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The Restaurant Dealmaker ShowSondra Bernstein | The Girl & The Fig | Ep#9🎙The Restaurant Dealmaker Show🎙Restaurant industry veteran Steve Zimmerman interview with Restaurateur Sondra Bernstein. Episode #9 of "The Restaurant Dealmaker Show" Hear inspiring show about use of technology and restaurants moving guest experience into the future.
From Twitter Spaces, Podcasts, Digital ordering to NFT memberships/loyalty programs, join Sondra Bernstein’s episode for some creative approaches that guarantee will start you on some rabbit holes. Community service, helping others - Sondra says, “Share your passion. Be the best in the moment. Provide a great experience. Love what you do & Share it.” To talk art, digital AI work or collaborations, visit https://www.sondra...
2024-12-1149 min
The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Put A Bow On ItSondra + Brian Welcome to The Bite Goes On wrap-up show and get ready for a long one. Before we go on a hiatus of an unyet determined amount of time, Brian and I wanted to revisit and share some of the episodes and the highlights of the past two years. Though we don’t get to talk about every single one (lucky for you), it was joyful to go back and reminisce about the incredible guests that we have met during this time. We have learned so much and have gratefully had the chance to listen to many passionate, in...
2021-01-151h 35The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Amy Reiley, Eat Something SexyIt’s not often that you get to have a conversation with someone who has a Masters in Gastronomy with a focus on aphrodisiacs. Amy Reiley is exactly that. I first met Amy years ago when her first book, fork me, spoon me was released. As a book about aphrodisiac foods, she of course had a chapter on figs that we were happy to contribute our fig scone recipe to – that she lovingly renamed “morning after fig scones with fresh cream”. Catching up over ten years later in the midst of covid it’s not as easy to be thinking a...
2021-01-081h 04The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Jonathan BeardIt is always curious how some of our guests end up in the culinary world when their academia was meant to take them elsewhere. This is how our conversation with Chef Jonathan Beard started and continued about his journey from being a successful restaurateur/chef in Sonoma County, to eventually trading it in for a more realistic schedule that would allow him to be around for his family with young kids. His first position took him to the Sonoma Juvenile Detention program teaching cooking and life skills to the girls living there and then to landing his ‘dream’ job as t...
2021-01-011h 06The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Manon ServouseManon Servouse is the Marketing Director for Laura Chenel, Marin French Cheese, St Benoit Creamery and Rians. She is the right person for the job as her passion for her company’s products is impressive not only in her personal praise, but in the depth of her knowledge. Originally from france she has always known that she wanted to be in marketing and she started with United Biscuits. Wanting to branch out to something with more flavor (pun intended) she started working for Rians the parent company of Laura Chenel. After 2 years working in the France offices, she was wi...
2020-12-251h 11The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Otto Szilagyi, Tsar Nicoulai CaviarWith New Years right around the corner, it is only appropriate to talk about caviar. Otto Szilagyi, caviar ambassador extraordinaire for Tsar Nicoulai has the details we need to know. Last year, I had the wonderful opportunity to taste a few of his products and this conversation definitely put some things in perspective. Most impressionable about Tsar Nicoulai is their approach to their vision which is to provide the cleanest and best caviar and seafood products while inspiring the continued growth of their farm’s environmental and sustainable stewardship. Since their beginning in 1984 in California, they have been committed to...
2020-12-181h 02The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Amy ShermanAmy Sherman is a Longtime award-winning blogger, and food writer that has written for just about every food publication worth reading and other puclications. she is very highly regarding in the food world and pretty much knows everyone. In addition to her blog; cooking with Amy, Her current chapter is as the Editor in Chief of the relatively new ‘The Cheese Professor’ and the very recently introduced ‘The Alcohol Professor.’
She learned to cook and bake from her parents and grew up eating eggs from her family’s backyard chickens, salmon her father caught, and fruit and vegetables from her m...
2020-12-111h 01The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Kyle KuklewskiSome of my best memories with Kyle have been sitting around the holiday table with our friends and eating a delicious meal that he has created most of. Well, even though I am not sitting around a table with friends, I am grateful that I can still savor in Chef Kyle’s cooking. Since the pandemic, Kyle has been offering a meal for which he sources, prepares and personally delivers to your house. He also includes a pay it forward proposition in providing another family a meal at a discounted rate. This week’s menu included a tasty chicken and...
2020-12-041h 07The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Daybreak Seaweed CoI don’t think we have spoken about or even said the word seaweed in the two years we have recording The Bite Goes On. So we needed to talk to the ladies of Daybreak Seaweed Co and find out what seaweed is all about. I don’t imagine there is anyone better than Catherine and Avery to learn from. Though they are a relatively young company, their passion is inspiring. Not only are they working with a food that is not quite mainstream but they are dealing with the laws of sustainability every step of the way. I was...
2020-11-271h 08The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Chef Michael MinaChef Mina’s culinary and business vision led to the founding of his company, MINA Group in 2002. Under the auspices of MINA Group, he has opened over 45 operations around the world, including the Michelin-starred MICHAEL MINA, Chef Mina’s flagship restaurant in the heart of San Francisco, which represents the culmination of his core culinary philosophies, Middle Eastern heritage, lauded chronicles as a chef and restaurateur, and personal character. We caught up with him while he was in Las Vegas and had a great conversation with this very busy Chef. With a brand new restaurant in Sonoma, Wit & Wisdom, it w...
2020-11-2058 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – The Local Butcher ShopMonica & Aaron Rocchino, veterans in the Bay Area food world for many years with stints at Chez Panisse, Olivetos and Paula Le Duc catering company as well as Monica’s international event business. When they finally decided that working opposite schedules wasn’t working, they decided they would create a business that would combine both their interests and expertise and most importantly an opportunity to work together. Finding that it was difficult to find the quality meat that they could get at the kitchens that they previously worked in – they found that a high quality butcher store with ethically raised...
2020-11-131h 22The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Rachel and Andy Berliner, Amy’s KitchenThis was truly an honor to be able to talk to the founders of Amy’s Kitchen , a company born (1987) in our backyards and possibly the largest employer in Sonoma County. Both Brian and I are huge fans of the pioneers in the organic and vegetarian frozen foods market, and we stayed on our best behavior.
Waving my Amy’s vegetable lasagna box, as a symbol of my loyalty, we talked about everything from how they met, how they started, how they have grown to a $500 million company and what their daughter Amy thinks about the company bein...
