Shows
Pan Con PodcastAlexys Hernández on his Cuban pastry and bagel sandwich pop up in Cambridge, MassachusettsGrowing up in Texas, Alexys Hernández’s restaurant environment was made up largely of chains and Mexican joints. The mom-and-pop-heavy landscape of Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts (or Camberville, as they say in those parts) was something new. What wasn’t was a dearth of great Cuban food, which is what Alexys was raised on at home in a Cuban-American family.In this conversation with chef Michael Beltrán, Alexys talks about Ensueño Cubano, the Cuban pastry and sandwich pop up he launched at Bagelsaurus, where he’s been working for several years. From learning to make h...
2022-09-111h 08Pan Con PodcastFIU professor and church pastor Eric Isaac on Christianity, spiritual abuse (with guest host John Falco)In this episode of Pan Con Podcast, guest host John Falco (co-owner of Fire Pit Hospitality and first-ballot Pan Con Podcast hall of famer) interviews Eric Isaac. Eric is an FIU professor and the pastor of Neighborhood Church Miami, a Presbyterian church that meets every Sunday for services at Lincoln’s Beard Brewery, where this interview was recorded.John and Eric talk about Neighborhood, why it was formed, why it meets at a brewery, and how it’s different from (and similar to) other, more conventional congregations. They also discuss Eric’s role at FIU, his academ...
2022-08-211h 30Pan Con PodcastHenry Gómez on the ad industry, winning a Cannes Lion for a Burger King campaignHenry Gómez is the VP of strategic planning at Zubi Advertising Services, a Miami based firm founded by the late Tere Zubizarreta, a pioneer of Hispanic advertising and an Advertising Hall of Fame inductee. In this conversation with chef Mike Beltrán, Henry talks about his own career trajectory, his role on the team that won a Cannes Lion for bold Burger King campaign, and the parallels between the advertising business and the restaurant business. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.fa...
2022-07-222h 28Pan Con PodcastPhillip Frankland Lee on Omakase, leaving L.A., Michelin Stars, the Joe Rogan bumpWhen the pressure of COVID restrictions in Los Angeles pushed chef Phillip Frankland Lee to set up shop in Austin, Texas, it didn’t take long for the gamble to pay off. Sushi by Scratch Bar was a hit. But it was a push from an early Austin guest — Joe Rogan — that sent things into another stratosphere for Phillip’s company. In this conversation, Phillip tells Mike Beltrán about how his career in food began, the experience of earning his first Michelin Star, the impact of a social media post from Joe Rogan, and Sushi by Scratch’s new Miami ou...
2022-07-022h 30Pan Con PodcastFlorida's Michelin Guide arrives, Ariete's "sweep," listener questions for Mike BeltránFlorida has its first Michelin Guide, with eleven Miami restaurants taking Stars and a number of others being awarded Bib Gourmands and recommendations. In this episode, chef Michael Beltrán recaps the inaugural Florida ceremony, recalls what it was like for him and his team at Ariete Hospitality Group to win a star at Ariete and a Bib at Chug’ s Diner, and talks about the significance of the Guide’s official arrival to Florida chefs and restaurateurs. In the second half of the podcast, Mike answers questions submitted by listeners via Instagram in an Ask-Mike-Anything segment. Bec...
2022-06-241h 20Pan Con PodcastLee Schrager on his career in food & beverage and Mike's beefs with SOBEWFFLee Schrager is the senior vice president of communications and corporate social responsibility for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirit of America. He’s also the founder of the New York City Wine & Food Festival and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Mike Beltrán’s criticisms of SOBEWFF are no secret. In fact, if you’ve hear enough other episodes of this podcast, you’ve heard a lot of them. Mike invited Lee on as a guest for this episode of Pan Con Podcast. In this conversation, the two talk about Lee’s professional history and how it led to the birt...
2022-06-132h 17Pan Con PodcastVal Chang on Peruvian cooking and being part of one of Miami's favorite food familiesVal Chang is a member of what Miami diners affectionately call “the Chang gang.” She, her father Fernando and her brother Nando are the engine that drives Itamae (which began as a stall and recently opened as a standalone restaruant), B-Side Sushi, and Raya. Like our host Michael Beltrán, Val and Nando were named 2021 StarChefs Rising Stars. In this episode of Pan Con Podcast, Val and Mike talk about her childhood, family recipes, working with family, and navigating the waters of an evolving, expanding business. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFol...
2022-06-021h 54Pan Con PodcastChef Danny Serfer returns to talk addiction, relapse and recoveryDanny Serfer is the chef behind two of Miami’s favorite restaurants: Mignonette and Blue Collar. In his first appearance on Pan Con Podcast, Danny told Mike about his experience with addiction and getting clean. In this latest episode, Danny opens up about his having relapsed during the early stages of the pandemic and what it took to get clean all over again. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: tw...
2022-05-151h 38Pan Con PodcastRecapping a tasting menu with chef Manny ArredondoChef Manny Arredondo has been referenced a lot on Pan Con Podcast. The Ariete chef was walking by when Mike Beltrán and Nick Jiménez were recording this episode. So he was pulled in to recap a recent dinner that the Ariete team executed with a crew from Washington, D.C.’s Bresca (including chef-owner Ryan Ratino, who was our guest on the last episode of the podcast). Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.inst...
2022-04-191h 38
Pan Con PodcastChef Ryan Ratino of Washington D.C.'s Michelin-starred Jônt and Bresca on Pan Con PodcastRyan Ratino is the chef-owner or Washington, D.C. restaurants Jônt (two Michelin Stars) and Bresca (one Michelin Star). Ryan and Pan Con Podcast host Michael Beltrán became fast friends when they met — spurred largely by the fact that they're in a very small group of American chefs running restaurants with duck press programs. In this episode of the podcast, Ryan talks with Mike about his career, his leadership style, the dinner the two executed together art Bresca and the dinner the two would work on at Ariete the night after this interview was recorded. Fo...
2022-03-281h 29
Pan Con PodcastOn the Café Habana restaurant controversy and Cuban Miami's reactionWhen a Miami social media personality went South-Florida-viral for posts about New York-based Café Habana’s plans to open a Miami location, the news of that brand’s story — namely, its having taken inspiration from Fidel Castro’s revolution and its using images of figures like Che Guevara — felt like a punch to the guts of many Cuban exiles and their descendants. How did Cuban Miami respond? How should it have reacted? Are efforts to keep the restaurant from opening actually productive? Can anything good come from engaging owner Sean Meenan and others involved with the business rather than seeking to st...
2022-03-251h 13
Pan Con PodcastMartha Bueno on local politics, small business, and making government work betterMartha Bueno is an entrepreneur, activist and candidate for a seat on The Miami-Dade County Commission. Though she’s running without party affiliation, she calls herself a libertarian and had previously worked on Hispanic voter outreach for Libertarian Party presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen’s 2020 campaign. Martha joined Michael Beltrán at Ariete for a discussion on why she’s involved in local politics, its relationship to small business, COVID relief spending, and more.Martha Bueno is an entrepreneur, activist and candidate for a seat on The Miami-Dade County Commission. Though she’s running without party affiliation, she calls herself a liberta...
2022-03-111h 35
Pan Con PodcastAli Noorani of National Immigration Forum on politics, changing minds and building coalitionsAli Noorani is the CEO of National Immigration Forum. After dinner at Ariete, he joined Mike Beltrán for a conversation about food, culture, and immigration policy. The two also discuss Ali’s upcoming book, Crossing Borders: The Reconciliation of a Nation of Immigrants. In the Patreon-only extended cut, you’ll find out where Ali goes for his favorite doughnuts (hint: it’s in California and it is not Krispy Kreme), how he likes his eggs, and other food preference things. Follow Ali Noorani and the National Immigration Forum: https://www.instagram.com/alinoorani/ ht...
