Foodie and the Beast

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Celebrated for its mouth-watering, slow-smoked meats, Latin-inspired sides, and a no-shortcuts approach to craft, 2Fifty Barbecue is touted by many as the DMV’s best, including Washingtonian’s Top 100 Very Best Restaurants, where it comes in ranked at #22 overall. Not too shabby – so we invited chef/co-owner Fernando Gonzalez in to make him give up all his best-kept culinary secrets; · Speaking of mouth-watering, we also brought in Washington Ramirez,, opening manager of Terra Gaucha Restaurant in Rockville. Terra Gaucha is an authentic, churrasco-style restaurant showcasing traditional flavors from southern Brazil; · Formerly with PepsiCo, Liat Kaplan is the co-founder and CEO of WiSP, a cutting-edge wellness and safety platform using new technology to analyze drink contents in real time. Liat’s mission is to support patron safety and personal wellness, empowering people to enjoy food and drink experiences confidently, while minimizing risks like drink-spiking, allergens, and unsafe levels of alcohol consumption; · Kevin Bratt is a partner and the national wine and spirits director for Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Snow Crab. He’s in with tastes and talk of Joe’s wine and spirits programs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: Geraldine Mendoza is the founder of Taquería Xochi, which just opened a fourth location in the Navy Yard. Not bad for a place that started out as a pandemic-era ghost kitchen. Known for Mexican favorites including tacos, cemitas, tlayudas, and aguas frescas, Taqueria Xochi gets universal praise – even from the hard-to-please Tom Sietsema; • Back on Foodie and the Beast after years away and years of immense success and growth are Robb Duncan and Violeta Edelman, co-owners of Dolcezza Gelato and Coffee. Dolcezza has a creative lineup of Valentine’s Day-inspired flavors, including the sweet and spicy passionfruit Szechuan pepper matcha, at all 6 DMV shops; • Downtown Bethesda offers a diverse selection of restaurants ranging from international flavors to American favorites like barbecue, continental cuisine, delicious desserts and more. “Savor Bethesda” Restaurant Week (Thursday, Feb. 19 – Sunday, March 1) is a great opportunity to try something new to eat -- and drink! -- at a great price. We are joined by Stephanie Coppula, director of marketing and communications at the Bethesda Urban Partnership. And mixing up cocktails is Tyler Cotting, bar manager at Pisco y Nazca, one of the restaurants participating in Savor Bethesda. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Scott Drewno, partnered with Danny Lee in the Fried Rice Collective, here to take about food for the Big Game and the Upstate New York foods he grew up with that he’s now able to offer; · Yves Lowe, executive chef and gastronomy programming manager for the Montréal en Lumière festival. It is one of the largest winter festivals in the world and the most important food festival in Canada. Attendees enjoy hundreds of activities through gourmet experiences that showcase the best of the city’s culinary scene; · America loves a comeback story. Chef Paolo Dungca’s modern Filipino restaurant, Kayu, closed on the H Street Corridor at the end of June. But it didn’t take long to make a comeback. A more streamlined casual version of the restaurant is now open at Dupont Circle; · Dr. Mamuka Tsereteli, founder of the Georgian Wine House.– The nation of Georgia is possibly the birthplace of wine, with 8000 years of uninterrupted winemaking. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Diane Gross, chair of the board, RAMW, She and her husband, Khalid Pitts, have also opened a Cork in Cleveland Park; · Stephanos Andreou and Constandina Andreou, cofounders of D.C.’s hit, new make-your-own-pasta place, Gigi’s, in the Western Market near The George Washington University. How good is it? They did so well on opening day that they had to go out and buy a second noodle-making machine to keep up with demand; · Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix are the cofounders of Speed Rack. Now in its 14th year with nearly $2 million raised so far, Speed Rack is the first global competition highlighting the bar industry’s leading women+, with 100% of proceeds going directly to breast cancer education, prevention, and research. And it's happening March 16 at the Howard Theatre; · Jean Carlos Mero is the general manager at Bully, the new Spanish steakhouse in Northwest D.C.’s St. Gregory hotel. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. We’re closing out 2025 with a show we’re calling State of the Plate, because if there’s one thing this year demanded from the hospitality industry, it was honesty. So today, we’re setting the table for an honest, forward-looking conversation: What actually happened in 2025? What’s broken? What’s changing? And what does it take for restaurants not just to survive — but to thrive — in 2026? Our guests are: Shawn Townsend — President & CEO, Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) Greg Casten — ProFish & Fish & Fire Group Daniella Senior — Co-Founder, Colada Shop Michael Babin — CEO, Neighborhood Restaurant Group Chris Schmid — Prestige Ledroit See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Monica Evans, beverage director, the Coquito Bar, a tropical holiday cocktail oasis inside La Cosecha in the Union Market District; · Joy Johnson, director of visitor experience at the fabulous Folger Shakespeare Library, with inside news about all the cool stuff happening there across the holidays during the 2nd Annual Folger Frost Fair and lots more; · Sarah the Elf. North Pole native. ‘Nuff said. And, oh yeah, there's a big holiday light show and festival up in Baltimore. She tells us all about it; · Equal billing for some among us who don't celebrate Christmas, but who also have a cool holiday this time of year! Josh Saltzman is co-owner at the Juneberry Garage. We had Juneberry’s Chris Powers in last week. Josh is also co-owner at Ivy and Coney, where they’re about to celebrate their 9th Annual Hannukah pop-up bar, called Chai-vy and Cohen-y. Josh is here without his mishpocha but … with all the deets;l · Elena Johnson is the D.C. and Maryland market lead for The Macallan. She’s in with news about The Macallan’s newest venture here, The Snug. It’s D.C.'s new whisky lounge, open now -- and only to be found at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · The SNAP mess created during the recent government shutdown threatened 40 million Americans – among them, 16 million kids – with the loss of desperately needed funding for food. Food they count on for survival. Hunger across America – and across the DC area – remains a challenge. Radha Muthiah is the president and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank. She joins us for an update on the ongoing problem; · Former White House pastry chef Susan Limb is co-owner of the Praline Bakery & Bistro in Bethesda and at The Wharf. She’s celebrating Praline’s 20th anniversary in April -- and we’re going to do the run-up celebration today; · Greg Engert – globally famous partner and beer director at NRG – on ways to give during the holidays; · Chris Powers, partner/owner at the Juneberry Garage, a tavern-style bar and restaurant in The Parks at Walter Reed; · Eric Lawson, director of food and beverage for the Singing Tiger, the new restaurant and bar recently opened in the lower level of the Hotel Nell in the Union Market District. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · He’s a true Renaissance man in the food world. You’ve seen him on PBS and all sorts of national media … and now Chef Gregorio Fierro is here on Foodie and the Beast. He is a certified master Instructor for the Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli, an authority on Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine, and co-owner of Wagyu Sommelier, a Florida-based purveyor of authentic Japanese Wagyu beef; · Marriott’s Bonvoy Moments. Here to talk about them is Chef Stephen Toevs, VP Culinary, Global Operations, Marriott International; · Mel Johnson, executive director, The Storehouse, a fresh food bank that started in 2022 in Prince George’s County. It is the nation’s first Black-run food bank; · Gardner Douglas, the "Oyster Ninja," a professional oyster shucker and personality from the Washington, D.C. area, · And we’re talking beer. Kyle Farrelly is here. He’s the GM at Atlas Brew Works and the new Atlas Bridge District Brewery & Tap Room. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · One of the hottest new restaurants in D.C. is K Street’s Barbouzzard, French for “secret agent”. Inspired by the French Riviera, this place is just as hot. Barbouzzard’s creator and principal managing partner, Nasr El Hage, and executive chef and partner – and one of our favorite guys in the world - Cedric Maupillier – join us; · Tysons Corner’s Tower Club is a Northern Virginia legend sitting on the 17th Floor of a beltway landmark – the high-rise building that looks like a shopping bag. The Tower Club recently underwent a multi-million-dollar reinvention, including its menu. Vinny Mauriello, City Clubs’ senior VP and national food and beverage director joins us with all the delicious details; · Caviar is undeniably one of the world’s great delicacies. But what do you really know about it and its origins? Alboroz Tajik, owner of Northern Virginia’s celebrated Merolin Caviar, is in with tastes and talk of his amazing offering of imperial osetra and imperial gold caviar; · And we’re gonna need something good to wash down all that caviar. Fortunately, Anna Valero and Brian McGahey are in with cocktails from District Still and Supply – shh … a speakeasy … that will do the trick. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David Nellis. On today’s show: · So timely a guest and a subject. Brian Mulholland, chairman of the John S. Mulholland Family Foundation, whose mission is very straightforward -- to ensure local food pantries have the resources they need to support food-insecure families with dignity and respect. He is joined by Christianne Ricchi; · Chef Tadayoshi Motoa of the Omakase Room by Tadayoshi. Chef Tadayoshi has held leadership roles in cities such as Madrid, London, Jakarta, Osaka and Copenhagen. As executive chef at Toki in Madrid he earned a Michelin star within six months of opening. This is Chef’s first U.S. venture; · Moxies is a premium casual restaurant whose menu focuses on house-made ingredients with a "global inspiration." Brandon Thordarson is Moxies’ Washington D.C. franchise owner and a partner at Elevated Hospitality. Moxies has 58 locations in the U.S. and Canada. It is opening an 8,000+ sq. ft. flagship restaurant early in December, in the heart of D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood; · Cynthia Phillipe and Brandon Shackelford join us from the West End’s a.kitchen restaurant+bar. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · A grecophile is someone with a strong affinity for Greek culture. Well, no one has a stronger affinity for Greece -- and Greek and Mediterranean cuisine -- than chef, cookbook author and beloved PBS TV host Diane Kochilas. She has a lot to share -- a new book just out titled “Athens: Food, Stories, Love.” And she just ushered in a new season – Season 5!! - of her beloved PBS show, “My Greek Table;” · National food and travel writer -- and now author -- Stephanie Burnette has a new book, “100 Things to Do in Greenville, SC Before You Die.” – and, as it turns out, there is a whole lot to do; · John Norman is the co-founder and CEO of Norman's Farm Market, one of our favorite and frequent stops. It’s fresh veggies and fruits, cheeses, yummy breads and lots more. John’s joins us with welcome news about winter markets; · Josh Jastrzembski, regional operations director and leader of the kitchen teams at Dig Inn, the fast-casual restaurant brand serving seasonal scratch-cooked comfort food that has just opened its second D.C. location in the West End; · The Press Club is D.C.’s hot, new record bar and cocktail lounge from the team of Will Patton, Devin Kennedy and Hive Hospitality. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Dr. David Nutt is the chief scientific officer of both GABA Labs and SENTIA Spirits. A world-renowned neuropsychopharmacologist, he founded GABA Labs in 2016 to develop scientifically validated alternatives to alcohol by targeting the GABA system, the brain’s natural mechanism for relaxation and sociability. And we try some to see just how sociable we can get; · Georgetown continues to hop with new restaurants to try and love. Rimtang is the newest concept from the YUME Hospitality Group, created by culinary director Chef Saran “Peter” Kannasute and his mother,Executive Chef Prapit “Mama” La Femina. We’ll be tasting and talking about Rimtang’s many yummy Thai choices; · Husband and wife team David Harris and Megan Draheim are co-founders of the new Song Dog Farm Distillery, 29 acres of fun and hard work in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, dedicated to bringing grain-to-glass spirits to Montgomery County; · Michelle Lim Warner, co-founder and CEO of DCanter, a Capitol Hill fixture and a great little wine shop near Eastern Market. We drink some of Michelle’s wines today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Confused about “eating vegan” or what a vegan lifestyle – like beauty, skincare, or clothing - includes and excludes? Not to worry. Joining us is Angela Yvonne, host of Vegan Pop Eats; · Viyas Sundaram is the founder of the Middleburg Barrel Company, makers of 1787 Provenance Bourbon, a new brand blending tradition and innovation; · Iesha Holy, board chair at Georgetown Main Street, is in with details on the Fifth Annual Georgetown Cookie Tour - “The Sweetest Tour of Georgetown;” · Nothing warms your belly like rum on a crisp autumn day. So, we’ve invited Jordan Cotton, founder and president of Cotton and Reed, D.C.’s first rum distillery. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · The mystery man who for 25 years has been The Washington Post’s celebrated food critic, Tom Siestema. He recently announced his impending departure to so he can spend the rest of his life not hiding out… or something like that. You’ll get the whole story when Tom joins us; • Irena Stein of Baltimore’s celebrated Alma Cocina Latina. It’s said that stepping into Alma feels like entering a vibrant Venezuelan home filled with art, greenery, and warmth; Food writer and restaurant critic David Hagedorn joins us to talk about this year’s Chefs for Equality event; · Richard Hanauer, beverage partner at RPM Italian in D.C., which has just debuted a collection of three expertly blended single-vineyard wines, available exclusively at RPM Restaurant locations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Alyssa Taylor, Director, Brand + Consumer Marketing at Penguin / Random House Publishing. She’s with us to discuss the upcoming Banned Books Week national celebration Oct. 5-11. The goal is to take action, save our stories, and preserve First Amendment rights by giving away free banned books to these communities and beyond; · Mike Curtin, CEO, DC Central Kitchen, is in with all the details of the annual Capital Food Fight, coming up Thursday, Nov. 6 at The Anthem! This year’s celebrity guests include Amanda Freitag, Roy Yamaguchi, Eric Adjepong, Rocco DiSpirito, Ryan Zimmerman and our hosts Spike Mendelsohn and Tommy McFly; · Meghan Trossen, Senior Manager, Marketing & Community Affairs, Global Workplace Services, Capital One in to talk about the Capital One Center’s signature programming, community partnerships and the upcoming festival; · Chef Daniel Perron is with us – he’s formerly the Executive Chef at Charlie Palmer Steakhouse, Trummer's, and Whaley's. Now he has opened his own place. It’s Locavore, a seasonal New American restaurant in historic downtown Fredericksburg; · Sam Nellia, head bartender at the Silver Lyan, a Rammy Award winner and, maybe even better, a recent selection to the prestigious North America's 50 Best Bars. They recently introduced a new cocktail menu, the result of months of research and tinkering, and he’s in to mix up some samples of his good works. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Victoria Wu of Cakes by Happy Eatery; · Selva Chef Giovanni Orellana; · Louie Jocson of California Fish Grill; · And, to celebrate the Taste of Bethesda, Stephanie Coppula, director of marketing and communications, Bethesda Urban Partnership, along with Ruslan Falkov, co-founder, and Victoria Bespalchuk, from the award-winning Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant on Cordell Avenue. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

• Talk about the Dynamic Argentinian Duo! - Renato “Tato” Giovannoni is one of the world’s most celebrated bartenders. In fact, not long ago, when all lead bartenders from the prestigious, World’s 50 Best Bars were asked to name the one person who has done more to further the art of bartending than any Tato’s name topped the list. • And his partner is Alex Resnik, former senior partner at Wolfgang Puck’s globally acclaimed Fine Dining Group by any measure one of the world’s leading creators of exciting dining experiences – They have joined to bring two spectacular, Argentine hospitality concepts -- Florería & Brasero Atlántico – to DC by way of Buenos Aires, Barcelona, and Bahrain. Joining them is their chef, Manuela Carbone; • Werten Bellamy of Great Oak Manor, a delightful, 12-room boutique hotel located in Chestertown, Maryland, overlooking the Bay • Christian Irabién, chef/owner of DC’s Amparo Fondita. Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off on September 15th, and Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations start September 16th. So, Amparo Fondita is marking the month with a series of special dishes, cocktails, chef collaborations, and a fundraiser. • Hospitality and spirits consultant Ashley McPherson is in to mix up some tasty cocktails and fill us in on the upcoming 9th Annual BOWSFest – the Black Owned Wine and Spirits Festival back on October 4th. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · A trip down memory lane - Mary Quillian, owner of Capitol Hill’s legendary Mr. Henry’s, which opened in 1966. It’s where Robert Flack was discovered and there’s a lot still going on there; · Alaska’s Bristol Bay has the world’s most abundant wild sockeye salmon fishery, contributing over half of the global supply. Bristol Bay has been at the center of controversy often across the past two decades. Home to more than 30 million salmon spawning annually, it is threatened by the Pebble Mine. Casey Coupchiak is a Yup'ik commercial salmon fisher from Togiak, Alaska who has fished in Bristol Bay for 16 years. She’s in with news about the upcoming Bristol Bay Salmon Week, a celebration of the health and wealth of that unique region; · Florencia (Flor) Agrazo is owner of Georgetown’s Flor. Coffee + Books. There you’ll find Buenos Aires–inspired café culture. amazing coffees, snacks and pastries -- and a placid atmosphere for finding and sampling some great reads; · Living or hanging out in Clarendon? Check out Westville, the seasonal veggie-forward, but not veggie-exclusive, restaurant founded by Jay Strauss more than 20 years ago in New York City. Jay joins us with his take on balancing tasty vegetable dishes with traditional faves like burgers and mac and cheese. Mixing cocktails for us is Devin Felli of 14th Street’s Bresca; See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Shawn Townsend of RAMW on the evolving policing situation in D.C.; · Zed Wondemu, a former restaurateur, talking about her first memoir, “Slanted Justice;” · Urara Iwasaki, the chef-owner of Georgetown’s Koryouri Urara, describes her tasting menu rooted in Japanese homestyle cooking; · Greg Heitzig, executive chef and general manager of The Fountain Inn in Georgetown, acquainting us with this 18th-century tavern, reborn as a rare and vintage spirits tasting room, whiskey bar and restaurant; · Todd Thrasher, the celebrated barman-turned-rum-distiller, talking about his tiki place at The Wharf. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today’s show: · Cheetie Kumar, chef/owner of award-winning Ajja, in Raleigh, N.C.; Board Member and Vice President, Independent Restaurant Coalition, which is launching two first-of-their-kind grant programs: o The first Disaster Relief Fund designed by and for independent restaurants and; o An “Innovator Awards” for independent restaurants and bars doing innovative things to help their teams and communities; · There‘s a lot of good chatter about the inventive Thai dishes served at Birdsong. Chef Kitima Boonmala is in and we’re gonna make her tell us all her secrets for tasty Thai cuisine; · Victoria Simmerling of Scale Hospitality, who is developing the food and beverage program at D.C.’s new Sixty hotel; · Lead bartender Lily Heredia of D.C.’s Gaia Supperclub, which opened in April, offering Mediterranean and Latin fusion cuisine with immersive entertainment inspired by nightlife experiences in Mykonos, Dubai, and Saint-Tropez. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.