2020-11-0659 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Sarah Weiner, Good Food FoundationIt was great catching up with Sarah Weiner, Executive Director of the Good Food Foundation. She is a perfect example of someone that followed their passion for food and seems to have created her dream career sharing sustainable food and promoting artisan producers. “Sarah has worked side by side with the sustainable food movement’s founders and visionaries across the globe. As the Director of Communication for the Slow Food International Office in Italy, she was immersed in the roots of the food movement before heading to California to become Alice Waters’ “Girl Friday” (in Alice’s words) for two years. N...
2020-10-301h 13The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Emily Martin The Jetsetting FashionistaEmily Martin Events With a true love of food and wine and a commitment to pursuing mastery, Emily has a distinctive voice and palate that sets her apart. Since 2009, she has curated the Lifestyle blog, The JetSetting Fashionista, where she writes about restaurants and wineries in the Bay Area and around the world, and interviews some of the industry’s most talented chefs and winemakers. Fueled by curiosity and a passion for learning, Emily’s hunger to explore the ever-expanding food, wine, and hospitality industry never wanes and shares these passions through her social streams and her blog. In 2014 Emil...
2020-10-231h 20The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Martin Gobbée, Taub Family OutpostTaub Family Outpost opened in the midst of the pandemic – instead of a big sonoma splash opening party, they are doing it in a grassroots effort – one guest at a time. We can’t wait to be able to drink & dine in one of the dining rooms and/or the hidden speakeasy. Taub Family is deep in the wine business, both as an importer as well as having their own label. As the company grew, they thought it would be advantageous to find a location where they can not only sell their imports but to share their love of wine c...
2020-10-161h 21The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Brian + SondraThe Restaurant Act + More On this episode Brian and Sondra talk about the state of economic affairs in the restaurant business during Covid. Sparked from Sondra’s recent appearance as a witness on a Congressional hearing with the Ways and Means Committee regarding the need for continued assistance to the restaurant business before they all go out of business. [EP101]
2020-10-091h 22The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Valley Bar & BottleWe were lucky to get 3 of the 4 owners of Valley Bar & Bottle on our 100th episode! It takes a lot of guts to open a restaurant – even more so in the midst of a pandemic. The openings were always such an adrenaline rush for me, and have always been my favorite part – the newness, the feeling of accomplishment, the constant creative process and mostly seeing the dream realized. I can’t imagine doing it during the stressful times we are having during the time of Covid-19. However, they did it and though I am still sheltered in place, I have b...
2020-10-0251 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Lydia KindheartLydia’s Food We had such a wonderful conversation with Lydia and loved hearing about her upbringing, her food and her philosophy. We caught up with her in Petaluma between trips to Hawaii where she is spending much of her time pruning trees and managing her Petaluma company via the internet and phone. Sounds ideal! Through her brands of food, festival and private catering, restaurants, and community work, Lydia became a forerunner in the Organic, Vegan, and Raw food industries. In continuing to fulfill her vision of creating community gathering space to share food, knowledge and creativity. Lydia opened th...
2020-09-251h 23The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Harveys DonutsIt’s all about donuts in this week’s episode with Harvey Cohen, mastermind behind the cutest mini donuts you have ever seen and yes they are quite delicious. We talk about his process, his very unique machines, his recently reopened cafe and his new project just off the Sonoma Plaza. We spend some time talking about his corporate business as well as how things are going during the pandemic. [EP98]
https://www.harveysdonuts.com
on Instagram at @harveysdonuts
2020-09-181h 01The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Maggie CameronThe Hatch About 6 years ago I was introduced to Maggie through a good friend. She was working on her business plan for a restaurant and was looking for advice. Fast forward, as a successful restaurateur, she could now give me some good advice!! Brian and I have both been to her restaurant in Paso Robles a few times and loved it and revisiting her website, I was drooling over the menu. It is always so wonderful to see a friend succeed in this very challenging business. It was great to catch up and revisit how her story started (she...
2020-09-111h 17The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Tanya HollandBrian and I were grateful to steal Tanya away from her very busy schedule. She was extremely generous with her time and we were able to go way back in Tanya’s journey to becoming a Chef/Restaurateur. We briefly spoke about the Black Lives Matter movement and how it has affected her and how she feels about the attention that the movement is getting. We were jealous to hear about her first few guests on her own podcast and loved getting to know her more than we did. Tanya Holland is the Executive Chef and owner of Brown Su...
2020-09-0457 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Bernard GuillasIt was great catching up with Chef Bernard Guillas at the Marine Room in La Jolla. I had almost forgotten what a wonderful positive, uplifting person that he is and funny too. He brings us up to date about what is happening in San Diego, how he is managing things through the pandemic, the shifts that he has made during this time and his continual love for food and fresh ingredients. Chef Bernard Guillas joined La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, Inc. as executive chef in June 1994. Right at home in La Jolla, Guillas’ affinity for the coastal lifestyle re...
2020-08-281h 07The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Chris Cosentino, CockscombThey say three times is a charm and it certainly was when we finally pinned down chef Chris Cosentino for an up close and personal, laughter filled, fun episode. We try to figure out how Chris and Sondra met way back when. Our conversation drifts from subject to subject, beginning with his early start in the business to his rise in popularity. He opens up about his personal challenges as a boy and how he ended up a chef. His honesty is humbling and could be a motivator for those with learning disabilities and not sure about a career...
2020-08-211h 24The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Professor Dustin RoggeIt was great to catch up with Culinary Institute of America alumni turned Professor Dustin Rogge. Dustin worked for the girl & the fig over 15 years ago just a few years after he graduated from the CIA. He started at the Sonoma restaurant and was the opening General Manager of the girl & the fig in Petaluma. Though the restaurant was short lived Dustin was an amazing asset to the team. We were sad when he left the country for the big city to work at Farallon restaurant for a few years before he helped open the Waterbar Restaurant. Dustin will...
2020-08-1457 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Ari Weiswasser, Glen Ellen StarIt was long overdue to catch up with Ari Weisswasser, Chef and co-owner of the Glen Ellen Star with his wife Erinn Benziger in Glen Ellen. As Sondra’s restaurant neighbor in Glen Ellen, we started the conversation about how Ari proceeded during the lockdown and how after a quick peek on email en route to Paris, the family vacation took a u-turn to come back to see what the situation was all about. Returning to Glen Ellen, Ari and a minimal team began serving it up for both lunch and dinner. He has been grateful and pleasantly pleased wi...
