cuisine at both) to his decision to migrate to the West Coast. A far-ranging conversation about education, creativity, and finding one's professional home and wheelhouse.Visit the official Andrew Talks to Chefs website to explore past episodes, join our mailing list, leave a voicemail or comment, and keep up with Andrew's blog.Here's a thought: If you like what you hear, please tell your chef-fascinated friends, subscribe to Andrew Talks to Chefs (it's free) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, follow us on your favorite social media platforms @ChefPodcast, and/or rate or review us on Apple's Podcast store. Thanks for listening!Andrew Talks To Chefs is powered by Simplecast.
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!

Jul 31, 2019 • 2h 30min
Episode 92: Rōze Traore, Jose Arroyo
This week, Andrew sits down with two chefs who have gone their own way: Rōze Traore, who's part of the kitchen team at Eleven Madison Park and also stages pop-ups and private dinners around the world, and has a second career as a model, epitomizing the emerging avenues available to a young chef today. And Jose Arroyo, of Ontario, California, who served in the miliary and trained in culinary school, then decided to pursue a more mainstream career, out of the spotlight but no less devoted to delivering quality work.
It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have brand new member gifts available. So snag your favorite new pizza - themed tee shirt or enamel pin today and show the world how much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate
Andrew Talks To Chefs is powered by Simplecast.
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!

Jul 10, 2019 • 3h 25min
Episode 91: David Shim, Lee Hanson & Riad Nasr, Jeff Gordinier
There are no hotter restaurants in New York City right now than Cote and Frenchette, and on this week's episode, we've got the chefs behind both of them: David Shim, the soft-spoken but intensely exacting chef of Cote tells Andrew how and why he gave up aspirations of professional soccer to pursue a pro cooking career, and how he went about designing the food for Cote's unique, modern take on a Korean steakhouse. Then, Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, the dynamic duo who brought their culinary vision to life at Frenchette, take us all the way back to their early days working for Daniel Boulud and as opening chefs for such landmark New York restaurants as Balthazar. As if that weren't enough, Esquire magazine's food and drinks editor Jeff Gordinier joins Andrew to help introduce these chefs, and to talk about his brand new book, Hungry. This is a special one--at least we think it is--enjoy!
It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have brand new member gifts available. So snag your favorite new pizza - themed tee shirt or enamel pin today and show the world how much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate.
Andrew Talks To Chefs is powered by Simplecast.
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!