Yes, we took a little vacay. Foodie & the Beast is back in studio and we’re talking getting RAMMY ready, Nyc’s trip to Culpeper, dinner at Ama oh and getting all the hot goss with these industry veterans:-Jon Arroyo is back. Jon has been a part of the DC Mixology scene for a long time and he is shaking it up at Residents Café and Bar with Josue Larin — and wait until you see their ice game.-No napkins were thrown in studio - this time. Joe Ragonese opened up Balos Estiatorio in Dupont Circle. The Greek restaurant offers a menu of refined Greek classics. Go for the food, stay for the party.-You know the names - Bottom Line, Madhatter, Shaw's Tavern, 801 Restaurant & Bar, Prost, Heidaway, Vagabond - but do you know Eric Heidenberger? He is a Partner with the DC Restaurant Group – they are behind these favorite haunts with more on the way.-Field Trip! Hilarey Leonard & Chef Matthew Lego of Leo are changing the way we talk (and eat) about dining in Annapolis.So much to eat, drink and discuss.Tune into Foodie & The Beast every Sunday at 11AM on 1500AM or here

The Fireworks Were Going Off In The Foodie & The Beast Studio: —Apero – or Aperitif, en Anglaise – is the delish Georgetown Champagne and caviar gem and restaurant that’s the brainchild of Advanced Sommelier Elli Benchimol. Love it there. It’s now added La Bohème, an intimate tasting room upstairs. Elli is in with her new Executive Chef, Jenn Castaneda-Jones (Chef Jenn is also a 2024 finalist for the RAMMYS Rising Culinary Star of the Year award, and Apéro is a finalist for Wine Program of the Year).—David Fritsche of the ooey-gooey-fondue-y Stable DC, known for traditional Swiss European fare. The long-running concept decided to pivot this spring to their new concept, Steak Frites DC. Steak, Hot Frites And Salad — in studio.—If you want to know anything about sake, Reiko Hirai is your go-to. She founded DC Sake Company. Reiko brought in tastes of sake, Japanese Whisky and other Japanese spirits like vodka.  You can taste these Japanese spirits and more at the Tasting Soiree on July 20. —David Wizenberg, The Chief Operation Officer at Hospitality Consulting Services chats optimizing the hospitality experience, the current renovation and reorientation of Executive Chef Chris Clime at PassionFish in Reston and the new, Ludicrous food truck concept featuring a rotating offering of restaurant menus you know and love. —L. Paige Newman is the Curator at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond. The Museum is hosting a fascinating, interactive exhibit on the life of Julia Child. Titled A Recipe for Life, it celebrates – and makes you a part of - Julia’s lasting impact on American cuisine and food culture. Field Trip!That’s Foodie & The Beast. Every Sunday at 11AM on 1500 AM or  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foodie-and-the-beast/id1265867635 

Yes, it’s heat wave hot outside but super cool in the Foodie & The Beast Studio:  -Russ Smith (yes, that Russ Smith) and Cecy Linzey are founders of Mr. & Mrs Bourbon, one of only a few Black and female-owned bourbon companies in the U.S.. They have seven expressions and they are pouring all of them.  -Who doesn’t want to start the day with fresh baked cornettos filled with pistachio creme or Nutella?! Well, we do and fortunately for us, Chef Matt Adler brought us both from his latest ode to Sicilian cuisine, Cucina Morini. Chef Matt won rave reviews from Tom Sietsema in today’s Washington Post review — do we have good timing or what?  And try not to drool.  -Aynae Simmons & Leticia Engel-Cobian with Visit Montgomery are in with us  to chat all things “Montgomery” as in fabulous, Montgomery County. Did you know that Rockville’s Global Bites Festival starts this week? Learn about all the happenings and the Tastemakers Trail that has about 23 craft beverage producers including wineries, breweries, cideries and a meadery.-Paul Taylor and Sherra Kurtz are Co-Owners of Your Only Friend, an out-of-the-ordinary cocktail and sandwich concept in Shaw. Their love of sandwiches and cocktails have create this must hit spot and we are thrilled to have them in studio to learn more about their story. -Originally from Berkley, Leo and Oliver Kremer, are the founders of the Dos Toros Taqueria. When they moved to East Coast they realized San Fran, Mission-style burritos were tough to find. Enter the first Dos Toros location in NYC‘s Union Square in 2009. Cut to now, there are 15 Dos Toros spots in NYC, and two here in DC.  The Kremer bros join us late in the show with all the details. So it’s hot, turn up your AC and tune into today’s #FoodieAndTheBeast. 11AM on 1500AM or see link in bio ~ 

