The Atlanta Foodcast: A Food Podcast

Holly Chute, ladies and gentlemen. Someone I absolutely adore. She has worked has the chef for pretty much every Governor you can remember in the state of Georgia. Her story, like many of the guests we have here on the show, is wonderful. The way she made it as the person chef for the Georgia Governor? It’s just perfect.

I won’t spoil any more of her story here, but we caught up Downtown at the Department of Agriculture — in the offices of Georgia Grown.

If you don’t know, we’re one of the few states to have a wonderful Department of Agriculture. Mr. Gary Black is at the helm and the Georgia Grown program and label is a major one. Pointing much deserved recognition to the foods and products produced or grown right here in the Peach State.

Holly and I also caught up to talk about Taste of Atlanta this weekend — specifically Friday night. There’s an awesome kick-off happening on Friday celebrating Georgia products and chefs.

If you’ve been listening to the show for a while you probably get the gist that the stories of Atlanta chefs, restaurant and business owners, and generally wonderful people get told around here. However, the one thing that all of us know about our beautiful city is that it’s packed with people. Tons. Close to 6 million, in fact.

Everyone in this city needs food. All of us. The Atlanta Community Food Bank is one of the largest operations in the country — feeding 750,000 people over 60 million meals EVERY. YEAR. Across 29 counties. Talk about people making Atlanta the greatest city for eaters — by feeding them. These folks, along with over 700 partners, are true heroes.

I stopped by to speak with Kyle Waide — President & CEO of the ACFB. I got to know him a little bit and then we got into how the organization mobilizes to feed those in need around the Greater Atlanta area.

Exciting News!

The Atlanta Foodcast and Georgia Organics are partnering to bring you an all new podcast covering telling the stories from the people who grow and prepare our food — from all over the state of Georgia.

Here’s a little intro episode with the podcast’s host — Skye Estroff.

The first, full episode is coming soon. You can find out more at georgiafoodcast.com.

Also, check out Georgia Organics and become a member today!

Imagine you grew up in Mumbai or Delhi and your family moves to Atlanta. Big enough story already, but imagine the foods you grew up with are within reach from a few grocery stores in town — your favorite fruits and vegetables, spices, and even snacks and desserts. But then you find out that the store is 45 minutes from your house — on a good day.

That’s why Manav and Sajal created Subziwalla — an online grocery delivery service specifically serving the Indian grocery stores and markets here in Atlanta and soon to be more of the Southeast. These guys have incredible individual stories and the story of how they founded Subziwalla is just awesome.

We sat down at The Shed at Ponce City so I could hear their story.

Use code ATLFOODCAST for 25% off of your first order. Visit their site here to start shopping.

So, we’re nearing the finish line on Season Two of the show here and I’m feeling… let’s say… nostalgic. It’s a little crazy to think that the show has been running for almost two full seasons and we’ve heard from an incredible lineup of talented and wonderful people.

Thus, I want to get back to some of the first couple episodes of the show — all the way back to March of 2018. Three stories I love from Jackie and Deanna Halcrow of Emerald City Bagels, Nate Hybl — Founder of Gusto!, and Steve Carse — Co-Founder of King of Pops.

All three are stories I love — and especially people I believe in, support, and love having in Atlanta.

Note: I was learning a lot back in the early days, so please excuse the audio quality in places.

Jared Karr and Jules Tompkins didn’t start out as friends, per se. A bit more like “frienemies.” Their paths crossed in their earlier years here in Georgia and again later in life — as business partners. Fast forward to today and you step into the bright, beautiful space of East Pole Coffee Co — found in the same industrial part of Atlanta near Sweetwater Brewing, Armour Yards, and so on.

Coffee is seldom part of the culinary realm that many come to understand fully. The plant, the process, regions, varietals, roasting methods — especially the farmer.

Jared and Jules set out to bring something different to the coffee community here in Atlanta. They roast their own (right in the coffee shop, in fact), but they take extra care and steps to know who is growing it.

The guys had me over to their space a little after hours so I could hear more of their story. Here they are.

Check out East Pole site here

Join their Coffee Club

Leslie Lennox started making pesto when she and her family purchased a home here in Atlanta — back in the late 90s. This wasn’t just any home, though. It came with a 1200sqft greenhouse which was pretty prolific in terms of basil production.

Fast forward to 2007, she, her husband, and daughter, Hope, start selling their pesto, Hope’s Gardens Pesto, at the Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market during their first season. They were a part of the market for many years and, since, Leslie hasn’t slowed down on pesto — now for 20 years. So much, in fact, that she just released a book entitled Pesto: The Modern Mother Sauce. I’m a big fan of Leslie, friends. She and her husband were a part of things back in 2007 that helped shape much of what we’re reaping the benefit of today.

Leslie was in town recently for this conversation so I could hear her story and learn more about her book.