2020-08-071h 04The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Sondra & BrianWith a small snafu in our scheduling, it actually gave Brian and I a chance to get caught up, especially since he has finally been called back to his real job. Other than talking about the changes in his workplace, he also told us about CALI-FORNO STREET EATS which is the Sonoma Fairmont Hotel’s new airstream food truck that just opened. Situated on the driveway of the hotel, guests and locals can order from the bar, get some truck food and drinks and relax in a physically distanced outdoor dining area with minimal service on Friday and Saturday. It...
2020-07-3134 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Mia SebastianiHailing from one of the oldest wine families in California, Mia gravitated to food much more than she did wine. She realized that she liked to cook and carry on the traditions that her Nonna started. She started with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and found herself selling it out of her car to all of the local markets and specialty stores. Having the advantage of a family with the greater understanding of supply chains and distribution, she has turned her focus on the fabulous California tomato, producing tomato sauce in many flavors as well as a couple pizza...
2020-07-251h 08The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Avidan LebenthalWith fond memories of Mexico City, Sondra reached out to Avidan Lebenthal or better known as “The Taco Mensch”. He was Sondra’s guide on her first day in Mexico City and have remained in touch. Wanting to find out what is happening with him during C-19, we actually tracked him down at his parents in Tel Aviv. In this episode you will hear Avidan’s story of how and why he is the Taco Mensch and how he became one of AirBnB’s top experiences (with over 175 5 Star reviews) all to be put on hold at least until October. T...
2020-07-171h 12The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Ric OrlandoThis episode was so much fun to record as we were able to catch up with an old friend, Chef Ric Orlando who lives in the Hudson Valley. We dart all over the place talking about his passion of making people happy and entertaining them with his food and fun personality. He closed his restaurant after 25 years, New World Bistro Bar in Woodstock, NY in 2018, but continued to concentrate on the ‘Urban” Albany NWBB until recently. It has been very important for Ric to be connected with his community and has supported them over the years with fundraisers and even...
2020-07-101h 15The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Lauren Cotner, Delicious DishLauren has pivoted Delicious Dish into a few different business models as the landscapes around her have changed. Starting small in catering in San Francisco where she built her clients from small tech companies one at a time. As the tech companies grew so did Lauren’s business. In the midst of these years, Lauren decided she wanted to move back to her hometown of Sonoma, purchased an existing restaurant to use the kitchen and continued to service her SF tech clients and private families. After years of commuting and serving these companies, things started to change, some tech co...
2020-07-0353 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Leah ScurtoLeah’s story is fabulous as she starts from absolute scratch. She started making pizza because she was 18 and needed money. Turns out she was a natural. After working her way up the ranks and managing a pizza chain of 24 units, she decided to do it for herself. Leah Scurto is an award-winning pizza chef and a 7-year member of the United States Pizza Team. She has won multiple awards for cooking pizza. Because of her win in the US she was invited to compete in the world Pizza Championships in Parma, Italy where she finished 13th in the wo...
2020-06-261h 07The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Christian ReynosoSo fun to catch up with Christian during Shelter in Place. Along Christian’s journey, he has worked for the girl & the fig, owned a pickle company and was very involved with the Good Food Awards and invited Sondra to be a pickle judge one year. Christian is also a professional olive oil taster, like Arden Coturri (episode 69), which shows us how small our Bay Area food world is. Christian talks about his time cooking and progression at Zuni and all about his new column in the San Francisco Chronicle called Bounty. He is also a Cookbook recipe tester an...
2020-06-191h 07The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Matthew Dolan25 Lusk While still sheltering in place, we had the opportunity to catch up with Matthew Dolan, Executive Chef and Partner of 25 Lusk. Mathew has been cooking for just about his whole life. He is a Culinary Institute of America graduate. He has worked in many kitchens throughout both the US and Europe. He eventually landed in San Francisco, where he and a good friend opened 25 Lusk in 2010. Matthew tells us about his culinary journey including time with Emeril Lagasse, time in Finland, his tragic motorcycle accident in which he has miraculously recovered, his book Simply Fish that was published...
2020-06-121h 08The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Sonoma Family MealsHeather Irwin It was great to reconnect with Heather as we had her on the podcast back in November. Heather is the Founder of Sonoma Family Meals as well as the dining editor for Sonoma Magazine and the Press Democrat and the founder of BiteClub. Sonoma Family Meals was created to be Chef Made Meals for Fire Survivor Families, Since October 2017. SFM is a 501c3 non-profit. Not only do they continue to feed families from the fires, but now they have taken on the pandemic where the need is so much greater. Our conversation brings us up to date...
2020-06-051h 03The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Mark Malicki, Casino Bar & GrillMark Malicki has worked in a wide variety of dining establishments including his past restaurant that he owned called Café Saint Rose. Now he situated at the Casino Bar and Grill in the little town of Bodega. Casino Bar & Grill was opened in 1874 as a mercantile. Transformed into a pool hall and tavern in 1939, it remains with the same owners, one of which is Evelyn Casini who over 90 still tends the bar a couple days a week.
Mark seems to be settled at a most unlikely place to find his fabulously creative cooking. With just a 2 burner s...
2020-05-291h 00The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Clark WolfWe had a fun conversation with Clark as he tells us about his fascinating journey as a waiter on the railroad, working eighteen-hour days on the line from Oakland to Chicago, managed a cheese and wine shop at the base of Nob Hill, opened the San Francisco branch of the Oakville Grocery and retooled the original Napa Valley store. He knows just about everyone in food including a lasting friendship with the legendary James Beard. He was the first to retail Laura Chenel’s California Chevre and spent countless hours finding and sampling foodstuffs with the likes of Marion Cu...
2020-05-221h 15The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – JOEL RIDDELLTalk Show Host, Journalist & Eater based in San Francisco.
“Grew up in Niagara Canada, attended several fine schools including Western in London (full disclosure, Ontario Canada). I worked for a theater, a symphony, in restaurants and even a B&B before moving into media, supplanting my original career path of an educator. I was only supposed to visit San Francisco on my way West but fell in love and never made it to New Zealand. I am an Emmy Nominated and IACP Award-winning (come on- pretty proud- worth repeating) TV and Radio host. A traveler, wine judge, cu...
2020-05-151h 06The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Crista LuedtkeRestaurauteur, Chef, Hotelier Crista Luedtke is an amazing gift to Sonoma County – “almost singlehandedly, Luedtke transformed Guerneville into a buzzing vacation getaway.” -Forbes She purchased a hotel in 2008 and established eat + drink in 2009 and hasn’t stopped yet. She is an extremely hard worker and instills inspiration and motivates everyone around her. We had a great conversation discussing the present business landscape of COVID and restaurants and what the near future looks like. She lets us know what she is doing during this time in her businesses and also takes us on a tour of how this self taught chef/entreprene...
2020-05-081h 04The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – The Garden SocietyErin Gore Just when we think we are going to talk about gardens or tea parties, we meet Erin Gore who has created The Garden Society. Garden Society is a female founded, (Wrin Gore and Karli Warner) Sonoma County-based cannabis company with a mission of helping educate women on the power of the cannabis plants and its multiple beneficial properties whether it be for stress, relaxation, sleep or joy. From their website – “We’re not your average cannabis company. Never wanted to be. We’re here to break the stigma and completely redefine cannabis for women. We understand how to bring...
2020-05-021h 12The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Annette WhiteSo wonderful to get a chance to chat with Annette White, co-owner of Sugo Trattoria in Petaluma and Bucket List Journeys (fabulous blog and travel website). We let it slip out that Annette and Brian were high schools sweethearts, so a few memories popped out. We delve into Annette’s path of how she started to conquer her anxiety by starting a bucket-list that took her out of her comfort zone.
This morphed into a career, working as a travel influencer with partners all over the world. Her book Bucket List Adventures was published in 2017. Annette White is...
2020-04-241h 18The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Miracle Plum, Gwen & SallieIt was great to have a repeat visit from our friends at Miracle Plum. We got a chance to catch up and see how they are holding up under the COVID-19 times. Not a surprise but they are pushing through, getting creative and working hard to get their customers what they need. [EP76]
Miracle Plum is a finely curated store, with pantry goods, wines, cheeses, bread and produce. At this pivot, they are juggling between vendors regarding what is available, guests, are people buying differently at this time (they all want beans) and they are holding on...
2020-04-1747 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Renegade FoodsIona Campbell and Kalie Marder are the co-founders of Renegade Food. From their website, ‘Iona is a life-long vegetarian and now vegan. As an animal lover and foodie, she is passionate about creating plant-based recipes inspired by their traditional counterparts. She has a background in the food industry and has worked alongside classical chefs around the globe. Kalie is a longtime vegetarian and lifelong animal lover. She has a strong project management background, having managed numerous large and complex projects around the world. She has a passion for plant-based food and is working to make a difference in our fo...
2020-04-101h 03The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Merrilee Olson, Preserve Farm KitchensMerrilee Olson is the Founder of Preserve Farm Kitchens. Merrilee created this company because she was shocked that unsold product from the farmers market was being uneaten and she was determined to find a way to help farmers create another revenue stream and not waste their produce that they spent so much time and care procuring. Merrilee’s commitment to the farmers is to be commended and she is determined to create recipes that make their produce shine. [EP74]
Trying to make this a viable business is another story. She has been persistent in exploring all of th...
2020-04-031h 13The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – State of SonomaThe “shelter-in-place” order has been given by our California Governor Gavin Newsom. We are working from home this week. We joined forces with our brother podcast The Wine Makers and decided to practice “social distancing” by trying out the Zoom app and continue recording shows for our listeners. Sondra talks about the state of the food and wine industry going forward. Her restaurants and catering business have closed with no projected opening dates.Our Wine Maker friends are in a holding pattern. It’s getting weird out there !!! [EP73]
We will continue to do our shows, bring some infor...
2020-03-271h 13The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Michael Volpatt, Big Bottom MarketWe have a new friend and what a fun episode to record. Michael is engaging and enthusiastic and is a brilliant business owner. We spend time talking about Guerneville (his town), BISCUITS (yes in capital letters) he brought us some and they were divine!! Oprah named his biscuits as one of her favorite things and that was fun to hear how that happened. He is working on his second cookbook and has a line of house wines made by his friends in the business. [EP72]
He is currently doing Facebook live at https://www.facebook.com/michael...
2020-03-2050 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Alycia Harshfield, CRAFAlycia is the Executive Director of the California Restaurant Association Foundation (CRAF). Alycia’s enthusiasm in indicative of why this Foundation is able to raise money and succeed to help so many people. The Foundation is the helping hand that empowers California’s restaurant workforce through education, scholarships, and emergency assistance. The Foundation has a few programs including Scholarships, Restaurants Care and Pro Start. In 2019, $90,000 in scholarships were given to 30 students. Since its inception in 1981, CRAF has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships and grants. Restaurants Care provides one-time financial support to restaurant employees facing an unforeseen hardship. ProStart is a...
2020-03-1355 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Hilary Austen, West County WildHilary always had a dream to make cheese back when Laura Chenel was just starting out, but her carreer got in the way. Now in her ‘so called’ retirement she is working to create a culinary homestead property that includes cheesemaking, farming (Beet Generation @beetgenerationfarm), bread baking, (sara Owens @sarah_c_owens) – a demo kitchen, and just about everything that happens on her 27 acres. As an amateur cheese maker she has been working on her craft, trying to understand the blend between the scientific aspects of making cheese and being an artist. [EP70]
Construction begins summer 2020 so we look f...
2020-03-0643 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Arden CoturriWe sure did get an Olive Oil education during this episode with Arden Coturri. Her passion for olive oil started back in the early 1990’s and decided that they would plant a family olive grove with trees that were imported from Italy – (in fact about 10,000 tiny plants were brought over that needed to be propagated). Wanting to get more knowledge, Arden enrolled in a class through UC Davis on the sensory of olive oil. Turns out that Arden has such good sensory evaluation skills, the California Olive Oil Council approached her to become an olive oil taster. Arden has been...
2020-02-281h 18The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Jon Sebastiani, Sonoma BrandsThis episode with Jon Sebastiani could have gone on for 5 hours — there was just so much to talk about. We bounce around from what it was like growing up in a family wine business, creating and selling KRAVE jerky (to Hershey’s), running marathons, starting a new business (Sonoma Brands), being a father and more.
Sonoma Brands is company that incubates and invests — currently at 14 different brands today. Some of these brands include SmashMallow, Dang, Guayaki Yerba Mate, Peckish and most recently Milk Bar. This number could grow quickly as he discovers new opportunities that align with their...
2020-02-211h 09The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Regina and Josh Silvers, Jackson’s Bar and OvenJackson’s Bar and Oven has one of the most popular restaurants in Santa Rosa. After the birth of his son Jackson, chef and owner Josh Silvers began looking for a family-friendly yet hip place in downtown Santa Rosa where he could get some of his favorite comfort foods. And when he didn’t find it, he decided to create it. Josh and his wife Regina opened Jackson’s Bar and Oven in 2009.
