Take A Bite Out Of South Florida

We’re taking a sip out of South Florida! Jen Millard, founder of mainelove, joins us to talk about bringing a little piece of Maine to Florida one can at a time. A 12th generation Mainer and Maine Entrepreneur of the Year, Jen shares how a career spanning retail, consulting, technology, and entrepreneurship eventually led her to launch a canned water company built around one of Maine’s greatest natural resources.

We dive into the story behind mainelove, its water sourced from Sebago Lake, the decision to use aluminum instead of plastic, and how the brand grew to more than 1,100 locations while expanding from New England into Florida. Jen also talks about mainelove’s growing presence in hospitality and sports, its work with breweries, and why giving consumers more choices matters.

And because this is Take a Bite Out of South Florida and Shaina has a deep love for Maine herself, we have to talk food! Jen shares some of her favorite “OG” Maine restaurants and lobster roll spots, while we chat about coastal Maine towns, summers in vacationland, and red snappers…You’ll have to listen to find out just what that is.

Plus, find out where you can get mainelove now as the brand begins making its way into South Florida.

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of South Florida’s private dining world? I sat down with chef and culinary storyteller Tommy Pozzuto, one half of the mastermind duo behind Elev8ted Private Event Staffing, a private chef and catering company. He shares about his journey from New York pizza delivery to a sought-after South Florida private chef.

Tommy opens up about growing up in a hospitality family and how that shaped his hustle, the surprising lessons he learned from previous restaurant employers, and the moment he teamed up with culinary co-creator Glenn Rogers to launch their brand.

We dive into everything from intimate in-home dinners and whimsical hot-dog pop-ups, to over-the-top Great Gatsby New Year’s soirées and their shared love for true farm-to-table magic at Swank Speciality Produce.

Get ready for laugh-out-loud chef stories, real talk about hospitality, and all the inspo you need to level up your next private dining moment.

Contact Shaina Wizov:
Email: [email protected]
Website:  https://takeabiteoutofboca.com/
Instagram:  @takeabiteoutofboca
Facebook: Take A Bite Out of Boca
YouTube:  Take A Bite Out of South Florida

Contact Elev8ted Private Event Staffing:
Website: https://elev8tedchefs.com/
Instagram: @elev8ted.chefs 

Come with me to Driftwood, one of my favorite South Florida restaurants and a top contender for the best food in Boynton Beach. Chef/Owner Jimmy Everett shares his journey from growing up just a mile away, to training at the Culinary Institute of America, cooking on Nantucket and in New York City and eventually returning home to build something truly special.

Jimmy also shares about his passion for mentorship, the importance of supporting local farms and purveyors and why sustainability and creativity guide every dish on the menu. I got to try the crispy okra and pork jowl fried rice, two incredibly unique dishes on the menu. He explains the techniques and thought process behind the flavors Driftwood is known for. If you’ve ever been grossed out by okra’s slimy texture, listen up because Chef Jimmy seriously blew my mind when he told me how he uses it for this signature appetizer.

Chef Jimmy’s love for community, intention and a commitment to doing things the right way is why Driftwood is a true stand-out in the South Florida dining scene.

Contact Shaina Wizov:
Email: [email protected]
Website:  https://takeabiteoutofboca.com/
Instagram:  @takeabiteoutofboca
Facebook: Take A Bite Out of Boca
YouTube:  Take A Bite Out of South Florida

Contact Driftwood:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://driftwoodboynton.com/
Instagram: @eatdrinkatdriftwood
Facebook: Driftwood Boynton Beach

Ever wonder about the people behind the Instagram accounts you follow for local restaurant recommendations? Join me at Avalon Beach House for a fun and informative influencer round table with local food-focused content creators Sarah Sarpolis, Avyana Chapman, and Sydney Austin. We dive into how creators work with brands, navigating pay transparency, setting boundaries, and keeping content authentic.

We also share how each of us got started in social media, what makes our content stand out, and how community and collaboration fuel our success. And of course, we dig into some of Avalon’s fan favorites while swapping our favorite South Florida dining moments.

It’s real talk about food, business, and the creative hustle in one of Florida’s most vibrant food scenes. 