2022-02-121h 41
Pan Con PodcastMike on cooking for the JBF with Itamae's Val Chang, nightclub-restaurants, Miami DolphinsIn this episode of Pan Con Podcast, chef Michael Beltrán get together to recap a James Beard Foundation dinner built around food created by the Ariete team in collaboration with Itamae chef Valerie Chang, lament the Miami Dolphins’ failure to make the playoffs, and wonder whether Nick will somehow screw up this episode since it was recorded with new gear. [Spoiler, Nick only screwed it up a little.] Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.ins...
2022-02-011h 08
Pan Con PodcastDrinking Pig BBQ's chef Raheem Sealey hasn't "been so pumped about food in a long time."Miami chef Raheem Sealey has an impressive résumé, with his most recent restaurant gig as the executive chef at Kyu being the one he’s best known for. Raheem parted ways with Kyu — which he’d helped open about six years ago — a month before this recording. These days, he says he’s as excited about food as he’s ever been. He’s got projects in the works that he wasn’t ready to talk about publicly. One thing he did say, though: he’s on the hunt for permanent home for Drinking Pig BBQ, the unassuming smoked meat popup that...
2022-01-152h 23
Pan Con PodcastScreenwriter Nick Zayas on Star Trek, grinding in Hollywood, meeting your heroesThis episode was a long time coming; screenwriter Nick Zayas and eighth grade basketball MVP Mike Beltrán have been friends since kindergarten. Nick has been living in L.A. for the last 16 years or so, where he spent years working for movie producer Scott Rudin before making a tansition to writing for TV, including series like Major Crimes and Star Trek: Picard (to name just some of the work that comes up in this conversation). Nick and Mike also talk about how Miami is portrayed in movies and TV; the time Nick met Jon Favreau and embarrassed, then r...
2022-01-072h 14
Pan Con PodcastRefreshing the Chug's Diner menu, Mario Cristobal's Miami homecoming, and gold chicken wingsMike and Nick didn’t do any planning for this episode, so it’s all over the place. We talk about changes that are coming to the Chug’s Diner menu, Mario Cristobal’s being hired as the University of Miami’s football coach, boxing’s renaissance, golden chicken wings, what kind of lettuce belongs on sandwiches, and more. In the Patreon-only extended cut: Mike takes lightning round questions and we talk monsters, pizza chains, hot PB&J, and Jacques Pepin’s fried eggs. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcas...
2021-12-181h 23
Pan Con PodcastMike on the Culinary Institute of America, The French Laundry, Napa, Michelin StarsWe’ve mentioned on the podcast that Mike was invited to travel to Napa to speak and demo his food at the Worlds of Flavor International Conference & Festival at the Culinary Institute of America. In this episode that we recorded in an awkward new set up in Mike’s house, Mike recaps his experience with the conference along with some of the meals he had and people he met while in California — including a bucket-list dinner at chef Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry. We also talk about the impact of the news that the Michelin Guide will be coming to...
2021-12-091h 53
Pan Con PodcastPsychologist and musician Carlos Escanilla on mental health, playing covers and finding a tribeCarlos Escanilla is a psychologist and a musician; we delve into both mental health and music — along with his and Mike Beltran’s experiences with weight loss — in this episode of Pan Con Podcast. Along the way, the podcast is crashed by past guest John Falco, whose restaurants and brewery also serve as a frequent venue for Carlos’ gigs. In the Patreon-only extended cut, Carlos answers lightning round questions about food and we learn about some of his preferences and his unusual Wendy’s hamburger habits. Follow Carlos Escanilla and his things: https://www.carlosescani...
2021-11-253h 08
Pan Con PodcastTattoo artist Jessica "Pooka" Suárez on creativity, apprenticeship and palosTattoo artist Jessica Suárez — better known as Pooka, a nickname whose origin she explains in this interview — has some of her work on our host, Mike Beltrán, including a pine cone that Mike admits he got for the sake of getting in Pooka’s good graces and a mamey hanging from a branch on his arm. In this episode, Pooka talks about her creative process and what it’s been like for her to strike out on her own — she just opened Great Oak Tattoo — and create a tattoo shop culture that reflects her own style. She and Mike also talk...
2021-11-131h 53
Pan Con PodcastLive at Maxwell Bros. Clothing Co. with John Falco and Peter Santa-MariaThis episode was recorded Sept. 22, 2021 at Maxwell Bros. Clothing Co. in front of a live audience, whose members were also enjoying a special menu born out of a collaboration among the teams at Maxwell Bros., Crybaby Creamery (both owned by John Falco’s Firepit Hospitality) and Ariete (which is, of course, our host Michael Beltrán’s flagship restaurant). This absolute shit show of a podcast is a conversation with chef Michael Beltrán, restaurateur John Falco, and printmaking artist Peter Santa-Maria. The three discuss everything from Chik-Fil-A to art to the camaraderie of the food and beverage industry. Along...
2021-11-041h 58
Pan Con PodcastActor Robby Ramos on finding his creative voice and his tribeMike Beltrán first saw Robby Ramos in New York, where the actor was playing a chef in an early iteration of Amparo, the play written and directed by past guests Vanessa García and Vicky Collado. Now, Robby is a member of the cast of Heels, a Starz drama about professional wrestlers, where he plays Diego Cottonmouth. He also hosts his own podcast called Dropping Character. In this episode of Pan Con Podcast, Robby and Mike discuss their respective evolutions as creatives, the distinction between art and craft, the role that Cuban heritage and the politics of exile pl...
2021-10-292h 25
Pan Con PodcastCura Market founder José Manuel Perrone on his health-driven businessHealth issues in his family led José Manuel Perrone to ditch a job at a major tech company and look for a way to put his career in service of combating disease and giving people the tools they need to lead healthier lives. Eventually, that motivation inspired Cura Market, the company he cofounded as a way to give people more control of their nutrition and the quality of their food. For now, Cura gives creators a way to simplify the process of bringing their food products to market. For instance, Cura produces two sauces in partnership with chef Norman V...
2021-10-201h 28
Pan Con PodcastLouie Estrada of My Cuban Spot on bringing real Cuban cooking to BrooklynLouie Estrada left Miami for New York knowing that he wanted to make his mark by starting a business of his own. After years picking up experience working in restaurants, bars and clubs, he planted his flag in a tiny corner of Brooklyn. From the roughly 150-square-foot kitchen at My Cuban Spot, Louie’s been cranking out Cuban classics the city’s Cubans were sorely missing at a level of quality that’s earned him a following even in lechón-saturated South Florida. Louie joined Mike at Ariete to record this conversation about his food, his career, and his plans t...
2021-10-051h 54
Pan Con PodcastChef Giorgio Rapicavoli on Italian cooking, stoner food, his plans to revive Eating House in MiamiMiami native chef Giorgio Rapicavoli (known for Eating House and, most recently, Luca Osteria) has been a James Beard Award semifinalist, a Chopped winner, and a perennial favorite of Miami diners. In this episode, Giorgio joins Mike Beltran to talk about the maturation of his cooking, moving beyond “stoner food,” their mutual admiration for the precision and consistency of restaurants like Hillstone, and his plans for the revival of Eating House. Also, in the Patreon-only extended cut, Giorgio reveals the weird (and yet delicious-sounding) way he consumes pastelitos at Cuban bakeries. Become a patron: https://www.patr...