In 1999 they created their first restaurants called Syrah Bistro, morphed into Petite Syrah and then to Three Squares Cafe, they have moved the focus comple...
2020-02-141h 03The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Amy’s Wicked SlushAmy Covin is the North End of Bawstin (Boston as we would say). How did this CPA end up making Boston Slush in Wine Country. When passion calls, you figure it out.
That is what Amy Covin did in 2016. In late 2016, she took a trip back to Boston, she introduced her kids to their first taste of Slush and confirmed her desire to introduce Wine Country to SLUSH. With no prior restaurant experience, health department or county experience, she foraged ahead and actually figured it out and opened in May 2016. Her first slush shop was opened in...
2020-02-071h 24The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Deb Rock, Sonoma Hot SauceWe learned about Deb Rock and Sonoma Hot Sauce on a previous episode with Eileen Gordon of Barnraiser and wanted to learn more about the journey of a woman who likes it hot – really hot. Deb Rock grew up with hot sauce and it was an important part of seasoning the meal as well as the conversation. After 20 years of giving her special recipe to friends and family she was determined to create a business around her passion and share her version of Tabasco 2.0 with the rest of us. Deb explains why Sonoma Hot Sauce is as good as it...
2020-01-311h 31The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Flora CoffeeEmily Reber and Jeff Alona share their passion for everything coffee. They spend their free time driving miles to find new coffee shops anywhere they can find them and revisit some of their favorites. They have learned about coffee shop culture by asking a lot of questions, listening, watching videos, classes and drinking coffee. Their coffee of choice and what they use for Flora Coffee is Dune Coffee Roasters out of Santa Barbara. They loved it so much, they want to share this with Sonoma Valley and visitors to the area. If you are in Sonoma Valley you can...
2020-01-241h 16The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Mexico City RecapFollow along the conversation while looking at photographs from Sondra’s recent trip to Mexico City (www.thebitegoeson.com/copy-of-gallery). Get ready to book your trip to Mexico City just from hearing about the food. Sondra talks about her taco tour, neighborhood markets including the Jamiaca Mercado and Pujol (the #12 of the 50 Best Restaurants in the world), a special meal with a friend from Mexico City, mezcal and more. [EP63]
2020-01-1754 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Steve ZimmermanThis was a thoroughly educational show filled with family history, unions, tips on how restaurants are valuated and sold and more. Steve walks us through his journey in a restaurant family, where he started in the kitchen washing dishes at the age of 15. As he works through the ranks, he finds himself being called in to his Reserve status and cooking for the 500 – 600 airmen (breakfast and lunch each day). When relieved of his duty, he went back into the family business and worked his way to the very top at a point of having over 35 restaurants, 20 of them being th...
2020-01-101h 36The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Thaddeus PalmeseAmong other things Thaddeus Palmese is an amazing storyteller and we found him so descriptive and interesting that we recommended that he write a book or two. His cooking experience starts at 15 years old. Even though he grew up in Pasadena, he wound up in New Orleans where he worked through the ranks in some pretty incredible restaurants. When he wound up in Sonoma County years later, he was a partner in a winebar cooking creole food in Sebastopol called the Starlight that was housed in an old train club car. Sonoma residents are most familiar with Thaddeus from...
2020-01-031h 52The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – The Moms ShowIt is only fitting that Episode 60 is a show with our Moms. This was a fun to have our moms as this week’s guests. They shared stories of when we were kids and we questioned them about things we couldn’t quite remember. The conversation highlights the differences between Brian and Sondra’s food upbringing, Skippy or Jif, Miracle Whip or Hellmans and lots more fun tales. [EP60]
2019-12-271h 19The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Liza Hinman, Spinster SistersThe Astro Sondra and Brian on the road this week with Liza Hinman, who is one of the hardest working Chef/Owners in Santa Rosa. Her Spinster Sisters restaurant opened in 2012 and took Santa Rosa by storm. She has paid her dues working in some fantastic kitchens fine-tuning her trade. Originally from the East Coast, she eventually ventured west, landed in San Francisco, met her future husband and moved back with him to Sonoma County where his family is from. She is a creative entrepreneur and a visionary that cares deeply about THE LORE. She was able to see...
2019-12-201h 36The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Miracle PlumWhat a pleasure to have limited expectations for a place and be totally blown away. That’s what happened when I walked in to meet Gwen and Sally -the owners, founders, master curators and adventurers’ store called Miracle Plum. This is an episode of hurdles and triomphs, perseverance and joy and about a friendship that came about from a shared passion of food, cooking and wine. They have finely curated a store that not only has a long history in Santa Rosa, but has an eclectic inventory that will fuel any food enthusiast, blow away any natural wine lover (larg...
2019-12-131h 21The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Manuel AzevedaChef Manuel Azevedo’s signature Cozinha Nova Portuguesa – “New Portuguese Cuisine” – celebrates the varied and complex flavors of his native Portuguese homeland while adapting them to the immense offerings of top-quality ingredients from his current home in California. Manuel is a local, living in Sonoma County his whole life, fell into his passion for different reasons than most chefs. He has two restaurants in Sonoma now and an incredibly beautiful cookbook that is simply a masterpiece and a love story to Portuguese cooking. He is an advocate for teaching young people how to cook. Listen in to Manuel as he describ...
2019-12-061h 26The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Heather Irwin & Fran MeiningerEP56: Sonoma Family Meals & Kitchen Table Project
Chef Made Meals for Fire Survivor Families, Served Weekly Since October 2017. SFM is a 501c3 non-profit.
More than 160,000 meals served…and counting. During the 2017 wildfires, more than 5,000 homes were destroyed in a matter of hours. Thousands remain displaced, living in RVs, mobile homes, with friends, or in vacation rentals nearly a year later. We continue to serve those families four nutritious meals, packed up and ready to go each week.
Heather is the dining editor for Sonoma Magazine and the Press Democrat and the founder of Bi...
2019-11-2952 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Missy Lely, BEE-WELL FARMSWhat started as a college assignment, “Missy’s Organic Farm Stand” came full circle when she graduated and felt unsure about what career path she should take. It has not been an easy path as Missy and her husband Austin are learning about being farmers the hard way, yet they are not stopping and are more enthused about farming than ever. The 2017 fires destroyed their main farm just a year after they established their own. After regrouping and rebuilding they are “all all-in,” said Melissa. “All of this will go forward and be even stronger than before.” [EP55]
Bee-Well Farms...
