Shows
The Modern Consultant#43. From 20-year Navy veteran to Hollywood Screenwriting w/ Nicole SchwegmanImagine...- You joined the Navy...but you didn't know how to swim?- Your Mom told you to "find a man"...so you went to the grocery store and picked up your husband.- You wanted to get better at cooking...so you decided to learn from a Presidential chef.All of this is true, and then some, of Nicole Schwegmann, 20-year Navy Veteran, who, has done it all from driving warships to being the lead media correspondent for the entire U.S. Navy.This, is a podcast unlike any other.
2024-01-2351 min
Things That Go BoomAre Military Families Really Going Hungry?Many Americans once viewed the US military as a reliable road to a middle-class life. But, despite record-breaking military spending in recent years, new research shows that one-in-six military families don’t have consistent access to healthy food. So, how is it that service members and their families are finding basic necessities out of reach?
In this episode, we talk about childcare, spouse employment, frequent moves, and food stamps with folks who have wrestled with all of these issues firsthand. And we ask the experts, are the new policies to address these problems going to be enough?...
2022-12-1230 min
CheftimonyCheftimony Snapshot with Nicole SchwegmanNicole Schwegman of BFF with the Chef joins me for a talk about the Summer 2021 dining scene in San Diego. Detailed show notes are at the Cheftimony website.
2021-06-1119 min
BFF with the ChefBONUS EPISODE: If You Have Rice, You Have A Meal – Chef Lea PielOn this special bonus episode, I interview Chef Léa Piel, a French chef raised in the South of France. Chef Léa originally started her professional life by going to med school, but after deciding to follow her passion, she switched to culinary school and has not looked back. Chef Léa started her culinary career at Fera, the esteemed restaurant of the five-star hotel, Claridges. There she honed her skills. Afterward, she received a tremendous opportunity to return to Paris to work with famed pastry chef, Chef Stephane Glacier. Léa is vegetarian and gluten-free, and her diet...
2021-06-0147 min
Cook It Real GoodChef Tips That Will Transform Your Home CookingToday's episode is all about chef secrets that actually make a difference in your home cooking.I chat with Nicole Schwegman, host of the podcast BFF with the Chef. Nicole is a home chef and food enthusiast who celebrates with her stomach and travels with her taste buds. On BFF with the Chef, she aims to help people benefit from the knowledge she seeks out every day, bringing them the very best inspiration, guidance, and tips from the chefs and culinary professionals she admires.Nicole shares so many helpful tips that will transform y...
2020-09-2045 min
BFF with the ChefFrom Fashion Model to Chef - Chef Angela Michelle of Culinary KissesToday, I'm interviewing Chef Angela Michelle, the founder and chef owner behind the cooking education company Culinary Kisses. Chef Angela was a fashion model for 25 years before she traded in her stiletto heels for chef whites, driven by her passion for cooking that was nurtured since she was six years old. Chef Angela decided to start her company, which focuses on offering a wide range of culinary services geared to expand and explore her clients' culinary horizons. She offers a variety of culinary services to include online cooking classes, meal planning, and theme cooking parties. In addition to running...
2020-08-0649 min
BFF with the ChefTry All the Vegan Cheeses - Becky Striepe from Glue and Glitter Today, I'm chatting with Becky Striepe, a vegan food writer, cookbook author, and by the time this airs, podcast host. Becky has been a vegan since 2006 and has been developing simple vegan recipes since 2008. At her blog, Glue and Glitter, you'll find easy vegan comfort food recipes that don't sacrifice flavor along with tips for making eating vegan deliciously easy. Like me, Becky is a gadget cooking queen and she plays all types from the Instant Pot to the air fryer to help her cook delicious plant-based meals that anyone can enjoy. Becky has also written two v...
2020-07-3048 min
BFF with the ChefFood Scraps are Treasures to be Used - Chef Joel Gamoran from ScrapsToday, I'm excited to interview Chef Joel Gamoran, one of the nation's most well-known sustainability focused chefs and the host of A&E's hit series Scraps. In addition to his television show, Joel also previously served as the Head National Chef for Sur La Table and makes monthly appearances on NBC's Today Show. Joel's book, Cooking Scrappy, shows students, viewers, and readers around the world how to turn food scraps into delicious meals. And Joel continues to find new ways to inspire home cooks with the start of his latest show called Stretched. Chef Joel is a graduate of b...
2020-07-1649 min
Makin' Bacon: Serve Your Fans. Grow Your Income.Podcasting for Bloggers with Nicole SchwegmanToday we talk about how a podcast works, whether or not you are ready for one, and how to use a podcast to grow your brand.As bloggers we always hear that you need to be everywhere. So we write on our blog, post on Facebook and Instagram, share images on Pinterest, and even post videos on YouTube. But one area most bloggers neglect is audio.Show notes and transcription: Podcasting for Bloggers with Nicole Schwegman
2020-07-131h 04
BFF with the ChefSous Vide is Your Friend - Jason Logsdon of Amazing Food Made EasyToday, I'm excited to interview Jason Logsdon, the brains behind Amazing Food Made Easy, one of the largest sous vide and modernist cooking blogs on the internet and of course, Makin’ Bacon, a website dedicated to helping food bloggers succeed in the business. Jason is also a bestselling author who has published 14 cookbooks that have sold more than 60,000 copies, including the bestselling Modernist Cooking Made Easy: Sous Vide, and the official Instant Pot Sous Vide Cookbook. He's a frequent speaker at the Everything Food Conference and he's the president of the International Sous Vide Association. Find...
2020-07-0945 min
BFF with the ChefMeet the Martha Stewart of Sporting Events - Daina Falk of Hungry FanThis week, I'm interviewing Daina Falk, the founder of Hungry Fan, a food website that is dedicated to helping sports fans have a great time and eat well while doing it. Having been an avid sports fan her entire life, Daina decided to create a platform for tailgaters, home gaters, sports bar goers, and sporting event attendees of the world that focuses on food and entertaining. Daina can often be seen hosting events, TV shows, and segments on game day dishes and treats. She's appeared on shows such as Late Night with Seth Meyers and the Today Show. And...
2020-07-0235 min
BFF with the ChefMaking Food Beautiful - Nicole Tingwall of Windy City Dinner FairyToday, I'm excited to interview the incredible Nicole Tingwall, the talented chef and food stylist behind the blog and food styling account Windy City Dinner Fairy. Nicole gained a passion for cooking at an early age and as a graduate of the Culinary Hospitality Institute of Chicago, she served in many roles in the food industry, from the front of the house to pastry chef, to chef instructor, all of which have helped her hone her skills and prepare her for current role. Despite being a jack of all trades, Nicole ultimately fell in love with food styling. She...
2020-06-2554 min
BFF with the ChefSave your Veggie Scraps - Brandi Wharton of Inspired Fresh LifeToday, I'm chatting with Brandi Wharton, the creator behind the blog Inspired Fresh Life. Brandi is a former high school English teacher who left the field to head into bartending, inspired by her love of cooking. She started her blog in 2016 and hasn't looked back. Brandi's blog focuses on easy, healthy recipes, many which fit into either the Whole 30 regimen or the gluten free lifestyle. And while she mostly focuses on health, Brandi also knows that it's good to indulge once in a while, and she provides recipes for that too. Brandi's blog is a tribute to her love...
2020-06-1842 min
BFF with the ChefFrom Teen Culinary Champion to Eleven Madison Park - Chef Josh WalboltToday, I'm interviewing Chef Josh Walbolt, a chef whose most recent position was at Eleven Madison Park. Chef Josh started his illustrious culinary career in high school where he was a two time Minnesota state champion in a culinary arts competition called ProStart, a competition that is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. After winning at state, Chef Josh went on to compete at the national level, which cemented his determination to become a professional chef. After high school, Chef Josh honed his skills through a wide variety of experiences around the country, and has done everything...
2020-06-1159 min
BFF with the ChefFrom Army Green To Chef Whites - Chef Tony "Maddog" MaggertToday, I'm interviewing Chef Tony Maddog Maggert, a 23-year military veteran who decided to become a chef after he retired from the Army. Chef Maddog began his culinary journey in the US Marine Corps after he got put on extra duty in the kitchen galley. During that time, he fell in love with the work and decided to stay for an extra five months. Chef Maddog ultimately received a commission in the US Air Force, but transferred to the Army to finish out his military career. Chef Maddog served three tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan and I...
2020-06-0458 min
BFF with the ChefWine is for Joy - Aaron and Kellie Johnsen from Experience WinefulnessToday I'm chatting with Kellie and Aaron Johnsen, the founders of Experience Winefulness, a company that focuses on helping others experience the joy of learning about wine by focusing on mindfulness and positive mental health. Kellie is a trained marriage and relationship counselor by day, and Aaron is a retired United States Marine. They started the company in 2018 after Kellie found that through her practice, people were using wine for self-medication and were not fully appreciating the joy that wine knowledge could bring. Kellie wanted to create a new mantra for wine was not for sadness, but instead could...
2020-05-2838 min
BFF with the ChefNigerian Donuts are a Thing - Chef Lola OsinkoluToday I'm chatting with Lola Osinkolu, the writer and voice behind Chef Lola's Kitchen, a blog and YouTube channel that focuses on easy, family-friendly meals and recipes with an African influence. Lola was born and raised in Nigeria, where her passion for cooking started at a very young age. She cooked her first family meal at the age of eight and has cooked for most of her young life. Although Lola obtained a degree in geology and mineral science, she chose to follow her passion by instead first working in restaurants before moving into blogging. Lola now works on...
2020-05-2148 min
BFF with the ChefCooking for a Hospital System during the Pandemic - Chef Rocky DunnamToday I'm interviewing Chef Rocky Dunnam, the Executive Chef for the Missouri University Healthcare System in Columbia, Missouri. Chef Rocky began his culinary career at the Le Cordon Bleu and has worked for more than 10 years in the hospitality industry. Chef Rocky has competed in the American Culinary Federation Chef of the Year Central Regional Salon. He's also won several awards and competitions in his career, including the Battle of the Area Chefs Championship at Restaurant Roundup Best Tasting, Most Authentic and Best Theme, and the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction and Gala, and has twice received the...
2020-05-1445 min
BFF with the ChefMake Everything From Scratch - Chef Joe GattoAloha friends and foodies, and welcome to season five. The first guest of this season is Joe Gatto, a private chef who hosts the culinary TV series From Scratch, currently debuting on Pluto TV. Bringing his passion for scratch cooking, big personality and knowledge of film, Joe has created a truly unique cooking show from making his own charcoal, hand forging knives to milking cows to make butter and cheese, Joe goes all out to show you just how far he's willing to go to make everything from scratch. When he's not filming. Joe can be found hosting major...
2020-05-0752 min
BFF with the ChefBetter Meals through Food Science - Jessica Gavin from JessicaGavin.comToday I'm interviewing Jessica Gavin, the incredibly accomplished blogger behind JessicaGavin.com, a food blog and website that focuses on the science behind cooking. Jessica is a certified culinary scientist and a certified food scientist with a passion for helping home cooks get a good dinner on the table. Jessica worked full time in research and development as a nutrition formulation scientist for 12 years and has been blogging for over seven years. Additionally, she's earned an associates degree in culinary arts, has two foodie kids, James and Olivia, published her first cookbook, Easy Culinary Science for Better Cooking, and...
2020-02-0650 min
BFF with the ChefLatin Comfort Food with a Twist - Belqui Ortiz Millili from Belqui’s TwistToday I'm interviewing Belqui, the blogger behind Belqui's Twist, a food blog that focuses on Latin fusion comfort food with a twist. Belqui started her food blog just over a year ago, but has been an avid home cook for 10 years. Cooking was a way for her to keep herself upbeat through the harrowing journey of working through her son's autism diagnosis. She credits cooking with helping her to cope with that difficult time and decided that after many years of pouring her heart into her recipes, she would share them with the world. A former New Yorker, Belqui...
2020-01-3044 min
BFF with the ChefEasy Gluten-Free Living - Amanda Kanashiro from Eat at Our TableToday I'm interviewing Amanda Kanashiro, the blogger behind Eat at Our Table, a food blog dedicated to helping others live a gluten free lifestyle. Several years ago, Amanda was diagnosed with celiac disease, which requires a strict gluten free diet. While she was heartbroken over the food she could no longer eat, Amanda decided that she would start a blog to share all the dishes that she was learning to recreate gluten-free, especially the Peruvian dishes from her husband's family. Since then, Amanda's family and her blog have grown together. She now works full time as a food blogger...
2020-01-2347 min
BFF with the ChefBay Leaves are Important - Chef Ed HarrisToday I'm interviewing Chef Ed Harris, winner of Food Network's Chopped Turbo Powered season four and Iron Chef International. He's also appeared as a chef on 24-hour Restaurant Battle, which his team won. Chef Ed began his culinary education at the Art Institute of New York City. For more than 20 years, he's been heavily involved in several aspects of the food industry from Saucier all the way up to Executive Chef. This eclectic background has allowed him to currently work as a consultant chef where he plays an active role in the planning, supervision, and creative aspects involved in...
2020-01-1640 min
BFF with the ChefPractice Your Technique - Chef Tristan B JonesToday I'm interviewing Chef Tristan B. Jones, an American chef, who currently lives in Prague. Tristan grew up on a small farm in Texas, cooking game meat that he hunted as a child. He also grew up in the kitchen, cooking family meals with his mother. It was that curiosity of food that inspired him to attend Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, Florida. From there, he's traveled around the world to work in restaurant kitchens, where he could hone his culinary skill. He's cooked for presidents, dignitaries, celebrities, and he's also cooked on three continents as a chef. In 2019...
2020-01-0943 min
BFF with the ChefFrom the Infantry to the Line - Chef Joshua TangoToday I'm interviewing Chef Joshua Tango, a chef who spent nearly 10 months working at the French Laundry. Josh is originally from Los Angeles, but he left the city to join the United States Marine Corps where he served four years in the infantry. After his time in service, Josh decided he wanted to cook professionally, so he took a job at the first restaurant that would hire him as a self-trained cook. Josh worked his way up through the restaurant business around the country for five years until he got the offer to work at the French Laundry. Currently...
2020-01-0239 min
BFF with the ChefChefs Can Also Be Superheroes! Chef Darnell "SuperChef" FergusonToday I'm interviewing Chef Darnell Ferguson, AKA Super Chef. Originally from Ohio, Darnell's love of cooking started from adolescence and would continue on as he graduated from Sullivan University in Kentucky with a degree in the Culinary Arts. However, after taking a wrong turn along his journey, Darnell found himself on a self-destructive path, leaving him homeless, in and out of jail and unemployed for nearly a year. But thanks to Darnell's faith, he used that time to reflect on his past and to reassess his life's purpose. With relentless drive and a new found spirit Darnell's best and...
2019-12-1954 min
BFF with the ChefSemifreddo Will Change Your Life - Chef Cristina NishiokaToday I'm interviewing Chef Cristina Nishioka, the Honolulu based pastry chef behind the Instagram account Beyond Pastry. A graduate of baking school, Cristina started out her life as an apprentice baker, eventually working her way up at a company to become the general manager. She did this all while also attending college to pursue a degree in history at the University of the Philippines. After college, Cristina decided to explore the world, so she packed up and traveled across the Middle East, landing a job in the pastry department of a restaurant in Doha, Qatar, before moving to Singapore...
2019-12-1247 min
BFF with the ChefCooking Lessons from a Chopped Champion - Chef Rashad ArmsteadToday I'm interviewing Chef Rashad Armstead, a Bay area chef who has dedicated his craft to exquisite cuisines and exceptional customer service. Chef Rashad's passion for cooking started when he watched his mom prepare secret recipes, deploying her knowledge of flavor and imparting on him the wisdom of great taste. After graduating from culinary school, he worked his way up in the field to become one of the area's most prominent chefs leading him to be invited to compete and actually winning the Food Network show Chopped. Chef Rashad currently owns two restaurants, Grammie's Down Home Chicken and Seafood...
2019-12-0541 min
BFF with the ChefFrom Sailor to Chef - Chef Martel Stone – Executive Chef of Kith/KinToday I'm interviewing Chef Martel Stone, the executive sous chef of Kith and Kin in Washington, DC. Chef Martel, a native of Philadelphia, started his life journey in the Navy. After serving the nation for five years, he left the service to travel and explore the world. His love of serious cooking began with a single French omelet challenge. Thirty dozen eggs later, he knew he had found what he wanted to do with his life and began his career by cooking in the kitchens in South Hampton Roads, Virginia. His vast culinary experience led to a key leadership...
