Okayest Cook

Bourbon Tasting with Dan Kidd: Proof, Aging, Barrel Picks, and Pairings

Brought to you by The Beautiful and the Damned Whiskey House: https://beautifuldamnedwhiskey.com/

Chris Whonsetler hosts Dan Kidd on the Okayest Cook Podcast for a whiskey-focused episode centered on how personal taste shapes what people enjoy. They share recent food and drink highlights, including Dan’s Wyoming camp-cooked steak paired with a 2016 E.H. Taylor Seasoned Wood and Chris’s first Rev event at the Speedway. Dan, a personal trainer and whiskey content creator, explains tasting basics for high-proof bourbon—nosing technique, taking small first sips, the “neck pour,” letting bottles breathe, and how a few drops of water can open flavors. They sample Dan’s “Chugs” MGP single barrels, Jack Daniel’s 14 Year, The Beautiful & Damned “The Last Lion,” and Peerless 10 Year, discussing aging, warehouse effects, and finish. They also cover food pairings, cooking with alcohol, hangover prevention, bottle oxidation/storage, infinity bottles, and practical advice for buying whiskey by trying samples and finding trusted palates.

Find Dan:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/heavybourbon/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theheavybourbon

~ Support Okayest Cook by grabbing some of our new merch! 

https://shop-okayestcook.square.site/

Shopping with our favorite brand via affiliate links is also a huge help ~

Anova: We love their Precision Cooker 3.0 & vac sealers - https://bit.ly/3WT36ZR

MEAT!: Powerful meat grinders - https://bit.ly/4ho5a4r

Hedley & Bennett: Quality Aprons - https://hedley-and-bennett.sjv.io/EEzBq2

Yeti: The king of coolers - https://yetius.pxf.io/a1NJXq

Lodge: Cast Iron cooking - https://lodgecastiron.pxf.io/zxe7dr

~

Chapters:

00:00 Cold Open Banter

00:35 Why Bourbon Today

02:15 Palate Preferences Talk

03:02 Notable Meals Stories

06:27 Meet Dan Kidd

08:13 Dan’s Whiskey Bottle

10:21 How to Taste Bourbon

16:01 Barrel Pick Secrets

19:51 Jack Daniel’s 14 Reveal

22:10 Aging and Neck Pour

27:27 Cooking with Alcohol

31:17 Proof and Evaporation

32:10 Cask Strength Choices

34:23 Hangover Prep Tips

35:44 Men vs Women on Alcohol Metabolizing

38:04 Beautiful and Damned Mystery Bottle Reveal

42:30 Tasting The Last Lion

45:00 Pairing Whiskey With Food

48:24 Water In Mouth Trick

55:16 Cocktail Bar Talk

59:29 Peerless 10 Year Pour

01:02:30 Peerless 10 First Impressions

01:03:32 Water Drop Taste Test

01:04:10 Last Pour Hypothetical

01:04:55 Secondary Market Reality Check

01:06:40 Favorite Bottles and Final Pick

01:10:24 Nostalgia and Single Barrel Lessons

01:13:34 Tasting Notes and Food Memories

01:16:30 Finding Trusted Palates

01:18:34 Barrel Picks and Blind Voting

01:21:59 How to Shop for Whiskey

01:29:28 Bottle Oxidation and Storage Tips

01:31:47 Infinity Bottles and Moving On

01:35:06 Wrap Up and Final Cheers

Mentioned in Episode: 

Whiskey with a View: https://www.instagram.com/whiskywithaview/

Stale Kracker: https://www.instagram.com/stalekracker_official/

--

More at https://OkayestCook.com

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Video feed on YouTube.com/@OkayestCook

Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto

Food, Community, and Third Spaces with Michael Zarick (Third Space Indy)

Host Chris Whonsetler welcomes Michael Zarick of Third Space Indy to the Okayest Cook podcast to continue a conversation on community and “third spaces” as places outside home and work that foster consistent connection and conversation. Michael shares notable meals from a new food-focused project with Amanda Gibson featuring Indianapolis restaurants Macizo and Wisanggeni Pawon, emphasizing owner stories and kitchen access, while Chris highlights a Greenfield coffee shop, Hitherto, filled with board games and game nights. They discuss why third spaces matter amid isolation, COVID-era habits, and phone-driven convenience, and how car-centric infrastructure, zoning, and suburban design discourage spontaneous community compared with pub culture and transit-rich cities. Michael describes merchandise plans (locally made mugs) intended to get people into local businesses, recalls Pizzeria Ruby in northwest Arkansas as a personal third space, and cites Flanner House’s Flanner Farms and Cleo’s Bodega addressing food access. They also touch on roller rinks, walking, bus riding, and Michael’s ideal model: Abby Reckard’s forthcoming Lille Bønne community space in a rezoned Dutch church.

