Right at the Fork

Once again, we catch up with a friend of the podcast and a friend to many industry folks  diners, Kurt Huffman of ChefStable.  Kurt is an integral partner in so many of Portland's successful restaurant ventures, we wanted to talk to him about the state of the restaurant industry in 2023, and what it takes to operate a viable restaurant in seemingly post-pandemic times.   The discussion takes us into a few perspectives, from restaurant owner, to worker, to what diners can expect and what they should know about restaurants as they also navigate this changed world.   Also, some places Kurt is enjoying these days.    https://chefstablegroup.com/team    

Right at the Fork is supported by:

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

Adam Sawyer built a writing career from the depths of heroin addiction writing about what helped him through that, which was communing with nature.  Serendipitously, it was in nature where he met the love of his life, Kara, with whom he bought a home off the grid in Washington to base their lives together.  While away on a business trip less than two years ago, a fire took away virtually every single thing in his life.  His life partner, his home, and his cherished cat, not to mention all his possessions.  Adam's grieving journey has been quite difficult, but once again he found himself seeking open spaces to help him through his horrific thoughts and emotions.  Just recently Adam declared himself in an emotional place to start mingling with people, and so he has begun giving talks about the grieving process at libraries and other places.  We invited Adam to share some of his realizations and processes with us on the podcast in a fascinating hour-plus talk about what he's been through.  As with most all RATF episodes, we hear about some of Adam's favorite spots to eat, too.   Adam's writings can be found at https://substack.com/@adamsawyer  

Right at the Fork is supported by:

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

It's a classic episode of the podcast (we think it's classic at least!) from a year ago.

We spend an hour with Aundre Barnes, who has been serving diners at Portland's Urdaneta for the past 7 years. Aundre is a native Portlander and has seen many changes over his years here. He's worked in banking and in voice-over work along the way.

He shares with us some of the reasons for his passion and his love of the industry, which run from the soulful experience of gaining first-hand knowledge of Spanish cuisine during Urdaneta's company field trips in addition to his admiration for Chef Javier Canteras, whose Basque roots shine through in his unique cuisine. Aundre will share some of his favorite Portland haunts, as well as some of his favorite travel destinations.

Disclosure: Right at the Fork host Chris Angelus is associated with Urdaneta and Aundre with his trips to Basque Country offered through Portland Food Adventures.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

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

We take a journey through time with Mark Lopez, who discusses the opening of his taqueria in Portland in 1997 and all that occurred up to today, when currently he runs both Crave Catering and Gather and Feast Farm.  We will learn how one of the businesses fed off the other, and how they operate together and also a bit more independently now.  Mark shares details about events they produce at the farm, one of which will be one of Plate & Pitchfork's finale events in August with Chef Carlo Lamagna.   We hear about some perspectives and tools Mark learned during some strife that made a huge impact on his life and businesses.  Mark also shares some of his favorite places to eat in Clark County.  

Right at the Fork is supported by:

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

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

We have the pleasure of spending an hour with Kat Whitehead, now the Director of Compliance at Meals on Wheels People in Portland.  Many knew Kat as one of the key people at Salt and Straw, and during her tenure at Aviary as part owner and pastry chef.   We will discuss her new responsibilities, as well as the experiences that led her on her journey.  Kat and Chris also talk a little about their days in Connecticut.  Kat also shares some of her favorite spots to dine in 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

Summer is here - and it's the perfect time to visit Sugarpine Drive-In. Which is why we wanted to bring back this episode from a year ago with Emily Cafazzo and Ryan Domingo.  

Emily and Ryan were in Hawaii when we spoke, so please excuse the audio quality - but we think you'll enjoy this conversation.

ORIGINAL POST

Joining us from their time away in Hawaii are Emily Cafazzo and Ryan Domingo of the now iconic Sugarpine Drive-In in Troutdale. We discuss the genesis of Sugarpine and how incredible the journey has been. We go back even further to the point where the couple met in Brooklyn at Andy Ricker's restaurant, of all places, and follow the reasons behind and the journey back to Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge. Both have quite a resume in the food world, and Emily discusses her days at Gotham Tavern with a cast of chefs who would later arguably be responsible for building the Portland food scene to what it has become.

We also discuss "Tastebound," a book about the bounty of the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge region in which Ryan and Emily included their recipe for their Brown Butter Blondie with Blueberry Sauce.

This is a must-listen episode for Sugarpine fans or those who would like to precede their first visit with some excellent background, straight from the proprietors' voices.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

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

Bruce Porter joins us to talk about his journey in the Portland hospitality industry toward his new position heading up ChefStable's new Midtown Beer Garden, a sophisticated good cart pod outside Expensify's new headquarters.

  Bruce managed some of Portland's iconic properties, from Oba to Ringside Hospitality Group prior to establishing his own consulting business.  As the pandemic hit, Bruce ran into some very challenging health issues. We discuss how he managed his emotions and optimism throughout the long  ordeal.   The Midtown Beer Garden is slated to open in late July, 2024.  

Right at the Fork is supported by:

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

Gary Okazaki @Garythefoodie joins us to give listeners the benefit of his prolific dining adventures in Portland.  His top 5 lists include Weekend Brunch, Pasta, lunch, opening he's looking forward to, and of course his current Top 5 restaurants in Portland. 

We'll discuss the James Beard Awards, and how his friends manage to win.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdvent

This week Portland had a big week at the James Beard Awards, and one of those big winners was Vince Nguyen of Berlu, taking home Best Chef NW/Pacific honors.  And speaking of honors, it's an honor to have Vince on the podcast for a second time, this time talking about his feelings going into, during and after winning his big award.  We will talk about his team, how he gets so much satisfaction from their growth, what this means for him professionally, as well as things like work/life balance and the labor situation in Portland.   We will also hear some glimpses about how Vince would like to expand Berlu and what that would take.   Enjoy this talk with Vince, who surely will endear himself to you and make you want to enjoy his talents at Berlu, if you haven't been already.  And make note of his Venmo handle.  It just may be a way to get a table!!  :-)  (That's said tongue in cheek)  

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdvent