Right At The Fork

Ben Jacobsen is the founder of Jacobsen Salt Co., renowned for producing premium sea salts harvested from Netarts Bay on the Oregon Coast. Established in 2011, Jacobsen Salt Co. has become an iconic food brand in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.  Jacobsen's journey into the world of salt began during his time living in Denmark and Norway, where he developed an appreciation for the quality and versatility of artisan sea salts. Upon returning to the Pacific Northwest, he embarked on an extensive search, testing over two dozen coastal sites, before selecting Netarts Bay for its clean, clear waters and high salinity - ideal for salt harvesting.  Ben shares with us some of his cherished food and industry anecdotes, as well as some insights on growing a brand in the food industry.  JacobsenSalt.com   Right at the Fork is supported by:  Zupan's Markets:   RingSide Steakhouse:    Portland Food Adventures:

Sandro Paolini joins us to discuss all things gelato!  He's the founder and gelato artisan behind Pinolo Gelato on Division St. in Portland. Born in Pisa, Italy, Paolini has a rich background in agriculture and forestry, which deeply influences his approach to crafting authentic Italian gelato. After moving to the United States, he combined his agricultural expertise with culinary passion, and was the inspiration for to bring the art of handmade authentic gelato to Portland, He opened Pinolo Gelato in 2015 and has been learning and honing his craft ever since.   Pinolo Gelato is located at 3707 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202 and can be found at  also @pinologelato Instagram.   Right at the Fork is supported by:  Zupan's Markets:   RingSide Steakhouse:    Portland Food Adventures:

This Right at the Fork Classic comes from July of 2016, and our conversation with Lisa Schroeder. ORIGINAL POST: Chris feels that Lisa Schroeder should be cited as "Portland's Official Mother."  Lisa visits the RATF studios to talk about the challenges of running a packed Portland culinary institution, especially in light of a the increased responsibilities she's taken on to provide love and care to her grandchildren.  Lisa shares some stories and grief of the loss of her beloved daughter, Stephanie. Photo by Tim Sugden, About Face Magazine. Right at the Fork is supported by: Zupan's Markets:  RingSide Steakhouse:   San Pellegrino: 

We venture out to Manzanita for this podcast, and take the opportunity to chat with Michael Mudd, the proprietor of Manzanita Mudd Dogs. Whether you have been to or plan on visiting Manzanita, the story of how the iconic Manzanita Mudd Dogs started to how Michael and his brother Brad took over the operation of the business from their parents, Jim and Lynn Mudd, is an awesome story.   Michael talks about how and why his parents started serving hot dogs from their driveway in Manzanita, and how that led to the Mudd Nick Foundation, which provides kids with wonderful enriching opportunities to go to camps and travel worldwide through their charitable efforts.  It was truly a team effort to find that purpose, and now the foundation and hot dog business is going strong, evolving and thriving.   Hearing Michael's recollection of leaving the corporate world to make authentic Chicago Dogs is something so many of us would envy, and we'll get to hear how that's worked out for Michael.   Manzanita Mudd Dogs serves more Chicago dogs than any other place on the West Coast.  They can be found close to the water on Laneda Avenue in Manzanita, or here: .  The Mudd Nick Foundation can be found here:    Right at the Fork is supported by:  Zupan's Markets:   RingSide Steakhouse:    Portland Food Adventures:

We look back to April of last year, and our conversation with Rob Sample of Mother's Bistro. ORIGINAL POST: 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:   RingSide Steakhouse:    Portland Food Adventures:

Joel Gunderson  of Heavenly Creatures, Coopers Hall, Grassa, St. Jack and a host of places, joins us again to talk about how deeply Trump's tariffs would affect the wine and restaurant industries.  Coincidentally, the tariffs were suspended just minutes before we started recording this episode.  But we talk about the stress uncertainty puts on the industry and how things have just begun to bounce back in Portland.  We also touch on what it takes to become one of the most celebrated people in the industry nationwide, and some of the ways his staff approaches hospitality.   Right at the Fork is supported by:  Zupan's Markets:  RingSide SteakHouse:   Portland Food Adventures: 