2019-11-2153 min
BFF with the ChefAmerica's Test Kitchen is a Dream Job - Kaumudi MarathéToday I'm interviewing Kaumudi Marathé, the cookbook author and chef behind Un-Curry, a company that is dedicated to sharing the richness of India's culinary traditions through cooking classes, catering, and popups. Originally from India. Kaumudi is a former journalist who got tired of hearing Americans describe Indian food as Curry. Her first cookbook, Maharashtrian Cuisine: A Family Treasury, was the first English language cookbook about the region and her second book, The Essential Marathi Cookbook, offers a more comprehensive look at its' cuisines. In 2017, her memoir Shared Tables, Family Stories, and Recipes from Poona to LA, was published. That s...
2019-11-1453 min
BFF with the ChefYou Can’t Go Wrong with Ina Garten – Trent Pheifer of Store Bought Is FineToday I’m interviewing Trent Pheifer, the blogger behind Store Bought is Fine, a blog where he has chronicled his way cooking his way through Ina Garten’s entire recipe repertoire. Trent started this project in 2015 after he got fed up with online recipes that hadn't been tested and also because he realized he didn't have the basic skills needed to be successful in the kitchen. After years of watching Ina’s show and seeing the success he had with her recipes, he created the Instagram account, Store Bought is Fine, which is a riff on a regular line that I...
2019-11-0751 min
BFF with the ChefGet Yourself a Salt Bowl - Chef Hailley Field of HomeCookedToday I'm interviewing Chef Hailley Field, the founder of HomeCooked, an on-demand chef service that has been in operation for more than a year. Hailley's been interested in food since she was 10 years old, when she started experimenting in the kitchen. Always up for an adventure, Hailley spent two years circling the globe, cooking in restaurants and diverse family kitchens. It was those unique and very kitchen experiences that convinced her she needed to start a career in food. Before starting her business, Hailley managed and worked in several restaurants, and commercial kitchens up and down the West Coast...
2019-10-0448 min
BFF with the ChefBake With What’s In Season – CIA Grad and Pastry Chef Kelsey MorganToday, I'm interviewing Chef Kelsey Morgan, a pastry chef currently working in Honolulu, Hawaii. Originally from Sacramento, California, Kelsey originally started her life by getting a degree in theater arts. However, after college, she decided to follow her passion and attend the Culinary Institute of America, where she got her degree in baking and pastry arts. Since graduating, Kelsey has moved around the world, working in various kitchens in order to continue to hone her skills. She's currently just hosted a cake and ice cream popup with one of her culinary buddies, and I can tell you, it was...
2019-09-2642 min
BFF with the ChefReverse Sear for Perfect Steak - Matt Lokay of California GrillinToday, I'm interviewing Matt Lokay, the self-taught grill master behind a successful Instagram account, California Grillin. Matt aspires to help others make their best barbecue by teaching in person workshops on both grilling and barbecue at his home in Temecula, California, and by displaying his grilling techniques on his Instagram account. Matt's been into live fire cooking for as far back as he can remember, and he's been innovating better ways to grill for more than a decade. His grilling skills started to go viral on his Instagram, where he's helped thousands of people perfect their backyard grilling skills...
2019-09-1940 min
BFF with the ChefReduce Your Food Waste to Save the Planet - K80 Jones of the Food Heroes PodcastToday, I'm interviewing K80 Jones, the creator of the Food Heroes Podcast. Before entering the food industry, K80 worked in wetland restorations. Seeing the change that she could make in the world and working in align with her values served as the catalyst for her own food journey, and is what has led her to work in the food industry. K80's love of science and her thirst for all things creative has allowed her to blossom, while working in the industry, and has allowed her to see that there are better ways to create food and give back...
2019-09-1254 min
BFF with the ChefEating for a Healthy Pregnancy - Traci Houston from The Gestational DiabeticToday I'm interviewing Traci Houston from The Gestational Diabetic, a blog that focuses on helping women navigate their pregnancies in a healthy and nutritious way. Traci is an Air Force veteran who realized nine years into her career that her true passion was in food. She left the military and enrolled in culinary school with the goal of opening a food truck. However, it was her experience with gestational diabetes during her pregnancy that truly shaped her culinary career, and it is the reason she founded her blog. The Gestational Diabetic had its first anniversary in April, and Traci...
2019-09-0544 min
BFF with the ChefBetter Cooking through Random Ingredients - Jen Phanomrat of Just JenToday I'm interviewing YouTube phenom Jen Phanomrat, the co-Founder of Just Eat Life and star of Just Jen on Tastemade TV. Together with her partner, Leo Samanamud, they create food, travel, and lifestyle videos to inspire their audience's hunger for life in and out of the kitchen. Jen is a self-taught cook, host, producer, editor, photographer, and food stylist who believes food and experiences should be approachable, enjoyable, and inspiring. With her playful and vibrant creations, Jen brings a blend of global influences from her culturally diverse hometown of Queens, New York along with her Filipino and Thai roots...
2019-08-2953 min
BFF with the ChefParty Food Can Be Easy – Lisa Hatfield from Delicious TableToday I'm interviewing Lisa Hatfield, the creator of Delicious Table, a food blog that is dedicated to helping home cooks by giving them every day, fresh, seasonal ingredient recipes along with holiday and party food ideas. With 25 years of professional culinary experience, Lisa is a pro at creating fun, festive recipes for busy people so, as she puts it, you look like a star chef in your own kitchen. In this episode, we talk about Lisa’s journey to becoming a food blogger, delicious dishes that you can incorporate in your menu starting tonight, and simple steps you can ta...
2019-08-2249 min
BFF with the ChefBake Every Day - Rebecca Blackwell from Of Batter and DoughToday, I'm interviewing Rebecca Blackwell, the blogger, recipe developer, and photographer behind Of Batter and Dough, a blog that focuses on making everyday baking simple, fun, and delicious. Rebecca has been writing about and taking pictures of food since 2013 when she launched her blog. Of Batter and Dough contains hundreds of tested recipes all designed to best suit your needs, whether you're having a fancy party or an afternoon treat. In 2018, she launched her second food blog, A Little and A Lot, which is devoted to meal plans and dinner recipes for every night of the week. In this e...