Find Michael: @Thirdspaceindy on Instagram

Web: https://thirdspaceindy.com/

~ Support Okayest Cook by grabbing some of our new merch! 

https://shop-okayestcook.square.site/

Shopping with our favorite brand via affiliate links is also a huge help ~

Anova: We love their Precision Cooker 3.0 & vac sealers - https://bit.ly/3WT36ZR

MEAT!: Powerful meat grinders - https://bit.ly/4ho5a4r

Hedley & Bennett: Quality Aprons - https://hedley-and-bennett.sjv.io/EEzBq2

Yeti: The king of coolers - https://yetius.pxf.io/a1NJXq

Lodge: Cast Iron cooking - https://lodgecastiron.pxf.io/zxe7dr

~

00:00 Cold Open and Sizzle

00:35 Meet Third Space Indy

01:38 Notable Meals and Food Show

04:15 Coffee Shop Third Place

06:55 What Makes a Third Space

10:16 Isolation and Why It Matters

12:50 Mugs That Get You Out

15:39 Food as Culture and Story

18:19 Pizzeria Ruby Community

24:11 Beyond Food Third Spacesn

31:50 Food Deserts and Flanner Farms

36:26 Why Third Spaces Matter

37:19 Skateland as Third Space

39:15 Intergenerational Rink Culture

40:23 Online Community Limits

41:46 Cars Kill Spontaneity

46:07 Pub Culture and Transit

49:00 Zoning and Missing Middle

52:02 Transit Benefits Everyone

53:41 Bus Serendipity and Bus Camp

56:23 Walkable Cities and Green Space

59:17 How to Make Friends IRL

01:01:05 Dream Third Space Li Labon

01:04:18 Final Shoutouts and Where to Find Him

--

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Sign up for our Second Helpings newsletter: https://OkayestCook.com/subscribe

Connect with us on Instagram @Okayest_Cook

And facebook.com/AnOkayestCook

Video feed on YouTube.com/@OkayestCook

Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto

Community Food Box Project: Mutual Aid, Food Insecurity, and Food Apartheid

Host Chris Whonsetler continues a conversation about community and commensality, connecting his lack of personal experience with food insecurity to the need to keep community needs front-of-mind. Guest Sierra Nuckols, an Indianapolis native, explains how her upbringing and interest in gardening led her to food justice work, including partnerships with urban growers and community gardens. She describes food apartheid as the historically rooted, racialized and class-based system behind “food deserts,” noting how food desert maps mirror redlining patterns. Sierra outlines the Community Food Box Project (under Cultivate Indy), emphasizing 24/7 access, easy-open high-protein donations, and biweekly volunteer meetups, plus plans for a live box-status map and upcoming March 7 fundraiser. They discuss donating regularly, attending local policy meetings, and simple habits like buying an extra item each grocery trip.

Support the Community Food Box Project: https://bit.ly/4sdmiPb

Food Box Map: https://bit.ly/46xP3Ok

Social: https://www.instagram.com/communityfoodboxproject/

~ Support Okayest Cook by grabbing some of our new merch! 

