Stick A Fork In It

The legendary Mise en Place has been a leader in innovative dining for over 30 years in Tampa Bay. Meet the restaurant's Executive Chef, Marty Blitz, the creative driving force behind that reputation alongside his business partner, Maryann Ferenc. With Chef Marty’s decades of culinary experience, he has mentored a multitude of celebrated culinary artists in addition to loyally lending his expertise to support hunger relief organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay. Epic Chef Showdown's coveted trophy for is named The Marty Blitz Award honoring his years of dedication to his craft and influence. Listen in to hear how his journey through kitchens around the country and a garage in Pinellas county brought him to where he is today. You too can experience the 8th Annual Epic Chef Showdown LIVE at feedingtampabay.org/epicchef Mondays through August 7th.

In case you missed it last year, we're re-sharing the episode with FTB Director of Disaster Relief Jim Carpenter! Want to know what weather channels to watch when a storm is brewing? Want to know how you can restock your fridge after a long power outage? Tune in and listen to Weatherman Jim. Remember, Feeding Tampa Bay is here for you in blue skies, and gray.

Follow @FeedingTampaBay for updates about or disaster relief pantries this hurricane season, and stay safe, wherever you are.

Hurricane season is fast approaching here in Florida, and disaster relief is an important part of the food banking world. On today's episode we welcome back Robin Safley, Executive Director of Feeding Florida, to explain how food bank networks became a crucial part of the first responder teams in the U.S. But hurricanes aren't the only disasters we face every year -- check back in for our next few episodes to learn how our sister food banks in other parts of the nation help people survive through floods, fires, and more. Together, we can weather anything.

Learn how you can help in blue skies and gray, by visiting FeedingTampaBay.org and following us on social media @FeedingTampaBay!

When addiction takes over the steering wheel of your life, you're bound to crash and hurt the people around you. On today's episode, our friend Joel Sittloh shares how he is recovering from decades of drug and alcohol abuse, finding refuge and recovery in community support and service to others who are struggling. As Joel says, he lives his recovery out loud to help those who are who are suffering on the inside. Tune in to meet this incredible human being, and hear the message he has for people who have been in his position, and the people who love them.

Follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media to learn how you can personally get involved with our mission of ending hunger.

The people who dedicate their lives to helping others possess a strength that can be difficult to imagine. And few people embody that strength more than Yvette Carter, director of the pantry at Open Arms Ministry in Clearwater, FL. Having survived domestic abuse, homelessness, prison, and cancer, Yvette provides hope and support to her community every single day in the forms of food and honest listening. Tune in to hear about her turbulent journey through life, and how her mission of bringing people peace and comfort keeps her alive.

Learn more about Feeding Tampa Bay and how you can help end hunger in our region by visiting FeedingTampaBay.org.

Few people understand the power of food better than professional chefs. That's part of the reason Chef Ferrell Alvarez, who partly owns some of the most celebrated eateries in Tampa, has directly supported the mission of Feeding Tampa Bay for years. This year he's lending his expertise to our annual Fork Fight gala event, coordinating top culinary artists from around Tampa Bay to create multi-course meals for our 500 guests. Tune in to learn about Chef Ferrell's journey from "young punk" to winner of a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award!

Tampa Bay there are still a few tickets available!

Secure your seats now by reaching out to [email protected]!

And follow @FeedingTampaBay on social media to see a recap of this year's Fork Fight event, so that you can plan to get tickets and join us next year!

Many of us don't actually know how to check in on our own mental health. Many more don't realize how much of an effect mental health has on every part of our lives. We're fortunate to have experts like Natasha Pierre to coach us through the confusion and struggle of understanding our minds — what they need, how to care for them, and the fact that we're rarely alone in these difficulties. Tune in to learn how a talented girl from the Virgin Islands was shaped by huge successes and unimaginable losses, to become an advocate for every human being who struggles like she does. (Due to a camera error this week's episode doesn't have video but we plan to have Natasha on the show again in the future!)

Follow us on social media @FeedingTampaBay to see clips from our other podcast episodes, as well as encouraging updates about our mission to end hunger!

It takes an incredible emotional strength (and sometimes an incredible partnership) to turn personal tragedy into hope for others -- but that is exactly what Mike & Kathy Fooshee have been doing for years. After meeting online over 20 years ago, their blended family has weathered unbelievable challenges, and made a mission of sharing their story with others to spare them from suffering through the same experiences. They do all of this with a hug and a smile for everyone they meet, and we're so grateful that they spend two days every week volunteering with us at Trinity Cafe.

Listen to their story on your favorite podcast app, or watch the episode on YouTube! Our channel there, and on all social media, is @FeedingTampaBay.

For nearly 30 years Sweetwater Organic Community Farm has educated Tampa residents about easy farming techniques, by inviting them to plant and harvest crops alongside their neighbors. Everyone from kindergarteners to senior citizens are welcome to come and learn how to care for plants and animals from the community that has kept the farm thriving all this time. On today's episode we talk with Chris Kenrick, the farm's Director, and learn why it's so important that more people become farmers, even if that just means growing a few plants in their own backyards. Knowing where your food comes from, and feeling pride in having grown it yourself is important, but even more important is the connection it fosters between yourself, nature, and the community around you.

Our episodes are also fully video recorded now! Watch Chris, Shannon, and Ev share laughs and learning on YouTube by visiting youtube.com/feedingtampabay -- and look out for more inspiring content on social media by searching @FeedingTampaBay on your favorite platform.

What happens when a father of 7 breaks his back on the job, and is unable to continue working, while the cost of rent and groceries rises all over the country? He leans on the support of community, family, and maybe even a furry new friend who can pull him out of the depths of despair. Meet David Brown, one of the brave, big-hearted guests who has visited the partner pantries of Feeding Tampa Bay. On today's episode he shares the story of how he unexpectedly found himself out of work, the journey that put him on through places he never thought he'd be in, and the inspiring people he met along the way.

This is also our first FULLY VISUAL episode! Watch David, Shannon, and Ev share laughs and learning on YouTube by visiting youtube.com/feedingtampabay -- and look out for more inspiring content on social media by searching @FeedingTampaBay on your favorite platform.