NC F&B Podcast

Bonus

Follow the personal journey of Aaron Vaughen, navigating life post-brain injuries focusing on resilience, adaptation, and purpose. The Single Handed Podcast covers Vaughn's challenges, culinary career, and transformation into 'The Single Handed Chef' post-injury, emphasizing inspiring others.

Additionally, it touches on themes of embracing differences, maintaining a positive mindset, and simplifying life, hinting at upcoming podcasts exploring diverse life struggles and triumphs.

Produced and edited by Max Trujillo of Trujillo.Media

Music by Don Radcliffe

Follow the show on Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-single-handed-podcast/id1742625683

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1UfAIX62SqjqTZ9oxU1uBT?si=7ecd3dffce6d4496

It's fried chicken, bun, pickle, mayo... and that's pretty much about it. But for some reason, we've all gone nuts for chicken sandwiches. And in this cloud of battered breasts and thighs emerges a concept that went high, not low. Chef driven, not robotic. And guess what...? They win. BB's Crispy Chicken out of the Triangle is truly the best of them all.

Originally created by our local and legendary Chef Ashley Christensen, BB's now stands on their own two chicken feet to bring the community a better quality option at lunchtime. Listen in as we chat with Doug Warf and Justin Simpson, the minds behind the business of BB's.

And sitting in as special guest host is Aaron Vaughen, also known as the Single Handed Chef - who just released his first podcast: THE Single Handed Podcast with our very own producer/co-host Max Trujillo.

Follow the personal journey of Aaron Vaughen, navigating life post-brain injuries focusing on resilience, adaptation, and purpose. The Single Handed Podcast covers Vaughn's challenges, culinary career, and transformation into 'The Single Handed Chef' post-injury, emphasizing inspiring others.

If you're interested in hearing an inspiring podcast about the perseverance of life, give The Single Handed Podcast a listen.

Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-single-handed-podcast/id1742625683

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1UfAIX62SqjqTZ9oxU1uBT?si=7ecd3dffce6d4496

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @aaronvaughen

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

And welcome our newest sponsor Got To Be NC!

Chef Jamie Davis, executive chef at The Hackney in Washington, NC recently found out he was a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best Chef Southeast, then he found out he was a finalist. What's next? We will find out on June 10 in Chicago for the James Beard Awards 2024.

Before then, Jamie shares his insights into his journey, from growing up in Jacksonville to his time in the military and eventually making his mark in the culinary world. We hit on the importance of acknowledging diversity in the culinary world while also hoping to get to a place where it doesn't matter anymore. We explore the significance of community, camaraderie, and visibility in the food industry, along with Davis's experiences in Iraq and the importance of supporting local farmers.

Let's cheer on Jamie and our other North Carolina JBF finalists as we venture to Chicago next week!

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

And welcome our newest sponsor Got To Be NC!

We sit down with partners of Spirit of the Dao, Drew Schenck and Kevin Barrett, to discuss their newest venture into the spirits world: Moonbird Gin and Goatz Spiced Rum. Owners of the well-respected cocktail lounges across the state: Dram & Draught, have created an English dry gin and a Barbados spiced rum. Both have recently received top honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Double Gold & Gold respectively) and are headed for national distribution soon. Get an insight on to how their creations were thoughtfully planned out and executed with some of the top minds in the industry. We also are happy to announce that Dram & Draught will be our beverage sponsor for this year's BUBBLES & BRISKET event this June 8th! Get your tickets NOW!!!

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

And welcome our newest sponsor Got To Be NC!

In the first half of this week's episode, we explore the intersection of comedy and culinary culture, featuring comedians @davewcomedy & @bourbonshowdown who blend humor with a love for food and beverage, particularly barbecue and bourbon.

We shift for the second half with our newest sponsor of the podcast, @gottobeNC's own Chad Blackwelder to discuss the importance of why promoting local food makers across the state and fostering collaborations with chefs help to create a unique culinary industry.

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

And welcome our newest sponsor Got To Be NC!

We packed up the family wagon and headed to the coast to explore the Beaufort Wine and Food Festival, discussing wine, culinary delights, local seafood sustainability, oyster farming, and the festival's evolution.

Engage with wine experts like chef/sommelier, Doreen Colondres, learn about sourcing local seafood from Captain John Mallett of Southern Breeze Seafood, learning about the life of an 18 year old oyster farmer from Changing Tide Oyster Co, and steady guidance of the food industry from our very own Chad Blackwelder of Got to Be NC, our new sponsor to the show!