⁠https://shop-okayestcook.square.site/⁠

Shopping with our favorite brand via affiliate links is also a huge help ~

Anova: We love their Precision Cooker 3.0 & vac sealers - https://bit.ly/3WT36ZR

MEAT!: Powerful meat grinders - https://bit.ly/4ho5a4r

Hedley & Bennett: Quality Aprons - https://hedley-and-bennett.sjv.io/EEzBq2

Yeti: The king of coolers - https://yetius.pxf.io/a1NJXq

Lodge: Cast Iron cooking - https://lodgecastiron.pxf.io/zxe7dr

~

Chapters:

00:00 Cold Open Banter

00:33 Podcast Intro Community

01:54 Food Insecurity Blind Spots

03:49 Meet Sierra Nuckols

06:12 Gardening and Local Food

07:13 Community Garden Partnerships

08:20 Food Apartheid Explained

13:37 Rooftop Garden Tangent

14:52 Notable Meals Roundup

19:33 Spotting the Food Boxes

21:09 Origins of Food Box Project

23:31 What to Donate and Why

26:47 Root Causes and Awareness

28:32 Practical Ways to Help

31:18 One Item Challenge

31:49 Volunteer Meetups

33:55 Recurring Donations

34:24 Interactive Box Map

36:06 Food Apartheid Explained

40:31 Grassroots Solutions

45:57 If Mutual Aid Disappears

51:39 Magic Wand Future Focus

56:06 Community Dinners Plans

58:01 Start a Pantry Anywhere

01:00:38 Asking for Help Safely

01:02:49 Final Call to Action

Mentioned in Episode: 

--

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Sign up for our Second Helpings newsletter: https://OkayestCook.com/subscribe

Connect with us on Instagram @Okayest_Cook

And facebook.com/AnOkayestCook

Video feed on YouTube.com/@OkayestCook

Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto

Commensality and Community: Dwayne Stretch on Sunday Dinner and Follow D Money

Chris Whonsetler talks with Indianapolis community builder Dwayne “Stretch” Thalley about “commensality” — how eating together builds community and makes tough conversations easier by encouraging people to listen. Stretch shares his journey from Los Angeles to Indianapolis, his work connecting diverse networks, and how events like Sunday Dinner at Tinker Street and his earlier Breaking Bread dinners intentionally bring strangers together over food. They recap standout meals at Tinker Street (including a Black History Month chef collaboration, a shiitake custard tasting, and Sunday Dinner’s chicken-and-waffles pairing), discuss the need for respectful disagreement and safe spaces, and discuss why food lowers defenses and improves listening.

Chapters:

00:00 Cold Open: “We’re Red” + Studio Banter

00:30 Welcome to Okayest Cook: Commensality & Why Food = Community

01:32 Meet Dwayne “Stretch” Thalley: Sunday Dinner as a Community Table

03:39 Stretch’s Two-Minute Bio: From LA to Indy, Defining Community as Family

05:37 Parenthood, COVID, and Relearning How to Be Social Again

07:59 Notable Meals: Black History Month Chef Collaboration at Tinker Street

11:04 Top-Five Bite: The Shiitake Custard Tasting Menu Rave

13:44 Inside Sunday Dinner #2: Seating Strangers, Chicken & Waffles, and Pairings

17:50 Sunday Dinner Origins: Breaking Bread Networking + How the Idea Came Together

23:37 Menu Memories & Stretch’s Mom’s “Secret Recipe” Layered Dessert

26:42 Why Dinner Works: Listening, Shared Joy, and Opening the Events to All

29:06 Building the Audience: Invites, Community Network, and Teasing Stretch’s Podcast

29:36 Can We Multiply Sunday Dinner? Building Community Through Conversation

30:27 Why ‘Follow D Money’ Exists: Telling Indiana Stories & Hosting Everyone

32:44 Diversity Makes a Stronger Community (and Better Perspectives)

33:51 Food as a Bridge: Collard Greens, Cultural Intentionality & Trust

36:58 How Food Disarms Conflict and Improves Hard Conversations

39:14 Food Insecurity in Indy: Awareness, Kids, and Community Responsibility

45:00 What’s Next: Sunday Dinner #3, Outdoor Picnic Vision & Breaking Bread Returns

50:40 Car Takeout Reviews vs. Shared Tables: The Food Influencer Debate

57:37 Closing: Where to Find Follow D Money + Keep Being a Safe Place

Find Stretch:

Web: https://followdmoney.com/

Personal: https://www.instagram.com/thalleyboy/?hl=en

Follow D$: https://www.instagram.com/followdmoneypod/?hl=en

Mentioned in Episode: 