2021-09-141h 50
Pan Con PodcastMichael Beltrán on the reopening of Chug's DinerWe recorded this episode of Pan Con Podcast at Chug’s Diner shortly before its Sept. 8 reopening. In this conversation at a booth in the Chug’s dining room, Mike Beltrán talks about the restaurant’s new space, team and menu, along with some of the challenges he faced in designing a restaurant from scratch for the first time. Also, the new Suicide Squad movie was pretty good, Mike did a thing with Ludacris, and Pan Con Podcast’s next live episode dinner is right round the corner.Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmag
2021-09-111h 21
Pan Con PodcastChef Norman Van Aken in our first live episode (plus a special appearance by Rosa María Payá)Pan Con Podcast recorded an episode with a live audience for the first time ever, and we brought in a special guest for the occasion. Chef Norman Van Aken was one of Mike’s early interviewees. He’s also Mike’s longtime culinary mentor and the author of at least one cookbook that changed the course of Mike’s career in food. This episode was recorded at Ariete in front of an audience of other past guests and friends of Pan Con Podcast — Larry Carrino, Josh Pascual, John Falco, Matt Kuscher, Carolina Quijano, Nidal Barake, Terence Reilly, Otto Othman, Nedal Ahmad...
2021-08-022h 41
Pan Con PodcastCatching up: protests in Cuba, tasting menus, and the start of live Pan Con Podcast eventsJuly 11, 2021 brought an eruption of protests on the streets of Cuba. Mike Beltrán and Nick Jiménez got together to record some reaction and reflection on those events. Note that this podcast is being released more than 24 hours after it was recorded and the situation in Cuba is changing rapidly. We also talk about changes in Ariete's tasting menus and the beginning of live Pan Con Podcast recording events, which will create an opportunity for you to join us as we record podcasts (and eat and drink and smoke cigars).Become a patron: https://www.pa...
2021-07-1347 min
Pan Con PodcastNidal Barake of Gluttonomy on food marketing, Michelin Guides and Miami diningNidal Barake is the founder of Gluttonomy, a marketing firm specializing in digital strategy for the dining world. As he notes in this episode of Pan Con Podcast, “Big agencies, they don’t know anything about food. They have no clue about what happens at a restaurants, what’s behind the production process, or what drives the consumer.” Nidal, by contrast, is passionate about dining and has leveraged that passion to build a successful firm that the people behind the food he loves can trust. Nidal joined Mike Beltrán at Ariete to talk about his career in food marketing...
2021-06-151h 53
Pan Con PodcastPablo Zitzmann on his new Asian inspired Coral Gables restaurant, Zitz SumChef Pablo Zitzmann was one of our very first guests on Pan Con Podcast in 2019. Nearly two years later, he’s also our first repeat guest (not counting the short interviews we did at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic). This time, he’s here to talk about the success he’s found on the other side of lockdown with Zitz Sum, a new Asian inspired concept he opened in Coral Gables shortly before we recorded this interview. Pablo and Mike talk about the joy and the agony of launching a new venture, building a company culture from the ground...
2021-06-052h 30
Pan Con PodcastMike Beltran responds to Washington Post reader commentsA May 8 Washington Post story by Laura Reiley bearing the headline “As his restaurants’ customers return, a Miami chef is missing a critical ingredient: Workers,” examines the widespread difficulty restaurants and other hospitality businesses are having in staffing their businesses to meet the demand of an economy that is recovering — even if slowly — from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions imposed by government. The piece uses Ariete Hospitality (of which our host Mike Beltran is chef-partner) as a case-in-point. In this episode, Mike responds not to the article and Laura Reiley’s reporting, but to the comments left...
2021-05-2156 min
Pan Con PodcastRestaurateur Nedal Ahmad on Pincho, ghost kitchens, digital food halls, and Marvel versus DCNedal Ahmad was one of the co-founders of Pincho, the Miami-born fast casual chain we discussed at length on Pan Con Podcast with previous guest (and Nedal’s cousin) Otto Othman. Nedal has since moved on to other ventures, including a healthy meal delivery service and a digital food hall — a term that describes something eerily similar to the ghost kitchen model that’s been a hot button issue on this podcast before (for instance, in Mike Beltran’s conversation with publicist Larry Carrino). Nedal joined us for cigars, wine, conversation about the restaurant industry and some analysis of the Marve...
2021-05-143h 03
Pan Con PodcastPainter and Abuela Mami co-founder Kiki Valdés on art, creativity, and Cuban care packagesWhether painting for live audiences at nightclubs, showing his work at galleries or creating hand-drawn covers for the zines he bought from Miami record stores, Kiki Valdés has been making art consistently since he was a kid. His work has been inspired by religion, cartoons, secret societies, and the color characters he encountered while painting at those clubs. Along with his brother, he also created Abuela Mami, a Cuban care package company that’s expanded with its own premium coffee brand with the same name. Kiki joined Mike Beltrán to talk about art, creativity, finding your voice in y...
2021-04-251h 43
Pan Con PodcastIke Shehadeh on growing Ike's Love & Sandwiches on opposite coasts and his crazy pre-sandwich résuméIke Shehadeh is the founder and face of Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, the San Francisco-based sandwich chain with about 80 locations, known for its extensive menu, unusual flavor combinations and quirky sandwich names. Miami is home to the first Ike’s location on the east coast — a franchise store in Aventura — and Ike says the company has aggressive expansion plans that include another 40 or so locations in Florida. Ike joined Mike Beltran at Ariete for a wide ranging discussion about his fast casual concept, the first sandwich he ever sold, his athletic career, his first job walking on stilts in a circus...
2021-04-201h 49
Pan Con PodcastMaría Cabré of J. Wakefield Brewing on transitioning from a career in pastry to making craft beerMaría Cabré is the general manager at Miami’s J. Wakefield Brewing. In this conversation with Michael Beltrán, she talks about her experience as a pastry chef, how those skills have served her in a career in brewing, and what it’s been like for her to find success in the beer business as a woman. Also in this conversation: what the COVID pivot looked like for J. Wakefield, Mike’s impression of chef José Mendín, and Mike’s and María’s takes on the Irish goodbye. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADE...
2021-04-121h 44
Pan Con PodcastPincho's Otto Othman on merging Latin flavor and Middle Eastern hospitality in Miami fast casualPincho — perhaps better known in South Florida by its original name, Pincho Factory — is a distinctly Miami fast casual restaurant brand that’s grown to 10 locations serving kebobs and burgers. Co-founder and CEO Otto Othman joined us on this episode to talk about his own path from marketing to restaurants, how his Palestinian and Brazilian heritage came together with time growing up in Hialeah to inform Pincho’s take on Miamian casual dining (from the Tostón burger, which replaces the bun with fried plantains, to the Fritanga Burger that takes its inspiration from Nicaraguan cuisine). Otto and Mike also discus...
2021-03-301h 57
Pan Con PodcastLuciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, the Rising Star chef duo behind Miami's Boia De RestaurantLuciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer are the chefs behind Boia De, a Miami restaurant that Mike has recommended on Pan Con Podcast numerous times. The two made their long-overdue appearance on the podcast to talk about their respective culinary careers, toast to their being named 2021 Star Chefs Rising Stars, and discuss the wave of New York City restaurateurs that has hit Miami at the tail end of the COVID pandemic. Also, Alex explains why he’s getting his first haircut in a year, Luci recommends Chicken Kitchen’s curry mustard sauce, and Mike cuts the podcast short to deal with...