Max's wife of 19 years, Felicia Trujillo of Food Seen makes a cameo to help the conversation about what it takes to become wine certified through the WSET.

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Delve into the enchanting world of champagne with Laurent-Perrier, through insightful discussions from the 4th generation of the family, Lucie Pereyre, about their rich history, dedication to quality, and innovative practices. Learn about the nuances of champagne-making, the importance of Grand Cru vineyards, and the company's commitment to excellence across generations. Joined by the President of Laurent Perrier US, Michelle DeFeo, discover the unique position of Laurent-Perrier in the market and the fascinating journey through time towards future champagne innovations.

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Jessica Lee and Kelly Santel met at the Club. Got married at the Club, and even had a child... at a hospital... c'mon, there's health regulations... and sometimes it simply doesn't work out. But sometimes, it actually turns into something beautiful in its own unique way.

Listen in to hear the ex-couple, but current business owners, detail their journey of running the University Club amidst a divorce, a pandemic, and coming together to co-parent their 2 children, their daughter, and The University Club.

We also delve into the Club's Chef Alejandro Uribe's culinary competition victory at Cooking for the Kids.

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Chef Bennett Depew, Director of Italian for Sysco of the Carolinas. The discussion covers the rising popularity of Italian cuisine in America, particularly in the Carolinas, and the evolution of Italian cooking from traditional dishes to novel ingredients like 'nduja and Taleggio cheese. Chef Bennett shares insights on how the Italian segment of the restaurant industry uniquely thrived during the pandemic due to the travel-friendly nature of Italian cuisine. They delve into how restaurants can maintain profitability amidst changing trends like gluten-free diets and the use of technology to streamline operations. The conversation also touches on the importance of work-life balance in the restaurant industry, the role of Cisco in supporting local businesses, and the benefits of utilizing technology and local sourcing to improve restaurant operations and menu offerings.

00:00 Welcome to the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast

00:49 Introducing Chef Bennett Depew: A Deep Dive into Italian Cuisine

01:13 The Evolution and Resilience of Italian Food in America

04:57 The Art and Zen of Pasta Making

10:32 Navigating the Business Side: From Chef to Cisco Specialist

16:40 The Journey to the 'Dark Side': Transitioning from Chef to Sales

22:45 Reflecting on the First Day and Sales Experiences

22:56 The Evolution of Work-Life Balance in the Restaurant Industry

24:02 Improving Quality of Life for Restaurant Workers

25:45 The Impact of Minimum Wage Laws on the Restaurant Industry

27:55 Rethinking Tipping and Sales Commissions in Restaurants

29:17 Leveraging Technology for Restaurant Efficiency

33:35 Exploring Italian Cooking Trends and Ingredients

39:10 The Significance of Local Sourcing and Cisco's Role

42:13 Big Business Supporting Small: A New Era of Convenience

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

We chat with Chef Manny Barella, visiting from Denver, Colorado. Barella, a Top Chef contestant and renowned chef, discusses his culinary journey, the inspiration behind his cooking, and his excitement for participating in Bubbles and Brisket. Beyond sharing his experiences on Top Chef and his recent culinary experiments, Barella also reveals his upcoming venture in Raleigh, Jaguar Bolera, an entertainment-focused concept aiming to offer high-quality, scratch-made food. The conversation touches on Barella's diverse cooking influences, expectations for his new project, and the significance of his Top Chef fraternity. 01:41 Chef Manny's Brisket Adventures 03:07 Diving Into Top Chef: The Competition, Challenges, and Cheese Curds 10:14 Building a Brand and the Business Side of the Culinary World 11:45 Chef Manny's Top Chef Cheese Curd Challenge: A Learning Experience 18:31 From Mexico to Michelin: Chef Manny's Culinary Odyssey 26:59 Journey to a Dream Job: From Michelin Stars to Top Chef 29:00 The Birth of Jaguar Bolera: Elevating Entertainment Dining 37:37 Culinary Innovations: Blending Cultures and Flavors 41:52 Expanding Horizons: From Chef to Culinary Director 46:47 Top Chef Insights: Behind the Scenes and Future Collaborations 55:54 A New Chapter in Raleigh: Bringing Unique Dining Experiences

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at NCFBPOD and though this week is audio only, follow us on youtube at youtube.com/@ncfbpodcast

Get your tix to Bubbles & Bagels here

On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine

Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod

Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod

Support our Sponsors:

Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here