FOODIE & THE BEAST
From fine dining to irresistible junk foods, top chefs to up-and-comers you haven’t heard of (yet!), foie gras, fish fingers, and much more, no sip of wine, no morsel of food or food gossip goes untouched, as David and Nycci Nellis aka Foodie & The Beast give you the inside dish on the hottest restaurants and bistros, the freshest ingredients and the finest tipples on the scene.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen April 14, 2013
It was another exicitng Sunday on the set of Foodie and the Beast! Aaron Fuchs, of the upcoming Wagshal’s on New Mexico Ave., chatted with Foodie and the Beast about the soon-to-be eatery and their recent win at The National Restaurant Association’s 2013 Fabi Awards. The Washington Post’s Deputy Food Editor, Bonnie Benwick, was in studio to talk about the Post’s first ever cookbook, The Washington Post Cookbook. Former French Embassy and White House Chef, Patrice Olivon, sat down with Foodie and the Beast along with Allyson Lara, the Director of Partnerships and Marketing at his alma mater and the birthplace of many culinary all-stars, L’Academie de Cuisine. Finally, no Sunday on Foodie and the Beast would be complete without a few alcohol-infused Sunday pick-me-ups as poured by Anne Sophie Pappardallos of the charming Belgian bistro, Et Viola. To look and listen, click on the image or click here.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen March 23, 2013
If you couldn’t make the trip to Early Mountain Vineyards with Foodie and the Beast on March 23, 2013, don’t worry, take a look and listen at all the fun that was had out in Madison, VA. To kick off a day of mollusk madness (Early Mountain Vineyards hosted a fabulous oysterfest while Foodie and the Beast was on location), the winemakers and food-makers behind Early Mountain Vineyards and the oysterfest dropped in to chat with the live audience and folks listening back in DC. First, Foodie and the Beast spoke with the show’s host for the day David Kostelnik, GM of Early Mountain Vineyards, about what it takes to run the beautiful vineyard smoothly. Hunt Addison and Peter Henderson, owners and operators of Eastern Shore Rentals and oyster roast experts, filled listeners in on what it takes to pull off a successful oyster roast and how they can help you host your own! Joe Pierson from American Shellfish in Cheriton, VA discusses the special oyster and clam varieties in the Chesepeake region as well as the differences between the two. Chatham Vineyards owner John Wehner, spoke to guests about (what else) wine! Jenn Crovato, consulting chef at Early Mountain Vineyards, treated us to some of the delicious recipes from her new cookbook Olive Oil, Sea Salt & Pepper … you can’t have a stomach full of only wine … after all! Brothers Tim and Matt Gearhart joined Foodie and the Beast to chat about their fine chocolate and confections business in Charlottesville, NC because nothing goes better with wine than a decadent piece of dark chocolate. Click on the image, or click here, to see the full album.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen March 3, 2013
If Foodie and the Beast’s first March show was any indication of what’s to come, a spring filled with tasty food and libations is in the forecast. Pati Jinich, star of the popular public television show Pati’s Mexican Table and author of newly published cookbook, Pati’s Mexican Table, joined Foodie and the Beast to reveal the secrets to her “real Mexican home cooking”. Ricardo March, of Beni di Batasiolo filled listeners in on what to expect from the upcoming Barolo vs. Burgundy Battle in Baltimore (can you say that three times fast?) Dr. Carmel Dekel Wiseman, Russell Furbush, and Chef Benedict Zappone of Grow Your Health were in studio to share details about the upcoming March 10 Grow Your Health Conference. Civil Cigar Lounge’s co-owner John Anderson talked all-things cigar happening in the newly renovated Chevy Chase Pavilion. Providing tasty (pastrami-laden) cocktails (just kidding) were DGS Delicatessen’s Brian Zipin and Raquel Fowler–who lets us continue the after-show party at their DuPont hot spot! Click on the image or here to take a look and listen to the show!
