Dana Rodriguez has had an almost unbelievable trajectory, from Mexican immigrant and single mom of three, who started dishwashing at Panzano in Denver, and worked her way up to prep cook and then eventually restaurant mogul through her hard work, passion, drive, and incredible intelligence.

At Panzano, Dana met Jennifer Jasinski and her partner, Beth Gruitch. They helped mold her skills, which enabled Dana to become a sous chef at Rioja and Chef de Cuisine at Bistro Vendome. In late 2012, Dana’s path crossed with Tony Maclag, and Work and Class was born. They then went on to open Super Mega Bien together as well. Most recently, Dana created an organic tequila and mezcal brand, Dona Loca, where the focus is to give back to the workers who make the tequila possible in Mexico.

Today we hear Dana’s inspiring story, and how important it has been for her to build a restaurant group that is truly there to support their employees, in part by limiting people’s work days each week so they are rested but still able to meet their financial needs. We learn how she has found her own balance in being a working mom, friend, and business owner. We also discuss why she started Dona Loca – to teach people that what you drink is just as important to what food you put in your body.

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Born in Wisconsin, Alex Seidel began his culinary career at 14, and worked his way up to sous chef at Racine’s by age 20. Today, Alex is the chef-owner of Fruition Restaurant, Mercantile Dining & Provision, Füdmill and Chook. Seidel has been the recipient of many accolades, including Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef in 2010, as well as Chef of the Year from local media including Denver  Magazine and 5280. Seidel was awarded the 2018 James Beard Foundation Best Chef: South West. Alex is a champion of such causes as food advocacy, and mindfulness when it comes to eating habits and waste.

Today we discussed how hard it was for him to transition from cooking every day to instead leading his entire team and many projects so that he was not constantly spread so thin. We talked about how being food insecure as a child led him to open Chook as a Certified B Corp, so that he could also directly give back to the community, and allow his team the chance at partnership in the restaurant. We discussed how he has learned to take care of his body after many years of neglect, and about how owning restaurants, in the end, is just about constant problem solving.

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Jon Schlegel is the visionary of Attimo Winery, and has had passion for hospitality since he can remember. Jon is the founder of Snooze an A.M. Eatery. Opening this concept by the age of 30 was his first dream, but having the chance to live abroad was his dream by age 40. When Jon turned 38 and opened San Diego Snooze, he began working towards the next goal of moving to Italy. He chose Piedmont for his wine project, because the mountains felt like home to him and his family. Attimo completes the circle by sharing the best moments of his time in Italy with his native home of Denver.

We spoke to Jon about why the restaurant business had his heart from age 14, and why he chose to open a breakfast-only restaurant. We discussed how hard it was to transition from being an avid runner, to a yogi who now meditates daily, and walks instead of runs. We talked about the zen he finds in fly fishing, and what rituals he has at work daily to create intention and focus. Lastly, we chatted about how he has gotten his staff through the trauma of the pandemic, and how important it is for all of them to care for their mental and physical health. He also gives us a hack for not waiting in line at Snooze! 

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Adonna Allen, a 4th generation cattle rancher, is also the President of Alpine Bank in Steamboat Springs. She is heavily involved in her community, including working many years with the Community Agriculture Alliance (CAA). 

Michele has worked at the CAA since 2010 and assumed the Executive Director role in 2018. She is also a personal trainer, yoga and fitness instructor, and a part time ski instructor.

Today we speak to these two amazing women about how their two jobs intersect to support the CAA, and the many reasons why they love their Steamboat community and work to preserve it. We hear about Adonna's life on the ranch, and how Alpine Bank supports environmental and philanthropic causes. We also talk about how vital the CAA was to the Steamboat community during the pandemic, why eating local is so important in their valley, chronic calendar-filling syndrome (a made up term we all struggle with), and how having wellness goals is the new black! 

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In our first interview for the Steamboat Food & Wine Festival, we talk to Dr. Julie Kunen, Director of Sustainability at Oatly, the world’s original and largest oat drink company. Julie Kunen’s passion for sustainability studies began with her PhD studies in archaeology, where she focused on agricultural practices of the ancient Maya. She then served as the forestry and natural resources advisor for Latin America at the USAID, and then as Vice President for the  Wildlife Conservation Society, where she led efforts to promote conservation through cuisine. She joins us to dig deep on what sustainability means at Oatly, why we should drink plant based milks over dairy, and how and why they are sponsoring the Steamboat Festival.

Interested in sponsoring us? Visit our Patreon page to see the levels of sponsorship or donate here.