2019-11-221h 09The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – The Fire Rant with GratitudeThis was a difficult show to record as it reflected the aftermath of the October 2019 fires (not quite contained at the time of this recording) and the frustrations of the media projecting Sonoma as being completely on fire. Scenes from the 2017 fires were shown on tv with disregard about how it affects small businesses and towns that are driven by hospitality. The headlines were brutal and confusing as Sonoma and Sonoma County can be synonymous even though Sonoma County. Sonoma County is 1,500 square miles/2.414 square kilometers, more than 50 miles/80 kilometers of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and the San P...
2019-11-1538 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Jim DenevanAt the tail end of his heavy event schedule this year, we were so fortunate to meet and converse with Jim Denevan, founder of Outstanding in the Field (OITF). He rolled up to the studio in his shiny red, white & silver 1953 Flexible bus to talk about his 20 years of OITF, his art and life on the road. We dive into the crazy logistics, the spot that the table is placed on unique settings, the vision of the farmers and incredible guest chefs that all make up OITF. In numbers, OITF has fed their guests in 18 countries and all 50 states...
2019-11-081h 08The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Terri & Mark StarkOn this week’s episode we follow the path of Terri and Mark Stark, owners of 6 (and one on the way) well loved and delicious Sonoma County restaurants. We discover how they met, who does what, how they work together and make their marriage work. We spend some time talking about Willi’s Wine Bar, how it was lost in the fire and how the team’s love and loyalty brought it back to life.
Somewhere in the middle, the conversation goes down the rabbit hole a tad regarding the frustrating politics, regulations, minimum wage … around the restaura...
2019-11-011h 29The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Dave Ehreth, Sonoma BrineryIf you hear us crunching on this episode, it’s because we are chomping on the FRESHEST, crunchiest pickles you can possibly eat. Lucky for us, Dave Ehreth from Sonoma Brinery left his role in tech and decided to turn his pickle hobby into a thriving business. You can feel his love for his craft through his enthusiasm and for sure when you taste his products. With over 10 products, in over 3000 stores including Trader Joe’s he has certainly captured the pickle market. He talks all things pickles, probiotics, bacteria and the difference between types of pickles! Sondra’s friend...
2019-10-251h 39The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Gibson ThomasFormer lawyer, past leader of the Marin Slow Food chapter has created a beloved, tactile, useful quarterly magazine for Marin & Wine Country (CA). This is the magazine that covers many extraordinary farmers, ranchers, cheese-makers and other food artisans, and amazing chefs and discerning consumers who appreciate and support them. In this episode, we talk to Gibson about how she started this Edible, what it is like to run a magazine and how she juggles it all. She knows just about EVERYONE in food in the area and is committed to supporting their efforts. Edible is a free magazine, supported...
2019-10-181h 12The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Kitchen Table AdvisorsEP49: So excited to have the opportunity to have a lively conversation with Director Pei-Yee Woo and Sonoma, Napa, Marin Director Paige Phinney to talk about their incredible commitment to work with small farms in Northern California. Kitchen Table Advisors is a Bay Area nonprofit fueling the growth and long-term viability of sustainable small farms. The farmers that Kitchen Table Advisors select for their program are dedicated to building their farms into viable businesses and finding their own path towards making a living farming the land. Kitchen Table Advisors offers a three year program to farmers that have worked...
2019-10-111h 15The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Renee RebellEP48: Inspired by a similar idea she saw in Chicago, Renee ReBell launched her Original Food Tour business in 2014 seguing from her years in the wine and hospitality experience. Her tour has been named as the “Best Foodie Tour” in the USA by US News and World Reports. Renee’s 3 hour walking tour is an upclose and personal look at Sonoma (along with 4 other Wine Country towns) through food and wine. Her small group tour stops at a minimum of 3 restaurants and a wine tasting room as well as a stop at Sonoma’s historic barracks and an olive oil tast...
2019-10-041h 15The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Christian CartanoEP47: Prior Bite guest, Patti Britton (Episode 31) suggested that we should hear Farmer Christian Cartano’s story on our podcast. We are so glad that we did, as Christian arrived with an enormous lug of beautiful heirloom tomatoes for us.
As a longtime vegetarian, Chris’ journey from Ohio to Northern California convinced him that his participation of growing and sharing food and being involved in the’real’ farm to table movement was going to be life changing. Christian got his start farming by growing thousands of tomato plants for Gotts restaurant (“an amazing process to learn”). He has been a c...
2019-09-271h 20The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Eileen Gordon, BarnraiserEP46: We were in for a real treat sitting down and recording with Founder, Eileen Gordon of Barnraiser. Not only did she entertain us with passionate stories, she also brought a few samples for us to taste.
What is Barnraiser?
Starting as a crowdfunding space for small batch food and farmers, it is becoming the largest independent source to discover and shop small production foods from all over the workd or as Eileen describes as an “Etsy of food”. You know this is true when you take a look at the website https://www.barnraiser.us...
2019-09-201h 19The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Carrie Brown, Jimtown StoreEP45: Jimtown has been a community fixture since 1895, when Jim Patrick founded his eponymous general store to serve as post office and meeting place for residents of the valley. Carrie describes how In 1989, the late husband and she came across the shuttered store while visiting from New York City. After learning that it was for sale, the couple bought Jimtown. John and Carrie set out to restore the abandoned landmark to its former glory and add a few twists of their own. They opened in 1991 and has been feeding visitors, locals, cyclists, winemakers, farmers and more delicious home made...
2019-09-131h 34The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Noble Folk and MoustacheEP44: Just WOW! Christian Sullberg and Ozzy Jimenez both grew up in Sonoma County, met and in a short time they opened Moustache Baked Goods, Noble Ice Cream and Pie (2 locations) and have added ice cream carts to their mix. Their philosophy is one that is steeped in Sonoma County as much as they bake and make is from scratch and by hand. They do their best to source the ingredients found 30 miles from their home town. They are wildly popular in their wedding cake business, dessert tables and always have a long line at the ice cream stores...
2019-09-061h 13The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Dustin Valette, Valette RestaurantEP43: On location in Healdsburg, Dustin Valette talks to us about how he acquired the very building his family owned back in 1915 and how life comes full circle for the Valette brothers. Back then it was a bakery, but today it is a Wine Country destination restaurant. With a new project, “The Matheson”, on the horizon, we talk about Dustin’s culinary past, his humble beginnings in the restaurant business at 15 as a busboy, working his way up the ranks until he decided to go to the Culinary Institute in New York. Upon graduation, he worked in the kitchens of Thom...
