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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 apprenticeship under Chef Richard Rosendale, and worked closely with Marcus Samuelsson, who became both a professional and personal mentor. 

Our conversation explores culinary education and mentorship, and how institutional bias and discrimination continue to undervalue certain cuisines. We also examine how pricing can reflect, or deny, cultural respect in the food world. 

Tristen shares what it was like competing on Top Chef, and why competitions fuel his creativity.

TRISTEN EPPS
Tristen's Instagram and Facebook
Check out Tristen's website

Podcast with Top Chef Season 22 contestant Lana Lagomarsini

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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 creations, like a sour cream and onion martini and pot liquor ice cubes, to larger industry trends such as the resurgence of martinis, non-alcoholic beverages, and the use of upcycled ingredients like spent coffee grounds. Kara also talks about her latest venture, The Cocktail Cabinet, a collection of recipe card decks designed to inspire home bartenders.

Whether you're new to mixology or a seasoned drink maker, this episode delivers great insights and practical advice on how to elevate your cocktail game at home.

KARA NEWMAN
Kara's Instagram
Check out Kara's website
Get Kara's Books and The Cocktail Cabinet Cards 

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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 he's been honored with the IACP award for literary food writing.

We talk about Jeff’s journey from the Pacific Northwest to Barcelona, and how he came to split his time between the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands. Jeff shares his deep knowledge of the island's culinary traditions, from rustic pantry staples and spreadable pork sausage to fresh seafood and seasonal sweets. You'll hear about daily life in Menorca, what makes each island unique, and why Jeff believes anyone, even those without a Mediterranean market nearby, can cook from this book.

If you’ve ever been curious about island living, Mediterranean cuisine, or the power of place in shaping food culture, this is an episode for you.

 Episode Highlights

• Jeff’s move from Seattle to Spain
• The food culture of the Balearic Islands: Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera
• Seasonal eating and daily market shopping
• How necessity shaped island cuisine
• Tips for recreating Mediterranean dishes at home

JEFF KOEHLER
Jeff's Instagram
Check out Jeff's website
Get Jeff's book The Spanish Mediterranean Islands Cookbook 

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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 she brings bold Middle Eastern flavors to her vegetable-forward dishes, and why condiments like tahini, harissa, and pomegranate molasses are key to making vegetables exciting. Eden also opens up about juggling a creative food career with raising two kids, and how her cooking style has changed as a result.

We talk about cookbook creation, food photography, and what makes a good tahini—and yes, she gives some practical tips on what store-bought staples she swears by. This isn’t just a chat about vegetarian food. It’s about food that feels vibrant, satisfying, and full of life. Eden’s energy is infectious, and I think you’re going to walk away inspired to shake up your own cooking.

EDEN GRINSHPAN
Eden's Instagram and YouTube
Check out Eden's website Eden Eats
Get Eden's books Tahini Baby and Eating Out Loud

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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 from struggling with weight, to building a wellness-focused food empire. You’ll hear how he went from being a finance executive to a full-time content creator and entrepreneur with over 4 million followers. We talk about meal prep, cravings, cost barriers to healthy eating, and what he actually eats for breakfast every day. You'll also hear how he created his lupini bean pasta, and the challenges he faced bringing his product to market.

Arash’s story is incredibly relatable and inspiring, especially if you’re trying to build healthier habits without giving up flavor.

ARASH HASHEMI
Arash's Instagram and TikTok
Check out Kaizen Foods: Website & Instagram
But the book So Easy, So Good

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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 culinary business, and how he's applying his fine dining background to a neighborhood-focused ice cream shop. He shares lessons learned from overseeing complex catering operations, why mentorship is critical, and how he’s laying the groundwork for Snow Crane’s success.

TAKESHI  NISHIKAWA
Instagram for Snow Crane and chef Takeshi

Snow Crane's website

New Kitchens on the Block (April 26th) - Try Snow Crane's ice cream

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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 cottage baking industry
• The realities of running a profitable home bakery
• Using Hotplate and other tools to streamline orders
• Social media marketing for micro-bakeries
• Her viral TikTok moment—mixing sourdough on an airplane

MARIA BARADELL
Maria's Instagram (Leaf & Loaf) and TikTok
Find Maria's resources
Buy the bread pans Maria uses

CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS
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This week on Chefs Without Restaurants, we celebrate two major milestones: our 250th episode and five years of podcasting. To mark the occasion, we’re joined by one of the most iconic figures in the culinary world, Jacques Pépin. 

Chef Pépin shares insights from his legendary seven-decade career, including advice for young cooks, his thoughts on balancing tradition with technology, and the inspiration behind the Jacques Pépin Foundation. We also discuss the year-long celebration of his 90th birthday and the remarkable chefs joining him in fundraising for the foundation.

As always, stay connected to the Chefs Without Restaurants community and look out for the Personal Chef Business Startup Guide podcast, launching January 2025.

JACQUES PEPIN
The Jacques Pépin Foundation website
Celebrate Jacques: 90 Chefs/90 Dinners and More
Buy the book: Jacques Pepin: New Complete Techniques
The Jacques Pépin Foundation on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube
Podcast: The Jacques Pépin Foundation and Culinary Education with Rollie Wesen

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... More Coming soon

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Join Chris Spear in this episode as he interviews Joe Yonan, the acclaimed food and dining editor of The Washington Post and celebrated cookbook author. Joe’s latest work, Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking, redefines plant-based food, focusing on creating flavorful and approachable dishes without dietary labels or limitations.

Together, they discuss the nuances of plant-based vs. vegan terminology, the cultural roots of global plant-based cuisine, and practical techniques to elevate vegetable dishes. Tune in for Joe’s insights on culinary creativity, low-waste cooking, and embracing plant-based meals—whether for a day or a lifetime.

JOE YONAN
Buy the books Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking and Cool Beans
Joe on Instagram and Threads
Joe's Website

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In this episode, Chris Spear chats with Heidrun Metzler, a passionate baker and author of German Heritage Baking. With recipes that include everything from Apple Strudel to Black Forest Cake, Heidrun's cookbook is a true labor of love that has been over ten years in the making.

She dives into her family's baking legacy and her journey to adapt traditional German recipes for American kitchens. Heidrun also discusses how she’s blended these old-world recipes with modern technology—adding QR codes that link to her own instructional videos.

Highlights & Timestamps:

• [00:02:04] - The inspiration behind German Heritage Baking and the importance of preserving tradition
• [00:06:04] - The art of intuitive baking and tips for experimenting with liqueurs and alternative ingredients
• [00:10:00] - Challenges of baking traditional German recipes with American ingredients
• [00:25:00] - Creative ways to adapt classic recipes using local ingredients like macadamia nuts
• [00:27:57] - Heidrun's experience in creating videos for her recipes and how technology helps share old-world baking techniques

Heidrun Metzler
Buy the book German Heritage Baking
Heidrun on Instagram, Vimeo and YouTube
Heidrun's Website

CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS
If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).
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