This episode we take a deep dive into the darkness surrounding the mega hit, "MMMBop". I wasn't prepared for it, and I'm sure you won't be prepared either. If you enjoy this song for the happy vibes it gives you, please don't listen to this then. We unveil the true darkness and pain behind the lyrics, and we don't hold back. Well, we do a little I …

In this inaugural episode of @WineCentricShow , host Matt Weiss interviews Eric Asimov, the wine writer for The New York Times. They discuss various topics including the importance of evaluating wine producers over individual bottles, the role of blind tastings in wine education, the rise of natural wines, and the cultural significance of wine. Asi…

Max sits down with Mike De Los Santos, popularly known as Mike D from Mike D's Barbecue in Durham. We get into Mike D's Dominican heritage, financial and operational challenges faced in the restaurant industry, and the art and science of barbecue-making. It's a blend of humor and seriousness, touching on community support, moral values, and the pur…

Donate to World Central Kitchen Chefs Dylan Cook from Fork Grove Barbecue and Jacques Larson of The Obstinate Daughter join the conversation, set on day three of Euphoria's Feast on the Field, explores their diverse culinary backgrounds—Dylan's roots in barbecue and his journey from a musician to a pitmaster, and Jacques's expertise in French and I…

Donate to World Central Kitchen Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay introduce Chef T from Union 41 in Bristol, Virginia, and Chef Sean from Noble Barbecue in Kingsport, Tennessee, recorded live at the Euphoria food festival in Greenville, South Carolina. Chef T discusses her innovative approach to Appalachian cuisine, incorporating elements from …

Donate to World Central Kitchen Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay interview Chef Christian Hunter, partner chef at Atelier in Chicago. Christian shares his journey from Lexington, Kentucky to Chicago. He delves into his background, culinary philosophy, and experiences, including earning a Michelin star at Atelier. The discussion covers his use …

Donate to World Central Kitchen Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay talk with Nikko Kagalanan, a Filipino chef from Charleston, South Carolina, who runs Kultura a unique pop-up restaurant with a minimalistic kitchen setup. Nikko shares his journey from the Philippines to Charleston, detailing his experiences working with renowned chefs and the cr…

Donate to World Central Kitchen Max Trujillo and Swarup Bandyopadhyay chat with Chef Michael Kramer, the owner of Gianna, recorded during the Euphoria festival in Greenville, South Carolina. We cover Kramer's extensive culinary background, including his time in California and work with Wolfgang Puck. Kramer shares insights into his transition to Gr…

After a hiatus due to the flu, we're back with another episode of Songs "True" Meanings. This week we dive into the 2017 smash hit by Taylor Swift. We learned a lot about ourselves this episode, and hopefully we've grown and matured as a result. If you feel this episode impacted you in a positive way, feel free to reach out to us at songstruemeanin…

🚨BIG NEWS🚨 This is Matt Weiss’ last episode on the NC F&B Podcast. After 8 years and 500 episodes, Matt is moving on to explore new ventures. Look for his wine podcast coming soon. The NC F&B is hosted by Max Trujillo and will make some big changes in the new year… so for now, listen to Matt’s final episode, gear up for his new @winecentricshow, li…

We dive deep into the intricacies of the food and beverage community's marketing landscape in North Carolina by speaking with Felicia Trujillo, founder and CEO of Food Seen, a marketing agency specializing in food photography and social media. Felicia shares her journey from being a wedding photographer in LA to starting her own marketing agency in…

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss dive into the world of sausages with their guest, Haig Berberian, owner of Specialty Food Solutions. Broadcasting virtually live from the historic Raleigh building in downtown Raleigh, they explore Haig's Armenian roots, playful nicknames, and his …

Bill King, the President and CEO of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance joins us to discuss the vitality of downtown Raleigh, including economic development, safety measures, and promotional events. King discusses the role of the DRA, their funding sources, and the challenges faced, such as accommodating office workers post-pandemic and promoting new bus…

This week we take a deep dive into Slayer's classic song, Raining Blood. I hope you're as excited to learn about the true meaning of the song as we were when we uncovered it. Reach out and let us know how uncovering the truth of Raining Blood has affected your appreciation for this classic song at: songstruemeanings@gmail.com…

We welcome Levin Woodall, the director of Lonerider Spirits to explore their journey from being a staple craft brewery in Raleigh to launching its spirits division, including whiskey, in 2018-2019. The discussion delves into Lonerider's unique offerings like the high rye bourbon finished in sherry, tequila, and stout barrels, as well as their limit…

We speak with the Children's Flight of Hope charity with Heather Miller, Director of Community Engagement for the organization, and Mike Zolnik, Director of Marketing for Clouds Brewing to promote Hops for Hope on September 14th in North Hills! Heather explains how Children's Flight of Hope provides flights for children in need of life-changing med…

Euphoria is a food, wine, and music festival that takes place in Greenville, South Carolina. It is celebrating its 19th year and has become a prominent event in the culinary scene. The festival offers a variety of events, including tastings, chef demos, seminars, and lunch and learns. It showcases a diverse range of cuisines and brings in renowned …