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen January 27, 2013
On January 27, 2013, Foodie and The Beast kicked off the festivities at Union Market’s “DIYUM Game Day” with managing director of EDENS and developer behind the market, Steve Boyle. Mixing up some delicious cocktails, was Gina Chersevani– acclaimed bartender and owner of new eatery and old-fashoined soda bar Buffalo and Bergen. Carolyn Stromberg of Righteous Cheese offered helpful tips to create the perfect game-day beer and cheese pairings. Nate Anda filled Foodie and The Beast in on NRG’s newest Red Apron Butchery location in Union Market. Also representing the market, and some of the area’s tastiest seafood, JP Sabatier of Rappahannock Oysters and Dorian Brown of Neopol Smokery served up some of their most popular dishes. Eric Rohleder of Union Market’s Cordial Fine Wine provided the perfect sips to help wash down all of the morning’s yummy bites. Last but certainly not least, renowned Icelandic chef, Siggi Hall and hometown favorite, Mike Isabella joined Foodie and The Beast on set to talk about DC’s upcoming Sips and Suppers event and their latest ventures. After a busy show, Union Market was the perfect place to unwind and continue doing what we do best…eat! Check out the pictures below and take a listen here: http://
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen January 13, 2013
Another Sunday and another fabulously full studio. Joan Nathan, the James Beard Award Winning Jewish Cookbook author joined us to talk about Sips and Sups along with Michael Bartscherer the acting executive director for Martha’s Table, one of the benefitting charities of Sips and Sups. Dimitri Moshovitis and Geoff Maites from Cava also were in studio (they’ll be dishing up their Cava products at the Sips event January 26th). Joel Finkelstein from Qualia Coffee was in studio, beans in hand. Joel talked about the quality of the beans and the importance of fresh roasted. Chef Frederik De Pue filled us in on his two new restaurants, Azure and Table and brought some tasty snacks for all. Gustavo Gonzales, winemaker of Mira Wines popped in to give us a taste of Napa Valley’s newest winery. Francisco Garcia, General Manager of Beer, Wine & Co and David Birks, Beer Sommelier of Beer, Wine & Co mixed us up some Sunday morning cocktails and filled us in on the restaurant and wine shop. Needless to say it was a great show. Look and Listen here.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen January 6, 2013
In the first Foodie & The Beast of 2013, “The Beast” (aka David Nellis) was out and Scott Drewno, (executive chef at the acclaimed Wolfgang Puck restaurant, The Source) was in! 
Chef Scott joined Nycci as guest host and together they threw New Year’s dieting resolutions out the window and filled the studio with treats and sweets from local eateries. Jeff Halpern and Elliot Spaisman from the upcoming Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken shop arrived just in time to serve up a sugary breakfast, doughnuts. The guys filled Foodie and The Beast listeners in on what to expect from their yummy new concept, which is slated to open later this month. David Guas, of Bayou Bakery in Arlington, VA, joined Foodie and the Beast to talk celebrating Three Kings Day and Mardi Gras-New Orleans Style … King Cake in hand. With this holiday right around the corner, Bayou Bakery is prepping for a month of partying hard and eating well. Mark Rosati, Shake Shack’s culinary manager, joined Foodie and the Beast from NYC to share the eatery’s famous concretes. Shake Shack takes the concept of shakes a one step further by serving this decadent, custard-like creation in a variety of flavors. And it wouldn’t be a day of decadence with out someone pouring something! Tom Brown of one of DC’s favorite places to get a cocktail, The Passenger wowed everyone in studio with an array of rum-infused tiki cocktails currently featured on the menu of his newest spot, Hogo. Doughnuts, rum punch bowls, custard concretes and King cake? 2013 is off to a delicious start. Look and listen in here.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen December 16, 2012
For the final show before the end of the world… we had another studio full of phenomenal guests full of tips from gift giving to bar making. Carla Hall (you know her from “The Chew” and “Top Chef”) was in studio to talk about her new cook book, “Cooking with Love”. Brandon Clay from David Yurman at Tysons Galleria had wonderful jewelry gift tips and was wearing FABULOUS David Yurman baubles. Russell Jones, manager of PX and Bar T.N.T and his fiancée Monica Carroll, the bartender at Restaurant Eve joined us in studio and gave how-to on building a cocktail bar for any holiday party and brought in some great gifts for the aspiring bartender. Heather Shaw Menis from Saks Fifth Avenue at Tysons Galleria brought in a magnificent array of gift combos for everyone on your list. Rick East from Room & Board showed off some of the grand gifts they have to offer and Alex Clifford, the founder of Grape Crate, educated us on his new company and to complete the Sunday morning show gave us some tastes of a few of the different wines. Click on the image to look and listen, or click here.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen December 9, 2012
