NC F&B Podcast

Jamie Ager builds community through agriculture as a fourth-generation farmer from Hickory Nut Gap Farm. We go deep into Hickory Nut Gap's dedicated drive towards regenerative farming and ethical treatment of animals to produce high-quality foods. We shed light on farming's significant role in climate change, highlighting the importance of diversified farming methods in transforming the food system. The conversation also encourages listeners to appreciate the contributions made by local ranchers, farmers, and growers within the food and beverage industry. Further, this episode suggests exploring the topic of regenerative farming more with Jamie Ager and refers to the episode Stop Plowing and Save the World With Regenerative Agriculture with Dr. Allen Williams here This podcast is available on all platforms. 00:05 Introduction to the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast 00:48 The Hosts' Passion for Ethically Raised Animals and Regenerative Farming 01:02 Guest Introduction: Jamie Ager from Hickory Nut Gap Farm 02:27 The History and Evolution of Hickory Nut Gap Farm 07:08 The Impact of Education and Sustainable Agriculture on Farming Practices 15:29 The Challenges and Rewards of Grass Fed Beef Production 26:47 The Role of Regenerative Farming in Addressing Climate Change 29:15 The Vision of Hickory Nut Gap: A Community Partner Model 30:26 Stakeholder Capitalism and the Food System 30:49 The Paradox of Success in Capitalism 31:22 The Impact of Capitalism on Sales 33:39 The Role of Big Corporations in the Food Industry 34:44 The Importance of Local Food Sources 37:44 The Challenges of the Meat Business 38:16 The Importance of Education in Changing Food Systems 38:41 The Need for Paradigm Shifts in the Food Industry 43:14 The Impact of Amazon's Acquisition of Whole Foods 50:07 The Challenges and Opportunities of Grass-Fed Beef 52:45 The Future of Regenerative Farming 57:08 The Role of Processing Plants in the Meat Industry 59:34 The Potential of Grass-Fed Beef in the Food Industry 01:04:25 Conclusion: The Need for Change in the Food System

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It's the return of the 2021 Person of the Year, 2-time James Beard Nominee, and owner of Cheeni Indian Food Emporium: Preeti Waas. We discuss the benefits of getting nominated with the James Beard Foundation and how it positively affected her business. Also how Indian food is top of mind in the food industry. Get insights on how to expand your restaurant, and your influence on the industry. There's a lot to unpack in this episode, so let's get started.

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Listen in today to hear how Tina Karras, the owner of Tina's Vodka, uses her skills as a musician, a bartender, beverage purchaser and her own savvy to battle it out in the heavily saturated market of the Vodka industry. Her organic, gluten-free and non GMO vodka hit the market recently and is coming to a liquor store near you very soon. Check out her latest album on Spotify here:https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p5hbQMWIIXDWYQvVUCZqU?si=962dsThVR0mpGj1m6dYYIA

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MasterChef Junior star, Emerson Pauley joins the show to discuss his epic rise to fame on the cooking show, his experiences working with Gordon Ramsay, and his future plans as an aspiring actor, comedian, and cook. From sharing his savory cooking secrets to showcasing his skills as a stand-up comedian, Emerson paints a bright picture of what it means to be part of Gen-Alpha. Our young guest also delights us by bringing in his own baked delights that include blueberry donuts and meatball sliders. 02:42 Emerson's Journey into Cooking 05:28 Emerson's Audition for MasterChef Junior 08:07 Emerson's Experience on MasterChef Junior 14:12 Emerson's Donut Surprise 16:26 Emerson's Experience on Set 23:09 Emerson's Cooking Challenge on the Show 25:53 Fast Food Fiasco: A KFC Story 26:19 The Art of Pie Making: A Savory Tale 26:57 The Secret Recipe: A Grandfather's Legacy 27:56 The Unexpected Chef: Cooking at Home 28:47 The Future Star: Exploring Career Options 29:08 The Standup Comedian: A Glimpse into Comedy 31:42 The Sports Fan: A Discussion on Football 33:21 The Super Bowl Party: Planning the Perfect Menu 40:01 The Aspiring Restaurateur: Dreaming of a Unique Restaurant 43:44 The Future Plans: What's Next for Emerson

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Two-time James Beard nominee, Chef Oscar Diaz of Little Bull in Durham, NC joins Matt on this weeks pod. Tune in to learn insights about his unique 'Pocho Cuisine' and future restaurant ventures. Our security-turned-chef guest introduces us to his latest endeavor of transforming airport food culture with his Mexican restaurant. He draws from his experiences as a former airport security worker while discussing his west coast-style business, plans for a taqueria, coffee shop, and potential cocktail bar. The conversation concludes with a creative spin as he reveals plans to incorporate freestyle rap into his new menus. Tune in to discover their journeys, inspirations, challenges, and exciting upcoming projects in the food industry.

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Two-time James Beard nominee, Chef Oscar Diaz of Little Bull in Durham, NC Joins Matt on this weeks pod. Tune in to learn insights about his unique 'Pocho Cuisine' and future restaurant ventures. Our security-turned-chef guest introduces us to his latest endeavor of transforming airport food culture with his Mexican restaurant. He draws from his experiences as a former airport security worker while discussing his west coast-style business, plans for a taqueria, coffee shop, and potential cocktail bar. The conversation concludes with a creative spin as he reveals plans to incorporate freestyle rap into his new menus. Tune in to discover their journeys, inspirations, challenges, and exciting upcoming projects in the food industry.