2019-08-1553 min
BFF with the ChefAirfryers Are Your Friends - Tanya Harris of My Forking LifeToday I'm interviewing Tanya Harris, the creator of My Forking Life, a food blog that specializes in quick, easy and flavorful recipes. Tanya started her blog in March of 2016, while working as an assistant public defender. Her passion for cooking started when she fell in love with the cookbook. She now owns more than 200 cookbooks and strives to learn new methods and techniques to make her favorite recipes. In just three years, My Forking Life has become so popular that Tanya has been able to quit her job in order to blog full-time. In this episode, we talk about...
2019-08-0843 min
BFF with the ChefMake A Rough Plan for Dinner - Aneesha Gupta of Spice CravingsToday, I'm interviewing Aneesha Gupta, the blogger behind Spice Cravings. Aneesha originally started her blog as an online recipe book for her twin teenagers, so that they could be empowered to cook for themselves. Aneesha's blog now serves as a peek inside her California kitchen where she creates quick, easy, and healthy global recipes that are low in effort and big on taste. With step by step instructions, pictures, and videos, these recipes are weeknight friendly and perfect for busy families. All of Aneesha's meals are inspired by her love of spices, her North Indian roots, her global travels...
2019-08-0141 min
BFF with the ChefPlate Your Meals Like A Chef – Marlee Brady of I Just Make SandwichesToday I'm interviewing Chef Marlee Brady, the blogger behind I Just Make Sandwiches. Marlee's blog focuses on helping home cooks elevate their meals to restaurant quality by teaching them chefy secrets. Marlee was classically trained in culinary school and spent nearly 10 years working in restaurants. As a young chef, she competed in an international competition hosted in Austria. Marlee's goal is for home cooks to seek inspiration on what to make for dinner, gain knowledge on how to cook from scratch and become confident in the kitchen. In this episode, Marlee shares on the importance of and how to...
2019-07-2555 min
BFF with the ChefMassage Your Kale - Cassie Heilbron from Cook It Real GoodToday I'm interviewing Cassie Heilbron of Cook it Real Good. Cassie’s blog focuses on quick, easy, and healthy recipes with some indulgence sprinkled in between. Cassie is a self-taught cook who focuses on food that is fresh, fast, and flavorful. She cooks with every day ingredients and uses as little dishes as possible because she hates washing dishes. Cassie started her first blog, Be Forever Healthier, in January of 2017 which featured healthy recipes, tips, and exercise advice, but over time Cassie realized she was far more interested in recipe creation and food photography. Since then, she's moved her fo...
2019-07-1833 min
BFF with the ChefThe Magical World of Herbs - Jess Madsen from The Wild Bloom CreativeThis week I get the awesome opportunity to interview Jess Madsen, the incredible talent behind the blog, Wild Bloom Creative. Jess is currently a food stylist and photographer from Tacoma, Washington. When Jess isn't working on developing recipes for local brands or consulting on menus, she's using her free time to pursue her love of photographing mostly plant-based recipes for her blog. Jess is also a folk medicine enthusiast and an herbal apprentice, sharing what she learns about the healing power of herbs on her blog with her readers In this episode, we talk about her food blogging journey...
2019-07-1152 min
BFF with the ChefAsian Paleo - ChihYu Smith of I Heart UmamiToday I’m interviewing a special guest – my friend and cookbook author ChihYu Smith, who's also the creator of the popular food blog I Heart Umami. ChihYu’s blog is dedicated to helping busy folks like you and I make everyday Asian-inspired Paleo Cuisine. A Whole 30 certified coach, ChihYu shares Asian-inspired Paleo, Whole 30, and Keto recipes on her blog. She also offers several programs including Cook Once Eat All Week and Feel Good Food Plan, as well as other online Paleo meal planning programs. ChihYu’s cookbook Asian Paleo was recently released, and it's already hit number one in Chinese c...
2019-05-301h 20
BFF with the ChefHow to Start an Underground Restaurant – Nguyen Tran of Starry KitchenAloha friends and foodies, and welcome back. Today I'm interviewing Nguyen Tran, one half of the duo behind Starry Kitchen, a restaurant and brand that was started in Nguyen's small North Hollywood apartment. Originally, it was a way to earn some money after Thi, Nguyen's wife, lost her job in the big economic crash of 2008. After realizing they had an underground hit on their hands, the two operated from their apartment for eight months before finally moving to a legit restaurant site. Since starting the restaurant, Nguyen and Thi have become part of L.A.'s food culture scene...
2019-05-231h 03
BFF with the ChefCooking Asian Inspired Cuisine - Lesli Schwartz of Asian CaucasianAloha friends and foodies, and welcome back. Today I'm interviewing Lesli Schwartz, the creator of Asian Caucasian, a food blog dedicated to helping the average cook create Asian inspired cuisine in their home kitchens. Lesli began her interest in Asian food in Sweden where she met a fellow expat named Damien, a native of Singapore and a talented gourmet Asian cook. After discovering their shared joy of preparing Asian cuisine, they began to work as a team hosting dinner parties and catering for clients. After a few years, Lesli returned home to Atlanta with her husband, where she started...
2019-05-1637 min
BFF with the ChefPancakes are Fun to Photograph – Nick Anderson of Forkin’ PancakesAloha friends and foodies, and welcome back. Today I'm interviewing Nick Anderson, the food photographer behind the immensely popular Instagram account forkinpancakes. Nick started his Instagram account in summer of 2016 as a way to grow his portfolio, share food photography tips, and also share his love of all things breakfast. Since then, his account has grown to more than 33,000 followers. Nick also has a YouTube channel where he shows you how he creates the incredible images on his accounts. He also shares some of his life with videos about his travels and his family. He's a native of Illinois...
