Not From Concentrate

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with Alex Fuentes, Head Chef of Special Projects at SingleThread Farm–Restaurant–Inn in Healdsburg, California.

SingleThread is known for its three-Michelin-starred restaurant, five-room inn, and deeply integrated farm led by Kyle and Katina Connaughton. But this conversation goes beyond the fantasy of wine country fine dining. Catherine and Alex talk about what it means to cook at the highest level without recreating the toxic kitchen culture that has shaped so much of fine dining’s past.

They also dig into the practical lessons home cooks can take from SingleThread’s philosophy: reducing food waste, preserving seasonal produce, cooking with what is local and abundant, and using Japanese ideas like kaizen — continual improvement — to build more confidence in the kitchen.

For listeners interested in ADHD cooking, this episode offers a calmer, more flexible way to think about high-level technique: less perfection, more awareness, repetition, and creative problem-solving. Alex also shares what inspires his work, why collaboration matters, and how to calm kitchen chaos when your brain is moving faster than your hands.

This food podcast conversation explores creativity, sustainability, seasonality, and the idea of a more compassionate kitchen — from Michelin-level restaurants to everyday home cooking.

In this episode:

What makes SingleThread’s farm, restaurant, and inn so unique
How fine dining can move forward from toxic kitchen culture
The idea of a “compassionate kitchen”
Food waste, preservation, and creative constraints
What home cooks can learn from Michelin-level kitchens
Why seasonality and locality still matter
Japanese influences at SingleThread, including kaizen and ichigo ichie
ADHD creativity, collaboration, and calming chaos in the kitchen

Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. 

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with cookbook author, photographer, and artist Jerrelle Guy to talk about her beautiful new cookbook, We Fancy.

Jerrelle first burst onto the food scene with her acclaimed debut cookbook, Black Girl Baking, but success came with a cost. In this conversation, she shares how burnout, creative pressure, and the constant pursuit of “more” led her to rethink not just the way she cooked, but the way she lived.

Catherine and Jerrelle talk about slowing down, making everyday meals feel special, and using food as a form of artistic expression. They also get into the reality of writing cookbooks, the philosophy behind We Fancy, motherhood, intuition, and the lesson that “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation is a reminder that creativity does not always come from doing more. Sometimes it comes from paying attention, simplifying, and giving yourself room to notice what is already in front of you.

They also dive into Jerrelle’s favorite recipes, including her famous Wednesday Sauce, tiramisu cheesecake, and the simple garnishes that helped inspire an entire cookbook.

This food podcast episode is for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, creatively drained, or disconnected from the joy of cooking. It offers a gentler way to think about ADHD cooking, creativity, abundance, and finding beauty in the small rituals of everyday meals.

Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack

Food writer, recipe developer, and longtime meal-planning expert Meghan Splawn joins Catherine Smart to talk about the emotional, practical, and very real work of getting a food budget under control.

After realizing her family had spent more than $32,000 in a year on groceries, dining out, coffee, Costco runs, and food in general, Meghan began publicly documenting her effort to cut that spending in half. In this conversation, she shares why tracking is the first step, how food spending can get tangled up with shame and identity, and why budgeting does not have to mean giving up good food.

Catherine and Meghan talk about impulse grocery buys, ADHD-friendly systems, low- and no-spend weeks, freezer meals, and meal planning without perfectionism. They also get into the joy of using up what you already have, the “sludge of shame,” unidentified frozen objects, pantry roulette, and why a plate of frozen dumplings and edamame can sometimes save the whole week.

For listeners interested in ADHD cooking, this episode offers a calmer, more realistic way to think about food spending, meal planning, and feeding yourself or your family without shame. It is also a conversation about ADHD creativity: how constraints, leftovers, freezer finds, and imperfect systems can become the starting point for better meals.

This food podcast episode is for anyone who loves food, feels overwhelmed by food spending, or wants a more sustainable way to cook at home.

In this episode:

Why tracking your food spending comes before setting a budget
How money and food shame show up in the kitchen
Meghan’s food budget diary and weekly tracking system
Low-spend and no-spend week strategies
Meal planning for people who hate meal planning
ADHD-friendly fridge, freezer, and pantry systems
Budget-friendly emergency meals to keep on hand
How to spend less without taking the joy out of food

Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack

When Indian food is on the menu at Catherine Smart’s house, it usually means ordering dosa, saag paneer, and cauliflower Manchurian from a favorite local spot. But why do so many of us love eating Indian food while feeling intimidated to cook it at home?