 -Gigi Arandid is the Founder of BINGE Bar, a celebration of sobriety for those looking to have fun without the booze.  Elevated cocktails and a vegan + non-vegan, Filipino inspired menu.-Chef Tony Chittum, goes backs to his roots. The celebrated chef of Iron Gate is going back to his roots & now also overseeing the kitchen at his first Neighborhood Restaurant, Vermillion. He also brought in cider-doughnuts.-With 13 office spanning the US, HGA is an architectural firm with services that span the spectrum of what today’s environmentally-conscious buildings and their tenants demand. Ben Webne, an HGA principal joins us to chat sustainable design, lighting, engineering and food halls.-Kathy Jentz is a journalist, editor and publisher of the award-winning Washington Gardener Magazine. She hosts the popular GardenDC Podcast, and she’s in to talk what she’s planting/harvesting right now.-Drew Darneille is the award-winning Owner/Pitmaster at Smokecraft Modern Barbecue. He’s also throwing it down at the upcoming, 32nd Annual Giant BBQ Battle next week. Will he share is smoking secrets? Every Sunday at 11AM on 1500AM or here.

It was BOOZY in studio today — glassware everywhere!  - RAMW’s Kieristin Wilbert called in with all the details on this week’s RAMMY Cocktail promo - Tim O‘Rourke, wine sales & education manager at Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co.: He trained as a chef, worked with Michel Richard at Citronelle where he learned about wines, and the rest is history.  Tim just returned from France and he brought in his knowledge & wine.- Jovana Urriola is now the Executive Chef at Colada Shop. She’s a fabulously talented Panamanian chef, restaurateur, television personality, and RAMMY nominee and she’s in today with news about all the delicious changes she is cooking up at Colada Shop. Ummmm, corn croquetas!- Great wines? Delicious beers? Who doesn't love both (just not in the same glass)? Jeremy Ligon is the winemaker, and Jin Bowman is the brewer at Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery. There they produce both at the gorgeous property and recently won a Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. We’ll hear from them, taste their wares & plan a drive out to Delaplane.- Summer = entertaining. Sydney Morgan, a Senior Account Executive at Occasions Catering, plans all of the top events, like the Kevin Hart Mark Twain event at the Kennedy Center. She’s has all the tricks of the trades when it comes to incredible event- and wedding-planning.#FoodieAndTheBeast every Sunday at 11AM on 1500AM~ or here. 

I know I always say today's show is really good, but what can I say other than that today, it is really good! Aynae Simmons of Visit Montgomery calls in with the deals & dishes on Go MoCo Month & MoCo's Kick-Off to SummerDanya Degen lit up the studio with her infectious enthusiasm for serving Greek wines at the Greek-ish restaurant Meli nestled in the lobby of The Silva Apartments in Adams MorganTry not to tear up as Scott Schenkelberg, President and CEO of Miriam's Kitchen, discusses the work of this incredible nonprofit in DC, which seeks to end homelessness and hunger among our neediest neighbors. Back in February, I went to a fantastic lunar tea hosted at Chiko - Scott Drewno & Danny Lee invited Jill Nguyen, the baker behind Capitol Jill Baking &  Caroline Ta, Owner and Baker at SweetsbyCaroline, to participate & Nycci fell in love with both of them. A few weeks back Jill joined us and today Caroline is in with her gorgeously decorated, delicate & delicious cookies.Is there anyone on the planet like Michaele Weissman? Food writer, author, writing teacher, and coach. Her first book, A History of Women in America, has sold a quarter of a million copies and is still in print. We met her right after her next magnum opus, God in A Cup, about the specialty coffee industry. Now, she has written an homage to love, marriage, and Latvian rye bread. In her can't-put-it-down memoir, Rye Bread Marriage, she asks: How do the stories we live & the ones we inherit play a role in our relationships?  The show needs to be longer! We could have given each guest the whole show today, and still needed more time. Tune in today & every Sunday to Foodie & The Beast @ 11AM on 1500AM or Here 

An incredible discussion about the status of Fine Dining on today’s #FoodieAndTheBeastImpromptu panel chat at the show’s endDavid & Nycci chat with:-James Cao, Bar Supervisor at Smoke & Mirrors, the rooftop restaurant and bar atop the AC Hotel, Capitol Hill Navy Yard, crafted stunning cocktails-Chef/Owner Johnny Spero of Reverie Restaurant and Bar Spero is back on Foodie and the Beast – You may recall that a huge fire took out Chef Johnny’s Michelin-starred tasting experience in Georgetown. It reopened in March 2024 and Johnny’s in with his POV.-There’s been a changing of the guard at the French restaurant, L’Avant-Garde DC. Now helmed by Chef/Partner Sébastien Giannini, he joined us to take us into the kitchen & disucss the proper salade nicoise -Lamb Jam is back. Lamb Jam Month celebrates the culinary creativity of chefs across the country and supports family-operated farms and ranches that are raising sheep in the U.S. In May, chefs in DC will run a small plate on their menu featuring American lamb and compete for the title of Lamb Jam Master of their city. Demetri Mechelis, Chef Owner or Martha Dear  & current Lamb Jam Master is in with the detailsThat’s Foodie & The Beast. Ever Sunday at 11AM on 1500AM or Here. 

