It’s another delicious Sunday on Foodie & The Beast, and today we’re serving up global flavors and immigrant stories:-We’re starting off with a seriously spirited drink segment from Jo-Jo Valenzuela, Executive Chef and Managing Partner at Tiki on 18th. Polynesian vibes meet Filipino flair in the glass and on the plate.-We’re getting delicate with Leah Culley, the pastry queen behind Sweet Almond and her beautifully crafted French macarons. She’ll tell us why they’re the ultimate high-maintenance dessert.-Next, a culinary crossroads like you’ve never tasted before: Dr. Fatema Issa from Vera Cocina & Bar join us to talk about their inventive menu connecting Lebanese and Mexican flavors that is all inspired by real migration history.-And from one fusion to another, Michelin-starred Chef Masaaki “Uchi” Uchino and Dean Mosones, co-owner of Bar Japonais, take us into their sleek world of Japanese cuisine with French elegance. Umami for days.We’re closing things out with Derek Battle of Flave, the app that lets you turn your food pics into real rewards. Everyone takes photos of their food  now receive some serious bonuses for eating out and showing up.Craving a cocktail, a cookie, or culinary adventure, Foodie & The Beast has your tastebuds covered every Sunday at 11AM on 1500AM or here

🎙️Today on Foodie & The Beast, we’re raising a glass, passing the cheese, and celebrating some serious culinary resilience. Let’s break it down:🍷 Kiernan Slater of Slater Run Vineyards joins us to toast 10 years of winemaking magic. Farming, winemaking and thriving in Virginia wine country, deliciously.🎨 Carole D’Agostino calls in with the lowdown on Maryland CraftedL Centreville, formerly DrinkMaryland, happening Saturday, June 7. Think: 40+ local winemakers, artisans, and makers all turning downtown into a delicious sip-and-shop street fest.🍽️ If you haven’t been to Elle in Mt. Pleasant, consider this your sign. Co-owner Nick Pimentel and new Chef, Tyson Barrett are in studio with why this neighborhood gem is a must  and what’s new on the menu.🌱 From vineyards to dairy farms to full-blown ag innovation, Jennifer McCloud of the Ag District is here to tell us how she turned personal challenges into a powerhouse food and farm destination in Middleburg.💪 And finally, we’re closing strong with the fierce Ryan Ross, chef, consultant, culinary producer, and author, who shares how her journey through health struggles inspired a career that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.Settle in, pour something local, and tune in here. 

This week’s Foodie & The Beast show? Fairy-Fueled -Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman called in with the latest information on the ICE raids disrupting DC hospitality this week.-We had a fairy unicorn in studio, Avalon Oona Haas from Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, shaking things up with their award-winning rye (and yes, we’re sipping along).-Chef Jon Krinn is back and with the details of his “culinary speakeasy” Elyse in Fairfax.  Have you seen Tom Sietsema’s Spring Guide? It’s in there.  -Sarah Ahn, America’s Test Kitchen’s social star and author bestselling UMMA joined us to chat food, family, and the perfect gift for Mother’s Day.-And of course, the one and only Greg Engert gave us the scoop on all the delicious eats at this year’s Virginia Wine Festival (because what’s wine without great food?).Every Sunday at 11am on 1500am or tune in here.

What a lineup on today’s Foodie & The Beast:-Sixteen years ago, Fatima and Omar Popal were just getting started with Café Bonaparte — now their Popal Group empire (Lapis, Pascual, Lutèce, and Lapop!) is racking up 2025 RAMMY nominations. We had their Beverage Director Suzy Critchlow in studio to spill the tea on their big year, and mix up some of their top cocktails. -Thinking about launching your own business? Dr. Linda Wharton Boyd from the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority dropped by with the scoop on the 11th Annual POWER UP DC Summit — your crash course for turning that dream into reality. -Also in the house: BBQ boss Jarrad Silver. You know him from his epic food truck, but now he’s got a brand new brick-and-mortar, Silver & Sons BBQ in Bethesda. He brought the low-and-slow love and yes, the truck is still rolling. -Feeling a little under the weather, or just craving some real comfort? Valerie Zweig and Taryn Pellicone of Prescription Chicken introduced their latest delicious invention: Cookstix! Instant stock sticks made with real ingredients and their story of entering the consumer packaged goods market.-And we wrapped it all up with a little legend status: Chef Domenico Cornacchia, now at Jackie’s in the Navy Yard, dished on his new menu and gave us some Café Milano memories. Trust us, you’re going to want to catch this one. Full show here 

