This week on Chefs Without Restaurants, Chris Spear talks with culinary historian and James Beard Award-winning author Michael Twitty about his new book, 'Recipes from the American South.' With over 250 recipes, the book is a deep dive into the rich, diverse traditions of Southern food. Chris and Michael explore everything from grits and cornbread, to scrapple and possum. They also discuss what defines the South, how Michael pulled together such a monumental collection, and why food me...
Oct 16, 2025
59 min
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. This week on Chefs Without Restaurants, host Chris Spear welcomes chef Brandon Rogers, a private chef based in the Chicago area who recently competed on Next Level Chef with Gordon Ramsay. With over 15 years of hospitality experience, from fine dining restaurants to cooking for professional athletes, Brandon shares his culinary journey and the transition into running a private chef business. The episod...
Sep 30, 2025
29 min
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. “No one buys a story—editors buy a pitch.” That’s the frame for today’s conversation with D.C.–area journalist, photographer and writing coach Nevin Martell. You’ve seen his byline in places like The Washington Post, Washingtonian and The Boston Globe. He’s the author of eight books (including Looking for Calvin and Hobbes, The Founding Farmers Cookbook and the Red Truck Bakery Cookbook). This episode ...
Sep 3, 2025
49 min
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. Today on Chefs Without Restaurants, I speak with Chef Tristen Epps, a Season 22 finalist on Top Chef and a James Beard–recognized chef. From his Trinidadian heritage to a globe-trotting childhood in Guam, Japan, and the Philippines, Tristen’s culinary path was built on a foundation of cultural diversity and bold flavor. He’s a Johnson & Wales graduate, completed the rigorous Greenbrier apprenticesh...
Jun 13, 2025
1 hr 2 min
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. In this episode of Chefs Without Restaurants, host Chris Spear is joined by spirits expert and acclaimed author Kara Newman. Known for her extensive work as a spirits journalist and for writing innovative cocktail books, Kara shares how she made the leap from writing about pork belly futures to becoming a leading voice in the world of spirits and cocktails. They discuss everything from oddball cocktail...
May 29, 2025
40 min
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. This week, I’m joined by Jeff Koehler, food writer, traveler, and author of The Spanish Mediterranean Islands Cookbook, out now from Phaidon. Jeff has written nine books exploring the intersection of food, culture, and place, including The North African Cookbook, Where the Wild Coffee Grows, and Morocco: A Culinary Journey with Recipes. His work has appeared in NPR, The Washington Post, and Saveur, and...
May 14, 2025
48 min
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. This week on Chefs Without Restaurants, I’m joined by Eden Grinshpan, the chef, author, TV host, and culinary creative behind the new vegetarian cookbook Tahini Baby. You might know her as the host of Top Chef Canada, or from her earlier book Eating Out Loud. In this episode, Eden shares her journey from culinary school to food TV host and cookbook author. We dive into what inspired Tahini Baby, how sh...
May 7, 2025
44 min
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. This week on Chefs Without Restaurants, I’m joined by Arash Hashemi, the creator of Shred Happens, a social media movement and brand that’s helping millions eat better through low-carb, high-protein cooking. Arash is also the founder of Kaizen Foods, a company making low-carb, protein-packed pasta and rice alternatives. His new cookbook So Easy, So Good is out now. We dive into Arash’s personal journey...
Apr 17, 2025
51 min
On this episode of Chefs Without Restaurants, I’m joined by Chef Takeshi Nishikawa, founder of Snow Crane—a Japanese-inspired ice cream shop coming to Hyattsville, Maryland in 2025. After years leading high-profile kitchens like the Michelin-starred Rose’s Luxury and Pineapple and Pearls, Takeshi is now channeling his energy into small-batch, seasonal ice cream that reflects his minimalist approach and deep respect for Japanese culinary traditions. We talk about the challenges of launching a ...
Apr 2, 2025
34 min
Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. Have you ever thought about turning your love for baking into a real business? That’s exactly what Maria Baradell, founder of Leaf & Loaf, did. Starting in her home kitchen, she quickly scaled her sourdough micro-bakery into a thriving business. In this episode, she shares her journey, tips for success, and how she turned a viral moment into brand growth. We discuss: How Maria got started in the co...
Mar 13, 2025
38 min
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