2021-03-262h 08
Pan Con PodcastExquisito Chocolates founder Carolina Quijano on making chocolate in Miami's Little HavanaBoth in her childhood and her early professional life, Carolina Quijano moved around a lot. “Living on planes” — especially when she was working as a management consultant — led her to all kinds of food. She joined Mike Beltrán on this episode of Pan Con Podcast to talk about how that led to her love of chocolate, how she taught herself (with some help from YouTube videos) to make her own, and what it took to eventually launch Exquisito Chocolates, a bean-to-bar chocolate factory in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. In this episode, we also learn that Mike freaks out about his...
2021-03-231h 50
Pan Con PodcastKathy Manning & Tung Nguyen on their Vietnamese restaurant Hy Vong & new book, Mango and PeppercornsKatherine Manning and Tung Nguyen and widely regarded as the restaurateur duo responsible for popularizing Vietnamese flavors in Miami at Hy Vong. The two met when Katherine, then a University of Miami grad student, volunteered herself and her home to help resettle refugees after the end of the Vietnam War. Their new memoir, Mango and Peppercorns (published by Chronicle Books), tells the story of their odd-couple friendship, their pioneering restaurant, and a refugee experience that’s as unique to them (and Tung’s daughter Lyn) as it is relatable to the countless refugees they call their neighbors. Katherine and Tung...
2021-03-171h 39
Pan Con PodcastCervecería La Tropical's Manny Portuondo on reviving Cuba's first beer brand in MiamiIt took 23 years for the brewery Manny Portuondo dreamed of opening to become a reality. It took patience, passion, and some legal battles with the Cuban government, but Cervecería La Tropical — Cuba’s first beer brand — has been revived in Miami with an investment from Heineken. On this episode of Pan Con Podcast, Manny and Mike talk about the history behind La Tropical beer, how the brand’s current form takes cues from and interprets its own Cuban legacy, the brand’s significance to the Cuban community in Miami, cultural preservation and why he chose to partner with Heineken — on...
2021-03-041h 19
Pan Con PodcastSouth Florida radio icon Lucy López on Miami music, Cuban food and the world's best Taco BellLucy López has been a Miami radio fixture since she joined Power 96.5 FM back in 1996; she’s been with the station all this time and now hosts Power 96’s morning show. She joined Mike Beltran on Pan Con Podcast to talk about the state of her industry, Miami’s music, and how Miami mayor Francis Suárez’s efforts to lure tech industry transplants to Miami might change the city. The two also discuss brunch, bread service, being Cuban outside of Miami, and past guest Carlos Frías’ takes on sandwiches.Become a patron: https://www.patreon.c...
2021-02-261h 42
Pan Con PodcastSef "Burger Beast" González on his pioneering food blog & a prank he pulled with Guillermo Del ToroA chance encounter with a great burger at a Miami pizza joint led Sef González to snap a photo of it on his Motorola Razor. That grainy flip phone photo was the beginning of Burger Beast, one of Miami’s first and best known food blogs. Sef joined Mike on this episode of Pan Con Podcast to talk about food media, his burger museum, his burger book, his events, frita history, skydiving, and the Chug Burger, that Ariete burger that topped Sef’s list of the best burgers in Miami, launching a new chapter in the restaurant's story. We al...
2021-02-222h 45
Pan Con PodcastDerek Kaplan of Fireman Derek's Bake Shop on the dessert business, pro sports and food televisionDerek Kaplan had a decade-long career as a firefighter, but he started honing his dessert skills in high school when, as he told Mike Beltrán on this episode of Pan Con Podcast, he would make pies for himself and his friend when they had the munchies.Today, Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop has two Miami locations and delivers baked goods nationally. On this episode, Derek and Mike discuss the business of dessert, hospitality, food TV, new media, and the cultural value of sports. In the Patreon-only extended cut of this episode, Mike has five bonus que...
2021-02-142h 25
Pan Con PodcastDrew Estate's master cigar blender Willy Herrera on tobacco, Nicaragua, and following the recipeDrew Estate is one of the biggest names in premium cigars. And Willy Herrera, the company’s master blender, is the man responsible not only for developing new cigar blends, but also for ensuring that the blends in the company’s portfolio maintain consistency year over year. In this conversation with chef Michael Beltran on Pan Con Podcast, Willy talks about how he got into the cigar business at his family’s Little Havana factory, El Titán de Bronze, his experience moving to Estelí, Nicaragua when he made the transition to Drew Estate, and how his work producing cigars c...
2021-02-071h 20
Pan Con PodcastSimon Kim of Michelin-star Korean steakhouse Cote found his calling in restaurants and hospitalitySimon Kim is the restaurateur behind Cote, a one-of-a-kind, Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse in New York City, which is set to open its Miami location in early 2021. In this conversation with chef Michael Beltrán on Pan Con Podcast, Simon talks about how visiting fine dining restaurants with his dad in South Korea and his adolescence in his family’s Korean restaurant in Tribeca led to his falling in love with hospitality and restaurants. Simon and Mike also get into their respective experiences with understanding the relationship between their heritage and their work — namely, in how each of them has transl...
2021-02-012h 14
Pan Con PodcastMiami Herald food editor Carlos Frías on covering restaurants in a pandemic, cultural appropriationCarlos Frías is the James Beard Award-winning food editor at the Miami Herald. Before moving into food at the Herald, Carlos was covering sports at The Palm Beach Post, where he also wrote a series about his first trip to Cuba that would later become the framework for his memoir, “Take Me With You: A Secret Search for Family in a Forbidden Cuba.” He joined Michael Beltrán on Pan Con Podcast to talk about his career in journalism, covering the restaurant industry through the COVID-19 pandemic, defining “sandwich” (a recurring topic on this podcast of late) and food journ...
2021-01-251h 45
Pan Con PodcastFirst Round Management's Dave Arvelo on combat sports, the UFC's handling of COVID, slow jamsDave Arvelo is the director of MMA athlete development at First Round Management, which represents some of the biggest names in combat sports (e.g., Jorge Masvidal, Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson, Yoel Romero), along with a roster of NFL clients. Dave joined Mike (who also happens to be his neighbor) on Pan Con Podcast to talk about about his recent move to Miami, how he got his start in the fight business, the impact of the COVID pandemic on sports, and how his dog got the name Jorge. In the Patreon-only extended cut of this episode, Mike poses five...
2021-01-191h 57Pan Con PodcastPublicist Larry Carrino on social media, food festivals and his Mike Beltran impressionLarry Carrino, president of Brustman Carrino Public Relations, is the Miami publicist with the stress-inducing distinction of having our host Michael Beltran as his client. Ove the time Larry has been working with Mike, the two have become friends. On this episode of Pan Con Podcast, Mike and Larry talk about food journalism, influencers, social media, food festivals and the ghost kitchens. In the Patreon-only extended cut, Mike poses an extra five questions to Larry. Brustman Carrino Public Relations: https://www.brustmancarrinopr.com/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com...
2021-01-112h 01Pan Con PodcastThe "Ask Mike Anything" episodeOur "Ask Mike Anything" episode is the last of 2020, and we opened it up to questions from listeners for chef and eighth grade basketball MVP Michael Beltran. There are even more questions and answers in our extended Patreon-only episode. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: twitter.com/panconpodcastFollow Mike Beltran:Instagram: www.instagram.com/piginc/Twitter: twitter.com/piginc
2020-12-291h 03
Pan Con PodcastDavid Foulquier on Michelin stars, owning restaurants in Miami (Fooq's) & New York (Sushi Noz)David Foulquier is the restaurateur behind Fooq’s, a Miami restaurant built on French-Persian cuisine, and Sushi Noz, the Michelin-starred Manhattan sushi restaurant named for its chef, Abe Nozomu. Pan Con Podcast’s last guest of 2020, David joined Mike at the Ariete Patio for a conversation about his culinary influences, the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, how he found his way into the restaurant business, and the significance of having earned a Michelin star. In a Patreon-exclusive clip, David talks about the differences he’s observed between running restaurants in New York City and Miami. Follow...
