Episode 40 - Alyssa Barkley of the NCRLA For show notes: ncfbpodcast.com In this episode, we speak to Alyssa Barkley, Chief Operating Officer/Health and Safety Regulations for the NCRLA. We talk about the North Carolina concerns such as the passing of the Grill Bill, awaiting the decisions on the Brunch Bill, the NCRLA Expo happening Aug 21st & 22nd http://www.ncrl-expo.com. And click to download the CurEat App in iTunes>>> itunes.apple.com/us/app/cureat/id1136256011?mt=8

Episode 39 - Crude Bitters with Craig Rudewicz http://www.crudebitters.com We turn on the mics and open the bar with the founder of Crude Bitters, Craig Rudewicz. Listen to how he started his bitters company from a corner of restaurant kitchen to opening his own shop to winning the Good Food Award. Click here for show notes for this episode: www.ncfbpodcast.com And click to download the CurEat App in iTunes>>> https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cureat/id1136256011?mt=8

We did it once, we'll do it again! Episode 39.5 is a re-release of our show with the founder of the CurEat App, Stave Mangano. https://cureatapp.com CurEat has recently become a sponsor of our show and since we released his episode so long ago, it's a nice refresher course to check out what he's doing. Available to download for free in iTunes, https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cur-eat/id1136256011?ls=1&mt=8 CurEat cuts through the clutter to bring you concise lists of the best places to eat in town across the country. Follow CurEaters in various towns and learn from their lists. Create your own lists of your favorite things to do in your current town, hometown and the places you like to visit. Share your lists with your friends too! No reviews, just endorsements from people that care about the dining industry. Don't forget to review us on Soundcloud and iTunes! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nc-f-b-podcast/id1166754661?mt=2 Eat, drink and be merry.

Episode 38 - G. Patel of http://www.socialhousevodka.com & http://www.eschelonexperiences.com/ This is THE entrepreneur episode. Gaurav 'G' Patel speaks about his business ventures from a little boy farming crops in India to booking Prince and Usher to late-night club parties in Raleigh, NC. Somehow, G created Eschelon Experiences along with many successful restaurants, and some struggles along the way, to now releasing his first distilled spirit, Social House Vodka. Click the link and download the CurEat App in iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cureat/id1136256011?mt=8

Episode 37 - Garland's Cheetie Kumar & Paul Siler We sit down with 2017 James Beard Award semifinalist for best chef Southeast: Chef/Musician Cheetie Kumar and Musician/Restaurateur Paul Siler of garlandraleigh.com, kingsraleigh.com & neptunesparlour.com. Cheetie talks about growing up in India and cooking as a young child. We chat about the growth and change of their band, Birds Of Avalon birdsofavalon.com and the balance of life & art. Paul talks about how he and Cheetie met and gives us the lowdown on hospitality. This episode sponsored by @cureatapp & food-seen.com Download the CurEat App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cureat/id1136256011?mt=8

Episode 36 - Chef Frank Fronda & Charlie Candelas This episode is a break from our typical NC conversation. We break the rules a bit due to opportunity. Max & Matt's former mentor Chef Frank Fronda was in town with his business partner, Charlie Candelas of Olive Garden & Wolfgang Puck fame. Frank was the chef at cafedelreymarina.com, where Max & Matt worked together in LA. Frank and Charlie recently opened firefinpoke.com in Chicago and cooked at this year's www.jamesbeard.org/awards There's a bit of reminiscing, how to grow a restaurant brand, a few bars of Wilson Phillips songs, and a few cocktails. Be sure to download the Cureat App cureatapp.com and makes some lists! Also check out Matt's family's charity event in New York: www.aswcaresforkids.org/contact-us/

Episode 35 - Michael Lee of M Sushi http://msushidurham.com https://www.facebook.com/MkokkoDurham/ Chef Michael Lee drops by the studio with bourbon in hand and amazing insight to parenting, knife sharpening, travel, and the pursuit of a non-profit restaurant chain. Michael is a visionary and an artist. We get into time-management with kids and jujitsu. Even Matt & Max put on the gloves and throw down for a bit. There's footage of Michael on the heavy bag! It's a great listen. Be sure to download the Cureat App https://cureatapp.com and makes some lists! Also check out Matt's family's charity event in New York: http://www.aswcaresforkids.org/contact-us/ Eat, drink and be merry!

Episode 34 - Larry Larsen & Jeremy Behne of Larry's Coffee https://larryscoffee.com In this episode we get our caffeine fix with the master of coffee, Larry Larsen. We discuss coffee, fair-trade, startup business and basic entrepreneurship. Larry's right hand man, Jeremy Behne adds to the show with his unparalleled level of coffee knowledge. It's funny how we can learn so much from coffee. Let us know how much you love us by writing a review in iTunes or on SoundCloud. We dare you...

Episode 33 - Jones Von Drehle Winery www.jonesvondrehle.com In this episode, Max & Matt speak with North Carolina winemakers, Jones Von Drehle. Owners Diana & Chuck Jones join us in the studio and share their wine and story of how their winery was created. Listen for a behind the scenes tasting experience between a sommelier and winemaker. Also, Click https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=34023272524 to purchase tickets to the Apiopolis Beehive Dinner hosted at Standard-Foods. It’s a collaborative dinner focused on honey and joined by http://garlandraleigh.com & http://mandolinraleigh.com & http://www.stanburyraleigh.com and featuring Jones Von Drehle wines & http://bigbossbrewing.com

Episode 32 - Dram & Draught co-owner, Kevin Barrett. http://dramanddraught.com Raleigh's 'Sam Malone' (Kevin Barrett) invites us to have a seat at his proverbial barstool while we chat about life, bourbon, getting started, maté tea, travel and running one of the best bars in town. Kevin opens a few rare bottles of Rye, Scotch and Bourbon. It was a treat to get some FaceTime with a local legend. For show notes: ncfbpodcast.com Also - Don't sleep on the Freedom Balloon Fest coming Memorial Day weekend - May 26-29, 2017 Click for details: http://www.freedomballoonfest.com