That Was Delicious

• [00:35] The Start of Grana: Chris and Maya began as a pop-up pizzeria, slowly building a reputation for authentic Neapolitan pizza.
• [10:00] Pizza Journey: Chris’s journey from a small-town upbringing in Oregon to becoming a chef, with his first job in a pizzeria, to opening Grana.
• [14:42] Family-Driven Business: The couple navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship while raising kids and balancing family life.
• [16:42] Neapolitan Pizza Secrets: Chris shares the intricate process of perfecting Neapolitan pizza dough and why temperature and timing are critical.
• [26:45] Las Vegas Pizza Challenge: Chris’s experience competing in the international pizza competition, placing 15th out of 100 competitors.
• [35:00] Vision Board Success: Maya’s story of how they made it onto the prestigious “50 Top Pizza” list and the power of manifesting their dreams.
• [42:20] Staffing Challenges: The importance of building a reliable team and overcoming staffing challenges in the restaurant industry.

• (12:24) “Every single pizza that comes out of the oven makes me happy. It’s like a growing dough that you shape, and when everything comes together just right—it’s magic.” – Chris
• (22:35) “We built a business during COVID, with two kids at home. It was chaotic, but we figured it out.” – Maya
• (35:05) “We believed in our product and knew it was good, but we just needed our big break—and it came with the ‘50 Top Pizza’ list.” – Maya
• (42:24) “The hardest part was staffing—finding people who believe in what you're doing and want to be a part of it.” – Maya

• [07:58] The Power of Passion and Quality Ingredients: Debbi shares how discovering butter as a key ingredient transformed her baking and led her to commit to using only the best ingredients.
• [13:01] Facing Rejection and Persevering: Despite numerous rejections from investors, Debbi's relentless pursuit of her dream helped her secure the funding needed to start Mrs. Fields.
• [21:20] Innovative Marketing Techniques: On the first day of business, Debbi's innovative approach of giving away free cookies to attract customers helped her turn failure into success.
• [25:01] Building a Brand Around Customer Experience: Debbi focused on creating a memorable customer experience, believing that customer satisfaction would naturally lead to financial success.
• [29:18] Overcoming Personal and Professional Challenges: Balancing her role as a mother of five and a businesswoman, Debbi talks about the importance of finding support and staying true to one's personal and professional goals.
• [36:34] Empowering Employees and Creating a Positive Culture: Debbi discusses her unique hiring process, emphasizing the importance of passion for the product and the ability to create a fun and engaging environment.
• [44:58] Adapting to Change and Knowing When to Let Go: Debbi reflects on the difficulty of selling her company and the importance of staying true to one's values, even when faced with challenging decisions.

• (08:15) "Butter changed my life. At 13, I decided I would never use margarine again. Quality is affordable."
• (16:30) "The chance will never come if you give up. Keep knocking, keep asking, because someone out there wants to say yes to you." 
• (25:10) "I never focused on money. The only register that matters is you want to register happiness."
• (39:25) "When you're building a company, you need people willing to move mountains, to do something fun, different, and even embarrassing." 

• [13:00] The Impact of Diet on Cognitive Health: Dr. Fenn explains how specific dietary patterns, like the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by over 50%.
• [31:00] Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods: Why eliminating ultra-processed foods is crucial for brain health and how they contribute to inflammation and cognitive decline.
• [16:00] Brain-Healthy Food Groups: A focus on the ten food groups essential for brain health, including berries, leafy greens, and nuts, with practical advice on incorporating them into everyday meals.
• [21:30] The Role of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Why extra virgin olive oil should be a staple in your diet and how it protects both brain and heart health.
• [38:00] Mindful Eating Practices: How to build a brain-healthy diet by making strategic food swaps and paying attention to the diversity of foods consumed.

• (31:15) "Brain health begins in the kitchen. The foods we choose to eat directly impact how our brains age and function."
• (13:50) "The Mediterranean diet isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about how you live, how you gather, and how you enjoy food."
• (22:00) "Even small swaps in your diet, like replacing butter with olive oil, can have a profound impact on your long-term brain health."

• [00:44] Megan's background in sports performance nutrition and her experience as a professional triathlete.
• [05:02] The two pathways in elite triathlon: Olympic distance and Ironman, and how Megan found her niche in short-distance racing.
• [15:53] Life in the Olympic Village, from dorm-style accommodations to the 24/7 cafeteria and the social dynamics among athletes.
• [24:26] The importance of carbohydrates in an athlete's diet and how the Olympic Village catered to these needs with various food options.
• [30:06] The challenges athletes face in finding time to relax amidst a busy schedule, and the importance of managing stress and recovery.
• [34:48] Megan’s insights on how the food provided in the Olympic Village could be optimized to better meet the specific needs of elite athletes.
• [36:59] Megan's favorite food memory from the Olympics – the fresh baguettes that were available daily in the Village.

• (09:55) "If you are constantly operating in a deficit, you're never going to be at 100%. You’re never going to actually reach your potential because you're always just leaving this margin of unmet needs."
• (13:00) "We really need to stop the messaging that you need to diet to be a better athlete or be super lean. Nobody's weighing endurance athletes at the end of an event."
• (30:45) "You haven't laid down in three days, right? Rest is as important as training, especially at this level."
• (36:20) "There’s just something about bread straight out of the oven that's hard to beat, and it was not beaten."

