Food Farms & Chefs Radio Show

From the age of 15, our first guest had a first taste of his future while busing tables at a local restaurant, and fell in love with the fast-paced industry.  After pursuing that love by way of The Art Institutes, Chef Michael DeLone gradually worked his way from line cook to becoming the Executive Chef--and along the way meeting, learning under, and earning the respect of Chef Nunzio Patruno.  Years later, Michael was seeking locations to open his own restaurant when his mentor called with the perfect opportunity: Becoming the new Owner and Chef of Nunzio's in Collingswood, NJ.  Since then, Chef DeLone has been making his mark on the popular Italian restaurant, and is excited to share the new look and re-branding of Nunzio's in the coming months.

Speaking of new looks and re-branding, the Craft Beer Store's (Springfield) Owner, Matthew Titus Sr. was elated to share some big news--and you get to hear it first on Food, Farms, and Chefs Radio Show!  After Titus Sr. acquired the business via his position within another company, Matthew Titus Jr. approached his father with a plan--to keep Craft Beer Store and make it their own.  After some much needed renovations and an addition to the beer offerings, the venue became a popular spot for locals to enjoy. Since then, they've made several other changes to the space, including their big news--but we're not into spoilers, so tune in to hear what their Grand Opening (happening on Sept 23rd at 1pm) is celebrating, as well as a few more exciting announcements to look forward to!

Looking forward to new things comes with this week's final guest, Michele Di Pietro.  As a Chef; Recipe Developer; Culinary Consultant; Cookbook Author; Food Writer and former Accountant, Michele blended left-brain and right-brain thinking into an artform.  That duality aided in her rising career, taking several different forms along the way.  Chef Di Pietro has blossomed into a multi-faceted business owner and Chef, creating delicious recipes and cuisines for everyone to enjoy.  Not only has Michele developed recipes produced on a larger scale, she offers easy-to-make recipes on her blog and in her book, "Soupified: Soups Inspired by Your Favorite Dishes."  So if you're pondering what to make, feel free to subscribe to MangiawithMichele.com for sauces to entrees and everything in between,  or purchase her cookbook and Fall in love with your new favorite soup!

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Our first guest, Matt Satten, is no stranger to the popularity of libations-and drew upon the acquired knowledge to form Top Dog Cocktails.  The cocktails, Greyhound, Whiskey Lemonade, Blood Orange Margarita, and Peach Mango Iced Tea are all crafted using hard liquor.  In a world inundated with hard seltzers, Top Dog Cocktails offers great mixed drinks without the hassle to make it from scratch.

Next, we heard from Nery Burgos, Chef and Owner of Breakfast at Blume located in Delaware.  Burgos, who graduated with a BA in Business Management, utilized her career to follow through with her life-long passion within the culinary industry.  Nery's career path was inspired by one of her high school teachers, which she vowed to follow the three rules he suggested: Have a means to make money, have a passion, and have a hobby. Burgos' focus on three rules lended itself to the success that bloomed Breakfast at Blume.

Lastly we spoke with Ash & Pretha Kailath, the owners of Lu & Aug's in Ardmore, PA.  They founded their dessert and coffee shop as a family entrepreneurial endeavor--and soon thereafter the magic of combining ice cream with coffee known as an Affogato became one of the most popular menu items for their business.  On top of offering inventive (and instagrammable) desserts, they help support local business by including them into their heavenly ice cream creations--see for yourselves as they pile on 4th Street cookie company's brownies, silky-smooth chocolate ice cream (the Chocoholic), or their signature affogato made with OX Coffee Roasters Espresso poured over your ice cream.  

If you're curious to find out what else each of this week's guests can tempt you with--be sure to tune in to Food Farms and Chefs Radio Show!

Food Trucks have become a popular (and dare we say sought-after) foodie trend, but what happens when you bring two hot trends into one concept? Our first guests, Electronic Eats set out to do just that. Co-Founders Nina-Maria Lara-Daniels and Armand Wilson met during the filming of a movie, and found a mutual love of gaming and food. Somewhere along the way, the pair's love and ideas blossomed, and Electronic Eats was born. Of course not all ideas run smoothly when they are first established, so tune in to hear how they turned a second-hand food truck into a well-run, entertaining, and food-centric mobile gaming center.