Another Sunday and another great show in studio with Foodie & the Beast. Nycci was in NYC and Washington Post Food Section columnist, David Hagedorn graciously stepped in as the resident Foodie. Joining us in studio was Casey Patten talking about the long awaited opening of Taylor Charles Steak & Ice. The always entertaining Chef Patrice Olivon from L’Academie De Cuisine whipped up a cooking demo in studio and Firefly’s Chef Todd Wiss delighted the studio guests and hosts with delicious potato latkes. A little vino on a Sunday morning doesn’t hurt, thanks to Allison Burns and Michelle Gueydan from Early Mountain Vineyards for keeping the glasses full. Joanne Weir chatted for a bit via phone discussing her cookbook “Joanne Weir’s Cooking Confidence: Dinner Made Simple. With great food to taste and wines to drink it was a good day. Click on the image, or click here, to look and listen.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen December 2, 2012
Foodie & the Beast got the 411 on all the must know information for the upcoming Inauguration in January. Although it is a month away, it’s time to start planning. Ernie Arais and Andrew Davidson of the Park Hyatt came with gifts … delicious pies from Blue Duck Tavern …. and all the info needed about the festivities happening at the Park Hyatt. The always fashionable, Marlene Hu and Eric Eiden from Hu’s Shoes and Hu’s Wear joined us in studio to show off some of the latest women’s fashion trends (including ah-mazing shoes). Michael Andrews of the recently opened Michael Andrews Bespoke joined us in studio with a selection of mens finery. Who doesn’t love a man in a tailored suit? End Bistro’s Shaun Henesy shared a variety of treats that the Ritz-Carlton DC is offering for the Inauguration Weekend including the details behind the $100,000 Inauguration package. During Inauguration Weekend, and every other weekend, all the power people in DC can be found sitting at the bar where Jeff Faille resides at Fiola. Jeff poured several drinks from his latest cocktail menu showcasing a range of tastes and flavors and … power. From fashion to food, all you need to know for one of DC’s biggest nights is all here for you. Listen here or look and listen by clicking on the image.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen November 18, 2012
Another full Foodie & the Beast studio on November 18th. Chris Bassett, the mixologist for the new Trademark in Alexandria, was in studio and made the Sunday morning super boozey with some fabulous cocktails. We were fortunate to compliment the cocktails with a bevvy of tastes from the always fabulous chef Jaques Haeiringer of the renowned L’Auberge Chez Francois. Everybody’s talking about Greenhat Gin and lucky us Tom Uselton and Michael Lowe from Greenhat Gin also joined us in studio with samples from DC’s first craft distillers. Phil Green, founding member of the American Cocktail Museum was also in studio, showcasing his book “To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion,” providing us with an even greater education on how alcohol influenced Ernest Hemingway’s writing and he mixed up a cocktail to boot. Lastly, Foodie & the Beast chatted with Seattle’s Tom Douglas to talk about his latest cookbook “The Dahlia Bakery Cookbook.” Baking mavens, this is one for the shelves. Click on the image to look & listen, or listen here.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen November 11, 2012
The new Union Market, a foodie’s paradise, made the perfect setting for Foodie and the Beast’s on-location show Sunday, November 11. To top-off the segment, some of DC’s top food bloggers competed in a lamb-burger-bash competition, LambJam! Take a look at all the food-fun we had with our guests and audience throughout the day! Chef, and Union Market curator- Richie Brandenburg, the Shepard of Border Springs Farm- Craig Rogers, and Executive Chef and reigning LambJam champion- John Critchley chatted with Foodie and the Beast about what’s happening at Union Market and laid out the burger bash competition. Mixing up delicious cocktails on set was JP Fetherston of Rappahannock Oysters. Carolyn Stromberg stopped in to give us the 411 on her new Union Market space- Righteous Cheese. Travis Croxton talked about all the delicious offerings at his new Rappahannock Oysters space in the market. Acclaimed food writer and DC’s Metrocurean, Amanda McClements, talked with Foodie and the Beast about her adorable home boutique in Union Market- Salt and Sundry. Anna Bran-Leis shared with Foodie and the Beast details of her DC Empanadas location in the market- as did George Lesznar of his Harvey’s Market space that provides the market quality meat and poultry. Foodie and the Beast was treated to another round of cocktails served up by Hank’s mixologist Gina Chersevani, who recently opened Buffalo and Bergen in the market. Click on image to look and listen.
Foodie and the Beast Lookbook and Listen November 4, 2012
Take a look and listen to all the food-fun had on Sunday, November 2 in the Foodie & The Beast studioAnn Yonkers chatted with Foodie and The Beast about FreshFarm Markets 10-year anniversary celebration and how FreshFarms has evolved over the years. Eliza Yoder gave Foodie and the Beast the inside scoop on Food and Friends’ collaboration with Baguette Republic to sell delicious pies with a cause this holiday season. Lisa Hviding, cheese specialist at Park Hyatt, puts politics aside to compile a red and blue cheese spread, among others, for election night . Jim Foss, Chef de Cuisine and Director of Operations at Hill Country Barbecue, fills Foodie and the Beast in on Thanksgiving options available at Hill Country when backup is needed for those last-minutes guests! As always, a Foodie and the Beast recording wouldn’t be complete without delicious cocktails to sip on throughout. Patrcik Chiappetta, general manager of Art & Soul, mixed election night-themed cocktails that are sure to get everyone’s votes- red or blue, during Art & Soul’s election-night party. Click on image to look and listen.