2020-12-241h 23
Pan Con PodcastInfatuation Miami editor Ryan Pfeffer on food journalism, influencers, manatees and porn starsRyan Pfeffer of Infatuation Miami joined Michael Beltran and Nicolás Jiménez to talk about his writing career, what he’s learned from covering the Miami restaurant scene and the ethics of freebies. Also on the agenda for the night: butthole tattoos, pasta, and what it might take for Miami to further mature as a food city. Finally, we ask our listeners to give what they can to The Hungry Post’s #FeedTheChain campaign in the memory of a friend of the podcast as the Miami restaurant community by using #LiveLikeMari with their donation message. Follow...
2020-12-132h 20
Pan Con PodcastMore on the protests and repression in Cuba following the arrest of rapper Denis SolísMike Betrán and Nick Jiménez got together to offer their ham-handed, but hopefully helpful update on the protests and repression that have continued after the Nov. 9 arrest of Cuban dissident rapper Denis Solís and other members of Havana's San Isidro Movement. If you missed our initial discussion of these events, check out this episode from Nov. 30. http://www.dademag.com/features/2020/11/30/pan-con-podcast-cuba-protests-san-isidro-movement-denis-solis Follow Movimiento San Isidro on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mov_sanisidro/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmag...
2020-12-0840 min
Pan Con PodcastMarcus Rivero (Soles By Sir) customizes shoes for athletes like Marshawn Lynch and Conor McGregorMarcus Rivero fell into the shoe customization business almost by accident. Nine years after creating Soles By Sir, athletes in every major sport can be seen wearing his work on their feet on a weekly basis. In fact, during that time, every Super Bowl has had at least one pair of Soles By Sir cleats on the field. Marcus joined Mike Beltran to talk about his business, his design process, what it's like to work with elite athletes — from Marshawn Lynch to Conor McGregor — on their custom gear, the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign and how his work has ch...
2020-12-061h 31
Pan Con PodcastProtests in Cuba, the arrest of Denis Solís and the San Isidro Movement hunger strikersMike and Nick got together to record this special dispatch to provide a summary of and some clumsy reflections on the protests in Cuba sparked by the arrest of Havana artist Denis Solís and the ensuing hunger strike by his fellow members of the San Isidro Movement. Follow Movimiento San Isidro on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mov_sanisidro/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/
2020-11-3040 min
Pan Con PodcastBrett Romberg on playing football in Miami, stories from 9 years in the NFL, eating like a CanadianAfter some charcuterie at the Ariete bar, Brett Romberg joined Michael Beltrán on Pan Con Podcast to talk about his time playing football at the University of Miami, stories from nine years as an NFL offensive lineman, the Fort Lauderdale bikini contest that changed his life, and the adjustments he's made since making the move from Canada to South Florida, where — aside from becoming a national champion — married into a Cuban family, dialed in his Miami Spanish.Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebo...
2020-11-242h 25Pan Con PodcastCatching up with Mike Beltran on food, business, politics, Star Trek and other stuffIt had been a while since we recorded an episode with no guest, so we took this episode to get caught up with Mike on a range of things from business to politics to his overpriced CBS All Access subscription. Also, Nick doesn't throw parties, but they would probably be bad if he did. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: twitter.com/panconpodcastFollow Mike Beltran:
2020-11-152h 05
Pan Con PodcastChef José Mendín on the birth of Pubbelly Sushi, his Puerto Rican flag mural battle and SeinfeldA native of Puerto Rico, José Mendín arrived in Miami at 19 years old and fell in love with the city. HIs sushi concept, Pubbelly Sushi, was supposed to be a simple fast casual spot, but circumstances led to an elaboration on the idea and it became one of Miami's favorite dining experiences. It also helped make José — now a five-time James Beard Award semifinalist — one of the most celebrated young chefs in the city and catapulted his career as a restaurateur. José is the chef-owner of restaurants in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Casa de Campo, Mexico City and Paris. In this co...
2020-11-0756 min
Pan Con PodcastCuban activist Rosa María Payá on her father's legacy and her campaign for a plebisciteRosa María Payá is the Cuban activist behind Cuba Decide, a campaign to bring change to Cuba through a plebiscite — that is, a direct vote by Cubans on a transition to democracy. Her father Oswaldo Payá was one of the most prominent Cuban dissidents of his generation. He founded the Christian Liberation Movement (or Movimiento Cristiano Liberación), which sought to bring legislation to Cuba's National Assembly through a signature-gathering mechanism laid out in the Cuban Constitution. In 2002, he was award the European Parliament's Sakharav Prize for Freedom of Thought. In 2012, Oswaldo Payá was killed when a car he was i...
2020-10-282h 13Pan Con PodcastArtist Peter Santa-Maria on printmaking, bootleg superheroes and helping kids realize potentialPeter Santa-María, best known for his brand Attack Peter, is a Miami-based printmaking artist whose Japanese-inspired work depicts monsters, superheroes and other characters, including at least one that he’s created himself named Takoro. In this episode, Mike Beltran talks with Peter about their high school alma mater, their shared commitment to old techniques, and the things that motivate and fuel creativity. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: twi...
2020-10-241h 31Pan Con PodcastThe Pastelito Papi episode: Gio Fesser finally joins the podcastGio Fesser is best known to Miami diners as the Pastelito Papi (though there's an extra i in Papii on social media). A longtime colleague and friend of our intrepid host chef Michael Beltran, Gio has been there every step of the Ariete Hospitality Group journey, and his pastelitos — traditional Cuban pastries that he's gotten more creative with than Miami thought possible — have caught the attention of everyone from local press to world class chefs like Thomas Keller, helping catapult Chug's Diner (the Cuban-American pop-up that is now undergoing renovation to return as a permanent fixture in Miami) into its po...
2020-10-171h 32Pan Con PodcastRe-podcast: chef Pablo Zitzmann (originally published July 5, 2019)[This episode was first published July 5, 2019] Pablo Zitzmann (of No Name Chinese and the forthcoming Alcalde) joins Mike and Nick in the patio at Ariete to talk about his own journey to food and how he fell in love with Asian cuisine growing up in Colombia. Pablo and Mike discuss the communication of culture through cooking, leading teams, dealing with burnout, and the development of Miami's food community. Follow Pablo Zitmann on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zitzzitzzitz/ Follow Alcalde on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcalde_miami/
2020-10-1257 minPan Con PodcastMike on Ariete's third Versos Sencillos tasting menu dinner. Also, is Trudeau Castro's son?After Ariete's third Versos Sencillos tasting menu dinner, Mike and Nick (who finally got around to having one of these dinners himself) get together to talk about the experience, how it's developed, the impact it's had on the Ariete team and where it's heading in the future. We run through most of the dishes on this most recent menu, some of the backstories on how they came together, and a bit of the origin story of the experience that was created (led by Ariete director of operations and past podcast guest Brittany Rothwell) for the tasting menu's dessert course.