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine is joined by Auyon and Jyoti Mukharji, the son-mother duo behind Heartland Masala, for a warm, funny, and practical conversation about bringing Indian cooking into your own kitchen.

They talk about building confidence with spices, techniques, and pantry staples; the role of family recipes, tradition, and adaptation across generations; and what American home cooks often misunderstand about Indian food. Auyon and Jyoti also share how Heartland Masala is making this rich culinary tradition feel more accessible, especially for people who want to cook with more flavor but do not know where to start.

For listeners interested in ADHD cooking, this episode offers a generous reminder that unfamiliar cuisines do not have to feel overwhelming. With a few foundational ingredients, a little guidance, and permission to begin imperfectly, cooking can become more intuitive, creative, and joyful.

This food podcast conversation is also about ADHD creativity: learning through doing, finding your own way into a tradition, and letting curiosity lead you toward deeper flavor.

In this episode:

*Why Indian home cooking does not have to feel overwhelming
*How to build confidence with spices, techniques, and pantry staples
*Family recipes, tradition, and adaptation across generations
*What American home cooks often misunderstand about Indian food
*How Heartland Masala makes Indian cooking more accessible
*ADHD cooking, creativity, and finding more ease in the kitchen

Whether you have always wanted to dust off your spice grinder or you are simply curious to learn more about the depth and diversity of Indian cuisine, this episode is a delicious place to start.

Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with cookbook author, photographer, and recipe developer Alana Kysar about the rich, comforting world of local Hawaii food — and how she transformed some of Hawaii’s most beloved flavors into vegetable-forward recipes in her new cookbook, Aloha Veggies.

Catherine and Alana dive into the cultural influences that shape Hawaii’s culinary identity, and why dishes like katsu, laulau, poke, and plate lunches are about so much more than vacation food. Alana also shares what it is like to photograph her own cookbooks, navigate the modern food media landscape, and build a creative career that spans blogging, writing, recipe development, and photography.

For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation explores how personal history, place, memory, and experimentation can shape a creative life in food. Alana talks about the freedom of writing a second cookbook, the challenge of “vegifying” traditional dishes, and how California changed the way she thinks about vegetables.

This food podcast episode also gets into ADHD cooking, including pantry staples, building confidence with unfamiliar flavors, and why cleaning can sometimes be a strategy for calming a busy brain.

In this episode:

Why Hawaii cuisine is far cozier and more comforting than people expect
The surprising challenge of making traditional dishes more vegetable-forward
What Alana always keeps in her pantry
The creative freedom of writing a second cookbook
How California changed the way she thinks about vegetables
Cleaning as a strategy for calming a busy brain
ADHD cooking, creativity, cookbooks, and thoughtful conversations about food and culture

If you love food, Hawaii, cookbooks, creativity, or thoughtful conversations about cooking and culture, this episode is for you.

Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine sits down with chef Spencer Horovitz , a 2025 James Beard semifinalist and the founder of Hadeem, a beloved California-Jewish Cuisine concept that's been popping up in San Francisco. 

But this episode goes far beyond food.

Spencer speaks candidly about living and working with ADHD in the high-pressure world of professional kitchens: the burnout, shame, impulsivity, time blindness, and sensory overload — but also the creativity, resilience, and self-awareness that ultimately helped him build a career that actually works with his brain instead of against it.

Catherine and Spencer talk about:

This is one of the most vulnerable and practical “busy brain” conversations the show has had yet — packed with insight for anyone navigating ADHD, creativity, burnout, or simply trying to make dinner without spiraling.

Find Spencer and Hadeem:

Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack

In this episode, Catherine sits down with journalist and author of Bread and War Felicity Spector to talk about the role of food in one of the most difficult places on earth right now: war-torn Ukraine.

Since 2022, Felicity has been traveling to Ukraine to support grassroots food initiatives—from mobile bakeries feeding frontline communities to chefs creating restaurant-quality meals for soldiers. Her work captures something often missing from headlines: the resilience, ingenuity, and humanity that keep people going.

They talk about:

This conversation is honest, emotional, and unexpectedly hopeful.