Foodie & The Beast Lookbook & Listen October 28, 2012
On Sunday, October 28th Foodie & The Beast was joined in studio by nationally acclaimed cookbook author, Kim O’Donnell. Back for a second time, Kim brought her latest cookbook, Meatless Celebrations (Year Round Vegetarian Feasts) for us to read through and discuss. Lesson learned … plenty of ways to dress up the Thanksgiving table with out a Turkey. Have a vegetarian coming to your home? Kim’s latest book has plenty of delicious suggestions. Many know Gail Simmons for her well-trained palate and judging on Bravo’s Top Chef. And, many will meet her November 3-4 at this years Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show. Gail called into Foodie & The Beast to give the details of what she’ll be cooking up at the Metro Cooking show and provides some backstage intel on this coming seasons Top Chef. Chef Victor Albisu was kind enough to stop by and he didn’t come empty handed! Chef brought in all the fixin’s and a griddle to cook up some of the tacos he is know serving at his Taco Bamba pop-up. Any food and wine lover who has flown out of Dulles Airport has certainly popped into Vino Volo for a really good glass of wine and a tasty bite to go with. For the first time a Vino Volo is opening a store outside of an airport and it’s going ot be locally in Bethesda. Foodie & The Beast spoke with Doug Tomlinson and Tristan Kindy about Vino Volo’s concept and what to look forward to sipping and swirling. It wouldn’t be a Foodie & The Beast show without a drink segment and this week we had Beverage Director at Bandolero, Taha Ishmail shaking up an array of cocktails available at Mike Isabella’s Georgetown haunt. Click on the image to look and listen.
Foodie & The Beast Look and Listen October 21, 2012
Scroll through to see the great lineup of guests and the fun had on the October 21st Foodie and the Beast show. Washington post food writer, David Hagedorn, kicked off the show by sharing details about the event he’s spearheading in support of marriage quality– Chefs for Equality and explained how listeners can still get their hands on tickets. Danny Fisher, general manager at Ripple in NW, chatted with Foodie and the Beast about Ripple’s upcoming dining events while pouring a selection of the restaurant’s Rhone wines. Nick Olcott, who plays chef James Beard in The Roundhouse Theatre’s production of “I Love to Eat” talks about (what else?) eating and what it takes to portray the legendary chef. Foodie and the Beast got on the phone with James Beard Lifetime Award Recipient and world-renowned Chef Jacques Pepin about his accomplished career, new cookbook,” Jacques Pepin’s New and Complete Techniques”, and his upcoming appearance at the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show. Lastly, Matchbox, the popular DC-based pizza chain, wrapped up the show with talks of expanding their restaurants across the DMV area. Click here to look and listen.
Foodie & The Beast Look and Listen October 14, 2012
Foodie and the Beast took full advantage of the beautiful fall weather and recorded in front of a live audience in Poste Modern Brasserie’s courtyard on October 14. Jason Wiles, chatted with Foodie and the Beast about the drink program at Poste and provided us with sips from the restaurant’s cocktail menu. Dennis Marron, the executive chef at Poste, and Craig Rogers, the Border Springs shepherd, grilled up a delicious lamb for The Foodie and the Beast audience and shared their knowledge about locally, farm-sourced food. Pati Jinich, of PBS’s show Pati’s Mexican Table provided the scoop on “real” Mexican food and her upcoming cookbook– also called Pati’s Mexican Table. Holly Harter of Subarashii Kudamono, growers of gourmet Asian pears, gave Foodie and the Beast the 411 on Asian pear varieties and the delicious products made from them—like their company’s line of wines and spirits. Finally, the guys from flying Dog Brewery, Tom Hunter and Keith Kohr, poured samples of their flavorful seasonal beers being brewed up at this time of year. Click on image to look and listen.
Foodie & The Beast Look and Listen October 7, 2012
This week on Foodie and the Beast, Nycci and Daivd spoke with Mitch Berliner of Central Farms Market about the oyster and BBQ festival held on October 1. Barry Koslow and Nick Wiseman of the new DGS Deli let Nycci and David in on their plans to establish a much-anticipated, authentic Jewish deli in DC– where a deli presence has been lacking. Scott Heimendinger, director of applied research with Modernist Cuisine, reveals how Modernist Cuisine’s newest publication, “Modernist Cuisine at Home”, breaks down modern cooking techniques and perspectives for non-industry readers to enjoy. Guy Golan, the sommelier at J&G Steakhouse, and Scott Harris, of Catoctin Creek Distillery, served up tasty cocktails made with 515 Whiskey– the signature whiskey made by Catoctin Creek Distillery served exclusively at J&G. And lastly, Partner/ Executive Chef Ann Cashion and Partner/Beverage Manager John Fulchino of Johny’s Half Shell shook up cocktails and brought in tasty treats from their new menu.