2020-10-081h 10Pan Con PodcastZak Stern (a.k.a. Zak The Baker) on his origin story, his business, and living on a sailboatZak Stern, better known as Zak the Baker, is — as the eponymous business suggests — a baker. Based in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood, Zak's bakery makes some of the city's favorite breads. He fell in love with baking even after having initially rejected it as a career path (he pursued a life in cheese first, spending time on a goat farm in Israel). He started his business in Miami baking in a used oven in a friend's garage and selling his bread at farmer's markets until he opened Zak The Baker in Wynwood in 2014. In the years since, he's earned James Beard...
2020-09-271h 58Pan Con PodcastMelanie and Jason Schoendorfer of Babe's Meat & Counter talk butchery, Canada and COVIDOur guests on this episode are Melanie and Jason Schoendorfer, the couple behind Babe's Meat & Counter, a butcher shop and sandwich joint in Miami's Palmetto Bay neighborhood. They joined Mike to talk meat, Canada, ketchup chips, and how they've adjusted for the peculiar challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Visit and follow Babe's: https://www.instagram.com/babefroman305/ http://www.babefroman.com/ Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram...
2020-09-201h 15Pan Con PodcastPoet and art critic Ricardo Pau-Llosa on Latin American culture, the Cuban experience, food as artRicardo Ricardo Pau-Llosa is a poet and art critic whose life's work has centered on Cuba and Latin American art. When his family fled Cuba in 1960 after Fidel Castro's co, he ended up in Chicago, spending years there before heading south to Miami. From Ricardo's own website bio: "His first book of poetry, Sorting Metaphors (Anhinga Press, 1983), won the first national Anhinga Prize,[citation needed]. He published a second book of poetry in Bread of the Imagined (Bilingual Press, 1992). His third book of poems, Cuba (Carnegie Mellon U Press, 1993), was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. His latest collections are...
2020-09-152h 16Pan Con PodcastTasting menus, Cobra Kai, racism, guns and riotsMike Beltran and Nick Jiménez took this guest-free episode to get caught up on Ariete's monthly tasting menu dinner series and what it's significance has been to Mike and his crew during the strange circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. After that discussion (and a surprise visit from Matt Kuscher), the podcast's attention turned to widespread protests, racism, rampant rioting, and the moral questions we have to confront when armed citizens — including a minor — take it upon themselves to defend property and communities from destruction. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFoll...
2020-09-051h 58
Step Into The SandboxChef Michael Beltran on executing the creative vision for a restaurant and menuFor this special joint episode of Step Into The Sandbox and Pan Con Podcast, David is joined by the latter podcast's host Michael Beltran. Mike is the chef-partner behind Ariete Hospitality Group, which is the umbrella company that owns The Taurus, Chug's Diner, The Scapegoat, Nave, and the flagship Ariete. Mike was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation's 2020 award for Best Chef: South.
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2020-08-2500 minPan Con PodcastDavid Verjano, host of Step Into The Sandbox, on branding and the creative processIn this special joint episode, Mike is joined by David Verjano, a branding creative and host of Step Into The Sandbox, a DADE podcast about the creative process. Check out Step Into The Sandbox: http://www.dademag.com/stepintothesandbox Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: twitter.com/panconpodcastFollow Mike Beltran:Instagram: www.instagram.com/piginc/Twitter: twitter.com...
2020-08-251h 44Pan Con PodcastPublicist Mabel De Beunza on Operation Fill The Fridge, a charitable project born in the pandemicMabel De Beunza is a partner at Deep Sleep Studio, a creative agency in Miami. In her first visit to Pan Con Podcast, we talk about her work, running a business during a pandemic and the correct way to order your steak medium well. Most importantly, though, this conversation starts with a focus on Operation Fill The Fridge, a charitable endeavor that grew organically during the pandemic as an effort to aid families in need in South Florida. We talk about what they do, how they got started, their developing into a full-fledged nonprofit (Adopt A Family Miami) and...
2020-08-211h 49Pan Con PodcastCounter Culture Coffee educator Sandra Walimaki on Miami's coffee culture and migrating from PeruSandra Walimaki is a regional educator for Counter Culture Coffee, which Mike Beltran serves at Chug's, his Cuban-American diner in Coconut Grove. In this episode of Pan Con Podcast, the two talk about coffee culture, what makes Miami's relationship with espresso unique, and Sandra's experience migrating from Peru (where she has roots in the coffee industry) to the United States, where she's been in the coffee industry for about 18 years. She also tells us about the NPR Coffee Club, a coffee subscription service born out of a partnership between National Public Radio and Counter Culture Coffee. ...
2020-08-1158 minPan Con PodcastHigh school football coach Jason Hill on leading kids, being Mike's teammate and longtime saviorMike's old friend Jason Hill had apparently been asking for a Pan Con Podcast invite for months. He finally got one from Mike and the two got together for a few post-service drinks and conversation about finding fulfillment in leading a team of high school football players, lessons from high school and college football, and the impact that being educated by the Marist brothers at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami had on each of them. Also, Jason tells us about the handful of times that he saved Mike's life. Become a patron: https://www.patreon...
2020-08-051h 21Pan Con PodcastJosh's Premium Meats' Josh Pascual on getting into the Wagyu gameJosh Pascual left his career selling medical devices to pursue a business that grew out of a weekend hobby: Wagyu beef. For three years, he's been providing South Floridians with steaks — and, more recently, other proteins — sourced from farms all over the world. His business has grown; earlier this year, he opened his first brick-and-mortar shop and he has plans to expand into e-commerce. Josh joined Mike at Ariete — bearing gifts of some of the best red meat money can buy — to talk about his business, how he's been impacted by COVID-19, the potential impact of his business model on the broa...
2020-07-311h 53Pan Con PodcastAriete Hospitality's Brittany Rothwell on life-giving restaurants and fighting to survive a pandemicMike has put a lot of trust in his restaurant group's director of operations, Brittany Rothwell, in whom he sees a lot of the attitude he brings to the company. That kind of relationship is valuable under any circumstances, but it's become indispensable at a time when — like other restaurants — Mike's businesses are in a fight for their lives. In this episode, Brittany and Mike talk about how she ended up with Ariete, her first impressions of Mike, the fulfillment she finds in restaurants, and what it takes to keep forward momentum through uncertainty. Become a patron...
2020-07-271h 16Pan Con PodcastOrlando chef Matt Hinckley on his fancy meats, charcuterie, Andrew Yang and jiu jitsuMatt Hinckley worked in restaurants all over the world before settling in Orlando, where he set up Hinckley's Fancy Meats and took it from a deli case in Orlando's East Market to an online delivery service whose first order came from New York Times food editor Sam Sifton. He eventually moved back into the East End Market and refocused on serving the Orlando area. In this episode, Mike and Matt talk about meat, coronavirus shutdowns, combat sports and politics. Follow Matt Hinckley and Hinckley's Fancy Meats: https://www.instagram.com/hinckleymeats/ https...
2020-07-211h 26Pan Con PodcastHurricanes hall of famer Joaquín González on football, adjusting to the NFL, leadership in businessJoaquín González was a cornerstone of the national champion 2001 Miami Hurricanes football team. The offensive lineman went on to play four seasons in the NFL — three with the Cleveland Browns and one with the Indianapolis Colts. Today, Joaquín is president of the family business he joined after football, Tire Group International, a Miami-based tire distributor. In this episode, recorded via Zoom, he and Mike talk football, leadership, business, and the lessons they've taken from each of those. Also, we start this episode with Mike telling a story about how he chased a guy for several blocks for sp...
