DiMattia's Food Fight Podcast

DiMattia's Food Fight Podcast

By Brian DiMattiaSociety & Culture
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DiMattia's Food Fight Podcast episodes

  • From Door-to-Door to Center Ring: The Rise of Cinnfully Sweet! Joe Wascavage. Ep: 071
    In this episode, I sit down with Joe Wascavage, the owner and baker behind Cinnfully Sweet. We first met at the Wing Fling, where I got the chance to taste his gluten-free product line—and it blew me away.
    Joe shares the story of how his business started humbly with homemade cinnamon buns sold door-to-door in his neighborhood. What began in a family kitchen has since transformed into a full-scale baking operation. Today, that same kitchen produces for local businesses across the region, with big plans to grow beyond Northeastern PA.
    We dive into the journey of turning passion into a business, the challenges and rewards of baking for the community, and what’s next for Cinnfully Sweet.
    Thank You To My Sponsors!
    Genoa Wholesale Foods: Servicing the Pizza & Restaurant Industry Since 1947! https://www.genoafoods.com/
    Carley’s Fairy Tail Dog Grooming: 8 N Main St, Pittston, PA 18640. Call 541-410-9582
    Tommy Munley Law - 570-346-1300. Ask for Tommy Munley!
    1 hr 37 min
  • When the Fight Finds You: Parenting Through HHT. Ep. 070: Kaitlyn Swantek & Rick Yencho. A Fight for Life Episode!
    On today's episode of DiMattia’s Food Fight, we’re going beyond food and into something even bigger — the fight for life. My guest’s child is living with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), a rare genetic condition that can cause arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the body. These are abnormal connections between arteries and veins that can lead to serious complications.
    We’ll talk about what HHT is, how it affects families, and most importantly, how awareness can save lives. Early diagnosis and treatment are key — and so is sharing stories like this one.
    This is a conversation about strength, resilience, and the power of community. Don’t miss it.
    Thank You To My Sponsors!
    Genoa Wholesale Foods: Servicing the Pizza & Restaurant Industry Since 1947! https://www.genoafoods.com/
    Carley’s Fairy Tail Dog Grooming: 8 N Main St, Pittston, PA 18640. Call 541-410-9582
    Tommy Munley Law - 570-346-1300. Ask for Tommy Munley!
    49 min
  • The Sweet Comeback: Little Lenny's Cheesecake Story! Lenny Chieffo. Ep. 069
    In this episode, we sit down with Lenny from Little Lenny’s Cheesecake to talk about the highs, the lows, and the fight behind the flavors. Lenny opens up about the heartbreaking decision to close his beloved Dallas bakery while standing by his wife during her battle with cancer.
    He shares how he first got his start in the food business, the tough lessons learned from the “school of hard knocks,” and what it really takes to chase a dream in the culinary world. But Lenny’s story isn’t over—he’s now planning a comeback, this time by teaching people the craft of making his famous cheesecakes at home.
    It’s a conversation about resilience, passion, and keeping the sweet things in life alive—even after setbacks.
    1 hr 38 min
  • Wings, Grit, and Growth: The RISE of Peggy's Sauces. Peggy Cosgrove: Ep. 068
    On this episode of the Food Fight Podcast, we’re heading to Scranton to talk about a sauce that started in a family pub and grew into a regional favorite. Peggy’s Marinade & Dipping Sauce began as a house wing sauce recipe at Kelly’s Pub and Eatery, but it quickly turned into something much bigger — bottles on supermarket shelves, Scranton pride on every label, and flavors that have gone far beyond the original.
    I sit down with the creators behind Peggy’s to hear how the idea was born, what it took to bottle up their first 7,200 sauces, and the challenges and wins of turning a local favorite into a thriving business. From the Electric City sign on the bottle to bold flavors like Parm & Garlic and Sweetheat, this is the story of how passion, family, and a little Scranton grit turned into Peggy’s Marinade & Dipping Sauce.
    If you love wings, food business stories, or just want to support a true Scranton original, this episode is for you.
    51 min
  • Happy Boy Heat!: Building a Sauce Brand in Scranton. Brogan Scotch. Ep: 067
    This week on the Food Fight Podcast, we’re bringing you the story behind Happy Boy Scotch Sauce, Scranton’s own small-batch hot sauce. I sit down with the founders to talk about how a simple recipe turned into a bottled product with big flavor.
    We cover everything — from the early days of formulating the sauce, to the challenges of bottling and scaling, to marketing a small business in a tight-knit community. It’s a conversation about more than just hot sauce — it’s about local pride, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to build something spicy from scratch in NEPA.
    If you’ve ever thought about launching your own food brand, or you just love a good hot sauce story, this one’s for you.
    1 hr 10 min
  • Felittese Festival: Old Forge Italian Tradition. Jeff Casella - Ep. 066