FULL STUDIO!  Today’s Foodie & The Beast: The Gauntlet Has Been Thrown!-Who will take the crown in the Cherry Blossom-themed Cocktail Competition, sponsored by High Road Spirits? We’ve got the deets from High Road’s Mid-Atlantic boss babe Jennifer Nellis—plus meet the talented finalists:✨ John Cooper (Vagabond Kitchen & Bar + Prost)✨ Lucy Valenti (Residents Café & Bar)✨ Kevin Cornejo (just wait till you hear this one…)-Also in studio: Michelin-starred Chef Danny Lledó, sharing how diners can now experience his culinary R&D firsthand at El Taller del Xiquet —his intimate lab where bold, creative Mediterranean flavors are constantly being explored and refined. 🍽️-What happens to all the food we don’t eat? Kate Urbank from Food Rescue US – DC talks Food Waste Prevention Week (April 7–13) and how local efforts are helping save tens of thousands of pounds of food for neighbors in need.And after hours at the stunning new Alara, DC dining vet Hakan Ilhan (Brasserie Liberté, Ottoman Taverna, Il Piatto, Al Dente, and more) gives us the inside scoop on his latest love letter to Turkish, Greek & Levantine cuisine.🎙️Tune in every Sunday at 11AM on 1500AM or here 

We’re serving up a stacked show this week — from policy shakeups to perfect pours and behind-the-scenes bites.-Shawn Townsend, President & CEO of RAMW, breaks down the latest member survey — federal workforce cuts, rising costs, shifting traffic — and what it all means for DMV dining.-Rachel Loew Lipman of Loew Vineyards joins us to pour award-winning wines and share the powerful, multi-generational story behind one of Maryland’s oldest wineries.-Claire & Ari Wilder have transformed the old Booeymonger into La Bonne Vache, a cozy French bistro that feels like it’s always belonged on Prospect Street.-Phil Greene returns! The cocktail historian and author is here with stories (and sours) from his latest book, Sours: A History of the World’s Most Storied Cocktail Style.-And from Cordelia Fishbar, we chat with GM Sonya Znati and Executive Sous Chef Ramon Rivera about Clyde’s newest seafood-forward spot in Union Market.Before we wrapped, we circled back to Shawn’s Initiative 82 data and got real-time takes from Ari, Claire, Sonya, and Ramon on what they’re seeing in the streets.🎧 It’s a candid, flavor-packed episode you won’t want to miss. Listen here. 

-A special guest star in studio — Eric Hirschfield — an old friend from the 1900’s and the guy who launched Nycci’s DC hospitality career when he brought her in to bake for his restaurant.-We're feeling the Irish spirit in full force! Inspired by Oscar Wilde, Wilde Irish Gin is making waves as Ireland’s first female master distiller’s creation. Their brand director, Billy Ray, zoomed in with all the details, and Lathan Kornegay, their dapper brand ambassador, is in studio — dressed to impress and shaking up some seriously delicious cocktails, including a fabulous Irish Coffee.-The latest concept from the team behind Wunder Garten, the Barrel House founders Biva Ranjeet and Chris Lynch share their vision, their festive St. Paddy’s Day bash on Monday, and a lineup of exciting pop-ups you will not want to miss.-The stunning new Willowsong Restaurant at the InterContinental Hotel, has Chef Jeffrey Williams cooking up seasonal dishes that showcase our region’s bounty. He chats all about his culinary vision and his new approach to sustainability - not an easy task at a hotle property.-If it walks like a duck… it’s probably Mallard … Quack.  Chef Hamilton Johnson has brought elevated Southern comfort food to the Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s new Mallard, two doors down for the Barrel House. We snacked on Hamilton’s delish pimento cheese spread while catching up on his South Carolina-inspired cuisine.So grab your green, pour a drink, and stick around — we've got a show packed with flavor, fun, and fabulous guests! Listen to the full episode here. 