2019-08-301h 06The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Joanne WeirJoanne Weir is an award-winning cookbook author, PBS star and producer, culinary instructor and restaurant owner. As a culinary adventurer, we caught her between trips to talk about her beginnings on the family farm, her time at Chez Panisse, her latest book, Kitchen Gypsy, her latest culinary adventures and the guests that join her. It is a wonder that she has the energy to do everything on her plate, especially to the extent that each of her projects take a huge amount of time and planning. We were certainly lucky to get on her calendar to record this episode.
2019-08-231h 29The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Clover SonomaEP41: With guest host, Kathleen Hill, we had a great conversation with Marcus Benedetti, the CEO of Clover Sonoma. Clover Sonoma has a generational history that goes back to 1916. Marcus shares his rites of passage, working through the different roles in the family business, how the dairy industry has changed over the century and the importance of an 8 ounce glass of milk. We will learn about how they work with the 32 family farms in Sonoma and how “organic” fits in their program. We talk fondly of the beloved ‘oreo’ cows that dot the hills of Sonoma, the Happy Cow campaign...
2019-08-161h 13The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Mike Zakowski, AKA the BejkrEP40: Sonoma does love its bakers and Mike the Bejkr is no exception. As I waited in line at the farmer’s market the other day for over 20 minutes, I watched the people in line excitedly wait for their turn to order, to purchase their loaves for the week knowing that Mike is a one man show, touches each and every loaf . in a quite detailed conversation, Brian and I find out what it takes to make and sell over 320 loaves in 3 hours. We talk about how Sonoma got so lucky to have one of the winning silver medalists fr...
2019-08-091h 25The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Alicia Deal, Food StylistEP39: Driven by my curiosity in wanting to know exactly what a Food Stylist does, I did a google search for someone close to Sonoma to have as a guest on the show. That is how we met Alicia Deal. After checking out her website, I really wanted to know what she did as the photographs of her work is stunning and I was drooling on my screen. After coordinating a visit in the midst of her very busy schedule, we got a date on the calendar and we talked and talked!! I hope you enjoy this show as...
2019-08-021h 33The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Saul GropmanEP38: How does a classical guitarist end up owning one of the most beloved restaurants in Sonoma? We are excited for you to hear from Saul Gropman’s journey from and his passion about music & teaching, coffee, the restaurant business, wine, his guests and Sonoma. Earlier in the season, we had the opportunity to interview John McReynolds who was the opening chef partner at Cafe La Haye with Saul, so learning about the other side is terrific. Saul talks about what it is like to be in the front of the house in his own restaurant for over 22 years. Th...
2019-07-261h 27The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Zazu, Black Pig BaconEP37: This week, we are thrilled to welcome Duskie Estes and John Stewart from Zazu restaurant. On this episode we hear all about how they met, their move from Washington State to Sonoma County, the trials and tribulations of having a restaurant that has changed locations and that had to unfortunately close its doors after the extreme flooding just a few months ago. As we hear it from them, they are still energized as they decide what their next step is. Their combined restaurant histories give us lots to talk about including; their Black Pig Bacon line, head to...
2019-07-191h 41The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Bohemian CreameryEP36: Bohemian Creamery lies just a mile outside downtown Sebastopol California on a hilltop overlooking the Laguna de Santa Rosa, the Mayacama mountains and our herd of Alpine dairy goats. It also happens to be Sonoma County’s first “Latteria”, offering all things milk, including whey sodas, goat yogurt and more. Inspired by all things Italian, Lisa has created her California cheeses with Italian traditions. Part of the fun for Lisa has been naming the 18 cheeses, whether it be Romeo, the holiday cheese or Twist and Shout or ShredHead there is no lack in creativity on top of impeccable tastin...
2019-07-121h 33The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Laura Holmes HaddadEP35: Sondra and Laura have known each other for almost 20 years. Laura Holmes Haddad was the editor of both of Sondra’s cookbooks, the girl & the fig Cookbook (published by Simon & Schuster) and Plats du Jour (self-published). In this episode, we have a laughter filled, lively discussion about Laura’s beginnings as a food and wine writer, a world traveler, a cookbook author, a mom, wife of a Lebanese husband and breast cancer survivor. All of these important times/roles in Laura’s life have culminated to make her the ultimate foodie. Join us as we coerce Laura’s 11 year old...
2019-07-051h 10The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Chef, Kyle ConnaughtonEP34: We are humbled to have been able to steal Kyle away from his restaurant duties as we know how busy he is. We are certainly glad we did, as we talked about the journey to launching Single Thread, with his childhood sweetheart/wife Katina and created the restaurant/inn of their dreams. Using the influences from their world travels, their sensibilities of wine country and their very strong focus on hospitality, they are rewarded with 3 Michelin stars and was just added to the 2019 World’s Best Restaurant list. Find out more about Kyle and Katina on their website Pr...
2019-06-282h 01The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Tsering SherpaThis week Sondra and Brian sit down with Tsering Sherpa from Nepal. This episode was born out of numerous conversations that Brian had with Tsering on their lunch breaks at the Fairmont, Sonoma Mission Inn. He found the culture and traditions so interesting and the food completely unfamiliar yet compelling, so we invited her on the show to have a long conversation and dig deeper into the subject. Enjoy…
2019-06-211h 30The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – The Vegan EpisodeWelcome to episode #32, possibly our longest conversation yet. We welcomed back Alison Kilmer from Uppercase Tea (EP29) and on her suggestion she brought Miyoko Schinner from Miyoko’s.
Alison showed up with an incredible platter of Miyoko’s Vegan cheeses with condiments and crackers. It was quite a spread and no pun intended quite spreadable too. On this show, we discuss everything Vegan, from how Miyoko got started making artisan vegan cheese, her animal sanctuary, Rancho Compasion, her philosophy and agenda. Alison touches on her Vegan diet, the Miyoko’s packaging design, and her mission to inspire restau...
2019-06-141h 46The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Patti BrittonEP31: We are all faced with many buying decisions every day of our lives. Patti Britton of Britton Design works towards influencing us in our wine and food choices in her role as a packaging designer (amongst other graphic design projects). Patti started her graphic design career working for design studios in San Francisco, designing wine and food packaging along with collateral design. She started her own small studio, Britton Design, in San Francisco, at Sansome and Vallejo in 1990 which she eventually moved to the city of Sonoma.
