Surprisingly and happily, with a new year still battling COVID 19, there are new restaurants and other hospitality innovations popping up. Joining us on the first show of 2021 on Foodie & The Beast: * Deb Moser, co-founder of Central Farm Markets, with valuable info about shopping for the freshest of the fresh, farm-to-consumer produce, meats and more, during the pandemic. *Zach Patterson, of Melrose Umbrella Co. bar in LA and a Genever (Gen-aa-ver) Category Ambassador, with a tutorial on the differences between gin and genever (a cross between gin and whiskey). *Chef Kevin Tien, hailed by Food & Wine as one of America’s 10 best new chefs, now executive chef at Moon Rabbit, his modern Vietnamese restaurant at the InterContinental Washington D.C. on The Wharf. * Hollis Wells Silverman chatted about her recently opened, The Duck and the Peach, one of three she’ll open at the 700 Penn development on Capitol Hill. Think laid-back Northern California cuisine with a dose of New England comfort. *Neighborhood Restaurant Group – they of Iron Gate, Blue Jacket, Rustico and more – has a new addition run by a leading chef. It’s Leni, an all-day cafe headed by James Beard-nominated chef Brittanny Anderson, that opened November 2020 at NRG’s The Roost on Capitol Hill. Leni pays homage to 1970s eastern European health food trends (think fermented foods, lots of whole grains, etc.). Listen to the ful episode here.

Delicious insights and info? You want them? You know #FoodieAndTheBeast has them. Joining us on last Sunday's show: Blood Sweat Tears vodka’s Umberto Luchini, founder, and proprietor of the Wolf Spirit Distillery in Eugene, Oregon. On with Umberto is Ledy Van Kavage, senior legislative attorney for the Best Friends Animal Society (and current chair of the Illinois State Bar Association’s animal law section), talking about their charitable efforts to protect homeless, mistreated and injured pit bulls.  June Blanks, co-founder, Cooler Supply, has a very cool, turnkey solution that redefines holiday gifting to show your staff appreciation and boost morale during the work-from-home experience.  Rob Bildner and Elisa Spungen Bildner, authors of “The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook” are on. Coincidentally, last Friday their new cookbook was named New England Cookbook of the Year. It is an incredible read and a real tribute to the farmers of the region. Joey Jurgielewicz, the Duck Guy! He’s a fifth-generation duck farmer who happens to supply Pekin ducks (that’s not a typo; that’ a type of duck, friends) to many of the East Coast restaurants you know and some you don’t, plus many others around the U.S., and now you can order you own Truly another delicious show. Click here to hear it all.

If you missed the latest Foodie & The Beast, you really did miss some good and usable info, even in this COVID crazy world. Deb Moser from Central Farm Markets chatted all sorts of info about great holiday meal ingredients – from fresh produce and meats to poultry, awesome potables, gift basket ideas and more – including all the COVID safety procedures.  We spoke at length with Rob Arthur, GM, and Emmanuel West, beverage director and somm, at Baltimore’s ultra-luxe and only Relais & Chateaux property, the Ivy Hotel. This boutique property is in a Mount Vernon-district historic mansion, and continues its adherence to the best in hospitality from their high teas to dining in their signature restaurant. The Ivy is a staycation wonder and ultra-on-top-of COVID safety precautions.  We were joined live from London by Thom Elliot who, along with his brother James, spent months touring Italy and other spots around the world to write THE definitive guide to and cookbook for …PIZZA! It’s PIZZA - RECIPES, STORIES, HISTORY, PLACES, PEOPLE, LOVE, and we both found it to be a totally entertaining and informative read and no surprise, Thom was a great interview.  An old friend of the show, The Rock -- chef Rock Harper-- joined us. Among other accolades, Chef Rock gained national recognition when he won Season 3 (2007) of the Fox Reality television cooking show Hell’s Kitchen, hosted by Gordon Ramsay. Chef Rock opened Queen Mother’s restaurant in the La Cocina space in Virgina, just this week and he gave us a history of his mission to serve the best in fried chicken —  ever. And, he does! For the latest in all things delicious, click here.