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss interview Chef Scott Alderson, owner of Native Prime Provisions, a hidden gem located in a strip mall in Cashers, North Carolina. Scott shares his journey, love for fresh, high-quality ingredients, and innovative yet strict approach to running a 10…

This episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast features co-hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss interviewing accomplished mixologist Ingrid Folkers. Ingrid shares her journey from being a bartender at Whiskey Kitchen to competing in prestigious cocktail competitions like the USBG World Class sponsored by Diageo, where she was named a …

Join Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss on the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast as they chat with the Mera Brothers, who are opening a new oyster and ceviche restaurant in downtown Raleigh. The trio dives into their journey from a Google search to becoming seasoned oyster farmers, and discuss their plans to vertically integrate their oyster far…

In this sizzling episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss spice things up with Duncan Blount, the owner of Shelby Spice from Shelby, NC. As they chew the fat (and some hot sauce), Duncan shares his rockstar passion for crafting premium hot sauces, comparing them to aged bourbon and fine wine. Ami…

We turn up the mics and dim the lights for a session with Dr. Cicely Mitchell, Marcel Mercer, and Adrian Lindsey to explore the soulful world of Missy Lane's Assembly Hall. Discover the heart behind this unique jazz club and coffee bar in downtown Durham and get an insider perspective on its vibrant music scene. From classic to modern jazz vibes, e…

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, co-hosts Max and special guest Felicia Trujillo interview Guy Davis and his son, Cooper Davis of Davis Family Vineyards. They discuss their comprehensive winemaking journey, spanning from Sonoma, California to Highlands, North Carolina. The discussion delves into North Carolina's dist…

Having recently celebrated our nation's independence, this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, celebrates 32 years of the independently owned Margaux's in Raleigh. The NC F&B Podcast, hosted by Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss, speaks with owner Steve Horowitz and Chef Andrew Pettifer, as they discuss the restaurant's history, ro…

The North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, hosted by Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss, celebrates Independence Day by featuring veterans who have found new purposes after their service. From farming at the Veteran's Farm of North Carolina with Robert Elliott to competitive shooting with Memorial Three Gun Foundation's Jordan Comstock and Seth Amid…

Max Trujillo and special guest host Amber Freeman, from CBS’ My Carolina, talk with Kevin Cottrell, the executive chef and partner of Machete in Greensboro. The episode delves into the backstory of Machete, which opened in February 2020 right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and evolved from a supper club. Cottrell discusses his culinary journey, …

Go behind the scenes and on the Red Carpet at the Lyric Auditorium in Chicago as we dive into the 2024 James Beard Awards! We're in town to support our NC nominated crews, such as Jamie Davis of the Hackney in Washington, NC, Crawford Hospitality for Outstanding Hospitality and Chef Dean Neff for Outstanding Chef. We take you inside, discuss what i…

Here comes a full mug of motivation! Listen to Co-Founder of 321 Coffee's Lindsay Wrege speak about the inspiring stories and seeing potential in people that don't always get the opportunity to rise against odds. Coffee shop + roaster employs individuals with disabilities and brings excellent coffee to the community! We also speak with special gues…

The best kept secret in Winston-Salem is Broad Branch Distillery - Until now. We tasted through the various whiskeys, ryes, and rums with Anna Windham and Donald Jenkins of Broad Branch Distillery. That was a memorable afternoon of tasting. And their commitment for flavors is quite inspiring. Listen in to hear how they started the distillery, the c…

Bonus Follow the personal journey of Aaron Vaughen, navigating life post-brain injuries focusing on resilience, adaptation, and purpose. The Single Handed Podcast covers Vaughn's challenges, culinary career, and transformation into 'The Single Handed Chef' post-injury, emphasizing inspiring others. Additionally, it touches on themes of embracing di…

It's fried chicken, bun, pickle, mayo... and that's pretty much about it. But for some reason, we've all gone nuts for chicken sandwiches. And in this cloud of battered breasts and thighs emerges a concept that went high, not low. Chef driven, not robotic. And guess what...? They win. BB's Crispy Chicken out of the Triangle is truly the best of the…

Chef Jamie Davis, executive chef at The Hackney in Washington, NC recently found out he was a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best Chef Southeast, then he found out he was a finalist. What’s next? We will find out on June 10 in Chicago for the James Beard Awards 2024. Before then, Jamie shares his insights into his journey, from growing up in J…

We sit down with partners of Spirit of the Dao, Drew Schenck and Kevin Barrett, to discuss their newest venture into the spirits world: Moonbird Gin and Goatz Spiced Rum. Owners of the well-respected cocktail lounges across the state: Dram & Draught, have created an English dry gin and a Barbados spiced rum. Both have recently received top honors a…

