We're thrilled to welcome back the esteemed Rocco Damato, CEO of Bazzini Nuts, for another enlightening episode of Ingredient Insiders! Join Andrea, John, and Rocco as they embark on a deep dive into the fascinating world of dried fruit. In this captivating conversation, Rocco shares his wealth of knowledge about the seasonal fluctuations that shape the dried fruit industry, offering insights into the ups and downs that drive market trends. Discover which dried fruits have soared in...

Get ready for a sizzling episode of Ingredient Insiders featuring the 7-time Burger Bash champion himself, Chef Josh Capon! Andrea and John dive into the world of burgers and beyond with Chef Josh, renowned for his culinary prowess and unmatched expertise in crafting the perfect patty. In this mouthwatering conversation, Chef Josh shares his secrets to burger success, including his love for using the delectable plant-based cheese by Violife to elevate his creations. Discover how innovation...

Join us on Ingredient Insiders for a tantalizing episode featuring Chef Ian Palazzola, the culinary maestro from Frasca Food and Wine in the picturesque Boulder, Colorado. Hosts John Magazino and Andrea Parkins embark on a flavorful journey through Ian's remarkable career, from his humble beginnings to his prestigious tenure at Michelin-starred restaurants, and finally finding his culinary home at Frasca Food and Wine. In this engaging conversation, Ian Palazzola shares his personal odyssey...

Embark on a delectable journey with Ingredient Insiders as we sit down with the visionary French Baker and Pastry Chef, Eric Lecoq. In this episode, your hosts John Magazino and Andrea Parkins explore Eric's incredible story, from his passionate pursuit of becoming a pastry chef at the tender age of 14 to his groundbreaking venture, Lecoq Cuisine. Join us as Eric shares the heartfelt tale of following his dreams, navigating the intricacies of the culinary world, and honing his skills to...

Join us on Ingredient Insiders as we sit down with Sébastien Espinasse, President of Fabrique Délices, the artisans behind exceptional charcuterie. Join hosts John Magazino and Andrea Parkins as they explore the diverse world of charcuterie ingredients, from mouthwatering pâtés and mouses to an array of premium meats that have made Fabrique Délices a name synonymous with culinary excellence. In this episode, Sébastien unveils the secrets and craftsmanship that go into curating Fabrique...

Join us on Ingredient Insiders as we unwrap the delectable history of chocolate with a special guest, Amy Guittard, Chief Marketing Officer at the renowned Guittard Chocolate Company. In this episode, we delve into the rich tapestry of the oldest continuously family-owned and operated chocolate company in the United States. Amy Guittard shares captivating insights into the storied journey of the Guittard family, offering listeners a taste of the company's legacy that spans over a century....

Join us on this exciting episode of Ingredient Insiders as we sit down with the culinary guru himself, celebrity chef Tyler Florence. Known for his dynamic presence on the Food Network and his innovative approach to cooking, Tyler takes us on a flavorful journey through his illustrious career. In this candid conversation, Tyler reflects on his humble beginnings at the Food Network, sharing stories of his early days and the challenges he faced in the competitive world of television culinary...

Get ready to dive into the delicious world of chocolate on this episode of Ingredient Insiders! Our guest, Nicoll Notter, the esteemed Head Chef of the Chocolate Academy in New York, takes us on a tantalizing journey through the nuanced universe of cocoa. In this mouthwatering episode, your hosts John Magazino and Andrea Parkins sit down with Chef Nicoll to explore the subtle art of pronouncing the word "cocoa" – a topic that proves to be more intriguing than you might think! But that's not...

Join us on this episode of Ingredient Insiders as we dive into the world of nuts with a true industry maven, Rocco Damato, the CEO of Bazzini Nuts. In this nutty adventure, we explore the rich history of Bazzini Nuts, discovering the company's roots and evolution over the years. Rocco takes us on a global journey, offering insights into the fascinating realm of nut farming. From the meticulous cultivation processes to the diverse landscapes where nuts thrive, we uncover the secrets behind...

Get ready to delve into the world of mustard on this flavorful episode of Ingredient Insiders! Our first guest is Chef Brandon Collins, the Corporate Executive Chef for Unilever Food Solutions and Maille Mustard Sommelier. Join us as Chef Collins shares his passion for mustard, offering insights into his do's and don'ts regarding this versatile condiment. Discover the art of mustard appreciation and why Maille mustard holds a special place in his culinary heart. In the second half of the...

Welcome to Ingredient Insiders, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the culinary world's most intriguing ingredients. In this episode, we delve into the world of dry-aged beef, a culinary artistry that elevates flavor to new heights. Our first guest is the illustrious Chef Rogelio Garcia, the culinary virtuoso behind Auro at the Four Seasons Napa Valley Resort, recently adorned with its first Michelin star. Chef Garcia takes us on a journey from his Mexican roots, learning...

In this savory episode of Ingredient Insiders, we dive deep into the world of American prosciutto with Russ Kremer and Phil Gatto, the dynamic duo behind True Story Foods. Join us as Russ shares his compelling journey as a fifth-generation farmer, cultivating heirloom-breed hogs and emphasizing the crucial role of ethical farming in today's food landscape. Phil Gatto unveils the captivating backstory of True Story Foods, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the company's inception and...

