Foodie and the Beast - March 22, 2026

Cherry blossom season may be in full swing, but in studio, it was all about the people driving the energy behind the city’s food and beverage scene.

-Carla Hall and Micheline Mendelsohn are bringing BumbleBird to Capitol Hill, and while the fried chicken is reason enough to go, the real conversation was about hospitality as an art form and what it means to truly connect with your guests.

-Emily Brown came straight from a late night at Eebee’s Corner Bar, running on little sleep but a whole lot of purpose. There’s a reason there’s a line, it’s the care, the burger! and the way she makes people feel.

-Lillian Iversen, Vice President of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, reminded us that cherry blossom season isn’t just about the trees, it’s about experiencing the city in all the ways it shows up this time of year.

-The Square’s Owen Thomson is back behind the bar and continuing to shape how DC drinks, this time with vermouth, low-ABV cocktails, and a focus on creating moments that bring people together.

-And we began with the ndependent Restaurant Coalition’s , Erika Polmar, whose message was clear supporting independent restaurants has never been more important.

This show wasn’t just about what’s on the plate or in the glass, it was about the passion behind it all. Listen to the full episode here.