Season 6

Recipes from the American South with Michael Twitty
Oct. 15, 2025

Recipes from the American South with Michael Twitty

Michael Twitty returns to Chefs Without Restaurants to talk about his new cookbook, Recipes from the American South. With over 250 dishes and stories, this episode dives into the layered traditions of Southern cooking, from cornbread to possum and sweet potatoes. A must-listen for fans of culinary …
From Meal Prep to Prime Time: Brandon Rogers on Next Level Chef
Sept. 29, 2025

From Meal Prep to Prime Time: Brandon Rogers on Next Level Chef

Chef Brandon Rogers joins Chris Spear to share what it’s like competing on Next Level Chef with Gordon Ramsay. In this candid conversation, Brandon talks about his culinary background, what led him to the personal chef world and how he balances high-level service with creativity and business smarts…
The Freelance Writer’s Playbook with Nevin Martell
Sept. 3, 2025

The Freelance Writer’s Playbook with Nevin Martell

“No one buys a story—editors buy a pitch.” That’s the frame for today’s conversation with D.C.–area journalist, photographer and writing coach Nevin Martell. You’ve seen his byline in places like The Washington Post, Washingtonian and The Boston Globe. He’s the author of eight books (including Look…
Tristen Epps Talks Top Chef, Cultural Cuisine and Finding His Culinary Voice
June 12, 2025

Tristen Epps Talks Top Chef, Cultural Cuisine and Finding His Culinary Voice

Tristen Epps is a James Beard-nominated chef and Top Chef finalist whose journey, from JWU and the Greenbrier to mentorship under Marcus Samuelsson, shaped his unique Afro‑Caribbean voice. In this episode, we dive into race and food value, cultural gatekeeping, and resilience during competition. Tr…
Behind the Bar with Kara Newman: Spirits, Cocktail Trends and Home Bars
May 29, 2025

Behind the Bar with Kara Newman: Spirits, Cocktail Trends and Home Bars

Spirits writer and cocktail expert Kara Newman joins Chris Spear to talk about the evolution of modern mixology. From wild drinks like sour cream and onion martinis to smart home bar tips and the rise of non-alcoholic beverages, Kara shares her insights and inspirations. Listen now to learn about h…
A Taste of the Balearics: Jeff Koehler on the Spanish Mediterranean Islands Cookbook
May 14, 2025

A Taste of the Balearics: Jeff Koehler on the Spanish Mediterranean Islands Cookbook

Discover the rich culinary traditions of Spain’s Balearic Islands with award-winning food writer Jeff Koehler. In this episode, Jeff joins Chris to discuss his new book, The Spanish Mediterranean Islands Cookbook, and the seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking that defines island life. From daily mark…
Inside Tahini Baby: Eden Grinshpan on Veg-Centric Cooking
May 7, 2025

Inside Tahini Baby: Eden Grinshpan on Veg-Centric Cooking

Want the INSIDE SCOOP on building and growing a food business? Subscribe to our newsletter. This week on Chefs Without Restaurants, I’m joined by Eden Grinshpan, the chef, author, TV host, and culinary creative behind the new vegetarian cookbook Tahini Baby. You might know her as the host of Top Ch…
Shred Happens: Arash Hashemi on Low-Carb, High-Protein Cooking
April 16, 2025

Shred Happens: Arash Hashemi on Low-Carb, High-Protein Cooking

This week, I’m joined by Arash Hashemi of Shred Happens. We talk about his journey from struggling with food and weight to becoming a cookbook author and founder of Kaizen Foods. Arash shares tips for building healthier habits through low-carb, high-protein meals that actually taste good. We cover …
From Fine Dining to Ice Cream with Snow Crane's Chef Takeshi Nishikawa
April 2, 2025

From Fine Dining to Ice Cream with Snow Crane's Chef Takeshi Nishikawa

Chef Takeshi Nishikawa is trading Michelin stars for ice cream. In this episode, we explore his journey from DC fine dining to launching Snow Crane—a Japanese-inspired ice cream shop coming to Hyattsville, MD. We talk about flavor innovation, hospitality philosophy, and building a business rooted i…
How to Start a Successful Cottage Bakery with Maria Baradell of Leaf & Loaf
March 13, 2025

How to Start a Successful Cottage Bakery with Maria Baradell of Leaf & Loaf

In this episode of Chefs Without Restaurants, I sit down with Maria Baradell, the founder of Leaf & Loaf, a thriving home-based sourdough bakery. Maria shares her inspiring journey from baking bread for her family to building a successful cottage bakery—and how she scaled up quickly to meet demand.