Tinker Street: https://tinkerstreetrestaurant.com/

Keith Lee: https://www.instagram.com/keith_lee125/?hl=en

--

More at https://OkayestCook.com

Sign up for our Second Helpings newsletter: https://OkayestCook.com/subscribe

Connect with us on Instagram @Okayest_Cook

And facebook.com/AnOkayestCook

Video feed on YouTube.com/@OkayestCook

Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto

Exploring the Fifth Quarter with Jason Erman

In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler and co-host Andy Heiser chat with their guest, Jason Erman, an advocate for homesteading and nose-to-tail eating. Jason discusses his journey from culinary school to raising and butchering his own animals in Nevada County, California. The trio delve into utilizing lesser-known cuts of meat, commonly referred to as the fifth quarter, such as pig heads, hearts, and liver. Jason shares practical recipes and insights on optimal cooking techniques, the cultural shift in food consumption, and the importance of connecting with local farmers. The episode also touches on America’s national eating disorder and how returning to whole foods can enhance both diet and enjoyment.

Find Guest:

Social: https://www.instagram.com/nosetotailnevadacounty

Mentioned in Episode: 

Jason Notable Meal of the Week: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTl3bYwj_W3/

No Way Jose 5th Quarter Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTwMhdSjtPX/?img_index=1

~ Support Okayest Cook by grabbing some of our new merch! 

https://shop-okayestcook.square.site/

Shopping with our favorite brand via affiliate links is also a huge help ~

Anova: We love their Precision Cooker 3.0 & vac sealers - https://bit.ly/3WT36ZR

MEAT!: Powerful meat grinders - https://bit.ly/4ho5a4r

Hedley & Bennett: Quality Aprons - https://hedley-and-bennett.sjv.io/EEzBq2

Yeti: The king of coolers - https://yetius.pxf.io/a1NJXq

Lodge: Cast Iron cooking - https://lodgecastiron.pxf.io/zxe7dr

~

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Coffee Concerns

00:30 Welcome to the Okayest Cook Podcast

01:06 Discussing the Four Pillars

02:11 Introducing Jason Erman

02:54 Jason's Homesteading Journey

05:58 Notable Meals and Bourbon

08:12 Cooking with Venison

11:11 Exploring Lamb and Sunchokes

21:10 The Importance of Resting Meat

28:10 Utilizing the Whole Animal

35:03 The Value of Butchering Your Own Meat

37:03 Exploring Uncommon Cuts at the Butcher Shop

37:51 Cooking Techniques for Heart and Other Organs

41:50 Overcoming Mental Hurdles with Organ Meats

46:32 The National Eating Disorder

50:04 The Importance of Knowing Your Food's Origin

57:57 Practical Tips for Eating Healthier

01:05:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

01:06:07 Scrapple: A Delicious Way to Use Odd Bits

More at https://OkayestCook.com

Sign up for our Second Helpings newsletter: https://OkayestCook.com/subscribe

Connect with us on Instagram @Okayest_Cook

And facebook.com/AnOkayestCook

Video feed on YouTube.com/@OkayestCook

Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto

Andy Heiser

Email: [email protected]

Web: RakeDevelopment.com

Instagram: @andheiser

Boosting Baseline Energy: Insights from The Coffee Viking

In this episode of the Okayest Cook podcast, host Chris Whonsetler sits down with AJ Kazmierczak, also known as the Coffee Viking. They discuss a range of topics from their personal backgrounds and funny family traditions, to practical insights on boosting daily energy levels. AJ shares his journey as an entrepreneur and outdoorsman and provides valuable advice on maintaining energy through passion, activity, whole foods, and proper supplementation. They touch on the importance of cutting screen time, the potential benefits and pitfalls of caffeine and nicotine, and the recipe for a delicious venison breakfast casserole. This episode is packed with tips for enhancing daily vitality and overall well-being.

