Hey there food fans! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast. In Episode 112, Melissa and Steve are talking about breakup foods, first date foods, and a smattering of other off-topic rabbit trail tidbits- -you know, the usual! What do you eat when you are stressed, when you are sad? We've had an episode based on comfort food but today we want to look at this from a bit of a different angle. Do we think foods can really help change the way you feel? It's a strong resounding "maybe". We also go see what Reddit says, in a quiet bid for Steve to get a new bit on this show. Enjoy this quick episode where we get in our feelings. Thanks so much for listening and for watching us on YouTube.

Or yes Contest? You Decide! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast, it's time for Episode 111. Today Melissa and Steve are chatting about the most outrageous restaurant eating contests. What would we do? Do we think we could win? What could possibly be worth all of the acid reflux? Hint: It's going to take more than a free T-shirt to get Steve to eat ghost peppers again. We recap Steve's recent trip to Amarillo and his steak adventure at The Big Texan. Melissa is dreaming about eating watermelons week by week, while Steve waxes poetic about ice cream backwash. Don't miss it! We may not be in the running for a medal for eating 15 lbs of nachos, but we know we've already won a spot in your hearts. Find us in all the places and don't forget to click on all the things. Thanks for listening and for watching us on YouTube!

Hey there food fans. Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast, today is episode 110 and we are extra feisty. Sorry moms! Melissa and Steve are talking about favorite recipes, what we do or don't use, how we come up with recipes, favorite cookbooks, and so much more. We go way off the rails in some spots, and hopefully it's entertaining because we sure had a great time. Sometimes a recipe is just a guideline, and sometimes you really have to follow it-- for the science! Find the pod anywhere fine pods are carried, and thanks for watching us on YouTube! For the love of Pete please don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe.

Hey there food fans! School may be letting out across the country, and certainly the graduations are going to be in full swing- but today on The Food For ThoughtCast, school is very much in. Steve and Melissa are taking a ( not comprehensive in any way) look at school lunches. What are your favorites? What would you burn in a raging pile of remorse and lighter fluid? What do school lunches look like around the world? Warm up your most special frozen fish stick and get ready for some square pizza, because it's time for Episode 109 and you don't wanna be tardy. Thanks so much for listening and for watching us on YouTube!

Hey there food fans, welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast! Melissa and Steve are honored (and Steve is so excited!!!) to talk to Chef Phillip Foss today. Chef Phillip is not only one of Steve's culinary idols, he's also got one heck of a story pioneering his way through the food world. He is currently at El Ideas in Chicago- an incredible restaurant that hopes to flip the script on fine dining. From their home page: 

Paying homage to Chicago’s elevated train system, EL ideas is an abbreviation for ‘elevated ideas in dining’. With the mantra of ‘redefining fine dining’, EL is all about putting in fun and removing pretension from elite cooking. A full and immersive collaboration between Chef Foss and his culinary team, guests are invited to come back into the kitchen and mingle with the chefs as their meal is being prepared. 

Isn't this amazing?! We had an incredible time talking to Chef Phillip about Michelin stars, playing with flavors, burnout and mental health, and tasting your way through a city one dish at a time. Enjoy this fine chat anywhere you find your podcasts, and don't forget to watch us on YouTube!

Hey there food fans! Welcome back to The Food For Thoughtcast! It's time for Episode 107. We are honored to be joined today by Angelo Carotenuto from LivTours. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to learn how to cook authentic Italian food from somebody's Nonna right in her own kitchen? Today's guest tells us all about the real deal Italian food, how to find the best food travel opportunities for you, and why food is so important when learning about a new culture. We had an amazing time talking to Angelo. He has an incredible perspective and insight into food and customized tours and a keen understanding of how to curate an experience. Not only this, but he knows how to eat the good stuff and is a great conversationalist.  LivTours is more than just another travel tour company. Take a listen and you'll soon see the heart, soul, and long -lasting personal touches they pour into every trip. Check out LivTours on Facebook or at LivTours.com. We had a great time chatting with Angelo and we hope you are inspired by his knowledge and experience. Thanks so much for listening and don't forget to watch us on YouTube. 

Hey there food fans! Have you ever wondered about the snacks and meals available in Walt Disney World? Us too, apparently! It's time for a travel recap.

Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast- you're just in time for episode 106. Thanks so much for listening! Stephen patiently tolerates this as Melissa drones on and on and on about her magical trip to Disney World. We're talking hot dogs, corn dogs, sammiches, waffles, shakshuka,  hotel breakfasts, snacks on the go, All- You- Care -To- Enjoy BBQ with a Toy Story theme, the folly of caramel apples, what to do when you're just too full, sashimi, the delicious grey stuff from Beauty and The Beast, amazing lamb chicharrones not found in Disney, and of course to round things out- a little upscale Mediterranean. The puns are strong with this episode. Huge shoutout to friend of the show and fellow podcast host extraordinaire David Dollar. Contact him at Upon A Star Travel for all your Disney (and everywhere else) travel needs! If nothing else, head to Disney to try #allthethings. There is something to eat for everybody. Find us in all the usual podcast places; and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe. Watch us on YouTube, we are extremely good looking and Melissa talks with her hands. By the way, Stephen can never own a greyhound. 

Hey there food fans! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast- today is a travel recap episode. Melissa and Stephen catch up with each other and then discuss the most amazing things they ate. He just visited Hawaii recently and had an incredible culinary journey. There was tuna poke , sushi, amazing donuts, fruit, and all sorts of drinks. With a food landscape as beautiful as the actual landscape, I really enjoyed hearing all about it and I can't wait to go someday. Thanks so much for listening. You know that we travel to eat, and we eat to thrive so these episodes are a ton of fun to record and share with you. Thanks so much for listening and for watching on YouTube.

Hey there food fans! Today we are talking to Aaron Shapiro of Grillicious. Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast. Melissa and Stephen are celebrating 104 episodes today, and we are chatting about what it takes to make an idea a reality. Aaron tells us the story of Grillicious. From the evolution of an idea about not only how to flavor the grill, but also to help keep it nonstick- all the way to flavored spritzes for crafting beverages with less waste. We really enjoyed talking to Aaron, and we know you'll enjoy this episode! Head to https://www.grilliciouswipes.com/discount/FoodFans20 and use the promo code FoodFans20 to get 20% off and free shipping for being listeners of the Food For ThoughtCast. These things are insanely good (and really neat), so be sure to try them! As always, thanks for listening and for watching us on YouTube.

Today we have the honor of talking to Shawn Walchef, the owner and founder of Cali BBQ restaurants and Cali BBQ Media. It's time for Episode 103 of The Food For ThoughtCast; welcome back! Steve and Melissa want to know what California BBQ looks like , and how the whole thing started, and Shawn challenges us to go find our whales for this podcast (surprise and hint: it happens!). We talk about how dreams come to be, and the power of storytelling in relation to food. Shawn is an incredible visionary and entrepreneur with a gift for helping us restaurant and hospitality folk realize our full potential and find platforms and our voices. Enjoy this week's episode, and find Cali BBQ if you're in the San Diego area. Find Shawn on these podcasts: Restaurant Technology, Digital Hospitality. Thank you so much for listening and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe.