On the day her movie A Fine Line: A Woman's Place Is In the Kitchen debuts in New York City, filmmaker Joanna James discusses her documentary's exploration of the struggles and triumphs of women chefs and restauranteurs, and the story of her mother Val's life in the industry. The movie intercuts Val James' story with interviews with top women chefs including Dominique Crenn, Barbara Lynch, and Mashama Bailey.

And, continuing a conversation from last week's show, chef and author Rocco DiSpirito discusses how he became focused on health and fitness, his new cookbook Rocco's Keto Comfort Food Diet, his years away from restaurants, why he came back, and what he's thinking of doing next. 

EPISODE GUIDE

0 - 4:25  Intro

4:25 - 51:35  Joanna James

51:35 - 54:20 Show Notes and Updates

54:20 - 1:55:50 - Rocco DiSpirito, part 2

1:55:50 - end  Outro

LINKS

ANDREW TALKS TO CHEFS official website 

A FINE LINE movie official website

MAPP (A Fine Line's social impact campaign)

Rocco's Keto Comfort Food Diet

Rocco DiSpirito website

Benno restaurant (hosted Rocco DiSpirito interview) 

Mermaid Inn (hosted Joanna James interview)

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!