Foodie & The Beast pre-games for the coming Thanksgiving holiday with this week's lineup of delicious guests:  Natalie Vachon, Area Director of Marketing for half luxe, boutique hotel and half spectacular art gallery, Hotel Zena, and Jasmine Diaz, Assistant Food & Beverage Director and the creator of the cocktail menu at the hotel's Fig Leaf bar.   Bonnie Moore, Executive Director of Real Food for Kids, a group of Fairfax County, VA parents who advocate for increased quantities of fresh, whole foods in schools. Real Food for Kids has several important initiatives for feeding kids and families disadvantaged by aspects of the COVID lockdown.  The Navy Yard's La Famosa brings soulful Puerto Rican cooking to Washington, DC’s Navy Yard neighborhood. Chef and owner Joancarlo Parkhurst talked about menu creation and rollout.  Have you tried Money Muscle BBQ? It’s a food truck concept from the husband and wife team of Chef Ed Reavis and Jennifer Meltzer, who also owns All Set Restaurant & Bar in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland.  Another Sunday, another show and more incredible ways to eat and drink your way through the DMV area. Listen to the full episode here.

David and Nycci were joined by Mitch Berliner & Deb Moser of Central Farm Markets who had plenty of good info about last-minute Thanksgiving freshness available. Then, Brandon Bayton of Wunder Garten beer garden in NOMA dropped in with updates on some great pop-ups and special events for the crisp, fall days ahead. Later, Adam Gerson, founder of Near Country Provisions, a subscription-based farm-to-doorstep service that delivers premium, locally-sourced, pasture-raised beef and pork, had great tips for delicious, farm-to-table dining in these otherwise, challenging days of the pandemic.  Greg Bolton, whose mom and dad founded the now-nationally famous, Bob and Edith’s Diner in Arlington, chimed in to chat about how 24/7 comfort food keeps its patrons sane and happy. Lastly, award-winning paella chef and owner of DC’s Xiquet, Danny Lledo joined Nycci and David to talk about his highly-regarded, Valencian restaurant, and about his offerings coming up while surviving and prospering in the pandemic. Listen to the full episode here.

We have to give credit where credit is due. David called it first. As we launched into the recording of Foodie & The Beast on Saturday, David started off the show with an announcement — Joe & Kamala had won. And, as you all know, the official announcement came at 11:20ish. So while on-air the horns starting honking outside our window, phones began blowing up and instant celebrations erupted. But as we say in showbiz, the show must go on! With absolute joy in our hearts we finished recording the show and cheered with each guest.  We celebrated the bounty of fresh, delicious, food and drink offered at Central Farm Markets Thanksgiving and every other day.  Up next were RAMW board member John Sneddon, proprietor of Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co., and Alonzo Freeman, bar director of RAMMY award winner, The Royal (for Cocktail Program of the Year) talk about the upcoming, citywide, RAMW Cocktail Week.  Chef Mark Levy, exec chef at the newly christened, Magdalena, a Maryland Bistro in Baltimore’s uber chic hotel, The Ivy, joined us with details of the new menu he’s just rolled out.  DC Central Kitchen’s executive director Mike Curtain, provided details on this year’s, Capital Food Fight 2020, still an awesome event, albeit virtual. And who doesn’t love family-owned, Lebanese Taverna’s Mediterranean delights? Grace Abi-Najm Shea talked about their spectacularly successful – and still ongoing – efforts to raise money aiding victims of the disastrous explosion that rocked Beirut in August. So much to toast to. Join us and tune in.

Pre-election insanity, we had a delicious, pan-global trip across cuisines with our guests on last week's Foodie & The Beast.  First was former financial consultant, Umber Ahmad. She used to spend her days counseling people on how to expand their brands. Then chef Tom Colicchio heard about her baking hobby and asked for a taste. And, as they saw, the rest is history. Her New York bakery, Mah-Ze-Dahr, has a new location – at DC’s Capitol Riverfront - adjacent to the not-yet-opened Gatsby.  Chef Paul Yellin, aka “The Rhum Chef" is best known as the owner and head chef at Cane Rhum Bar in Charleston. (Yellin describes himself as a “rum drinker with a cooking problem,” who aims to bring Caribbean food, culture, and rum to the world stage. And guess what? Chef Paul has a new DC rhum bar and restaurant opening soon in DC.  Award-winning pitmaster Drew Darneille is the owner and driving force behind Smokecraft Modern Barbecue, an award-winning barbecue restaurant in Clarendon. He joins us with tales of BBQ competitions, inventive cuisines, and something special for Thanksgiving. And Susan Soorenko, founder and CEO of Moorenko’s Ice Cream (Get it? “Moo – renko?!), studied her craft under renowned ice cream experts in New York and a master gelato maker in Italy. Clearly, her education paid off. Her rich, wholesome ice creams are so good, they’re the only ones sold on QVC in the past 20 years. Susan joins us to discuss why everyone in the know screams for her ice creams. Sit back, take in the soothing tones of Nycci and David's voices, and grab a pen and paper to keep your own list of where to eat and drink.