Welcome to another mouthwatering episode of Ingredient Insiders! In this edition, we're diving deep into the world of carrots. Our first guest is the culinary maestro, Chef Dominica Rice, owner of Bombera restaurant. Join us as Chef Dominica unveils the secrets of "El Mexicano Zanahorias," the Mexican style of pickling carrots. Discover the unique flavors, techniques, and cultural inspiration behind this delightful culinary tradition. But that's not all! Chef Dominica takes us behind the...

In Episode 5 of Ingredient Insiders, we dive headfirst into the fascinating world of fennel, a versatile and aromatic ingredient that has captivated chefs and food enthusiasts alike. Our first guest is the renowned Chef Dave Beran, owner and culinary mastermind behind the acclaimed restaurant Pasjoli. Chef Beran shares his incredible culinary journey, from his early days in the kitchen to his discovery and profound appreciation for the delicate flavors of fennel. Join us as we explore the...

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds in this mouthwatering episode of Ingredient Insiders. Today, we embark on a gourmet adventure through the world of vegan fine dining and explore the innovative use of Tourlami in the delectable pastries at New York City's renowned three-Michelin-star restaurant, Eleven Madison Park. Join our hosts as they introduce two exceptional guests who will unveil the secrets behind this unique culinary collaboration. First on the menu, we have the culinary...

Join us on this flavorful episode of Ingredient Insiders as we dive deep into the world of eggplants. Our first guest, Chef Mike Anthony, the culinary mastermind behind New York's renowned Gramercy Tavern, shares his culinary expertise and creative insights into the versatile eggplant. Discover innovative cooking techniques, delicious recipes, and how to make eggplants the star of your next dish. In the second half of the episode, Sean Mindrum, a seasoned farmer at Comanche Creek Farms,...

In this delectable episode of Ingredient Insiders, we dive deep into the world of sour cream with a special guest who knows a thing or two about turning everyday ingredients into culinary wonders. Join us as we sit down with New York Times Bestselling author John Kanell, Founder of "The Preppy Kitchen," as he shares insights from his culinary journey and his appreciation for the unsung hero of the dairy world – sour cream. Discover the fascinating history of sour cream, from its humble...

In our Season Five premiere episode of Ingredient Insiders, we dive deep into the world of American cheese with renowned Chef Eric Greenspan. Join us as Chef Greenspan shares his passion for this beloved dairy product and introduces us to his groundbreaking venture, New School American Cheese. American cheese has long been a staple in households across the nation, but Chef Greenspan is here to challenge everything you thought you knew about it. With his culinary expertise and innovative...

Join your hosts, John Magazino & Andrea Parkins, in the new season of Ingredient Insiders as they sit with acclaimed chefs and food authors to discuss their culinary journey, their favorite ingredients, and the producers of those ingredients. See our trailer on YouTube HERE! Follow us on Instagram: ingredientinsiders & wherechefsshop In partnership with The Chef’s Warehouse, a specialty food distributor that has been purveying high-quality artisan ingredients to chefs for over 30...

There are few ingredients you will find in every single chef's kitchen. Across cuisines, styles, and preferences, there may be none as fundamental as salt. Gracing us for a second time is food journalist, cookbook author, and New York Times columnist Melissa Clark in our New York studio. Melissa, John, & Andrea discuss the history of salt and how they like to implement it into their recipes and cooking. Then we travel to the Oregon coast to speak with Jacobsen Salt founder Ben...

Calabrian Chilis are a type of pepper grown in the Calabrian region of Italy. They’re smoky and spicy and add a layer of complexity to each bite in a dish. Today rockstar Chef Carolynn Spence, Executive Chef at the historic Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, California, talks about her love of Calabrian Chilis and how she incorporates them into her cuisine. Joining us from Italy, we have Gianpaolo Celli, owner of Tutto Calabria, to give us all of the ins and outs of Calabrian Chili and how they...

Mole is a sauce derived from spices, dried chilies, seasonings, cocoa, and more. Each mole is different, and many are passed down from prior generations. Today we have the honor of speaking with Chef Bricia Lopez about her family’s incredible journey from Oaxaca to Los Angeles, the importance of community, and how she is keeping her family’s traditions alive. Then we take a trip back to Boonville, California, to speak with Krissy Scommegna & Nacho Flores about his childhood memories of...

Christian Petroni, chef and TV personality, shares his love for parmesan cheese, what he refers to as the "undisputed king of cheese." He walks through its flexibility and versatility, from grating and microplaning to shaving and slicing. Giacomo Veraldi, CEO of Ambrose Food USA, a leading parmesan cheese producer and importer, details the history of the cheese, the aging process and color profiles, and its everyday use in Italy. Follow @christianpetroni @ambrosicheeseusa...

Please enjoy this episode from the Ingredient Insiders Archive! Self-described ramen junkie Ivan Orkin, owner of Ivan Ramen, shares the philosophy of the ramen noodle - from falling in love with the ramen noodle in Tokyo, Japan, to opening up his famed slurp shop in New York City. Sun Noodle President Kenshiro Uki talks about the noodle company's relationship with chefs like Orkin, the art and soul of making fresh ramen noodles, and the company's fascinating family history. Follow...