In the first half of this week’s episode, we explore the intersection of comedy and culinary culture, featuring comedians @davewcomedy & @bourbonshowdown who blend humor with a love for food and beverage, particularly barbecue and bourbon. We shift for the second half with our newest sponsor of the podcast, @gottobeNC’s own Chad Blackwelder to disc…

We packed up the family wagon and headed to the coast to explore the Beaufort Wine and Food Festival, discussing wine, culinary delights, local seafood sustainability, oyster farming, and the festival's evolution. Engage with wine experts like chef/sommelier, Doreen Colondres, learn about sourcing local seafood from Captain John Mallett of Southern…

Delve into the enchanting world of champagne with Laurent-Perrier, through insightful discussions from the 4th generation of the family, Lucie Pereyre, about their rich history, dedication to quality, and innovative practices. Learn about the nuances of champagne-making, the importance of Grand Cru vineyards, and the company's commitment to excelle…

Jessica Lee and Kelly Santel met at the Club. Got married at the Club, and even had a child... at a hospital... c'mon, there's health regulations... and sometimes it simply doesn't work out. But sometimes, it actually turns into something beautiful in its own unique way. Listen in to hear the ex-couple, but current business owners, detail their jou…

Chef Bennett Depew, Director of Italian for Sysco of the Carolinas. The discussion covers the rising popularity of Italian cuisine in America, particularly in the Carolinas, and the evolution of Italian cooking from traditional dishes to novel ingredients like 'nduja and Taleggio cheese. Chef Bennett shares insights on how the Italian segment of th…

We chat with Chef Manny Barella, visiting from Denver, Colorado. Barella, a Top Chef contestant and renowned chef, discusses his culinary journey, the inspiration behind his cooking, and his excitement for participating in Bubbles and Brisket. Beyond sharing his experiences on Top Chef and his recent culinary experiments, Barella also reveals his u…

We are joined by a newly minted contestant on Top Chef from Durham, NC Savannah Miller. Max & Matt delve into Savannah's culinary journey, from her beginnings in Southern Pines and education at the New England Culinary Institute to her roles in various restaurants, including her current role at M Tempura. The conversation highlights her early inter…

Lastly, we have a bonus episode that features the ladies of the NC F&B Podcast, that’s right, Sarah C Weiss and Felicia Trujillo take over the microphones to show us how to do a proper interview, featuring the local and delicious Boombalattis Ice Cream owners, Kristen and Wes Bechtel. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at NCFBPOD and though this wee…

Our third episode from Feast of Wilmington features the Journalistic talents of Raleigh Magazine’s Melissa Howsam and Lauren Kruchten, local podcast and great social media follow What’s Up Wilmington as well as digital creators Abbi and Bert of Dailey Dines Together Get your tix to Bubbles & Bagels here On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weissw…

We devote this episode at Feast of Wilmington specifically to Chef Bobby Zimmerman of True Blue Butcher and Table. It's a comprehensive dive into the world of entrepreneurship, post Covid pivots and straight up Butcher-talk. Get your tix to Bubbles & Bagels here On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod …

The inaugural Feast of Wilmington's first night is a VIP experience with notable participants including Matthew Register from Southern Smoke in Garland, Ben Knight from Benny's Big Time Pizzeria, and Chef Will Copeland from Circa 1922 and Kevin Draper of G Prime in downtown Wilmington. We talk about their culinary offerings, experiences, and reflec…

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, Max and Matt dive into the story of Tamasha, North Carolina's latest culinary sensation. They are joined by the restaurant's visionary duo, owner Mike Kathrani and Chef Bhavin Chhatwani. The podcast explores Tamasha's inception, from Kathrani's leap from hair salon entrepreneurship to…

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, co-hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss explore the world of cider, a fermented beverage adjacent to beer, wine, and spirits. They are joined by Oliver Koch and Dustin Skywalker from East Bower Cider, who share insights into the cider-making process, discuss the distinctions between m…

Conrad Hunter has lived 5 lifetimes and knows as much about music as any music pro and more about wine than most Sommeliers! However, hospitality is where him and Foxcroft flex their muscle best. This episode is complete with: Why Frank Sinatra does not move pianos Inspiration of wines like La Mission Haut Brion And the lore of former Charlotte res…

In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, co-hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss sit down with Kristen Mullins, the owner and head baker of the award-winning Slice Pie Company. From humble beginnings, refining her father's traditional pie recipes to owning a successful business, Kristen shares her journey and the unique chal…

Chef Dan Jackson of Osteria Georgi shares his journey in the restaurant industry and coping with his wife Stephanie's passing. He also discusses his time at Eleven Madison Park, meeting his wife there, and eventually opening his restaurant in Chapel Hill. The episode also touches on managing a restaurant while raising three children, and how traged…

Jamie Ager builds community through agriculture as a fourth-generation farmer from Hickory Nut Gap Farm. We go deep into Hickory Nut Gap's dedicated drive towards regenerative farming and ethical treatment of animals to produce high-quality foods. We shed light on farming's significant role in climate change, highlighting the importance of diversif…