The Ultimate Dish

Elle Simone is the first African American woman to serve as the resident Food Stylist & Test Cook on America's Test Kitchen on PBS. She has contributed her unique styling abilities to the Food Network, Food Network Magazine, The Cooking Channel, The Katie Couric Show, CBS Corporation, ABC’s The Chew and Bravo's Chef Roble and Co. In 2013 she founded SheChef, Inc. with Chimere Ward to mentor women chefs of color. 

Where’s the balance between following a recipe and winging-it? Cooking has a fine line between rules and inspiration. Well, the same goes for building a career in culinary arts. There’s a time for following a set path, and a time for allowing serendipity. Today’s guest is Elle Simone who styles foods with a unique sense while breaking barriers for herself and others.

Listen as we chat with Elle about her passion for food, mentoring, and building a thriving career after surviving ovarian cancer. 

Certified Master Chef, Ron DeSantis, is the Chief Culinary Officer at Hungry Planet, a company specializing in chef-crafted plant-based meats. 

He is a former U.S. Marine, and self-proclaimed flexitarian, who found his culinary passion later in life. In his over 25-year career he has served as a guest chef at Camp David and the White House, a CIA instructor, and a Director of Culinary Excellence at Yale University. He has partnered with some of the nation's top brands, including Coca-Cola, Hormel, and now Hungry Planet, driving concept design and the development of innovative, healthy cuisine for kids and adults alike. 

Listen as we chat with Chef Ron about plant-based cuisine, the importance of discipline in developing your craft, and experiencing food through different cultures. 

David Irons is the Vice President of Experience Strategy for Digitas, a global marketing and technology agency that transforms businesses for the digital age. 

David is an Emmy Award Winning product and innovation strategist with deep expertise in research, data and design thinking. He’s built award-winning user-experiences for The Museum of Modern Art, AMC, Harpo Productions, Microsoft, Samsung - and many other big brands. 

Listen as we chat with David about how to develop customer insights and grow your business using qualitative and quantitative data.  

Melissa Trimmer is the Corporate Executive Chef at Dawn Foods. 

She is also an ACF Certified Executive Pastry Chef, and holds the honor of being the 2016 Cutting Edge Award recipient. Melissa has received critical acclaim leading the pastry department of two institutions that received the Bib Gourmand rating from the Chicago Michelin Guides Inaugural Edition in 2010. With over 25 years experience as a culinary professional and being one of the few women in her field, Melissa advocates for individuals to craft their own career.

Listen as we chat with Melissa about her journey as an executive pastry chef, advice for building a fulfilling career, diversity, and the many ways she supports women in the kitchen.

Florencia Palmaz is the CEO of Palmaz Vineyards, a premier winery in Napa Valley, and President of GoodHeart Brand Specialty Foods. 

Coming from a family of farmers, technologists, and serial entrepreneurs, Florencia is no stranger to being a multifaceted expert. Besides managing the family wine business, Florencia is also a food & wine connoisseur and cookbook author. 

Listen as we chat with Florencia about how her family built a revolutionary wine business, specialty foods, technology, and commitment to land and service.

Chef Martin Yan is a renowned Chinese-American chef, cookbook author, and host of the award winning PBS-TV cooking show Yan Can Cook.

Chef Martin hosted more than 1500 episodes of Yan Can Cook over the past four decades -  which has been broadcast in more than 50 countries. As an author, he’s written over two dozen cook books and continues to inspire and support aspiring chefs.

Listen as we chat with Chef Martin about building community by sharing food, celebrating Asian cuisine, evolving as a content creator, and building a brand.

Chef Daryl Shuler is the founder and CEO of Daryl Shular Hospitality Group.

He is the world’s first African American and minority chef to earn the prestigious title of Master Chef - which he received after passing the grueling 130-hour, 8-day exam in 2014.

Daryl has also won twelve gold medals in local and national cooking competitions, including the Culinary Olympics, and has been inducted into the Smithsonian African American Museum in Washington, DC. 

Listen as we chat with Chef Daryl about career advice for struggling young chefs, his passion for educating the next generation of culinarians, and the work ethic and principles that have guided his culinary journey. 

Shawn Wenner is a food entrepreneur and owner of the acclaimed Pastry Arts Magazine, a full-blown multi-media platform for the pastry community. 

Shawn is also the owner of Entrepreneurial Chef, a digital platform and online community that unites all types of food entrepreneurs to share real life lessons and practical advice with one another. 

Listen as we chat with Shawn about how to think big and anticipate trends, evaluating risk as an entrepreneur, and his journey to becoming a global media powerhouse in the foodservice industry.

Chef Albert Schmid is a food historian, educator, and author who holds 13 certifications including Certified Executive Chef®️, Certified Culinary Educator®️, and Certified Cannabis Edibles Professional.

He received his Master of Arts in Gastronomy from University of Adelaide, has taught hospitality management at Sullivan University in Kentucky, and is currently a Chef Instructor at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.

Albert has authored a number of books including How to Drink Like a Spy, How to Drink Like a Mobster, The Beverage Manager’s Guide to Wines, Beers and Spirits and many others.

He also spends time as a culinary consultant for companies that need help with cost control, menu development, and strategic planning.

Listen as we chat with Albert about his favorite cocktails, research process for writing books, cannabis cooking, consulting, and all things food.

Gene Fritz is a culinary educator, curriculum design consultant, and executive chef.

A voice in culinary education for over thirty years, Gene had been a culinary instructor at Colorado State University and Washington State University, as well as the Director of Culinary Operations at Johnson & Wales University.

His vast experience includes working in fine-dining restaurants, cooking in the U.S. Army, and winning and judging numerous culinary competitions.

In order to pursue his passion for mentoring young culinarians, Gene began serving as a culinary arts and hospitality management teacher at Battle Ground High School in Washington.

Listen as we chat with Gene about his wide-spanning career as a teacher and a chef, creating atmospheres for culinarians to explore and excel, and the future of culinary education.