Patti prides herself on being a storyteller and working...
2019-06-0751 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Michelle HestonIt is only fitting that Michelle Heston is featured on our 30th episode as we celebrated with one of her amazing one-of-a-kind cake creations. Michelle calls baking her passion project, a way she can combine her love for baking and her generous spirit to friends and family by “letting them eat cake”. Our conversation moves around from Michelle’s upbringing in the restaurant business, the family tradition of big Sunday dinners, how she found her passion for baking and a bit about working public relations and marketing for luxury hotels.
Sondra unabashedly ate 2 pieces of Michelle’s special...
2019-05-3149 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Deirdre BourdetEP18: In my opinion, the best way for me to describe Deirdre Bourdet to you is that she is an adventure global eater combined with the magic of the written word. Deirdre joined Sondra years ago on one of her cruises to Vietnam, where they shared the eating journey there together. Years later, Deirdre continues her worldly adventures, loving Italy, Myanmar, Thailand, Sardinia, Tokyo and more. Her food travels have inspired her to create a platform for folks to create a dinner party using her upcoming e-books with steps from a few days out to the actual party. Excited...
2019-03-081h 02The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – REBBLBrian and Sondra sit down with Rusti Porter and Rachel Hauser from Rebbl and Terra Judge from Not For Sale to talk about Rebbl, their origins both in company development and product sourcing.
What is Rebbl?
A company that produces protein drinks and elixirs?
A company that is deep in commitment to their core mission values about community, the planet and their team.
REBBL sources organic, sustainably grown ingredients – like reishi mushroom – from high integrity partners who exemplify their core values. They source these organic ingredients from over 29 countries. REBBL was born out of a...
2019-02-0853 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Valley Fig GrowersLet’s get figgy with the Valley Fig Growers. Gary Jue and Linda Cain from Valley Fig Growers sit down with Sondra and Brian to talk everything about their fig operation in Fresno.Valley Fig Growers is located in Fresno, California. All of the commercially sold dried figs produced in the United States are grown in the Fresno area and north, in the fertile San Joaquin Valley. California represents 10% of the world production of dried figs. Valley Fig Growers was established in 1959 and is the largest handler of figs in North America. The cooperative represents 40% of the California fig in...
2019-02-0751 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Ron TannerEpisode 10: Ron Tanner: Specialty Food Association Vice President Philanthropy, Government and Industry Relations
Did you ever wonder how food products get to the shelves in your market or how new food trends happen? We get to discuss these topics on site at the Winter Fancy Food Show with Ron Tanner, who has been on staff for the Specialty Food Association for over 40 years.
The Winter Fancy Food Show had over 1400 companies with over 80,000 different products on display. Sondra tried only about 30 of them in her two days walking the show and Brian tasted 3. The SFA is...
2019-02-0436 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Kathleen HillEP9: Sondra & Brian welcome Kathleen Hill back to The Bite Goes On. Kathleen Hill will be a regular guest. Kathleen Hill is one of Sonoma’s icons and a local celebrity. She is the Food & Wine editor and columist for the Sonoma Index Tribune and author of over 40 books. See Episode #5 notes for more information on Kathleen Hill. Today, we play show & tell with a few vintage toasters and talk about all things toast, including her grandfather’s cinnamon toast recipe.
{She is also a Culinary Historian and the collector of about 4,000 kitchen utensils, machines, devices, cookbooks and...
2019-02-0127 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Nicholas FreedmanEP8: Sondra and Brian have a fun fact filled conversation with GENTLEMAN FARMER Nicholas Freedman. We discover how Nick has transitioned from corporate media to buying a ranch, ‘Bee Cool Ranch’ in Petaluma and his love affair with bees. Nick provides a wealth of information that is just plain interesting and will get any inspired bee enthusiast straight to a hive. We hope you enjoy this show – truly fascinating!
https://www.facebook.com/nicholas.freedman.7
https://www.facebook.com/beecoolranch/
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6390231
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15936918
2019-01-251h 30The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Chef John AshEP7: Chef John Ash visits with Sondra & Brian to talk about his journey from Fine Arts to being the iconic Chef considered to be the Father of Wine Country Food. Chef Ash, a veteran of the restaurant business, culinary instruction and award-winning author shares his wisdom on his life of a Chef both in the private and public sector. Chef John Ash also hosts the Good Food Hour with Steve Garner on their weekly Radio Program on KSRO FM Radio on Saturdays from 11am – 12pm.
https://chefjohnash.com
https://www.facebook.com/Chef-John-Ash-83742237302
http://www.ks...
2019-01-181h 24The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Steve SandoSteve Sando, Founder of Rancho Gordo Beans, author, publisher, world traveler and basically the Man About Beans joins Sondra and Brian to discuss beans and more.
https://www.ranchogordo.com
https://twitter.com/RanchoGordo
https://www.instagram.com/rancho_gordo/
https://www.facebook.com/ranchogordo
2018-12-281h 08The Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – TidbitsSondra & Brian dive into all sorts of delicious tidbits.
2018-12-2148 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – Preston RaisinSondra and Brian visit with Preston Raisin, Founder of Sonoma Broadway Farms. They discuss what the inspiration of starting the Farm and what it is all about.
Sonoma Broadway Farms
20675 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476
www.sonomabroadwayfarms.com
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2018-12-1446 minThe Bite Goes On - Radio MisfitsThe Bite Goes On – An IntroductionEP1: Sondra Bernstein and Brian Casey introduce their new podcast that talks everything food.
2018-12-071h 01
Cookbook Love PodcastInterview with Sondra Bernstein and her Delicious New Chapters Cookbook DriveHappy Thanksgiving! And welcome to this special Thanksgiving Episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Thanksgiving here in the US is a holiday all about food, sharing, and cooking, so it's no accident that I planned today's' interview with Sondra Bernstein. Sondra is the chef and owner of the Girl and the Fig in Sonoma, California. In October 2017 one of the deadliest fires in California history swept across Napa, Sonoma, and Mendicino counties in California. In response to the fire, and in addition to cooking thousands of meals for first responders, and those displaced by evacuations, Sondra created and held...
2018-11-2245 min
The Wine Makers on Radio MisfitsThe Wine Makers – Sondra BernsteinSondra Bernstein, the genius behind The Girl & The Fig, Suite D, The Fig Rig… wow, what a resume’ joins the guys at a live show from her newest creation, The Rhone Room. Featuring all Rhone style wines, The Rhone Room follows the wine list from The Girl & The Fig restaurant.
2017-12-081h 26