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Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

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Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Oaklore Distilling's Matthew Simpkins and Jack Schute join the pod this week. Throughout their discussion, they delve into Oaklore's unique bourbon and whiskey production process, including their commitment to high quality, transparency, and North Carolina roots. They share insights into the distinct characteristics of their four-grain bourbon and honey-finished bourbon, and exciting future releases. The episode also touches on the challenges faced by distilleries in North Carolina. Matthew Simpkins also shares interesting anecdotes about his past as a pastor and their fun tastings.

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

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Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Oaklore Distilling's Matthew Simpkins and Jack Schute join the pod this week. Throughout their discussion, they delve into Oaklore's unique bourbon and whiskey production process, including their commitment to high quality, transparency, and North Carolina roots. They share insights into the distinct characteristics of their four-grain bourbon and honey-finished bourbon, and exciting future releases. The episode also touches on the challenges faced by distilleries in North Carolina. Matthew Simpkins also shares interesting anecdotes about his past as a pastor and their fun tastings.

00:48 Unveiling the Lore of the Oaks: Oaklore Distilling

01:23 The Taylor Swift Connection

04:02 The Birth of Oaklore Distilling

06:11 The Art of Whiskey Tasting

10:30 The Journey to Becoming a Distillery

12:01 The Role of Aging in Whiskey Production

16:17 The First Taste of Oak Lore Whiskey

17:17 The Process of Making Oak Lore Whiskey

23:30 The Importance of Being a North Carolina Company

24:44 Discussing Barrel Storage and Production Facilities

25:17 Exploring the Uniqueness of the Aging Process

25:35 The Art of Blending Whiskeys

26:24 The Role of North Carolina in Whiskey Production

26:44 Sharing Personal Experiences and Industry Relationships

29:04 The Distilling Process at the Distillery

29:26 Future Plans for the Distillery

29:46 The Role of the Bar in Expanding the Portfolio

32:59 Reflecting on Past Sales Experiences

33:20 Tasting and Discussing the Rye Whiskey

41:50 The Journey to Joining the Whiskey Industry

46:53 The Impact of Direct Shipping and E-commerce

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

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Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!

Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Owner of the Kitchen Space in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina Will Pettis joins Max, Matt & guest Host Kyle Sutton. Offering insights into the growing trend of ghost kitchens and smaller restaurant spaces, they discuss the impact of home and delivery food culture on the industry. They also touch on the transition periods between owning a food truck operation, a commissary kitchen, and now, a unique ghost kitchen facility. The episode presents a lively discussion about the evolution of the food industry and its future trends, driven by consumer habits and technological advancements. 01:43 Will Pettis' Journey: From Kitchen Archive to World Travel 02:07 The Concept of Kitchen Space: A New Venture 02:18 Inside the Kitchen Space: Design and Functionality 04:11 The Evolution of Will Pettis' Career in the Food Industry 06:01 The Challenges of Home-Based Commercial Kitchens 07:56 The Role of Sysco in the Food and Beverage Industry 11:24 The Ghost Kitchen Concept and its Potential 17:19 Will Pettis' Travel Experiences and Their Impact 18:28 The Business Side of Kitchen Space: Funding and Planning 19:58 The Popularity of Dukes Mayonnaise in the Kitchen Space 20:12 The Sweetness of Dukes Mayo 21:11 The Journey from Restaurateur to Business Support 21:43 The Shift from Food Trucks to Ghost Kitchens 22:44 The Future of Dining: Takeout, Delivery, and Ghost Kitchens 23:26 The Evolution of Restaurant Spaces 24:17 The Efficiency of Smaller Kitchens 27:40 The Rise of Pop-Up Concepts 27:51 The Appeal of Change and Variety in Dining 33:41 The Ease of Starting a Food Business Today 36:16 The Potential for Alcohol Partnerships in Ghost Kitchens 38:12 The Role of Ghost Kitchens in Fostering Food Entrepreneurship

Subscribe to their YouTube page 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

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!

Owner of the Kitchen Space in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina Will Pettis joins Max, Matt and guest Host Kyle Sutton. Offering insights into the growing trend of ghost kitchens and smaller restaurant spaces, they discuss the impact of home and delivery food culture on the industry. They also touch on the transition periods between owning a food truck operation, a commissary kitchen, and now, a unique ghost kitchen facility. The episode presents a lively discussion about the evolution of the food industry and its future trends, driven by consumer habits and technological advancements.   01:43 Will Pettis' Journey: From Kitchen Archive to World Travel 02:07 The Concept of Kitchen Space: A New Venture 02:18 Inside the Kitchen Space: Design and Functionality 04:11 The Evolution of Will Pettis' Career in the Food Industry 06:01 The Challenges of Home-Based Commercial Kitchens 07:56 The Role of Sysco in the Food and Beverage Industry 11:24 The Ghost Kitchen Concept and its Potential 17:19 Will Pettis' Travel Experiences and Their Impact 18:28 The Business Side of Kitchen Space: Funding and Planning 19:58 The Popularity of Dukes Mayonnaise in the Kitchen Space 20:12 The Sweetness of Dukes Mayo 21:11 The Journey from Restaurateur to Business Support 21:43 The Shift from Food Trucks to Ghost Kitchens 22:44 The Future of Dining: Takeout, Delivery, and Ghost Kitchens 23:26 The Evolution of Restaurant Spaces 24:17 The Efficiency of Smaller Kitchens 27:40 The Rise of Pop-Up Concepts 27:51 The Appeal of Change and Variety in Dining 33:41 The Ease of Starting a Food Business Today 36:16 The Potential for Alcohol Partnerships in Ghost Kitchens 38:12 The Role of Ghost Kitchens in Fostering Food Entrepreneurship

Subscribe to their YouTube page 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

Drink Lunazul Tequila

Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!