We chat with Chef Manny Barella, visiting from Denver, Colorado. Barella, a Top Chef contestant and renowned chef, discusses his culinary journey, the inspiration behind his cooking, and his excitement for participating in Bubbles and Brisket. Beyond sharing his experiences on Top Chef and his recent culinary experiments, Barella also reveals his upcoming venture in Raleigh, Jaguar Bolera, an entertainment-focused concept aiming to offer high-quality, scratch-made food. The conversation touches on Barella's diverse cooking influences, expectations for his new project, and the significance of his Top Chef fraternity.     01:41 Chef Manny's Brisket Adventures 03:07 Diving Into Top Chef: The Competition, Challenges, and Cheese Curds 10:14 Building a Brand and the Business Side of the Culinary World 11:45 Chef Manny's Top Chef Cheese Curd Challenge: A Learning Experience 18:31 From Mexico to Michelin: Chef Manny's Culinary Odyssey 26:59 Journey to a Dream Job: From Michelin Stars to Top Chef 29:00 The Birth of Jaguar Bolera: Elevating Entertainment Dining 37:37 Culinary Innovations: Blending Cultures and Flavors 41:52 Expanding Horizons: From Chef to Culinary Director 46:47 Top Chef Insights: Behind the Scenes and Future Collaborations 55:54 A New Chapter in Raleigh: Bringing Unique Dining Experiences   Be sure to follow us on Instagram at NCFBPOD and though this week is audio only, follow us on youtube at youtube.com/@ncfbpodcast Get your tix to Bubbles & Bagels here On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod Support our Sponsors: Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!! Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here