I don’t even know where to start with Wylie, he has given the culinary world so much it’s unreal. I have always been in awe of his dedication to the craft and his veracious appetite for knowledge to improve on what he and everyone else is doing. I am excited to have this opportunity to talk with him about everything he has done and what he is doing.

I have to say Michael has been a great friend and inspiration for many years, his cooking and leadership is exciting and refreshing. I do not feel like I have been in Miami if I have not had dinner at Michaels Genuine and go on a fun eating tour with Michael to the fun spots I could never find on my own.

For 15 years, Roy Shvartzapel has traveled the globe, working for and learning from the most important gastronomic figures of our time, including Pierre Hermé, Ferran Adria, Thomas Keller and Iginio Massari.

I have known James for years, his culinary skills are well above my pay grade, opening the restaurant of his dreams Commis in his home city of Oakland. All while driving this passion to make delicious food in a town he loves inspires me everyday. Ok I will just say it James you rock!!

What can I say other then Ed Lee is a brilliant chef great friend, we have cooked together and had so much fun in so many places. This was a really great conversation and I am so happy we can share it.

Chef Ron has always loved food – whether he was digging in to his mom’s homemade Sunday roast or mixing up waffle batter on Saturday morning. After completing a Culinary Arts diploma in his hometown of Vancouver, he took off to New Zealand to play competitive rugby and travel abroad, until an unfortunate injury ended his career in his early 20s. That’s when he decided to move back to Canada and give cooking a shot.

I have known Chef Tu for many years and he is always surprising me with his delicious food and infectious positivity. He is so much more than a Chef, he is a teacher, spokesperson, film maker, advocate, leader, and a fucking incredible person who I am proud to call a true friend. Please be sure to watch Blood line his new documentary about being a child of an immigrant Vietnamese family growing up around food and where he is today. Tu is the real deal.

Chef Gregory Gourdet is the culinary mastermind from Portland, OR, who is currently opening his first restaurant, Kann. The project is inspired by his Haitian heritage and will bring the cuisine into the American spotlight at this wood fired concept, opening in early 2022. The restaurant aims to be a safe, diverse and equitable workplace for all. 

Sam is one of the most amazing chefs & we share so many amazing memories of cooking for people and with people. I am honored to call him a friend and someone who has inspired me as a chef for so many years. Sam has so much to offer our industry. Please enjoy this interview with him and his son that we did in Portland at Jackrabbit in the fall.

I am beyond honored to call these 2 gentleman friends. I have been fortunate to have many a lunch with them both. Having spent time staging in St John many years ago, to hosting them both at Incanto many years ago for a special dinner.

There are so many great things I could say about Rick the list is endless, he is such a talented chef and restauranteur, parent, husband (sheia’s to be specific), philanthropist.

When we first met in 1996 we became instant friends he is a fountain of brilliance and fun. I would alway’s bounce things off of him food wise ingredient wise. We are always able to pick up where we left off without missing a beat.

Nick Muncy has a set of Brass ones, not only is he working full time as a pastry chef for Michael Mina he decided to start, produce and publish his own culinary magazine.

Ben Jacobsen is the first person to harvest salt off the Oregon Coast since Lewis and Clark.

The Great White North! Jeremy lives in a place that is a very long way from anything I Know. Growing up in New England I had heard of NewFoundland, but never traveled that far north.

When I think of Israeli food, Michael Solomonov is the first person that comes to mind. He creates delicious dishes; whether fried chicken & donuts, a tahini soft serve, or an amazing lamb shoulder braised in schmaltz.

I have been fortunate to be friends with Hiro for many years. when I first started cooking he was a hero who I looked up to then as I grew in my career we became friends. He was always there for advice, guidance and direction when needed and when it wasn’t asked for as well.

I was fortunate to meet Gabriel many years ago at a game cooking competition which by the way he won. We have been friends ever since, having cooked together at many different events I have seen such amazing food from Gabriel.

There are people who say they are there, and there are people that are there. When Andrew and I meet years ago we realized that we would be friends for life, so many similarities, love of food family but most of all our consistent honesty with each other and support has created an unbelievable friendship and support.