2020-07-171h 28Pan Con Podcast"Doing nothing good" — John Falco on brewing, pizza, coronavirus, Iraq, Donkey KongIn an episode that was stretched to unusual lengths by bubbly white wine, Mike and our guest John Falco talk about the coronavirus' continued impact on their businesses, sleeping on rugs, video game documentaries, John's participation in the Iraq surge, parenting, Peter Meehan, and how little either of them actually wanted to show up to record this podcast. Also, we tough lightly on what John does for a living (beer and pizza). Follow all of John's things: https://www.instagram.com/falcohatesmoney/ https://www.strangebeast.beer/ https://www.instagram.com...
2020-07-072h 02Pan Con PodcastDocumentarian Billy Corben on filmmaking, Miami politics, and making his ESPN 30 for 30 docDocumentarian Billy Corben (Cocaine Cowboys, Screwball, The U, Dawg Fight)joins Mike Beltran via Zoom for a conversation about his films, his ongoing feud with Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, duck madianoches, and Jimmy Johnson's hair. NOTE: We ran into a technical snag while recording this conversation, so there are a few minutes of audio missing near the end of the call. Don't worry. You're just missing a portion of Mike's rant about Miami Spice. Follow Billy Corben: Twitter https://twitter.com/BillyCorben Instagram https://www.instagram...
2020-07-011h 22Pan Con Podcast"The art of my anus" — Fred Vogel on painting croquetas, filmmaking, and police brutalityFred Vogel is a man of many talents. He's a painter, he's a filmmaker, he's a philosopher. In this wide ranging conversation with Mike Beltran, the two talk about creativity, fulfillment, Miami, race, police brutality, strip club rules in the time of COVID-19, and the idea that everything —even your morning dookie — is art. Follow Fred on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetbabyfred/ Become a patron: www.patreon.com/DADEmag Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.i...
2020-06-221h 15Pan Con PodcastOn mental health and asking "How are you?"National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 800-273-TALK (8255) Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741 National Alliance on Mental Illness – nami.org This episode was recorded shortly before Mike's Ariete Hospitality Group was able to begin reopening its restaurant's dining rooms after the COVID pandemic shutdown, but shortly after the Ariete family lost a member to suicide. We took some time to record a conversation about mental health, leadership, loss, recovery, and the ways we can be there for one another.Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DA...
2020-06-1024 minPan Con PodcastCops threaten to arrest Mike and other adventures in restaurant reopeningJust as Miami restaurants prepared to reopen their dining rooms, a protest campaign against police brutality — along with looting and rioting that has muddied the national conversation and endangered communities — threw a monkey wrench into what was already bound to be a clunky process. Mike talks about his own experience reopening restaurants, how he was singled out by Miami police after criticizing government officials and talking about defying curfews, and the challenges he and his team are facing as they brave our strange new normal. Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow...
2020-06-0655 min
Pan Con PodcastCoronavirus interviews: Selling food from home, frozen pizza science, and the tire industryIn this episode you'll hear from Pablo Zitzmann, Susana Jiménez and Enrique Hernández. The first two deal in food and the third is in the tire business, but you'll there's value in what they all have to share about their coronavirus experiences. Pablo is Colombian-born chef who won Miami diners' hearts with No Name Chinese in South Miami. He was also was one of the very first guests on this podcast. If you want to get to know him a little better beyond this COVID thing, listen to Mike's conversation with Pablo, which we ran in July 2019. In...
2020-05-061h 53
Pan Con PodcastAll-time rap rankings, boat rudders and other cocktail-fueled nonsense with Michael BeltranMost of this episode is Mike and Nick taking a break from making what little sense they usually make. You'll be forgiven for skipping this one. On the other hand, if you're into that kind of thing, enjoy! Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmagFollow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: twitter.com/panconpodcastFollow Mike Beltran:Instagram: www.instagram.com/piginc/Twitter: twitter.com/piginc...
2020-04-221h 06
Pan Con PodcastCoronavirus' impact on Cleveland restaurants, a Miami Beach executive chef, and an independent gymIn this episode, we're bringing you a new set of mini-interviews on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. First, we're hearing from Cleveland chef Brett Sawyer on how his restaurants (The Plum and Good Company) have been impacted by COVID-19. Next, Ilkay Suuctugu, the executive chef at Matador Room, the Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant at the Miami Beach Edition, talks about her experience dealing with time away from an establishment that had to shut down altogether. Finally, gym owner Alex Osuna tells us about how his independent gym is keeping its members engaged and its staff employed through the era...
2020-04-141h 30
Pan Con PodcastPayroll Protection Program, Star Trek, food delivery regulation, Mike's refusal to make sourdoughMike and Nick have cocktails in Nick's backyard while discussing the government programs to keep small businesses alive during the COVID-19 outbreak, whether government should regulate restaurant delivery, and the news media's treatment of coronavirus's impact on the restaurant business. Also, Mike folds under the pressure when he's asked to rank his favorite Star Trek series. Mentioned on this podcast: Questioning Conventional Wisdom in the COVID-19 Crisis, with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya: youtu.be/-UO3Wd5urg0 Picard trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbXy0f0aCN0 Become a patron: www.patreon.com/DADEmag Become a...
2020-04-1052 min
Pan Con PodcastCoronavirus' impact on farms, specialty tea, and magic (Margie Pikarsky, Michael Ortiz, Alan Chamo)Nick Jiménez is filling in for Michael Beltran to bring you more phone conversations with a variety of people telling us about how they've been experiencing and adjusting for the coronavirus outbreak. We'll start with Margie Pikarsky, owner and operator of Bee Heaven Farm in Homestead, Florida, which is a supplier to Mike's restaurants — among many others. She gave us some perspective from her corner of the agriculture world and told us a but about how COVID-19 has changed her relationship with consumers. Next, a call with Michael Ortiz of JoJo Tea, who...
2020-04-091h 24
Pan Con PodcastRestaurants as groceries, Uber Eats, OpenTable, relief funds and coronavirus shelter-in-place ordersMike Beltran comes back to the podcast for an update on his first week in the coronavirus shutdown, how Chug's Diner became a specialty grocery store in response to the crisis, and what relief might be available to Miami area restaurant staff who were laid off in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. We also touch on Uber Eats, OpenTable, and the sloppy rollout of the City of Miami's shelter-in-place order. Check out the Miami Restaurant Employee Relief Fund mentioned in this episode: https://www.gofundme.com/f/miamirestaurantemployeerelieffund Become a patron: https://www...
2020-03-2650 min
Pan Con PodcastBrewing, specialty meats and Yelping during the coronavirus shutdownHear from three guests about how they've been dealing with the coronavirus shutdown. First, John Falco, the co-founder and president of Fire Pit Hospitality, which is the company behind Miami's Lincoln's Beard Brewery and Strange Beast, a brewpub and pizzeria. Next, you'll hear from Jason Schoendorfer. Jason and his wife Melanie own and operate Babe's Meat & Counter, a specialty meat retailer and sandwich shop in Miami. Finally, Diandra Lamas, Yelp's senior community manager for Miami, discusses the changes she's seen in both Miami businesses and consumer behavior on the street and on the Yelp platform during the coronavirus outbreak.
2020-03-251h 05
Pan Con PodcastSocial media, survival and innovative solutions for restaurant workers in the time of COVID-19On this episode of Pan Con Podcast, Nick Jiménez has conversations with three different people in the food world about how they're experiencing and adjusting for the COVID-19 outbreak. First, attorney-turned reality TV personality-turned cookbook author and food media star Ana Quincoces. Then Matt Kuscher of Kush Hospitality, who has been a guest on this podcast before. And finally Joe Richard, a sous chef who was laid off from his job in Miami Beach as a result of the pandemic and has found an innovative way to help at least some of the people in his situation by k...