Contact Avyana Chapman:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @goodeatsonlyyy

Contact Sarah Sarpolis:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @sarahsarpolis

Contact Sydney Austin:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @foodieonthefork

Contact Shaina Wizov:
Email: [email protected]
Website:  https://takeabiteoutofboca.com/
Instagram:  @takeabiteoutofboca
Facebook: Take A Bite Out of Boca
YouTube:  Take A Bite Out of South Florida

We sit down with Fit Foodz Cafe owner Susan Klein to explore 14 years of healthy comfort food in West Boca Raton. From the viral Dubai smoothie to the signature spaghetti squash turkey bolognese, Susan shares how she built a community hub with macro-labeled meals, seed-oil-free cooking, vegan and gluten free options, and epic baked goods. We talk trendsetting treats like Dubai chocolate bars and Glowberry Matcha, the hunt for the perfect gluten free wrap, candy dupes for Halloween, sweet potato latkes for the holidays, and why Fit Foodz Cafe remains a go-to for grab and go, healthy fast-casual dine in, and Uber Eats delivery. If you love locally owned South Florida restaurants, clean eating, and women-owned-business success stories, this episode is a must listen.

Contact Fit Foodz Cafe:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://fitfoodzcafe.com/
Instagram: @fitfoodzcafe
Facebook: Fit Foodz Cafe

Contact Shaina Wizov:
Email: [email protected]
Website:  https://takeabiteoutofboca.com/
Instagram:  @takeabiteoutofboca
Facebook: Take A Bite Out of Boca
YouTube:  Take A Bite Out of South Florida

At Dada in Downtown Delray Beach, host Shaina Wizov sits down with Chris Pumo, founder of Skyline Analytics, for a deliciously nerdy deep dive into how restaurants can use data to boost profit and protect guest experience. With a Divine Gesture cocktail in hand and a plate of iconic Dada dates on the table, Chris explains predictive labor scheduling, smarter cost of goods tracking, cash flow forecasting, and customer level insights that turn numbers into action. Hear about real wins like multi location growth and seven figure labor savings, why every build should be custom to the operation, and practical tips owners can start using now. If you own or manage a restaurant and want your business to run smarter, this one is for you. 

Listen, subscribe, and leave a five-star rating on Apple or Spotify!

This episode was sponsored by Skyline Analytics, whose mission is to empower businesses with insights from their own data to improve financial performance and operational efficiency. This husband-and-wife-owned company, through its sophisticated data intelligence solutions, transforms complex financial data into actionable insights, helping operators improve performance, streamline operations, and seize opportunities in an ever-changing industry.

Contact Skyline Analytics:
Email: [email protected]
Website:  https://skyline-analytics.com/
Instagram:  @skyline_analytics
Facebook: Skyline Analytics
LinkedIn:  Skyline Analytics

Contact Dada:
Website: https://sub-culture.org/dada/
Instagram: @dadadelray
Facebook:  Dada Delray

Contact Shaina Wizov:
Email: [email protected]
Website:  https://takeabiteoutofboca.com/
Instagram:  @takeabiteoutofboca
Facebook: Take A Bite Out of Boca
YouTube:  Take A Bite Out of South Florida

Step into the rich history and bold flavors of South Florida with this episode of Take a Bite out of South Florida! We’re live from the stunning Penelope restaurant in Mizner Park, Boca Raton, to explore Munyon’s Paw-Paw, a handcrafted aperitif inspired by the legendary Dr. James Munyon. Co-founders Joe Colucci and Paul Massey share their incredible journey of turning a historical cure-all elixir into a modern-day masterpiece, made with 14 all-natural botanicals and a story that’s as vibrant as its taste.

From the roots of Munyon Island to a meticulous crafting process at Big Cypress Distillery in Miami, this episode uncovers how a bit of Florida’s past has been bottled for today’s cocktail lovers. Plus, we’ll get a taste of the gluten-free crab cakes and shrimp and grits from Penelope’s New Orleans-themed menu, as well as a creative twist on a Sidecar featuring none other than Munyon’s Paw Paw, crafted by highly esteemed local mixologist Myles Robinson.

This episode is filled with history, flavor, and fun. Cheers!