Show Notes:

International Panel on Climate Change

Happy Cones

Make Believe Bakery

Christopher Russell joins us today, first as a psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City, but also as a 40-year veteran of the hospitality industry. Christopher started by serving tables at Gramercy Tavern in NYC, and went on to become the General Manager and Wine Director at Union Square Cafe, as well as both Mets (The Metropolitan Opera and The Metropolitan Museum of Art). In addition to his practice, Christopher is a host on the podcast New Books in Psychoanalysis.

Today we talk with Christopher about why he thinks so many restaurant workers are not returning to the profession, and how he used his love of psychoanalysis in his restaurant jobs. We also take a deep look into grief - what it is, how it manifests, and how we can get through it. 

Sponsored Promotions:

Check out Hootananny Wines for delicious organic and biodynamic wines

Interested in sponsoring us? Visit our Patreon page to see the levels of sponsorship or donate here.

Show Notes:

Steven Olson

Danny Meyer Setting the Table

Sweetbitter

Lance Armstrong

US Open Tennis

Holly Johnson

Matthew Fox

Julian Barnes

Kat Kinsman Chefs with Issues

What is it like to grow up half the year in Berkley, CA, and half the year in the south of France, with Domaine Tempier's Lucien and Lulu Peyraud as neighbors and surrogate grandparents? Or to have the 'grandfather' of the boutique wine importing business, Kermit Lynch, as your father, and then decide to go into the family business? Anthony chats with us today about those subjects, as well as how he manages his time on the road in search of traditionally-produced wines from the great terroirs of France and Italy. When he is not overseas tasting, selecting, and blending cuvées for the KLWM portfolio, he can be found promoting his wines throughout the U.S. or writing about them from the company's Berkeley headquarters.

Sponsored Promotions:

10% off tickets to Steamboat Food & Wine Festival with the code FINELINE10

Interested in sponsoring us? Visit our Patreon page to see the levels of sponsorship or donate here.

Show Notes:

Adventures on The Wine Route by Kermit Lynch

Jean Marc Roulot

Francois Mikulski

De Montille

David Butterfield

John Coyle has twenty five plus years of experience traveling the world discovering wine, most of it working for T. Edward Wines, in NYC, where he is the Director of Sales. His podcast, Drinking on The Job, is a toast to the culture of food, wine and all things fermented.

Today we chat with John about the heart condition that almost killed him, and how cycling has saved his life. We also banter about the NYC wine world then and now, Viagra and Big Pharma, and why natural wine does finally have a place at the table.

Today we welcome back Dr. Todd Dorfman to the show, to discuss something he calls “Dogma vs. Data”. Beginning with vaccines and variants, we discuss the various theories and rumors that abound versus the medical data that either support or debunk them. We then move onto supplements, nutrition and sleep aids under the same theme. We absolutely love having him on, and could have talked for hours! Don’t miss this one.

Dr. Dorfman is the Founder, CEO, and Medical Director of Cedalion Health, which he opened in 2002 in Boulder, Colorado, balancing a private practice with his role as an emergency room doctor.  Before that, he was the Medical Director of the Boulder Community Hospital Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and is currently in charge of Boulder County’s Covid-19 response. In addition, Dr. Dorfman consults for legal practices, biotech companies, and TV shows.

Sponsored Promotions:

Check out Hootananny Wines for delicious organic and biodynamic wines

Interested in sponsoring us? Visit our Patreon page to see the levels of sponsorship or donate here.

Show Notes:

Dogma Vs.Data Slide Presentation

Episode 2 with Dr. Dorfman (Our First Interview With HIm)

Steven Gundry

What is it like to work next to Jancis Robinson on a book people consider the ‘wine bible’? Today, MW Julia Harding tells us about how she got into wine from publishing, what it’s like to have a two year deadline hanging over oneself, and how she stays fit and sane with travel, pandemics, and working from home.

Julia passed the Master of Wine exams at the first attempt in 2004 and was top student in her year. She has now happily combined her first life in publishing with her second life in wine. She has collaborated with Jancis Robinson for over 15 years, editing and writing for JancisRobinson.com, and on several major wine reference books. Julia is co-author of Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, including their Origins and Flavours and map editor of the The World Atlas of Wine . She was co-editor with Jancis of the fourth edition of The World Atlas of Wine, and has taken on the role of lead editor for the fifth edition (2023). Julia lives in London, tastes and travels as widely as she can, and keeps fit and sane thanks to bootcamp in the park, rain or shine, and yoga.

FREE shipping on SUPERBIRD Palomas using the code FINELINE.

10% off tickets to Steamboat Food & Wine Festival with the code FINELINE10

Interested in sponsoring us? Visit our Patreon page to see the levels of sponsorship or donate here.

Show Notes:

Oddbins Wine Shop

WSET

Waitrose Grocery & Cellar

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Lavendar Pills