    In this episode of Food Fight, I sit down with Jeff, president of the Felittese Association, to dive into the history and traditions of the Felittese Festival—a celebration that has been bringing Old Forge, PA together for over three decades.
    We talk about the festival’s Italian roots, its connection to Felitto, Italy, and how last year’s event continued to grow the tradition. This year, the Felittese Festival (September 12–14, 2025) promises incredible food—like gnocchi, soffritto, sausage & peppers, and Old Forge pizza—plus live music, raffles, and community fun at the Felittese Chapel Grounds.
    And don’t miss a brand-new highlight: the Food Fight vs. Gridiron Club Pizza Eating Contest on Saturday night! 🍕🔥
    Come check out the vendors, grab some Italian favorites, and be part of one of NEPA’s most beloved traditions.
    (Note: at the end of this episode you’ll hear me say the festival is tomorrow—but we decided to release this episode two weeks early, so please disregard that.)
    1 hr 39 min
  • National Bakery: The Heart of NEPA's Bread Legacy - Catherine Fox. Ep: 065
    On this episode of Food Fight, we head to Scranton, Pennsylvania, to spotlight one of the region’s most beloved institutions—National Bakery. Since opening its doors in 1946, National has been serving up fresh, preservative-free breads and rolls that became a Sunday morning tradition for countless families. From their famous hard rolls to crusty Italian loaves and rye, their bread has earned iconic status across Northeastern Pennsylvania.
    A few years ago, the bakery entered a new chapter as it was taken over by new owners who kept the tradition alive and made it their own family business. We talk about the history, the recipes that built its reputation, and how the new generation is honoring decades of craftsmanship while keeping Scranton’s bread legacy alive.
    If you grew up in NEPA, chances are National Bakery has been a part of your table—this episode tells the story of why.
    1 hr 14 min
  • Granola Warfare: The My Sister's Granola Story. Laura Carter: Ep. 064
    In this inspiring conversation, Laura Gentry Carter walks us through her journey—from experimenting with recipes at home to becoming the creator and Chief Granola Officer of My Sister’s Granola. She passionately describes how her brand is built on a mission to deliver the perfect harmony of flavor and texture, anchored by genuine ingredients and craftsmanship. Listeners get an inside look at how R&D, production, and thoughtful development contribute to a product that’s as wholesome as it is delicious—and how the business continues to grow, fueled by community support and Laura’s unwavering devotion.
    Thank You To My Sponsors!
    Genoa Wholesale Foods: Servicing the Pizza & Restaurant Industry Since 1947! https://www.genoafoods.com/
    Carley’s Fairy Tail Dog Grooming: 8 N Main St, Pittston, PA 18640. Call 541-410-9582
    Tommy Munley Law - 570-346-1300. Ask for Tommy Munley!
    1 hr 39 min
  • Food, Heart, and FIGHT!!! The Ronald McDonald House. Jake Bird. Ep: 063
    This Week on The Food Fight Podcast: Jaka Bird & The Ronald McDonald House
    In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with my friend Jaka Bird—Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt, community advocate, and proud representative of the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
    We dive into the incredible work being done at the Ronald McDonald House and how it personally impacted Jaka and her family. From its history to its daily operations, you’ll get an inside look at how this organization supports families in their greatest time of need.
    But that’s not all—we also throw down a review of the long-awaited McDonald’s Snack Wrap, with none other than Grimace making a surprise appearance in the studio! 💜🌯
    And of course, no Food Fight episode would be complete without a bit of BJJ talk. Jaka and I reflect on our shared martial arts journey—starting around the same time, earning our purple belts together, and how MMA and jiu-jitsu have transformed our lives from the ground up.
    This one’s got food, heart, and fight. Don’t
    1 hr 22 min
  • Old Forge Pizza: The Story of Arcaro & Genell with Angelo Genell and Amanda Krappa. Ep. 062
    In this episode, we sit down with Angelo Genell and Amanda Krappa to dive into the rich history of the iconic Arcaro & Genell in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. We talk about what it was like growing up in Old Forge, the hometown known for its legendary style of pizza. Angelo and Amanda share why the dining room closed after COVID, what it meant to have President Trump stop by for a slice, and break down exactly how authentic Old Forge pizza is made — including the difference between using a classic pizza oven versus a conveyor belt oven.
    Thank You To My Sponsors!
    Luca Pizza: 200 Wyoming Ave. West Pittston, PA 18643
    Genoa Wholesale Foods: Servicing the Pizza & Restaurant Industry Since 1947! https://www.genoafoods.com/
    Carley’s Fairy Tail Dog Grooming: 8 N Main St, Pittston, PA 18640. Call 541-410-9582
    Tommy Munley Law - 570-346-1300. Ask for Tommy Munley!
    1 hr 13 min

About DiMattia's Food Fight Podcast

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DiMattia’s Food Fight is more than a food podcast — it’s a fight for life