2019-05-0943 min
BFF with the ChefHow To Make Great Cocktails - Elaine Benoit from Dishing with DelishesToday, I'm interviewing Elaine Benoit, the blogger and podcaster behind Dishing with Delishes, a podcast where she dishes with other successful food bloggers to find out their tips and tricks to help others in the space reach the next level in their businesses. Dishes Delish is Elaine's second successful podcast, as she previously sold her first. Elaine originally started by blogging at her site, Dishes Delish, in August of 2015, not only because she wanted to start a business, but because she wanted to share her food and cocktail recipes with the world. To Elaine's surprise, it was...
2019-05-0243 min
BFF with the ChefLove in Every Bite - Julia ofToday I’m interviewing Julia, the blogger and photographer behind Julia’s Recipes, a blog that’s dedicated to sharing her passion for food and her deep love of baking. Julia got started in the Summer of 2016, and she’s amassed more than 10,000 followers on Instagram alone. A self-taught baker, Julia seeks to share her vision of love in every bite by showcasing the homemade meals she’s prepared with fresh and local ingredients. She hopes that her recipes and her imagery will encourage other home cooks to do the same. In this episode, we talk about Czech cuis...
2019-04-2546 min
BFF with the ChefStaging at the French Laundry - Chef Ryan PetersThis week's guest is Chef Ryan Peters. A former restaurant owner and now the current sous chef at Fish nor Fowl located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania Ryan has always had a passion for the culinary arts. After graduating from culinary school he moved to Florida to begin his career. After short stints in both Florida and Pittsburgh working under chefs such as Chef Kevin Sousa at the Former Salt of the Earth in Pittsburgh. Ryan opened his own restaurant inside of a Pittsburgh food hall. Ryan has also stodged at some of the best...
2019-04-1847 min
BFF with the ChefFive Game Changing Cooking Tips I've Learned from GuestsOn this week’s mini episode, Nicole shares five cooking tips that she has learned from her podcast guests. The show is on hiatus this week, but will be back March 6th with a new episode. Nicole has been using these tips since she has been interviewing guests here on the show. They've really changed the way she cooks. Nicole has learned so much from these people. They're so amazing. We really highly recommend if you want to improve your cooking, go back, listen to season 1. Start listening to season 2. You will learn a lot. In this epi...
2019-02-2812 min
BFF with the ChefMaking Gnocchi is Easy – Jo Thrasher of Jo EatsToday, I’m chatting with Jo Thrasher from Jo Eats, a blog that chronicles her recipes and musings on daily life. Jo is a self-taught home cook who pretty much loves all things food. She’s obsessed with creating, photographing and sharing beautiful and accessible recipes with her readers. And, in just 12 months, she’s managed to grow her Instagram account to more than 1,800 followers despite working a full time job. In this episode, we talk about the merits of American cheese, how to elevate any cuisine with a simple ingredient, the trick to making perfect roasted vegeta...
2019-02-2150 min
BFF with the ChefInstant Pot is a Game Changer for Indian Food – Meeta Arora of Piping Pot CurryThis week’s guest is Meeta Arora, the blogger behind Piping Pot Curry; a blog that is dedicated to showing you how to make simple and easy recipes. A former computer engineer, Meeta is now a full time blogger. Her blog primarily focuses on Indian food, but her love of global cuisine such as Italian, Thai, and Mexican, amongst others, also occasionally shows up in her repertoire. Meeta strongly believes that everyone has an inner chef and that we just need some inspiration to explore ingredients and create great food. Each week she shares step by step recipes that us...
2019-02-1343 min
BFF with the ChefFrom Blogger to Food Network Star – Amy Pottinger from Caviar and CrayonsThis week’s guest is Amy Lauren Pottinger, the self-taught chef, food blogger, and caterer behind Caviar and Crayons, a food blog and catering service that focuses on elevated comfort food. Amy gained national attention when she auditioned and landed a spot on season 13 of Food Network Star. Since the show Amy has continued to grow her business and brand, while remaining rooted in her love of food. Amy is the proud military spouse of an Air Force fighter pilot, and she is also the proud mommy of two utterly adorable kiddos. In this episode, we talk abo...
2019-02-0643 min
BFF with the ChefEven Butter Needs Acid to Taste Better – Emmeline Kemperyd from Always Use ButterThis week’s guest is Emmeline Kemperyd, the blogger behind Always Use Butter, a blog that’s dedicated to bringing quick, easy and healthy-ish recipes that are designed to make sure her readers eat delicious every day. A Stockholm based foodie and management consultant, Emmeline was raised in a Swedish American household in Stockholm, where her international palate was first cultivated by her American Dad. Since those days, she has continued to seek out new and delicious cuisines around the world in her travels. As she puts it, Emmeline just wants to share her love of food and wine, and...
2019-01-3041 min
BFF with the ChefAlways Have Chocolate for Emergency Brownies – Ridhima Gugnani from Everything DessertThis week’s guest is Ridhima Gugnani, the blogger behind Everything Dessert, a blog that focuses on the sweet treats that she loves to make. Ridhima originally fell in love with baking when she was just 10 years old when her grandmother taught her how to make a sponge cake. A visual communications designer by trade, she fell in love with food photography, which led to her starting her blog in June of 2018. In less than a year, she's gained more than 5,000 followers and her account continues to grow daily as she shares the delightful treats that come out of he...