Contact Munyon’s Paw Paw:
Website: munyonspawpaw.com
Instagram: munyonspawpaw
Facebook: Dr.JamesMunyon


Contact Penelope:
Website: www.penelopeofboca.com
Instagram: instagram.com/penelopeofboca
Facebook: facebook.com/penelopeofboca

Contact Shaina Wizov:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeabiteoutofboca/
Website: https://takeabiteoutofboca.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swizov/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/swizov

Ever find yourself caught in the tango of savoring a decadent dessert, slice of pizza, or glass of wine while your health and fitness goals flash a warning in your mind? It’s time to leave your guilt behind and learn about the concept of Food Freedom, a concept that Kristin Avagliano, founder of Create My Weight, lives by. Create My Weight is a health and weight loss program focused on travel-friendly nutrition, fitness for all levels, and one-on-one accountability for busy professionals. Kristin loves helping people improve their relationship with food and fitness, so they are motivated to stay on track with their healthy habits and reach their goals. 

Join us as we peel back the layers of enjoying our favorite food and beverages without tipping the scales on your health. We dive into the heart of what exactly “Food Freedom” is, conquer the beast of emotional eating, and share our journey towards finding that sweet spot where indulgence and wellness coexist harmoniously. You'll hear us burst the bubble of the all-or-nothing mindset and clink glasses to our beloved low-calorie Prosecco that's making waves in our balanced lifestyle celebration.

Prowling the grocery store aisles can feel like a labyrinth of labels and ingredients, but Kristin shares her best tips and tricks to help you emerge victorious. Kristin unravels the confusion around various packaged products, and shares how to make choices that keep inflammation at bay. And for those who love a good social sip, she pours out her knowledge on low-ABV cocktails and mocktails, and how to make mindful choices while dining out. You’ll love Kristin’s solution to battling food waste, one dressing-drenched salad at a time!

We wrap up by sharing exciting details about an upcoming Healthy Happy Hour event that I am co-hosting with Kristin on May 31st at Pixel Worx, a co working space for creatives located in Delray Beach. The event is open to the community, so if you are local, we hope you will join us.  

This episode is truly a fully stocked buffet of practical advice, laughter, and the shared love for a life well-fed and well-lived. So grab your favorite healthy snack, pour a low-ABV cocktail or glass of low-sugar Prosecco and tune in; your journey to a balanced, healthful and happy existence awaits!

RSVP for our Healthy Happy Hour event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/healthy-happy-hour-summer-kickoff-party-tickets-901899554847?

Contact Kristin Avagliano:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://createmyweight.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createmyweight/

Contact Shaina Wizov:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeabiteoutofboca/
Website: https://takeabiteoutofboca.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swizov/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/swizov

Travel with me down to the beautiful Amara at Paraiso to chat with James Beard award-winning Chef Michael Schwartz about his iconic Miami restaurants (Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Amara, and Harry’s Pizzeria) and involvement as one of the featured chefs at the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, happening May 3rd-5th at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The location for this episode couldn’t be more perfect: inside Amara’s event space with stunning views of the Biscayne Bay. Chef Schwartz talks about the early days of his career in Miami, the inspiration behind the menu at Amara at Paraiso, and celebrating the 17-year anniversary of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, which has been recognized with the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Award.

Chef Schwartz shares insights into creating dishes with varying temperatures, sourcing sustainable local seafood, and being at the helm of the farm-to-table movement. He tells me about Amara’s new executive chef, Ivan Barros, and the exciting talent he’s brought to the restaurant and its new menu.

We also discuss the thrill of cooking for the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, plus he shares his top tips for maximizing your Grand Prix experience. There are over 65 restaurants that will be on site for this huge weekend-long event, one of them being Harry’s Pizzeria, which has locations in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove. Event-goers can grab slices from Harry’s, and those with access to certain VIP areas will be treated to extra special delights from Chef Schwartz and his team.

This episode is bound leave you hungry, so get ready to make your reservations for Amara, Michael’s Genuine, and Harry’s — and purchase tickets for Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix! Even if you’re not a racing fan, you will still enjoy all of the enticing food selections and entertaining activations throughout the weekend.


Contact Chef Michael Schwartz:
Website: https://chefmichaelschwartz.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefmschwartz/

Contact Amara At Paraiso:
Website: https://amaraatparaiso.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amaraatparaiso/

Contact Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink:
Website: https://michaelsgenuine.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelsgenuine/

Contact Harry's Pizzeria:
Website: https://harryspizzeria.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harryspizzeria/

Contact Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix:
Website: https://f1miamigp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/f1mia/

Contact Shaina Wizov:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeabiteoutofboca/
Website: https://takeabiteoutofboca.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swizov/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/swizov