Right at the Fork

Althea Grey Potter wanted to try something new after Oui, the wine bar at the Southeast Collective where she had generated much attention, closed due to the pandemic. She started The Flavor Society, which produces and distributes crunchy chili oils designed for enhancing your favorite pizza (and more). Althea was sampling her product recently at an event and her energy and enthusiasm resonated with our host, Chris. And so we are pleased to feature Althea to talk about her hippie parent upbringing in New England, which of course leads to an east coast stuff vs. west discussion and subsequent rant, including delis!! Althea also shares some of the challenges and processes that go into building a brand. Enjoy and visit https://www.theflavorsociety.com/collections/all and follow @theflavorsociety

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Capitola Coffee: www.CapitolaCoffee.com Acre Forge Knives: www.AcreForge.co (use code: CUT25 for $25 off)

One of the hardest working people in the media biz, Brooke Jackson Glidden joins the podcast between editorial positions. Her six-year tenure at Eater as Portland's editor and writer just came to an end as she anticipates taking the editorial helm at Portland Monthly. We talk about her trophy-case full of accomplishments at the age of 30, what she's most proud of as well as how her new position will differ, and what her goals are with the magazine. Much of the conversation centers around how the pandemic changed so much in the food industry and how it was a struggle to cover.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Capitola Coffee: www.CapitolaCoffee.com Acre Forge Knives: www.AcreForge.co (use code: CUT25 for 25% off

On the morning of May 10, 2024, Chad Draizin woke up to a notification that his flagship Fifty Licks Ice Cream store had a little problem. That's when the rollercoaster of information and crazy stuff started, appearing not to be a big deal but in short time turning out to be a major fire and smoke problem. Chad joins us to discuss the challenges the damaging fire presents to his business and what needs to happen to think about opening that location again. We also talk about the parade of challenges that have faced Fifty Licks (and this, Chad) from the initial Clinton Street location to renovating the Burnside store, only to have it sustain the fire. This, all after weathering the pandemic. Chad is one of our favorite guests. Chad also shares a few of his favorite Portland haunts.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Capitola Coffee: www.CapitolaCoffee.com Acre Forge Knives: www.AcreForge.co (use code: CUT25 for 25% off

Elias Cairo is the co-owner and head salumist at Olympia Provisions in Portland. Cairo grew up in a Greek-American family, where he learned to appreciate the value of handmade food. He later traveled to Europe to apprentice with master chefs and butchers, where he honed his skills in charcuterie. In 2009, Cairo returned to Portland and founded Olympia Provisions with his sister and partners, which has since become renowned for its high-quality artisanal meats.

Lately, Eli has been propagating a message on social media comparing OP to larger meat companies, and on this podcast we talk to him about the differences in practices, including the questions consumers can ask retailers and meat companies to find out exactly what's on their plates.

Cairo is also involved in other business ventures including the restaurants Bar Casa Vale, Olympia Provisions and most recently, Alpenrausch. We also talk about life balance, and how he best keeps so many balls in the air, and what makes him happiest in and out of work.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Capitola Coffee: www.CapitolaCoffee.com Acre Forge Knives: www.AcreForge.co (use code: CUT25 for 25% off

Chef Sam Smith has been a notable figure in the Portland culinary scene since he arrived in the city from the Bay Area. He is currently the chef at Yaowarat, Portland Monthly's 2023 Restaurant of the Year. Sam talks about the experiences of traveling through Thailand with his team doing extensive research to develop the recipes for the restaurant, as well as why the team of Sam, Akkapong Earl Ninsom, Kyle Webster and Eric Nelson is such a powerhouse. Smith has honed his skills through experiences at renowned establishments like Zahav in Philadelphia and Ava Gene's in Portland. He has a talent and great resume helping restaurants get off the ground, contributing to the success of ventures like Spirit of '77, Ava Gene's Tusk, Sweedeedee, and Yaowarat. He was also recognized as a 2018 Portland Rising Star by StarChefs. Sam also reveals his favorite Portland places. Photo credit: Thom Hilton/Eater Portland

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Capitola Coffee: www.CapitolaCoffee.com Acre Forge Knives: www.AcreForge.co (use code: CUT25 for 25% off

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Capitola Coffee: www.CapitolaCoffee.com Acre Forge Knives: www.AcreForge.co (use code: CUT25 for 25% off

This week's episode comes from September of 2023, and our conversation with Garrett Peck.

It's always a pleasure to have Garrett Peck on our podcast. For years, Garrett was at the center of the Portland food world as GM and host at some of Portland's most prolific restaurants. He managed the Heathman, later Headwaters, as well as The Paley Group's other hotel properties, Imperial, Rosa Rosa and The Crown. When turmoil of 2020 put beyond a damper on the viability of those restaurants, Garrett and his wife Jonie sought greener pastures, which led them to Sisters, OR. There, they connected with some of Portland's other most successful restaurateurs, who also found central Oregon more to their liking. In 2022, the three opened RBC (Rancher Butcher Chef) with other investors. Now with a year under their belts, RBC is lauded as one of the states most successful restaurants, outside of Portland. Garrett shares with us some of the joys of central Oregon life, as well as the growth of Bend as a living and dining destination. Listen to the end for some of his faves in the area. www.rbcbend.com.

There may be no bigger fan of In-N-Out in the Portland area than Danny Dwyer.

Yes, that Danny Dwyer, a long time voice on country radio in Portland at 98.7 The Bull.

In this episode we talk about his love of In-N-Out, what it might mean for the Portland food scene. We also hear about some of the places around the Portland/Vancouver area that are his go-to spots.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Capitola Coffee: www.CapitolaCoffee.com Acre Forge Knives: www.AcreForge.co (use code: CUT25 for 25% off

Sandi Wilkens is the proprietor of both the Portland restaurant Quaintrelle, and also the Willamette Valley's Abbey Road Farm. We talk about the virtues of both and what helped them to drive through the pandemic to be beacons in their respective worlds today. Sandi talks about her recent trip to Japan and what she saw there that inspired her. We also talk about how her places weather the current challenges with food and labor costs.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Capitola Coffee: www.CapitolaCoffee.com

Rob Sample joins us on the podcast. He's the Chief Schmoozing Officer at Mother's Bistro, where his wife Lisa has been well known as the chef and restaurateur since 2002. Lisa just won the area's "Most Remarkable Woman" award on KOIN and we thought there was no one better to talk about why that's an apt designation for Lisa than Rob. Rob has lots of Portland stories to tell, and also stores of raising two young kids with Lisa after tragedy struck a few years ago. So, we talk about that and hear what a remarkable and wonderful couple Rob and Lisa are.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Acre Forge Knives: www.AcreForge.co (use code: CUT25 for 25% off your first order)

From July 2023:

Joel Stocks has found a new home at his new restaurant/wine bar L'Orange with business partner Jeff Vejr, also of Las Caves. We discuss what L'Orange is all about, including the visions both he and Jeff had when opening their wine bar/restaurant in the former Willow space.

Joel has worked at some of the best restaurants in Portland, and the world. Arzak, Alinea, French Laundry to name a few, and of course Holdfast Dining in Portland. We'll hear how Joel targeted working at the French Laundry long before he got a gig there, and now that happened. Joel will also discuss how his prior experiences influences his cooking. We'll also talk travel ideas, especially Spain.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingsideSteakHouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com