We are back from Barc (aka Barcelona) and what an up-lifting time was had by everyone in the #FoodieAndTheBeast studio: -First, a quick chat with Dania Jolley of Events DC about the return of Passport DC. This annual journey around the world highlights DC's thriving international diplomatic community with incredible events and activations. -Oh we were all on a high, thanks to Ashley McPherson, aka Ash McFierce, the Owner, Curator and Lead Mixologist of McFierce Experience; an events, catering and mixology company that you need to know about in DC. She crafts cocktails, experiences & she incorporates some mood enhancements to some of her products. -You see Fox 5’s Erin Como everywhere and with good reason, she really has her finger on the pulse on what is happening in the DC food scene and luck us she shares it on all her outlets including LION Lunch Hour, and Cooking with Como. Listen in for her tips, passion for home-cooked meals and appreciation for local chefs and restaurants. -Farmer in the house. David Sachs is owner of Grapewood Farm where he grows organic Virginia grain and mills stone-ground flour for area restaurants and bakeries. We discuss terroir and hear the good, the bad, and the ugly – but, mostly, the good – of life on the farm.-Wait until you see this cake! Jill Nguyen, the baker behind Capitol Jill Baking, a Capitol Hill microbakery specializes in sourdough bread, pastries, and fab mod cakes.-And lastly, joining us at absolutely the perfect moment is Isidre Sala, Head of the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the United States and Canada, Perfect? Why? Because we just returned from Barcelona, the heart of Catalonia, a couple of days ago. So we are prepped and ready to chat about all things Catalonian. Viva Cataluña! Every Sunday at 11AM on 15000AM or Here. 

Peak Fun on Today’s Foodie & the Beast: -ICYMI, RAMW Spring Wine Fling is Swinging Around theDMV-Shawn Townsend of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington Zooms in with an update us on the new law that reduces liquor liability costs & better protect restaurant from frivolous lawsuits-It’s International Women’s Month AND Maryland Wine Month. So it’s fitting that a prominent woman in the wine biz – from Maryland – joins us. We talk & taste with Regina McCarthy, General Manager at The Vineyards at Dodon.-The Jacks are in studio. Jack Maher and Jack Walten, cofounders of Sea Suite Cruises, setting sail this year with Whitlow’s on Water, a 50-foot floating tiki bar sailing from Georgetown Harbour and the Navy Yard. -From a Kensington pop-up to a Bethesda brick and mortar down the street from their high school alma mater – WJ – Dalia’s Falafel owner Ben Assaraf have hit on a fast casual concept that’s fast becoming a Bethesda go to.-More talk of wine, this time, Rose, yay! Josephine Carr of Castle Hill Cider and Matt Harmon of Harmony Wine, togethter they created Daze of Rosé, their special, pink twist on a traditional, springtime wine festival. You get to be the judge Tune into Foodie & the Beast every Sunday at 11AM on 1500AM or  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foodie-and-the-beast/id1265867635?i=1000650214009

Incantations, healing tonics, and industry women reveal their power. A coven gathering on Foodie& The Beast  -Cinnamon, turmeric, garlic & ginger form the base of the healing Khamsa Tonic. Lesley Deveraux created the elixir as a natural health aid to fight seasonal allergies, and it also happens to mix well with gin.-The magical Deb Schaffer a spell on us as we ready for the Spring Equinox this coming Tuesday. Deb creates tools to help people discover their spiritual superpowers. We lit her intention-based candles and deepened our energy.-Speaking of Equinoxes, one of the first guests on this show 15 years ago was Ellen Kassoff, who, along with her husband, Todd Gray, owns DC's legendary Equinox Restaurant downtown. Now in a new location. -The "bee sting" cookies at Baked & Wired are our kryptonite. Teresa Velazquez, the creative genius behind some of the best baked goods in the city, chatted, starting in paper and ZAP; she's now the award-winning chef behind Baked & Wired and A Baked Joint. -Six-time James Beard Award nominee Amy Brandwein of Centrolina and Piccolina da Centrolina mastered the art of creatingdishes that taste exactly as they should and as good as they do in Italy. Amy shares sage advice as a mentor and a hospitality industry leader. (And not a green beer in site)11AM on 1500AM or here