2019-01-2335 min
BFF with the ChefGoing to Culinary School ... online! - Madalaine McDaniel from Lakeside TableThis week’s guest is Madalaine McDaniel, the blogger and YouTube host of Lakeside Table. A channel that is dedicated to showing you how to make simple and tasty recipes each week. A native of Saint Louis, Madalaine was a former medical sales rep, and a single mom that started out cooking by listening out for the fire alarm, however, after meeting her husband Jerry, and moving with him and his family to rural Illinois, she decided to buckle down and learn to cook. Since her early days of humble cooking, Madalaine has blogged about her journey become an ac...
2019-01-1649 min
BFF with the ChefImprove Your Health with Small Changes to Your Diet - Olivia Hersey from LivFit TrainingThis week’s guest is Olivia Hersey, the owner of LivFit Training, a company dedicated to helping women and men meet their fitness goals. Olivia has been living the dream in Hawaii, where she's been a certified personal trainer since 2014, and she's also a group fitness coach at F45, a high-intensity interval training student. Liv is also an avid foodie and takes her meals quite seriously. She aims to have her clients have a healthy and balanced approach to nutrition so that they can meet their goals.. In this episode, we talked about how you can improve yo...
2019-01-0951 min
BFF with the ChefTop Ten Cookbooks of 2018Have you ever wondered what cookbooks a food podcaster loves? Join host Nicole Schwegman as she shares and explores her top ten cookbooks of 2018! From no-knead breads to incredible smashburgers courtesy of the Baking Steel, sinfully delicious brownies, pad thai to incorporating more vegetables into your meals, delicious Persian meals, reimagined roast chicken, how to make elevated gourmet meals for one, odysseys of food and heritage, to divine pies and wine pairings, there’s something for everyone! 10) Bread Toast Crumbs: Recipes for No-Knead Loaves & Meals to Savor Every Slice by Alexandra Stafford 9...
2018-12-2428 min
Become More CompellingMedia Training 101 With Nicole SchwegmanWant more awesome stuff (podcasts, Q&A videos, articles and more) to supercharge your people skills? Click here. --------- How can we craft a powerful message? A message that says everything we need to say in a neat package? A message that can inspire everyone from your small team at work, to tens of thousands when you're behind the camera or mic? On this episode of Become More Compelling Radio, my friend Nicole Schwegman (@bffwiththechef on IG) is going to walk us through crafting a powerful, clear message.
2018-12-221h 29
BFF with the ChefSeason One RecapJoin host Nicole Schwegman on a recap of BFF with the Chef’s first season and our 13 amazing guests! Hear the best cooking tips, recipes and eating advice shared by chefs and bloggers Jen Wooster (Peel with Zeal), Emily Wilson (The Craveable Kitchen), Riz Asad (Chocolates and Chai), Ben Myhre (Ramshackle Pantry), Brenda Sickles (Becoming Betty), Nick Hortense (Blogtastic Food), Haylie Abele (Our Balanced Bowl), Andris Lagsdin (Baking Steel), Madison Surdyke (Sunny Thymes Blog), Wendi Spraker (Loaves and Dishes), author & food critic Morgan Murphy, Kathleen Phillips (Grits and Gouda), and Sandy Axelrod (The Traveling Locavores). From amazing tw...
2018-12-1934 min
BFF with the ChefHow to Make Restaurant Quality Pizza at Home – Andris Lagsdin from Baking SteelThis week’s guest is Andris Lagsdin, the chef and inventor of the Baking Steel. Andris started out as a chef, but gave up restaurant life to work for his family Steels business. While working there, he had the brilliant idea to create a Steel surface to cook pizza, based on a technique he read about in the book Modernist Cuisine by Nathan Myhrvold. Andris spent 16 months tinkering with a prototype before he started his first Kickstarter. The Kickstarter became wildly successful after it was featured on the prominent food blog, Serious Eats. Since then, he hasn't looked back. An...
2018-12-1255 min
BFF with the ChefHow To Eat More Fruits and Vegetables – Jen Wooster from Peel with ZealThis week’s guest is Jen Wooster, the creator of the healthy food blog, Peel with Zeal. Both Jen and her husband, who she affectionately calls Mr. Peel, suffer from different autoimmune diseases. She has Celiac Disease, while Mr. Peel suffers from a more serious diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. They both follow the Wahl's Protocol, a functional medicine diet, which Jen blogs about each week. Both she and her husband invite their readers to join them as they create healthy recipes that focus on healing your body through food. They believe that food and life should be fun and th...
2018-12-0544 min
BFF with the ChefCornstarch Makes Crusts Glass Shattering Crisp – Sandy Axelrod from The Traveling LocavoresThis week’s guest is Sandy Axelrod, the executive chef, blogger and one half of the dynamic duo known as The Traveling Locavores. Sandy and her husband Steve’s blog combine their passion for local food and travel by sharing adventures, recipes and wonderful insight into America’s best food, farmers markets and attractions. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu School of Cookery in London, Sandy spent 18 years as the chef-owner of Affairs to Remember Catering. Her love for great food, family, entertaining, RV adventures and travel combine to give Sandy an amazing perspective. Show No...
2018-11-2841 min
BFF with the ChefTop 10 Black Friday Kitchen DealsThis week, Nicole is telling you about the best Black Friday deals for home cooks and she gives a look at to what she’s hoping to buy this holiday season
2018-11-2122 min
BFF with the ChefEat without guilt this Thanksgiving – Author and food critic Morgan Murphy This week’s special Thanksgiving guest is author, traveler and amazing storyteller, Morgan Murphy. His most recent book, On the Road Again immediately hit #1 on Publisher's Weekly when it was released and his book, Bourbon & Bacon also launched #1 in Wine and Spirits. His other books, Off the Eaten Path and Second Helpings have helped to make him one of the culinary world’s best-known food critics. You may have seen him on the Travel Channel or read his work in Southern Living. In short, Morgan is everywhere, and it was great fun to reminisce with him about all thi...