2020-03-231h 04
Pan Con PodcastTalking Coronavirus and the food industry with Danny Serfer, Adelee Cabrera and Norman Van AkenThe Coronavirus outbreak has left food industry professionals scrambling for ways to survive, keep their staffs employed and continue bringing value to customers. We spoke with three guests — chef and restaurateur Danny Serfer, catering operations professional Adelee Cabrera, and the James Beard Award winner Norman Van Aken — about their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic and their outlook on the future of the food and hospitality industry. Follow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: twitter.com/panconpodcastFollow Mike Beltra...
2020-03-211h 18Pan Con PodcastCoronavirus: How one chef (Michael Beltran) and his restaurants are dealing with the pandemicThe coronavirus has all but brought the restaurant industry to a nationwide halt. We sat down for a special episode to talk about how Mike Beltran and his restaurant group in particular have experiences and responded to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: twitter.com/panconpodcastFollow Mike Beltran:Instagram: www.instagram.com/piginc/Twitter: twitter.com/pigincFollow Nick Jiménez:
2020-03-1951 min
Pan Con PodcastJorge Mas on owning an MLS team, taking a company public, the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)Jorge Mas is the co-founder and chairman of MasTec, the chairman of the Cuban American National Foundation, co-owner of Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF, and a regular at our host Mike Beltran's Coconut Grove restaurant, Ariete. Jorge joined Mike on Pan Con Podcast for a conversation about his experience teaming up with soccer superstar David Beckham to bring an MLS team to Miami, realizing his dream of taking a business public, dealing with the radical change that comes from growing a business from a team of a hundred or so employees to tens of thousands, and the impact...
2020-03-181h 22
Pan Con PodcastJean-Georges Vongerichten on Michelin stars, Florida frog legs, running 40 restaurantsChef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is one of the world's most famous and decorated chefs. He's got James Beard Awards, Michelin stars, and hIs company operates 40 restaurants worldwide, employing about 5,000 people. He's also the author of one of the first cookbooks that our host Mike Beltran even purchased. Mike sat with Jean-Georges at The Matador Room, Jean-Georges' restaurant at the Edition Hotel in Miami Beach, to talk about food, business, Miami, South Florida frog legs, and processing negative restaurant reviews. Follow Jean-Georges Vongerichten: https://www.jean-georges.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chefjgv/ ...
2020-03-0836 min
Pan Con PodcastEd Reed on his Hall of Fame football career, being a foodie, and growing up in New OrleansEd Reed calls himself a “park baby” because of the role that parks played in his life when he was growing up in New Orleans. Among other things, they helped him in the early stages of his journey to a legendary career in football. He’s a hall of famer at the high school, college and pro levels. His time at the University of Miami earned him a place in fans’ hearts as an all-time great Hurricane and his NFL career — most of which he played with the Baltimore Ravens — cemented his place in history as a legendary safety. Some say he’...
2020-02-271h 47
Pan Con PodcastTea master Michael Ortiz on competitive brewing, Kobe, tea culture, and adventures in New YorkIn the days before Pan Con Podcast, Mike Beltran was the second Mike on another show called Tea Time! with Mike and Mike. In this episode of this podcast, that other podcast's founding Mike, Mike Ortiz, joins this podcasts's host, Mike Beltran, for a conversation between the two Mikes from Mike & Mike, except this time one Mike is just visiting the other Mike to hang out and drink tea. It's all very confusing, but still a worthwhile listen. The two talk about Mike Ortiz's passion for tea and tea culture, how he developed his palate, the impact he hopes...
2020-02-151h 10
Pan Con PodcastMarta Verdes Darby — a Cuban in California telling the world stories about food and familyMarta Verdes Darby's blog, My Big Fat Cuban Family, is 13 years old. Marta, who lives in Los Angeles, was blogging long before being a food blogger was cool, and her recipes have helped introduce people to Cuban culture as well as strengthen people's connection to their Cuban roots when they have limited access to Cuban restaurants and traditional ingredients. She joined Mike Beltran to talk about Cuban culture, telling stories through food, and the business of food blogging. Visit Marta's blog and follow her on social media: https://www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com/ https...
2019-12-141h 28
Pan Con PodcastRestaurateur Matt Kuscher is Hialeah's proudest adopted son, refuses to eat fast foodMatt Kuscher is a third-generation restaurateur who grew up around the doughnut business. Now he's at the helm of Kush Hospitality, the company behind Miami restaurants like Lokal, Kush, the Spillover, and Stephen's Deli. He joined Mike Beltran to talk about his the path he took to his current position in Miami's restaurant landscape, his anti-fast-food stances, and his feelings about hearing his restaurant playlists snubbed by Mike in a previous episode. Matt also explains the mission and adventures of Miami superhero Kaptain Kush. Follow Matt Kuscher on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt...
2019-11-301h 39
Pan Con PodcastRecapping and reflecting on Pan Con Podcast so far; we talk Nave, Cuba, past guestsLook back on some of the major themes and the most recent guests of Pan Con Podcast so far. Michael Beltran reflects on his conversations and relationships with guests like Ani Meinhold, Eileen Adrade, Norman Van Aken, Michael Schwartz, Vanessa Garcia, Victoria Collado, Tyler Malek and Danny Serfer. We also talk Cuba and get into Mike's new restaurant Nave (although this was recorded just before the restaurant opened). Follow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: twitter.com/panconpodcast...
2019-11-1636 min
Pan Con PodcastDaniel Serfer on opening restaurants, addiction, yo-yos, how Mike stole his pastry chefWhen Danny Serfer opened his first restaurant, Blue Collar, he expected to see it fail and then use the experience as a stepping stone to his next job. Eight years later, the "stick-to-your-ribs comfort food" joint is a Miami favorite, along with Danny's other two restaurants, Mignonette and Vinaigrette. In this episode, Danny and Mike discuss restaurant openings, kitchen leadership styles, addiction, yo-yos, arcade games, kitchen pet peeves, and a whole bunch more. Follow Danny Serfer: https://www.twitter.com/henryssonanddad/ https://www.instagram.com/henryssonanddad/ Blue Collar:
2019-10-271h 30
Pan Con PodcastReflections on work-life balance in the restaurant industryChef Mike Beltrán, Carlos Rodríguez and Nicolás Jiménez gather around the mics to explore questions of work-life balance in the restaurant industry on this special mini episode of Pan Con Podcast. Follow Pan Con Podcast everywhere:Facebook: www.facebook.com/panconpodcast/Instagram: www.instagram.com/panconpodcast/Twitter: twitter.com/panconpodcastFollow Mike Beltran:Instagram: www.instagram.com/piginc/Twitter: twitter.com/pigincFollow Nick Jiménez:Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicolasajimenez/Twitter: twitt...
2019-10-2331 min
Pan Con PodcastTyler Malek of Salt & Straw on telling local stories through ice cream and expanding into MiamiSalt & Straw, the handmade ice cream shop chain with 19 locations on the West Coast, is expanding into Miami with two locations (Coconut Grove and Wymwood). Cofounder Tyler Malek joined Mike Beltran in Ariete's underground bunker for a conversation about ice cream, telling a community's stories by using its own ingredients, and and balancing a love for the craft of handmade ice cream with an expansion that will have Salt & Straw touching opposite coasts. Follow Salt & Straw everywhere: https://www.saltandstraw.com/ https://www.instagram.com/saltandstraw/ https://www.facebook.com...
2019-10-1939 min