In this episode of "The Truth in This Art," host Rob Lee chats with Dorian Brown, co-owner of Neopol Savory Smokery. They discussed Dorian's culinary journey, from childhood food memories to the growth of Neopol. Dorian shares insights on the importance of community support, high-quality sourcing, and the challenges of fluctuating seafood prices. He recounts a tough Christmas post-COVID and highlights his self-care routine. The episode wraps up with Dorian sharing Neopol's locations and social media handles, emphasizing their community presence and culinary excellence.

Episode Highlights:

• Favorite Food Memory (00:01:03) Dorian shares a childhood memory of going to Georgetown with his mom to enjoy a roast beef sandwich at a deli spot.
• Neopol's History and Growth (00:09:31) Dorian discusses the origins of Neopol, starting with his mom's side hustles, their early days at farmers' markets, and the expansion of the business.
• The Significance of Seafood in Baltimore (00:15:55) Rob asks Dorian about the importance of seafood in Baltimore and the community's relationship with Neopol as a long-standing seafood establishment.
• Selling Unique Products (00:16:34) Dorian discusses the uniqueness of their smoked salmon and mussels and the challenge of introducing them to new customers.
• Developing New Menu Items (00:24:43) Dorian explains the trial and error process of developing new menu items like the salmon BLT and stuffed crepes.
• Challenges with fluctuating salmon prices (00:33:43) Dorian explains the financial impact of fluctuating salmon prices and the difficulty of adjusting menu prices accordingly.
• Handling kitchen crises (00:37:55) Dorian shares his approach to handling kitchen crises and the importance of maintaining a good relationship with customers.
• Self-care practice (00:45:58) Dorian reveals his self-care practice of finding a quiet moment with a cup of coffee to start the day.
• Neopol's locations and social media (00:47:20) Dorian shares the locations of Neopol Savory Smokery and its presence on social media.

Key Takeaways:

1. Family Influence: Early exposure to family traditions can ignite a lifelong passion for the culinary arts.
2. Community Support: Building strong relationships with local customers is key to long-term success.
3. Transparency in Sourcing: Maintaining integrity in sourcing practices ensures high-quality ingredients.
4. Self-Care Practices: Simple self-care routines can help maintain mental clarity and balance amidst business demands.

Website and Socials:
neopolsmokeryonline.com
Instagram: neopolsmokery
Facebook: Neopol Savory Smokery
LinkedIn: Dorian Brown

🎧 Thanks for tuning in to this episode with Dorian Brown from Neopol Savory Smokery! If you enjoyed our deep dive into culinary arts and Baltimore's vibrant food scene, please visit and support Neopol's website and social media links. Your feedback means the world to us, so don't forget to rate and review this episode. Plus, if you want to keep our content thriving, consider supporting us on Patreon. Your support helps us bring more inspiring stories to life! 🌟

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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