Foodie & The Beast is still from home, and will be for the foreseeable future, but as they say in show biz ... the show must go on ...  and it does,  deliciously. This week's guests:  * We were delighted to have Grand Cata's owners and founders, Jose Robledo and Pedro Rodriguez, with us. Grand Cata is a Latin American-centric wine and grocery concept now at La Cosecha in Union Market and, not surprisingly, recently voted one of America's 50 Best Wine Retailers.  * Matt Baker, the celebrated chef/owner of Michelin-starred Gravitas in Ivy City, just marked the birth of his daughter by opening Baker's daughter, a cafe and market that's just across the street from his restaurant. Matt's on with the inside scoop.  * Know the name "Allison Cooke"? When you walk into many of DC's favorite restaurants - from fine dining to fast-casual - she and her team at Core Architecture + Design likely have had a hand in creating them. Allison is on with client Ryan Malaszewski to talk about her latest, and very special project, pizzeria Mozzeria, near Gallaudet University, where all of the staff are deaf or hard of hearing and where a raft of special design and construction innovations were needed to productively serve everyone.  * Hakan Ilhan's Brasserie Liberte opened last November to big crowds. And then ... COVID 19 hit. Hakan joins us with his executive chef, Matt Cockrell (formerly of La Diplomate and other, local spots we love) to discuss fast pivots to keep business moving and plans for fall and winter. Listen to the full episode here.

For the last 12 years, Foodie & The Beast has been able to bring together people across the food, wine (beer & spirits!), and hospitality industries and celebrate their passions. Before Covid, there had always been good food, drink, and conversation. In Covid, we may be short of food and drink but good conversation? There is always plenty. This week's guests included:  DC's Anxo Cidery & Tasting Room is the brainchild of restaurant veterans Sam Fitz, Rachel Fitz, and Cooper Sheehan. Apples and Fall go hand in hand in so many delicious ways, including the picking of apples which according to Sam you can do all over the city.   The team at DC’s Espita kicked off their Ghostburger initiative as a ghost kitchen conceot that had evolved into an ongoing pop up. Executive Chef Rob Aikens join us with all the details. They call this talented cook, former Senior Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living “Tara Teaspoon” – she’s Tara Bench, and in her debut cookbook, this seasoned food editor, stylist and recipe developer offers an array of dishes that anyone -even David- can make.  Brothers Giuseppe and Mario Lanzone founded Peruvian Brothers to share the flavors of the Peruvian coast, where they grew up. Their first brick-and-mortar location at La Cosecha offers delish, Peruvian-style sandwiches, empanadas, desserts and hot sauces.   Listen to the full episode here.

This week David and Nycci celebrate twelve years on air together for Foodie & The Beast. While they do play you-bet-your-marriage putting together the show every now and again, they've still managed to stay together for 24 years (wedding anniversary, October 5th) regardless. Last week’s show was provided necessary delicious info: -What’s at Central Farm Market with farmer Sandra Miller  -Sid Dilwari, master distiller at Filibuster Distillery talks what you’re drinking -It’s #SavorBethesda Week and director of marketing and communications, Bethesda Urban Partnership, Stephanie Coppula has the who and what is on the menu. -The lines coming out of Georgetown’s newest bakery, Levain must mean something. Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes, co-founders of Manhattan’s Levain Bakery share their sweet secrets. -Tea Drunk is known for the finest and most prized teas from China. Shunan Teng, Tea Drunk’s founder supplies “The History of Tea.” Listen here for the latest show.