Find AJ:

https://www.instagram.com/the_coffeeviking

https://1stphorm.com/coffeeviking

Jenningsjava.com

Lonewolfcustomgear.com

~ Support Okayest Cook by grabbing some of our new merch! 

https://shop-okayestcook.square.site/

Shopping with our favorite brand via affiliate links is also a huge help ~

Anova: We love their Precision Cooker 3.0 & vac sealers - https://bit.ly/3WT36ZR

MEAT!: Powerful meat grinders - https://bit.ly/4ho5a4r

Hedley & Bennett: Quality Aprons - https://hedley-and-bennett.sjv.io/EEzBq2

Yeti: The king of coolers - https://yetius.pxf.io/a1NJXq

Lodge: Cast Iron cooking - https://lodgecastiron.pxf.io/zxe7dr

~

Chapters:

00:00 Podcast Kickoff and Introductions

00:45 Family Heritage and Backgrounds

01:29 Marriage and Name Changes

02:35 AJ Kazak: The Coffee Viking

04:16 The ATA Show and Business Insights

07:15 Notable Meals and Food Adventures

17:09 Energy and Wellness Tips

47:16 The Importance of Setting Realistic Goals

47:24 Learning from Elite Athletes

48:02 Adapting to Life's Phases

48:32 The Necessity of Flexibility

50:15 Balancing Family and Personal Goals

51:56 Maximizing Sleep and Recovery

58:01 The Impact of Screen Time

01:10:19 Exploring Nicotine and Cognitive Function

01:18:07 The Benefits of Physical Activity

01:23:41 Final Thoughts and Practical Tips

More at https://OkayestCook.com

Sign up for our Second Helpings newsletter: https://OkayestCook.com/subscribe

Connect with us on Instagram @Okayest_Cook

And facebook.com/AnOkayestCook

Video feed on YouTube.com/@OkayestCook

Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto

Unlocking the Full Potential of Wild Game: Cooking Tips with John Wallace

In this episode of the Okayest Cook podcast, host Chris Whonsetler welcomes John Wallace, known as the Wild Game Cook on social media, to discuss the intricacies of preparing and cooking wild game, particularly duck and goose. The discussion delves into John's career shift from conservation to wild game cooking, his popular recipes like Dove Sushi and Duck Leg Wontons, and actionable tips on field preparation, aging birds, and utilizing often-discarded parts like legs and inner organs. The episode emphasizes maximizing the yield from each hunt and transforming game meat into delectable, approachable dishes, offering listeners practical advice and innovative recipe ideas.

Find John:

Web: https://wildgamecook.com/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/wildgamecook/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wildgamecook

~ Support Okayest Cook by grabbing some of our new merch! 

https://shop-okayestcook.square.site/

Shopping with our favorite brand via affiliate links is also a huge help ~

Anova: We love their Precision Cooker 3.0 & vac sealers - https://bit.ly/3WT36ZR

MEAT!: Powerful meat grinders - https://bit.ly/4ho5a4r

Hedley & Bennett: Quality Aprons - https://hedley-and-bennett.sjv.io/EEzBq2

Yeti: The king of coolers - https://yetius.pxf.io/a1NJXq

Lodge: Cast Iron cooking - https://lodgecastiron.pxf.io/zxe7dr

~

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to the Okayest Cook Podcast

00:32 Meet John Wallace: The Wild Game Cook

01:18 John's Journey: From Conservation to Cooking

01:44 Dove Sushi and Wild Game Recipes

02:31 Self-Taught Cooking: Embracing the Home Cook Identity

04:04 Notable Meals: Perfecting the Omelet

05:51 Duck Leg Wontons: A New Recipe

12:22 Maximizing Your Waterfowl Harvest

20:45 The Fifth Quarter: Utilizing Hearts and Livers

30:30 Avoiding Steel Shot: Tips and Tools

36:37 Plucking and Cooking Whole Birds

37:40 Dealing with Pin Feathers and Plucking Techniques

40:56 Aging Birds and Preparing for Cooking

44:15 Cooking Techniques and Recipes for Waterfowl

46:41 Utilizing All Parts of the Bird

54:16 Addressing Food Waste and Ethical Hunting

01:03:11 Final Thoughts and Tips

Mentioned in Episode: 

Dumpling Recipe: 

Steps:

- Brine the legs in @himtnseasonings Gamebird and Poultry brine (OPTIONAL)

- Debone the meat

- Place chunks in food processor or grinder

- Then add your ingredients to a bowl

I like to use (approx):

Meat (around 1/2lb)

White Miso Paste (2-3tbsp)

Minced garlic (1/2tbsp)

Grated ginger (1/4tbsp)

Fish sauce (1/4tbsp)

Sesame oil (1/4tbsp)

Green onions thinly chopped (2tbsp)

Salt and pepper (pinch of each)

Red chili flakes (to taste)

Many of these can be left out, just play with it. Feel free to saute the green onions if you wish.