Co-Founder Rich Shaget and his Chef, Randy Smith, joined us to discuss Osteria 545. The location offers a deeper connection to the community, holding a history in the culinary world which you'll find etched into their bar-literally. As for their venue's refurbished areas--the rooms were established to offer a better dining experience. They wanted to ensure that guests of Osteria 545 would have an uninterrupted meal while partaking of the set-menus and fresh takes on farm-to-table specials. What makes this restaurant even more remarkable? Co-Founder Bruce Santino is also the owner of Black Sheep Farm, which offers fresh produce on a weekly basis for both Chefs (Santino and Smith) to come up with creative dishes for their patrons to enjoy. Looking to hear more? Then tune in to find out about one of the Specials running this week at Osteria 545, and so much more!

Our final guest, Co-Founder and Head Brewer Wayne Humphrey of My Local Brew Works, joined us from their location just inside Globe Dye Works. We had an in-depth discussion regarding how Wayne and his co-founder (Tim Montague) began their journey into the craft-brew scene, and how their business concept offers a distinct difference from all other breweries. After making a splash on the competition circuit they formed a friendship with Philly Brewing icon and author, George Hummel, who helped their journey with his expertise. After delaying the initial launch for My Local Brew Works (as a result of the 2020 pandemic), Humphrey and Montague are preparing their Northeast Philadelphia-based business to launch, offering cases of beers that are chosen and created by you--that's right! Your next gathering, event, or heck--even if you just want to grab a beer to brag about is at your fingertips. If you want to know more--stay tuned until the end of this week's Food, Farms, and Chefs episode to find out!

When you think of Scandinavian cuisines, Pennsylvania might not be your first thought.  Our first guest, Nik Forsburg, may change your mind.  Nik, who conceptualized Fet-Fisk Pittsburgh with his soon-to-be Creative Director, Sarah LaPonte during the pandemic.  Together, they hosted bi-weekly pop-up meals at their house, in what Forsburg described as "speakeasy dinners."  This coincided with Nik's desire to keep himself busy throughout the pandemic by acquiring a plot of land to farm at a local community space, which yielded the ingredients he uses for his dishes.  Soon, the Fet-Fisk Pittsburgh pop-up became a popular (and sought-after) dining experience and now Nik is preparing to open the doors to Fet-Fisk Pittsburgh this Fall (September).

You don't have to travel far for our next guest, who opened Lilly's Ferry in Old City Philadelphia in what used to be Victoria's Freehouse.  With views that will make you want to explore Philadelphia, Anas Hamed offers the savory dishes of Middle Eastern fare to your palates. Hamad's Chef, who previously owned and was the Chef for a restaurant in Dubai, created the menu for Lilly's Ferry.  That menu includes items like his rich and creamy Hummus, Chicken Shawarma, and (lollipop) Lamb Chops. If you're curious to find out more--tune in and hear from Anas what he has to tempt your taste buds!

As we circle the globe via cuisines, we find ourselves stopping for some of Juan Placencia's Brazas BBQ Chicken.  The Peruvian-based restaurant is not Placencia's first; he has opened, operated, and been the Executive Chef for several restaurants over the years.  Due to some unfortunate set-backs, he felt the need to sell his restaurants and began anew.  Fortunately, his decision preceded the shut-downs in 2020 and he used that time to open a ghost-kitchen concept: Brazas BBQ Chicken.  The CIA (Culinary Institute of America) graduate found success in his new venture, and opened the doors to its first brick and mortar location approximately 9 months ago.  Now, he is helping to bring about the resurgence of Philadelphia's South Street dining scene, and offering a delicioso flare while doing so!

Founder Colleen Falicki was inspired to compost years before starting Back To Earth Compost.  She grew up learning little tricks from her grandparents who had maintained a healthy garden.  Then in high school, the budding entrepreneur formed the group STEM (Save the Environment Man).  Years later, after marrying and having a family of her own, Colleen formed Back To Earth Compost and has since turned the Green-friendly business into a community gem.  With options to have your compost picked up (locally), or utilize one of the drop-off locations--you can save the environment one 5-gallon bucket at a time.