2018-11-1355 min
BFF with the ChefFinish Your Dish with a Little Salt – Haylie Abele from Our Balanced BowlThis week’s guest is Haylie Abele, the blogger and force behind Our Balanced Bowl. Haylie’s blog is a fun, lighthearted place where she shares recipes that come straight from her kitchen. After losing 80 pounds and recovering from an eating disorder, she makes an emphasis on living a balanced lifestyle and is passionate about showing others how it can be done. Her recipes are mostly healthy, occasionally indulgent, and always filled with love. In this episode, we talked about Haylie’s journey to recovery from an eating disorder, how and why she started her blog a...
2018-11-0738 min
BFF with the ChefTaste Your Food as You Cook: Wendi Spraker from Loaves and DishesThis week’s guest is Wendi Spraker, the blogger behind the blog Loaves and Dishes, a website dedicated to unapologetic Comfort Food where Wendi also serves up funny stories, memories, and nourishment for body and soul. In addition to running her blog, Wendi serves on the board of The International Food Bloggers Conference where she recently served as a moderator. She’s the director of her local arts council culinary program, "Taste of Stokes" and she’s a food columnist for her local paper, the Stokes News. When she’s not writing, teaching or speaking at a food conf...
2018-10-3143 min
BFF with the ChefBring Eggs to Room Temperature for Cakes: Kathleen Phillips from Grits and GoudaThis week’s guest is Kathleen Phillips, the food stylist and cookbook author behind Grits and Gouda, the blog that features a delectable array of gourmet southern recipes, but, with a healthy and frugal twist. Kathleen’s recipes and food styling have been featured numerous times in Southern Living and Cooking Light cookbooks, as well as Christian Woman, Coastal Living, and Parent's Magazine. Kathleen's goal is to inspire us to get into the kitchen, where she'll show you how to cook with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and encourage you along the way to share hospitality with others, all whil...
2018-10-2444 min
BFF with the ChefJust add water to cut the fat: Colleen KokxThis week’s guest is Colleen Kokx, the registered dietician behind the blog, Mitten Dietitian. Colleen's blog is dedicated to providing her readers with the tools, tips, and recipes they need to live healthy lives. Colleen truly believes that diets don't work and wants her readers to stop worrying about food, and instead, embrace a no rules approach to eating that allows them to focus on their health and wellness. Colleen's a fan of intuitive eating and demonstrates how to live a culinary life that contains both carrots and cookies along the way.
2018-10-1738 min
BFF with the ChefMake no churn ice cream – Nick Hortense of Blogtastic FoodThis week’s guest is Nicolas Hortense, the chef behind Blogtastic Food. Nick’s goal for the blog, as he puts it, is to get as many people’s butts into the kitchen as possible”. Nick believes that home cooking can bring people closer together and he invites his readers to learn alongside him as he expands his food horizons. During the episode, Nick teaches us how to make no-churn ice cream.
2018-10-1038 min
BFF with the ChefThe merits of Intuitive Eating: Madison Surdyke of Sunny Thymes BlogThis week’s guest is Madison Surdyke, the incredible founder behind Sunny Thymes blog. Sunny Thymes is a fun, colorful, anti-diet food blog that is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes as well as information on how to practice intuitive eating. Madison is passionate about helping other people make peace with food while discovering their own definition of health. She’s on a mission to help her readers unpack the often-misguided messages that we are given about food, and her goal is to release people from the prison of dieting and shame so that they can deve...
2018-10-0331 min
BFF with the ChefKeep your knives sharp: Brenda Sickles of Become BettyThis week's guest is Brenda Sickles of Become Betty. Brenda is a full-time teacher and the woman behind the blog: Become Betty. Brenda's blog is dedicated to providing high quality consumer information about all things Trader Joe's and Stew Leonard's. During the interview, we talk about cinnamon rolls, Brenda’s favorite Trader Joes products and why it’s so important to keep your kitchen knives sharp.
2018-09-2635 min
BFF with the ChefMize en Place your life: Rizwan Asad of Chocolates and ChaiThis week guest is Rizwan Asad, a self-taught home baker who runs the blog Chocolates and Chai. Riz was a finalist in the 2017 Saveur Blog Awards Reader’s Choice for Best Baking and Sweets Blog. During the episode we talk about how he got nominated for this award, we go into details on how to make pate choux swans, and we give away our secrets tips to making the best French Madeleine cakes, plus Riz tells us why we should make a habit of mise en place.
2018-09-1935 min
BFF with the ChefLearn to make a Roux: Ben Myhre of Ramshackle PantryThis week's guest is Ben Myhre, the man behind the history-focused food blog, Ramshackle Pantry. Ben is a prior soldier who has dedicated a large portion of his blog to taking deep historical dives into the recipes that we all know and love.
2018-09-1230 min
BFF with the ChefBrighten your food with acid: Emily Wilson of The Craveable KitchenThis week, we get to hear from the creator behind the blog The Craveable Kitchen, Emily Wilson. Emily is a former accountant who decided to leave it all behind and become a chef. On today's show, she teaches us how to make quick pickles and the importance of always having an acid nearby to brighten your meals.
2018-09-1240 min
BFF with the ChefComing September 12th!Coming soon is BFF with the Chef, a podcast that aims to unite a community of like-minded enthusiasts who want to cook beyond recipes, better understand ingredients and hone their techniques and culinary instincts to cook the food they really want to eat. Each week, Nicole invites a new blogger or culinary professional to her podcast for honest, candid conversations about what they’re cooking, eating and the knowledge, inspiration, and experiences behind it all.
2018-09-0200 min