Right at the Fork

As we hear about the closing of more Portland restaurants, we felt it important to return to a conversation with Chef Cory Schreiber from December 2020, discussing the future of Portland's restaurant industry post-pandemic.

Cory shares his perspective from years of experience beginning with the chef/owner of one of Portland's legendary restaurants, Wildwood, to his present day position at Sysco, consulting with restaurants to help them maximize efficiency and promote excellence. We talk real estate as it pertains to restaurants, packaging, food carts as a model, and more.

Cory shared this invitation with us: I can be reached at [email protected] I am a culinary specialist and I am available for no extra fees to all food service operations for all categories for short and long term consultation. My main focus is on Sysco customers but operators can become customers with no minimum order fees and signing up is easy through our on-line shopping platform, SHOP.

To hear Cory discuss his experiences BEFORE the pandemic, click to Episode #196.

This episode of Right at the Fork is sponsored by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Missy Maki, former host of Simple Kitchen radio show in Portland, picked up moved to Missoula, Montana with her family of four in the midst of the 2020 pandemic.  She maintains her ties to Portland through her work as self-proclaimed Sales Director Extraordinaire for the Western Region of Landry's McCormick and Schmick's and Jake's properties. 

Chris and Missy talk about quality of life issues that prompted the move, work/life balance, and what she sees in Portland's food and beverage future.  Oh, and we're sure she'd love us shouting out that she turned 50 on April 12th! 

Recorded April 9, 2021.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

No matter how you slice it, our conversation with knife maker Etyan Zias is a must-listen for anyone who uses knives either at home or in a professional kitchen.  We previously interviewed Eytan three years ago (Episode 161) when he told us his backstory of Portland Knife House. 

Now we will hear how he is living and working his dream of crafting and selling uniquely American-made high quality kitchen knives with Steelport, only a week old company as of the recording of this interview.  (April 5, 2021).  Eytan worked nights during the pandemic to craft and hone his knives, while simultaneously overseeing his kids' schooling and running Portland Knife House.  Chris and Eytan talk about what makes a quality knife, who would notice the quality, and what it takes to maintain one.  Also, Eytan shares the story of his full sleeve tattoos, which is not what you would think!  Listen to find out lots more.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Gabe Rosen joins us on the podcast.  Listeners may remember Gabe as the former owner of Portland's iconic Biwa, Noraneko and Giraffe. Gabe landed at Zupans a year ago during the pandemic and is really enjoying working there now, as opposed to the rigors of owning restaurants.  That doesn't mean he won't open a new place someday, but we hear Gabe's take on how food will be delivered going forward, operating grocery stores versus a restaurant, and what he misses most.   Disclaimer:  Gabe works at Zupans, which sponsors this podcast.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

We're going back a few months to our conversation with Anna Caporael, who joins the podcast to talk about Cooperativa, her new Italian Market venture with chef Sarah Schafer.

 

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Jen Hilger, along with her partner, Brooke, is the co-founder and proprietor of the Recess Food Truck in Tillamook.  We talk about how she landed in Oregon and built her business after working in the corporate world, what it's like owning a food truck in a seasonal community, as well as some of her food and hiking recommendations in and around Tillamook County, with host Chris chiming in on some of his faves, too.  This is a great podcast episode for any food lovers visiting Oregon's North Coast!

Photo Credit: Tillamook Coast

 

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

  We celebrate International Women's Month in fine style with a literal international visit to the Gascony Region in France with Kate Hill, who runs a wonderful cooking school known around the world, Kitchen at Camont.  We find out how Kate made her way from San Francisco to Amsterdam and then to France, where she fell in love with all things local around the sweet little town of Agen.  Chris recalls his visit there a few years ago, where Kate kindly showed Chris and his son around Agen and environs, and hosted a beautiful, simple chicken dinner in her intimate, lovely dining room.     Kate talks about how the pandemic forced her to realize a vision she's had for quite some time, to take her cooking classes and demonstrations online.  She now features a Gascon Year Membership whereby passionate cooks of all levels can enjoy an interactive relationship with Kate throughout the year. That can be found at https://kitchen-at-camont.com/   Also, follow Kate at @katedecamont on Instagram.   This is our first international episode and we think you'll love Kate.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

  We welcome the three restaurant and bar industry professionals who have come together to form BitHouse Collective, coined an "experience" by our guests during the interview.  Natasha Mesa, seasoned bartender and manager, Erick Russ of Pono Brewing and Carlo Lamagna of Magna bring their respective skills and followers to the mix to take over the beautiful, classic BitHouse space in Portland.  This interview was conducted on March 1, 2021 just before their official opening.   Our conversation runs from talking about Natasha's experience, to the Detroit connection between Carlo and Erick, as well as what they foresee in the Portland Food world when we emerge from Covid.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Right at the Fork goes dog-friendly friendly this week, and wetalk to Katie McCarron, founder of Portland Pet Food Company.  Katie reached out to our host Chris after she saw him posting about the challenges of feeding his aging beloved dog, Oakley, since she had similar challenges with her dog Rosie.  In fact, Rosie's feeding challenges were the impetus for Katie to start her own human-grade pet food line in 2014.  Portland Pet Food Company has grown from sampling at the Beaverton Farmers Market to being carried in stores nationwide, and now even internationally.   We talk dogs and food, Portland and our dog-friendly coast in this four-legged interview that took place on February 23, 2021.

On the February episode of the Joy of Drinking Podcast, host Joy Church introduces True Tea. Co-founders Katherine Harris and Katy Connors share their mission and entrepreneurial journey while Joy sips three of their delicious teas; Organic Genmaicha, Organic Earl Grey, and Organic Tulsi (sourced right here in Oregon!).

Supporting women-owned tea estates around the globe is priority number one for @truetea.pdx. Listen in to learn more about this new Portland-based beverage business! And, don't forget to shop these outstanding teas at trueteapdx.com.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com