Mix to incorporate. Place small amount of mixture in the center of a wonton wrapper. Wet 2 edges of your wonton wrapper. And then fold onto itself. Looks and presentation isn't all that important and you can watch videos online to see how to make them look nice.

Place a little oil (~2tbsp) in a skillet. Add in your dumplings and sear the bottom side slightly. Then add 1/4c of water and add a lid to steam them for a couple mins. It doesnt take long to cook through. Shuffle them around to get all the edges cooked a little.

Serve with @trybachans original! Feel free to add sesame seeds and or green onions to the dipping sauce.

--

More at https://OkayestCook.com

Sign up for our Second Helpings newsletter: https://OkayestCook.com/subscribe

Connect with us on Instagram @Okayest_Cook

And facebook.com/AnOkayestCook

Video feed on YouTube.com/@OkayestCook

Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto

Cooking Adventures at the BHA Rendezvous: Interview with Jordan Linger

In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler chats with guest Jordan Linger about their experiences at the BHA Rendezvous, an annual event for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Jordan shares insights on the Wild Game Cookoff, discussing his North Carolina-inspired dishes and the cooking techniques he used with jet boil stoves. The conversation covers a variety of topics including hunting stories, the challenges of cooking for competitions, and future outdoor adventures. Listeners also get tips on participating in the Wild Game Cookoff, as well as Jordan’s favorite recipes like dove biscuits and gravy.

Find Jordan: 

Social: https://www.instagram.com/tie_dyeandcamo

BHA: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/Get-Involved/Chapters/north-carolina

~ Support Okayest Cook by grabbing some of our new merch! 

https://shop-okayestcook.square.site/

Shopping with our favorite brand via affiliate links is also a huge help ~

Anova: We love their Precision Cooker 3.0 & vac sealers - https://bit.ly/3WT36ZR

MEAT!: Powerful meat grinders - https://bit.ly/4ho5a4r

Hedley & Bennett: Quality Aprons - https://hedley-and-bennett.sjv.io/EEzBq2

Yeti: The king of coolers - https://yetius.pxf.io/a1NJXq

Lodge: Cast Iron cooking - https://lodgecastiron.pxf.io/zxe7dr

~

00:00 Introduction and Host's Update

01:07 Meet the Guest: Jordan Linger

01:32 Recent Culinary Adventures

05:06 Cooking Gear and Techniques

06:24 Jordan's Background and BHA Involvement

08:47 The Wild Game Cookoff Experience

10:47 Preparing for the Cookoff

14:03 Cooking Process and Challenges

31:31 Exploring Cooking Equipment Options

32:07 Camping Trip Cooking Experience

33:13 Cookoff Rules and Challenges

34:10 Judges' Feedback and Impressions

39:08 Unique Ingredients and Dishes

42:59 Future Hunting and Cooking Plans

47:46 Favorite Recipes and Cooking Tips

54:59 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Mentioned in Episode: 

Jet Boil Genesis Basecamp System: https://jetboil.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/stoves-systems/genesis-basecamp-system

More at https://OkayestCook.com

Sign up for our Second Helpings newsletter: https://OkayestCook.com/subscribe

Connect with us on Instagram @Okayest_Cook

And facebook.com/AnOkayestCook

Video feed on YouTube.com/@OkayestCook

Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto

Breaking Culinary Ruts: From Midwest Kitchens to Global Flavors

In this episode, Chris Whonsetler is joined by culinary enthusiast and fellow food podcaster, Nick Otto, to discuss and share insights on handling getting out of kitchen ruts, from simple technique changes to over the top showstoppers. They explore ideas like making kebabs, pastrami, and regional favorites such as pasties and bulgogi. They highlight more adventurous culinary endeavors like tartar and carpaccio, emphasizing a balance between simple tweaks and elaborate preparations for venison and other meats. The episode promises to shift how you think about wild game cooking and inspire fresh ideas for your kitchen adventures. Packed full of tips, humor, and shared personal experiences, the episode ends with a promise of more to come in part two.