Links & Resources

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Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with cookbook author and food writer Anna Ansari, whose new book, Silk Roads, explores the rich, interconnected cuisines stretching from East Asia to the Middle East.

Anna’s path to food writing was anything but linear. She started as an international trade and customs attorney in New York before moving to the UK and finding her way into recipe testing, food writing, and cookbook authorship. In this conversation, she shares how her background in law, her Iranian-American identity, and her global perspective all shaped the book.

Catherine and Anna unpack the idea of the “Silk Roads” — not as one single route, but as a vast network of trade, migration, and cultural exchange that still influences how we cook and eat today.

They also talk about growing up between cultures, why curiosity matters more than getting it “right” when exploring new cuisines, and the unexpected entry points into Central Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Anna shares how markets can unlock a deeper understanding of food and culture, plus the recipes to start with, including a simple, crowd-pleasing Uzbek plov.

For listeners interested in ADHD cooking, this episode is a reminder that unfamiliar ingredients and cuisines do not have to feel intimidating. Curiosity, repetition, and a willingness to begin imperfectly can make the kitchen feel more open, creative, and fun.

This food podcast conversation also explores ADHD creativity: how a nonlinear career, cultural identity, research, travel, and everyday cooking can all become part of one creative practice.

In this episode:

What the Silk Roads actually are, and why the plural matters
Growing up between cultures, and how that shows up in the kitchen
Why curiosity matters more than getting it “right” when exploring new cuisines
Unexpected entry points into Central Asian and Middle Eastern cooking
How markets can unlock a deeper understanding of food and culture
The recipes to start with, including a simple Uzbek plov
ADHD cooking, ADHD creativity, and calming chaos in the kitchen

Whether you’re a cookbook collector, a curious home cook, or someone who has ever felt intimidated by unfamiliar ingredients, this episode is an invitation to dig in with curiosity, playfulness, and zero pressure to be perfect.

Catherinesmart.com

Tune in to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack

In this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with food photographer Nina Gallant about what actually goes into building a beautiful food image — from lighting and composition to creative direction, storytelling, and the invisible work behind every shot.

Nina pulls back the curtain on the world of food photography: what a food photographer really does beyond taking beautiful pictures, how creative careers evolve, and what it takes to turn artistic work into a sustainable business.

Catherine and Nina talk about balancing creativity with the practical demands of running a business, building community, finding clients, and making work people actually want to pay for. They also get into how lighting shapes emotion, why “photography is light,” and how photographers build an entire visual world around food.

For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation explores how creative work gets made in real life: through experimentation, repetition, intuition, deadlines, and the small rituals that help calm the chaos. And because this is a food podcast for busy brains, Catherine and Nina also talk about sparking creativity in and out of the kitchen, including how visual inspiration can shape the way we cook, gather, and pay attention.

In this episode:

What a food photographer actually does beyond taking beautiful pictures
How lighting shapes emotion, and why “photography is light”
The art of building a visual world around food
How Instagram and digital media have changed food photography
The reality of creative careers, and how Nina made hers financially sustainable
Practical advice for creatives trying to make the leap
ADHD creativity, rituals, and calming chaos
How food photography can inspire more joyful ADHD cooking

If you have ever wondered what goes into the images in cookbooks and magazines — or how to build a creative life that actually works — this one is for you.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack

In this week’s episode, Catherine chats with Ashley Moore, food stylist and senior editor at America’s Test Kitchen, about building a creative career with ADHD—and why the way your brain works might actually be your biggest advantage.

Ashley takes us behind the scenes of life at ATK, from fast-paced photo shoots to the precision and organization required to make every recipe (and image) just right. She shares how she found her way into food media, including early experiences working alongside chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay, and what it really takes to stay in the industry long-term.

They also get into the realities of home cooking—what dinner actually looks like with kids, why weeknight meals can feel so hard (even for professionals), and the small, practical tricks that make it easier.

Plus, Ashley opens up about living and working with ADHD: the challenges, the unexpected strengths, and the moments when it becomes a true superpower.

In this episode, we cover:

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Connect with Ashley Moore

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleypwmoore/
 America’s Test Kitchen: https://www.americastestkitchen.com/

Not From Concentrate team

Catherine Smart — Host / Executive Producer
 Kevin O’Connell — Audio & Video Production
 Allie Miller — Associate Producer

Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.

Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack