Welcome to the Raw Ingredients podcast with your host, Chef "Panini" Pete Blohme! In this episode, Chef Pete is joined by special guest Chef Bell as they explore the diverse career paths available in the culinary world.
With decades of combined experience in the industry, Chef Pete and Chef Bell discuss the various career options available to aspiring chefs, including catering, personal chef services, culinary education, and more.
Throughout the episode, they provide valuable insights on the challenges and rewards of each path, offering practical advice and tips for those looking to pursue a career in the culinary arts. They also share their personal experiences, from traveling the world to hone their craft to working with high-end clients.
Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned professional, this episode of Raw Ingredients is a must-listen for anyone interested in a career in the culinary world. So tune in, relax, and join Chef Pete and Chef Bell as they explore the many different paths that can lead to a successful and fulfilling career in food.
Welcome to the Raw Ingredients podcast, a show that delves into the world of culinary arts with some of the most innovative chefs and food enthusiasts. Hosted by Chef "Panini" Pete Blohme, this episode features a special guest, Eric Rivera, founder of the Vintage Hospitality Group in Montgomery, Alabama.
In this episode, Eric shares his journey as a chef and entrepreneur, from running hotel restaurants to creating one of the most innovative restaurant groups in Alabama. Listeners will hear about Eric's passion for bringing diverse flavors and techniques to the table and how he incorporates his multicultural background into his cooking.
As two chefs who are committed to creating unforgettable dining experiences, Eric and Pete discuss the art of menu planning and the importance of using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The conversation also touches on how to create a dining experience that not only tastes great but also tells a story and creates a lasting memory.
Throughout the episode, the discussion also delves into Eric's unique approach to hospitality and how he creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere for guests. Listeners will learn about the challenges of running a restaurant group during a pandemic and how Eric has adapted to the changing landscape of the industry.
So join Chef "Panini" Pete Blohme and Eric Rivera on this delicious journey as they explore the raw ingredients of culinary excellence on the Raw Ingredients podcast.
Nestled between the base of the French Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, this world-famous gambling haven … (checks notes) … apologies. Wrong Monte Carlo. (And, to be fair, we were wondering how Chef Pete managed to interview a geographic region of a European principality).
No, on this week’s Raw Ingredients Podcast, Chef Pete sits down with Masterchef finalist Monti Carlo, who we are reasonably assured is not a region in Monaco because of the amazing journey she will take you and Chef Pete on in this episode. From auditioning to Masterchef to earn basic scale pay (about $50, FYI) to ascending the culinary heights to becoming an advisor to the prestigious James Beard Association.
Chefs Monti and Pete will talk perseverance, hard work, fusion cooking, her upcoming book about inclusivity in the culinary world and why you should always split a pair of 8s on the blackjack table … (okay, admittedly, not the last one, but the writing staff here had this whole gambling metaphor with the other Monte Carlo riff and when it turns out that it wasn’t that Monte Carlo … you get it, right?)
Regardless of what you’re looking for, you can bet it all on this week’s Raw Ingredients Podcast to satisfy your hunger for the perfect podcast.
Chef Kayla and Chef Pete will give you the recipe for revitalization that you crave - with such daring ingredients including the classic rebranding, the mildly difficult menu redesign, the crowd-pleasing community outreach and so much more - no matter what your vocation may be, the tips, tools and tricks the chefs will prepare for you this week will be a constant staple for you and your business.
So, don’t you want to listen in and figure out how to step your game up from “Meh” to “Mmmmm” - of course you do. Grab your plate and settle in for a heaping helping of this week’s Raw Ingredients Podcast - you’ll be glad you save room for this much-needed meal of a show.
There’s a lot of famous Browns out there - from Bad, Bad Leroy to kid detective Encyclopedia, Godfather of Soul James to Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby - but this week, Chef Pete sits down with one of the best Browns of them all … Friend of the Podcast Todd “Get Around” Brown.
Get Around Brown has … well … gotten around as a chef, caterer and restaurant consultant, so he has relevant and useful experience in almost every aspect of the industry and he and Chef Pete talk about his experiences, influences and the challenges facing the culinary industry today. Get Around’s passion for the culinary arts certainly shines through during this entire episode, so grab a plate and hunker down for a heaping helping of this week’s Raw Ingredients podcast.
https://www.instagram.com/getaroundbrown
https://getaroundbrown.com/social-media
We move the map from Eastern Europe slightly south to Lebanon this week, as Chef Pete sits down with Boston restaurateur and owner of Mike’s City Diner Jay Hajj for a delectable dialogue about the importance of cultural heritage within the culinary world.
They’ll chew the fat about the challenges of running a successful restaurant, spoon out advice for aspiring chefs and even indulge in a little name dropping with some of Jay’s remembrances of cooking for some top-notch celebrities like Taylor Swift and Mr. Six Degrees of Separation HImself - the great Kevin Bacon. Was Swift served swiftly? Did he serve bacon to Bacon? You’ll have to listen to find out.
This week’s episode is a delightful little morsel so be ready to have your auditory appetite whetted with this week’s Raw Ingredients podcast.
https://www.instagram.com/jay.hajj/
https://supportlrc.app/donate/
https://www.amazon.com/Beirut-Boston-Cookbook-Rags-Restaurants/dp/1624143423
https://www.mikescitydiner.com/
What do you know about Bulgaria? That it is the oldest country in Europe? That it has over 40,000 cultural landmarks? That it is the birthplace of yogurt? Well, maybe you knew none of those things, but after this week’s episode of the Raw Ingredients Podcast, you’ll know all about this beauty of the Balkans after enjoying Chef Pete’s amazing chat with Chef Nina Manchev from Las Vegas’ Forte Tapas.
Get ready for an all-encompassing conversation about the importance of seasonal and local produce, regional herbs and spices you’ll want to stock your pantry with. They’ll also discuss how challenging bringing another country’s cuisine to the American table can be, as well as the cultural significance of being able to celebrate the cuisine of your homeland.
So, grab a plate and get ready to tuck in for this week’s Raw Ingredients Podcast.
https://www.instagram.com/nina_manchev/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/fortetapas/?hl=en
We’ve got an interesting invitee on this week’s Raw Ingredients podcast, as Chef Pete sits down with a fellow chef who has the honor of being a famous first - hailing from the great state of New Jersey, where he owns and operates the landmark Bayway Diner - it’s Chef Michael Giunta, whose Bayway Diner was the first restaurant ever featured on the iconic Food Network series “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (and a shoutout to Best Friend of the Pod Guy Fieri, of course).
From learning the craft at legendary culinary haunts that included Le Jardin and The Greenhouse to owning his own successful restaurant and catering business, Chef Mike certainly know his way around a kitchen and is known for his culinary artistry, his willingness to innovate and try new things, and his stick-to-it-ive-ness that has helped him persevere throughout his storied career. You’ll enjoy hearing his inspirational insights and sensational stories as he and Chef Pete talk about what it takes to go the distance in the crazy culinary game.
So, tie that napkin around your neck, listeners, and get ready for a heaping helping of this week’s Raw Ingredients Podcast.
He's a frequent Food Network regular. An award-winning cookbook writer. A digital series host. A frequent talk show guest. One of People Magazine's "Sexiest Chefs Alive." And the first-ever two-time champion of the "Chopped" TV series. Figure out who this week's guest is? Of course, it had to be the man, the myth, the legend Chef James Briscione blessing us with his presence this week's episode of The Raw Ingredients.
Chef Pete and Chef James will take you on a tonal trip through Chef James' life and career where you'll learn that you can't shortcut the seasons of your life where you're meant to grind it out - it's that grinding that gives us the finished, polished edges that make us better than we were. They'll also focus on earning respect through a method that sounds simple but is not the path for the lazy and undedicated - it's called work, hard work and showing your team that you aren't afraid to trudge down into the trenches and muck in with them.
So, get ready to be given a lifetime's worth of lessons from the Chef who is Bringing Sexy Back and Good Work Ethic Back - you know you're gonna wanna dig in on this week's episode.
https://www.instagram.com/jamesbriscione/?hl=en
https://angelenaspensacola.com/about/
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Just-Married-and-Cooking/Brooke-Parkhurst/9781451625578
https://www.barandrestaurantexpo.com/
In life, sometimes we are lucky enough to come across a truly great human being, a sort of person who fits the trope of the "Renaissance Man," someone who has a vast amount of knowledge, expertise and wisdom in a large number of different fields - and this week on The Raw Ingredients, Chef Pete is serving straight to your table a sit-down session with just such a man - his fellow CIA alum Mike Finelli.
Mike has run the gamut of the gastronomical game so when he talks, he means business (and having an actual business degree from Fordham doesn't hurt there either). While we normally get to chew and chat with current chefs and culinary characters, Mike's conversation with Chef Pete shows us that sometimes even our podcast has to come out of the kitchen once and a while and see the larger world that is the complete culinary industry - and Mike's long and winding journey to where he is now is an amazing look at achieving your dreams and being open to where the world may take you, which, in his case, meant a nice Italian excursion that you'll be glad you go to enjoy.
Because a restaurant isn't just a restaurant - like Mike tells us, it's every business out there all rolled up into one so this episode is a full five-course meal for each and every eager entrepreneur out there to taste and enjoy,.
And, last but certainly not least, we want to be sure to announce that Chef Pete's new book "Spatula Success" has hit the shelves so visit chefpaninipete.com to find out more about this terrific tome that you will be delighted to devour.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-finelli-31117740/
America may be divided in a lot of different ways but there’s at least one thing that we can all agree on - a deep and abiding love for barbecue. (Just don’t get into the regional “Here’s how WE prepare it argument,” or Kansas City, Memphis, Texas and the Carolinas will come out swinging… and that’s just the first tier)
Well, loyal listeners, we have got quite the amuse-bouche for you this week, one that is literally the top of the tops in the culinary circle - it's Top Chef Season 16 winner and Alabama's own Kelsey Barnard Clark here to share her wisdom and wit with Chef Pete.
On this week's episode of The Raw Ingredients Podcast, we chew the fat with the famous fan favorite Chef Kelsey, the first Southerner to bring home that coveted TV title. From her start in high-end catering during her teenage years (including solo catering an entire wedding at the age of 15) and graduating from the Culinary Institute of America to working at some of New York City's marquis Michelin-star eateries like Cafe Boulud under Gavin Kaysen and Dovetail with John Fraser, her gastronomic grounding in Southern cuisine pairs perfectly with the classic French techniques she has learned along her journey to create nouveau food forms that never fail to please.
She's currently the Queen of Cuisine in Dothan, Alabama, with her catering company, Kelsey Barnard Catering and restaurant KBC, nestled in the historic downtown area. With a book coming out soon and a new restaurant idea coming to fruition, we're lucky to have her get to chat here with Chef Pete, as the two discuss one of the keys to having a solid career and life: it's not about how you look to others, it's about doing the job and doing it right.
So, "Bonjour" and "Hey, y'all," come listen in and load up on all the fixins in this week's Raw Ingredients Podcast.