Next, Gene Blum chatted with the Director of Operations for M2O Burgers & Executive Chef, Richard Dobies of the newly opened Töska Restaurant and Brewery in Philadelphia's Germantown area.  Chef Richard Dobies grew up learning how to cook, with his first job at the young age of 12 inside his cousin's restaurant.  Later, he re-entered the culinary scene after health issues arose in his family's restaurants which eventually led Dobies to a General Management position at M2O's Newark, DE location.  After seeing the positive impact of changes made by Dobies, the trio of brothers (Leo, Pep, and Jim Osmanollaj) who own Have a Burger and M2O Burgers, brought Richard on as their Director of Operations and Executive Chef for M2O and the new Töska Restaurant and Brewery.  With the opening of Töska, visitors can experience a menu that will represent the Osmanollaj brother's Albanian roots by adding a delicious twist on comfort food favorites!

For our last course on your intellectual palate, we discussed everyone's favorite dessert: Ice cream!  Owowcow Creamery was founded in 2009 by John Fezzuoglio, and is one of the few businesses licensed by the US Department of Agriculture to make America's favorite sweet treat from scratch.  So it was no wonder when he offered the position of Executive Chef to Alison Rizzo, she was elated to accept.  Rizzo, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY joined us to talk about what goes into making their flavorsome frozen treats, which hastens back to Fezzuoglio's original mission: Support local agriculture while serving the community by creating ice cream that is real and honest.

00:00:17~There was so much to unfold with our first guest, Master Mixologist Toby Maloney, that our co-host was overwhelmed with the abundance of his achievements! Not only has Maloney spearheaded the art of craft cocktails wherever he lands, he created a recipe book to help you craft them at home (or wherever you go too).  "The Bartenders Manifesto: How to Think, Drink, and Create Cocktails Like a Pro" is the premiere guide on the methodology behind making your next favorite drink; I needn't say more on the book, as it has earned Toby his second James Beard Award (his first was earned in 2015 for Outstanding Bar Program at the Violet Hour in Chicago).  What's even more exciting?  He is currently the Bartender in Residency at Hop Sing Laundromat in Philadelphia! So if you're looking to mix it up, Maloney can serve you one of his elevated amalgamations of ingredients in Philly or pick up his book and create one at home!

00:16:40~Next, we returned to the beachy vibes of LBI in NJ with Director of Operations for Tucker's Tavern, Pete Palladino.  The relaxed atmosphere with two distinct themes (think English Pub & a sailors paradise) are found throughout the vast first floor, with two outdoor patios, and a fun third floor bar with 360 views of the ocean and bay!  You can dock your boat, or park your car and walk into Tucker's Tavern for a round of memorable drinks, food, and fun--and then explore the island's other great spots, like Daddy O Hotel's roof-top bar with even more sweeping views!

00:36:26~Lastly, we went behind the scenes at the biggest 4th of July party you'll ever attend!  We spoke with the Founder of Innovative Catering Concepts, Rocco Gallelli, as he is hard at work for this year's Wawa Welcome America Festival.  Rocco has masterfully served at the biggest festivals, events, and largest sports games attended in the USA.  He is back, once again, providing food for visitors, tourists, and even the performers for this year's 4th of July--and we're bringing you an insider's look at how it all comes to fruition!

We began this week's episode with Chef Kiki Aranita, who's delicious creations for Poi Dog put her on the culinary map.  She has since had to close the beloved Poi Dog restaurant, however the name (and sauces) live on!  You've most likely heard of her, considering Chef Aranita has appeared on numerous magazines, television shows, and syndicated news outlets--and currently, on the shelves of businesses throughout the Philadelphia region.  Join us as we speak with Kiki about her heritage, how she grew her business, and transitioned into creating a line of sauces that we're clamoring for!

We then spoke with Farmer Lee Jones, who has literally wrote the book on regenerative farming methods! Not only has Jones written a book on how to grow  nutrient-rich vegetables, his more than 300-acres of farmland has been nurtured to provide ingredients sought-after by the likes of Rachel Ray, Wolfgang Puck, and many more!  His merits do not end there, he and his farm family have garnered James Beard Foundation Awards, a collaboration of Former First Lady Michelle Obama, and now...his delectable vegetables, edible flowers, and other products are available for purchase to ship across the USA.  If you want to learn more about Lee Jones and his farm, there's plenty more to listen to on Food, Farms, & Chefs!

During our last segment, we have an update on what's been happening from Philadelphia's Best of winner, Old City Kitchen's owner Laura Eaton.  As a friend of the show, and very talented individual, Laura offers unique and fun experiences curated to what you are looking for!  If you're looking for a fun way to enjoy date night, hosting a team-building event, or perhaps throwing an intimate party to celebrate any occassion--tune in to hear from Old City Kitchen's Laura Eaton!