• Follow Ino on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram
• Visit Ino in Florence

• Get Carolina’s  cookbook, Pass The Plate
• Follow Carolina on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram

• Island Vintage Coffee (https://www.islandvintagecoffee.com/en-hi
• Miso Phat Sushi (https://misophatlahaina.com/)
• 808 Deli (https://www.808deli.com/)
• Ululanis Hawaiian Shave Ice (https://www.ululanishawaiianshaveice.com/)
• Tin Roof Maui (https://www.tinroofmaui.com/)
• Marlow (https://www.restaurantmarlow.com/)
• South Maui Fish Company (https://www.southmauifishco.com/)
• Mama's Fish House (https://mamasfishhouse.com/)
• Merriman’s (Kapalua) (https://www.merrimanshawaii.com/kapalua/)
• Fairmont Kea Lani (https://www.fairmont-kea-lani.com/dine/kea-lani-restaurant/)
• Kihei Caffe (https://kiheicaffe.com/)
• Leoda’s (https://www.leodas.com/)
• Star Noodle (https://www.starnoodle.com/)
• Nalu’s (https://naluskihei.com/)
• 10 Best North Shore Oahu Restaurants (https://www.femalefoodie.com/restaurant-reviews/top-oahu-north-shore-restaurants/)
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/femalefoodie/)

1. Perfect Signature Dishes: Italians perfect their signature dishes by cooking them repeatedly, resulting in unparalleled quality and consistency. Implement this by focusing on a few key recipes and refining them over time. (03:02)
2. Cook with Seasonal and Local Ingredients: Embrace the seasons and cook with what is regionally available, enhancing flavors and freshness. Visit local farmers' markets for inspiration and fresh produce. (07:08)
3. Keep It Simple: Simplicity is key in Italian cuisine. Use high-quality ingredients and let them shine without overcomplicating dishes. Aim for fewer ingredients with better quality. (10:15)
4. Moderation over Restriction: Italians enjoy their food without obsessive restrictions. Focus on balanced portions and enjoy a variety of dishes in moderation. (14:53)
5. Include Children in Food Rituals: Italians cherish involving children in meals and cooking, fostering a love for food and family traditions. Encourage kids to help in the kitchen and make mealtime a shared experience. (21:18)
6. Value Family Recipes: Preserve and pass down family recipes to maintain culinary heritage and create lasting memories. Spend time cooking with older family members to learn and document traditional dishes. (24:25)
7. Savor Slow Meals: Italians take time to enjoy their meals, using food as a vehicle for connection and conversation. Make an effort to slow down and savor your meals, especially during family gatherings. (30:35)

• "Food is the vehicle for connection and discussion and intimacy." - Brooke (35:08)

• 00:00 - Introduction and recap of Italy trip
• 01:33 - Announcing 2025 Female Foodie tours
• 03:02 - Lesson 1: Perfecting signature dishes
• 07:08 - Lesson 2: Cooking with seasonal and local ingredients
• 10:15 - Lesson 3: Keeping it simple
• 14:53 - Lesson 4: Moderation over restriction
• 21:18 - Lesson 5: Including children in food rituals
• 24:25 - Lesson 6: Valuing family recipes
• 30:35 - Lesson 7: Savoring slow meals

Carmen is a passionate and talented garden and food enthusiast who has been sharing her love for homegrown cuisine with the world for almost a decade. She’s built an incredible following on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube by sharing impressive dishes, cooking tips, and gardening advice. She is trusted for her practical tips and recommendations, and her readers are inspired by her innovative use of homegrown ingredients.

• Starting Small: Begin with manageable projects like potted herbs or a small raised bed. (07:33)
• Soil Health: Focus on composting to improve soil health for better plant growth. (16:16)
• Patience and Consistency: Gardening requires regular attention and patience. (32:12)
• Common Mistakes: Avoid overplanting, ensure consistent care, and manage watering appropriately. (32:54)
• Gardening Hacks: Use felt grow bags for potatoes and understand your USDA growing zone for better plant selection. (23:00, 37:01)
• Importance of Zone Knowledge: Understanding your USDA zone helps in selecting the right plants for your area. (37:01)
• Herbs and Leafy Greens: Herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil, as well as leafy greens like kale, are great for beginners and versatile in the kitchen. (38:54)
• Tomato Tips: Stake your tomatoes early, prune regularly, and harvest when they start to blush. (41:14)
• Enjoy the Process: Embrace the journey of gardening with its ups and downs; it's a hands-on learning experience. (44:12)
• Homegrown Satisfaction: Growing your own food provides a unique satisfaction and better taste. (11:01)

• "Gardening is really not as hard as people think it is. It's super fun, and you just have to start." - Carmen (44:22)
• "There's something truly satisfying about growing your own food and knowing where it comes from." - Brooke (10:19)
• "The first meal that I fully sourced from my own garden was the best feeling ever." - Carmen (45:49)
• "Embrace the journey— there's going to be ups and downs. There's going to be a lot of successes and some failures as well." - Carmen(44:22)
• "You just have to start. I think a lot of people trip themselves up being like picking the perfect thing or the perfect time or anything like that." - Carmen (44:22)

• 00:31 - Introduction to Carmen in the Garden
• 02:27 - Carmen's childhood and early influences
• 04:44 - Transition from political science to gardening
• 07:33 - Tips for beginning gardeners
• 10:19 - The rise of homesteading and gardening trends
• 14:25 - Evolution of Carmen's garden
• 19:02 - Composting basics
• 21:18 - Raised bed gardening pros and cons
• 27:03 - Overview of Carmen's current garden setup
• 32:12 - Common gardening mistakes and how to avoid them
• 37:01 - Importance of understanding gardening zones
• 38:38 - Easy-to-grow plants for beginners
• 41:09 - Tips for growing tomatoes
• 44:12 - Final thoughts on gardening
• 45:49 - Carmen's favorite homegrown meal