Sweet'N Up with Jeff Spencer

Andy Sachs is one of the country’s top-producing real estate professionals. Previously when we last spoke to Andy, he was manning the helm of the Newtown based Around Town Real Estate Team, a member of Keller Williams, where we spoke to him about how the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting the real estate market in our area and beyond. Fast forward to today, a good two years later, and Andy is now manning the helm of AROUND TOWN REAL ESTATE, his own real estate firm with no more ties to Keller Williams. Not only is Andy leading his own real estate firm, but he has moved into a new building that was in his family many years ago, building the space out to serve the needs of his clients and his employees. Best part, he’s still located in my hometown of Newtown, CT and is still the nicest human being around! Andy and his team of word class real estate professionals are some of the best and I had a blast chatting with Andy yet again for the show. 

We touched on how the market is doing today, what his new firm has to offer the residents of Newtown and beyond, what he’s been up to the last two years since we chatted, his advice for those thinking of selling or buying and so much more!

Christopher Hodson is the man behind @CookedInConnecticut an Instagram page and blog that features incredible photos and reviews of upscale dining as well as some of his own offerings. Hodson has worked his way through the ranks of many esteemed restaurants, including a stay in New York City, honing the front of house. Today he is a server at Materia Ristorante located in Bantam, CT which is quickly making waves as a serious culinary treasure since opening last spring. Not only is Materia up for a CT Restaurant Association award, but their Chef David DiStasi for Chef of the Year and Christopher Hodson himself as server of the year. As you can see Materia is where it’s at, and Christopher Hodson has his hand on the culinary pulse.

Visit CookedInConnecticut.com

Bronx Native, Jay Carlucci is the owner of the Dew Drop Inn, located in Derby, CT and widely known for their multiple flavors of wings, which there are almost 200 of! The Dew Drop has won CT’s best wings countless times, was recently featured on Chef Robert Irvines “Cheat Day USA” on the Cooking Channel and is a most stop for wing fans all over the US.

Joe Attonito, returning guest from Season 2, Episode 72, is the founder and owner of jjStacks a fun local burger, dog and sandwich joint located on Federal Road in Brookfield, CT, that even features a mini golf course! But besides the incredible breakfast sandwiches, which we enjoyed on this episode, and the dogs and burgers, Joe is also known for his incredibly delicious wings and sauces having learned from his mentor Jay Carlucci. jjStacks is the ultimate place for a fun day with the family or friends. Take it from me! You might just see me there!

I had an absolute blast talking to Joe and Jay right here in Brookfield, CT. Everything from wings, to early beginnings, life lessons, ups and downs, renovations, pandemics, wing sauces, the industry and sooooo much more! Huge thanks once again to jjStacks for providing breakfast!

Ryan O Rell is an up and coming force of nature. A recent high school graduate, Ryan is a pro athlete at the young age of 18 years old, sponsored by Madd Gear, the Worlds No 1 Pro Scooter brand, established in 2002. As a multi talented individual Ryan also excels at skateboarding, BMX, parkour and so much more. Now, Ryan has his sights set on one day becoming a member of the Red Bull family.

Rich Beck is the founder and owner of Swimming Co an up and coming Skateboard company and brand based in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Rich is also a skateboarding teacher, and runs multiple skateboarding camps. As a veteran skateboarder in our community Rich has helped guide our youth to exceptional results. Rich and I go way back since high school and it was so awesome to get to catch up with him and the positive impact he is putting on the future generation.

Bob Florence is the founder and co-owner of Moromi a company based in beautiful, costal southeastern Connecticut creating handcrafted seasonings based on traditional fermentation techniques using koji and our natural microbiome to transform a variety of local ingredients into unique sauces, seasonings, and condiments. As a chemist, Bob has had a life-long passion for making stuff. Having lived and worked throughout the US, Mexico, and Asia, Bob left the corporate world and settled in Mystic, CT to mindfully slow down and focus on developing unique, handcrafted seasonings including soy sauce, miso, and fermented hot sauces. Bob studied the art of shoyu making under the guidance of his mentors at Chiba Shoyu in Japan.

https://moromishoyu.com/

Bob Florence is the founder and co-owner of Moromi a company based in beautiful, costal southeastern Connecticut creating handcrafted seasonings based on traditional fermentation techniques using koji and our natural microbiome to transform a variety of local ingredients into unique sauces, seasonings, and condiments. As a chemist, Bob has had a life-long passion for making stuff. Having lived and worked throughout the US, Mexico, and Asia, Bob left the corporate world and settled in Mystic, CT to mindfully slow down and focus on developing unique, handcrafted seasonings including soy sauce, miso, and fermented hot sauces. Bob studied the art of shoyu making under the guidance of his mentors at Chiba Shoyu in Japan.

Andrew Dominick is a popular food journalist hailing from Norwalk, CT. His work can be seen on CTBites, Westchester Bites, Westchester Magazine, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Beverage Journal CT, Connecticut Magazine, Fairfield Magazine and more! When he’s not writing, he's honing his bartending skills, exploring restaurants, and practicing martial arts.

Andrew Dominick is a popular food journalist hailing from Norwalk, CT. His work can be seen on CTBites, Westchester Bites, Westchester Magazine, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Beverage Journal CT, Connecticut Magazine, Fairfield Magazine and more! When he’s not writing, he's honing his bartending skills, exploring restaurants, and practicing martial arts.

Iazamir "Zamir" Gotta is a producer, TV Personality, Independent Filmmaker, and Peacemaker. He is best known as the traveling companion of the late American chef Anthony Bourdain in his Travel Channel TV show Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, when they traveled to Uzbekistan, Russia and Romania and later in the U.S. Rust Belt, Ukraine, and Kansas City. Gotta also accompanied Bourdain in Batumi, during Bourdain's subsequent series, Parts Unknown on CNN.

When we last chatted with Mark back in 2020 (Season 1, Episode 7) he was manning the helm as the longest serving Mayor in Danbury, Connecticuts history, but shortly after he joined the show he was asked by Governor Ned Lamont to join his staff as the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. Mark Boughton was also recently appointed the States Infrastructure Czar and as usual, I had a wonderful conversation chatting about his final days as Mayor, his thoughts on the Danbury Trashers Netflix Documentary and upcoming movie, the new role as Commissioner, the new tax cuts that are taking effect, what he’s been up to in regards to Connecticuts infrastructure and so much more!