Find Nick: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntavore

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-huntavore/id1403496684

~ Support Okayest Cook by grabbing some of our new merch! 

https://shop-okayestcook.square.site/

Shopping with our favorite brand via affiliate links is also a huge help ~

Anova: We love their Precision Cooker 3.0 & vac sealers - https://bit.ly/3WT36ZR

MEAT!: Powerful meat grinders - https://bit.ly/4ho5a4r

Hedley & Bennett: Quality Aprons - https://hedley-and-bennett.sjv.io/EEzBq2

Yeti: The king of coolers - https://yetius.pxf.io/a1NJXq

Lodge: Cast Iron cooking - https://lodgecastiron.pxf.io/zxe7dr

~

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter

00:34 Welcome to Michigan: Meet Nick Otto

01:15 The Joy of Face-to-Face Conversations

02:27 Processing Deer and Making Sausage

03:06 Notable Meals: Sicilian Short Ribs and Tinned Salmon

06:52 Tinned Fish Tasting: Salmon and Tuna

16:04 Breaking Down Deer: From Quarters to Meals

17:02 Overcoming Kitchen Ruts: Tips and Tricks

28:50 Exploring Deli Meats: Pastrami and Roast Beef

33:11 Exploring Pastrami and Cured Meats

33:50 The Art of Meat Aging with Umai Dry

35:11 Challenges of Using Residential Refrigerators for Meat Drying

36:22 Sharing Salami and Sujuk Experiences

41:05 Making Pepperoni and Other Cured Meats

41:49 Steak Adjacent: Kebabs and Hand Pies

48:52 Innovative Meat Dishes: Euros and Bulgogi

56:55 Tartar and Carpaccio: A Culinary Adventure

01:03:14 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward to Part Two

Mentioned in Episode: 

Sena Sea Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/72muABGeQEwouHG9Uws6Kd?si=b5f7e0c6ccad453f

Link to Canned Salmon: https://www.senasea.com/products/smoked-salmon-tin-copper-river-combo

Link to Amelias Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6e7YHABbqsSzHIdXMNjzDg?si=ef82e7fb6de84e05

Link to Amelias: https://ameliasbread.com/

FishWife Link: https://eatfishwife.com/

UmiDry: https://www.umaidry.com/pages/huntavore

Outdoor Edge Wild Game Wednesday Pockets: https://www.outdooredge.com/blogs/wild-game-wednesday/venison-shank-pockets

More at https://OkayestCook.com

Sign up for our Second Helpings newsletter: https://OkayestCook.com/subscribe

Connect with us on Instagram @Okayest_Cook

And facebook.com/AnOkayestCook

Video feed on YouTube.com/@OkayestCook

Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto

Wild Game Gourmet: In the Kitchen with Chef Holly Hearn

In this episode of the Okayest Cook Podcast, host Chris Whonsetler is joined by professional chef Holly Hearn, owner of Game Girl Gourmet. Holly discusses her journey into becoming a wild game chef, emphasizing the importance of storytelling through food and honoring culinary traditions. The conversation spans her experience on the TV show Chopped, the India Project with Blood Origins, and her unique approach to creating dishes inspired by the native habitats of wild game. Holly also shares insights on making dishes accessible and adaptable, and the challenges of cooking for different audiences including children. The episode provides valuable tips for both novice and experienced home cooks interested in incorporating wild game into their meals.

Find Holly:

Web: https://www.gamegirlgourmet.com/

Social: https://www.instagram.com/gamegirlgourmet

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00:00 Introduction and Host's Update

01:04 Guest Introduction: Holly Hearn

02:08 Holly's Culinary Adventures

03:56 Chris's Memorable Meal

05:40 Holly's Experience on Chopped

06:18 Wild Game Cooking Insights

09:08 Cultural and Historical Culinary Inspirations

15:38 Blood Origins India Project

28:39 Exploring the Diet of Animals

29:52 Tex-Mex with an Indian Twist

41:06 Cooking for the Camera vs. Cooking for People

46:47 Cooking for Kids and Picky Eaters

52:11 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More

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Crew: 

Chris Whonsetler

Email: [email protected]

Web: ChrisWhonsetler.com

Instagram: @FromFieldToTable & @WhonPhoto