Today’s Foodie & The Beast… It’s a Feast for Your Ears! Another jam-packed show with an incredible lineup of guests -Dan Ziegler, Founder of Chacho Distillery in Takoma Park, is shaking things up with his unique spin on Colombian aguardiente. It gets spicy in studio. - Big news from Denizens Brewing — they’ve seriously upped their food game. Julie Verratti, Chief Brand Officer of Denizens, is in alongside their new Executive Chef, Shannan Troncoso, to talk about the exciting culinary changes happening at this Brewery favorite. Hint there’s beer in the Caesar dressing.- Dani Mathey, COO of the 801 Restaurant Group, is giving us the inside scoop on the newly opened 801 Chophouse in Tysons Corner — their first East Coast outpost. Steak lovers, this one’s for you.-Moe Yamada, better known as Kimono Mom, joins us all the way from Japan. A former Geisha) turned YouTube star, she's sharing her love for Japanese home cooking and culture, which has captivated audiences in over 190 countries.From cocktails to chophouses, Japanese home cooking to brewery bites — we’ve got it all — 11AM on 1500AM or here  

Welcome to the first-ever collaboration between Foodie & The Beast and Industry Night—our special episode: "Wine Tariffs: Can We Swallow Them?"A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of attending a panel at Brent Kroll’s Maxwell Park that delved into the intricate world of wine tariffs. The conversation was so engaging that I knew we had to bring it to our audience. Why choose one show when we can merge the best of both?Today, we're diving into how wine tariffs impact everyone from importers and distributors to restaurants and winemakers—and ultimately, your wallet. While there's plenty of debate about tariffs across various imported goods, our focus is clear: exploring whether these wine tariffs will disrupt our favorite restaurants and bars or even swing the balance on domestic wine exports.Joining us for this spirited roundtable discussion are some of the industry’s most influential voices:• Erik Segelbaum – Vice President of United Sommeliers Foundation and Owner of SWIG Partners• Vanessa Cominsky – Sommelier & Beverage Specialist at Prestige Ledroit Distributing• Michael Scaffidi – An Advanced Sommelier whose impressive resume includes The French Laundry, The Greenbier, Union Square Café, and Jean-Georges• Brent Kroll – Renowned for his work at Maxwell, Pop-Fizz, and more, and named a 2018 Food & Wine Sommelier of the Year. Brent also pouring some exceptional wines for us to sip as we chat!This insightful and lively exploration into the world of wine tariffs on at 11am on 1500am or HERE. In a few weeks this show will drop on all the Industry Night channels.Let’s find out if these tariffs are something we can swallow—or if they’re just too much to digest. Listen here.  

This Foodie & the Best show is not our typical food and wine variety hour—though don’t worry, we’ve still got plenty of deliciousness in store. But today, we’re diving deep into a conversation that’s just as important as what’s on the plate: mental health in hospitality and how business owners are navigating workplace wellness.-First up, if you haven’t checked out Plant Magic Bottle Shop at Union Market, you’re missing out.  Sober Curious Coach,  Mentor and shop owner, Anahata Sabat has created a space filled with functional mocktails that uplift, enhance connection, and elevate your mood—all without the dreaded hangover. And honestly, if there was ever a time we needed a little mood elevation, it’s now.-Next, we’re pouring one out (literally) with Neal Wavra, wine expert, proprietor, chef, and sommelier of Field & Main Restaurant in Marshall, VA, and CEO of Red Truck Bakery. Neal tests our wine knowledge with a blind wine tasting and sharing he hospitality philosophy.-And finally, an old friend of the show—actually, one of our first guests ever nearly 16 years ago—is back. Dan Simons, Co-founder of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, is here with all the latest from his restaurants and his new one opening in Alexandria. But more importantly, we’re diving into some big conversations—how business owners can and should address workplace mental health, menopause, and other critical well-being issues that impact every industry, not just hospitality.So, grab your coffee (or maybe a functional mocktail?) and settle in—it’s going to be a great one. 11AM on 1500AM or here