Gary Okazaki aka @garythefoodie joins us for the umpteenth time to share information on his favorite pop-up restaurants in Portland, including where to find them on Insta, and where they take place.  Also, he'll go over some of his most anticipated openings in 2025. Right at the Fork is supported by:  Zupan's Markets:  RingSide SteakHouse:   Portland Food Adventures: 

We are joined by two of the people responsible for the accolades and wonderful food that comes out of the kitchens of Gado Gado and Oma's Hideway.  DaMenga Weaverhuff is Executive Chef, and has been leading the kitchens for a good while now, while Tom Pisha-Duffly is the owner and since Chef DeMenga's promotion has assumed a larger role, which we discuss in some detail during this interview.   DaMenga was born and raised in Columbus Ohio, where he realized he wanted to be in the restaurant industry. He spent four years at the University of Cincinnati studying business before moving to Portland in 2019, landing at Grassa for a year before the pandemic happened. After that hiatus, he found his way to Gado Gado as CDC, earning the respect of the Pisha-Duffly's to earn him the Executive Chef position at two of Portland's most well-regarded restaurants.   Also, you may join Chefs Tom and DaMenga at Steelport Knife Company on Sandy Blvd, Saturday, March 29th, between 11 and Noon for a knife skills demo and some tasting.   Right at the Fork is supported by:  Zupan's Markets:  RingSide SteakHouse:   Portland Food Adventures: 

Visit for details on the Fin & Feast dinner with Andrea at Local Ocean in Newport. We go back to December 2024 and our converation with Andrea Falaschi, ahead of his visit to Oregon for the Oregon Mailata and special Fin & Feast dinner at Local Ocean in Newport. Joining us this week is Andrea Falaschi, fourth generation butcher from Macelleria Falaschi in San Miniato in the heart of Tuscany.  Andrea's family business is celebrating its 100th year in 2025.  Andrea takes us through his family history with some anecdotes about how the business started back in 1925 with his great Grandfather Guido emigrating from Argentina with no reading and writing skills to open San Miniato's first butcher shop. Moving through Fascism in Italy we hear about the discord between his grandfather Vasco and Vasco's brother Bruno, and you must hear the segment discussing Vasco's fear of the phone when that technology became commonplace!!  Also, Andrea talks about the influence women in the family had on the business.  Andrea, with interpretation assistance from his dear friend Astrid Ensign, who designs Portland Food Adventures trips to Italy, shares some of the challenges of the business, including the severe conditions in Italy through the pandemic.  He is a huge lover of cinema, and Andrea shares the joy he had visiting the Goonies house when visiting Oregon earlier this year, as well as some of his favorite experiences in Oregon.   How does this relate to Portland?  Well, here.  Two ways!: Andrea will be the marquee guest at the Oregon Mailata in May of 2025, the Italian Festival of the Pig put on by renowned chef Portland chef Cathy Whims and her team.  , where you can see his exciting butchering demonstration, in addition to many other workshops, wine tasting, and a big celebratory meal put on by some of Portland's best chefs.  VISIT ANDREA IN TUSCANY!!  This!!  A very few select folks can book a trip to Tuscany in the Fall with RATF host Chris Angelus' Portland Food Adventures, and celebrate Macelleria Falaschi's 100th anniversary with Andrea and PFA's Astrid Ensign, former expat, and host Chris.  and contact Chris - contact into on the PFA website at the link to your left. Right at the Fork is supported by:  Zupan's Markets:  RingSide SteakHouse:   Portland Food Adventures: 

Tony Bixler, president of Local Ocean Seafoods, joins us to discuss the history of Local Ocean, as well as his journey in Oregon in restaurants and life to get where he is today.  We will talk about what makes Local Ocean very special and the extra challenges it takes to serve fresh seafood to so many every day.   We also discuss a special event at Local Ocean on March 30, 2025 where 4th generation Tuscan butcher Andrea Falaschi joins Chef Enrique Sanchez-Rodriguez at Local Ocean for a special Land N Sea dinner, a rare event at Local Ocean.     Tony shares some of his favorite Central Coast food spots, also.   Right at the Fork is supported by: Zupan's Markets:   RingSide Steakhouse:   Portland Food Adventures: