Dining On A Dime

Our first guests formed a partnership that's brewing up some fun in Roxborough; Sweet Java Cafe's owner, Victor Young, and Sales Manager for Mermaid Spirits, Joe Berendsohn joined me to chat about the newly-opened cafe & cocktails spot. This is Victor's first time opening up a coffeehouse, and thanks to a mutual friend of theirs, a partnership was formed with Mermaid Spirits. And what was the result? A large space where the community can grab a cup of their favorite coffee on the way to work, or even work remotely inside of while also enjoying some of the scratch-made pastries. And when it's a little later in the day--be sure to try out one of the coffee-infused cocktails or other mixed drinks and enjoy the fun vibes of the space and neighborhood! https://order.toasttab.com/online/sweet-java-cafeKeeping caffeinated is top priority for most individuals, so we spoke with co-owner Luisa Toro from Roosters Coffeehouse which is located in Ledgewood, NJ. Roosters Coffeehouse is also the first cafe business t

Annette Anthony began her career as a counsel with the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, and has since become an attorney, executive coach, accredited mediator, founder of a VC fund, a business coach, and now has collated recipes and tales from her travels around the globe. Food is a universal love language; it brings family, friends, and even strangers together at one table...or into one space. And being open to try new things was how Annette was raised, so finding herself traveling to different countries opened her palate to more flavor, experiences, and cuisines. Her journey from family recipes to meals from other cultures are now at your fingertips with her new book, Always Enough: A Global Food Memoir. You can find her, and a link to purchase her book on her website: https://annetteanthony.com.My next guest, Chef Chad Durkin, is breezing in with a brand-new spot in South Philly called Breezy's Deli & Market. Chef Durkin has a remarkable pedigree within the culinary community, having worked for Le

Brett Naylor and Nicole Barrick are seasoned veterans in the culinary world, and together they opened Wilder in the Rittenhouse area of Philadelphia.  Their fresh takes on their menus offer diners a delicious array of pizza, raw bar, pastas, cocktails and mocktails, and desserts.  With three floors to accommodate your dining needs, they offer a private event space, brunches, happy hour, and classes that you can take advantage of too!  Stay tuned to find out more about them, their venue and menu, and what's in store for the summer!Noelle Blizzard made a name for herself and her business, New June Bakery, after she tried her hand at all the pandemic baking trends.  She soon found herself baking in the early mornings as well as late at night after she put in her regular hours as a mother and for work.  As time passed, Noelle began baking for friends and co-workers as a business, quickly gaining notoriety for her delicious and beautiful cakes, galettes, and cookies, and was (not surprisingly) featured in publicat

Amaris spoke with Dave Welsh, the owner behind Mile Bar and South Jersey Running Company. He joined us to introduce all of you to the newest addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors: The newly-opened multi-dining concept with a bar, Poppy Taco, Chicken Joint, and Local Standards under one roof called Reunion Hall in NJ! Another fresh offering for the dining scene is from Chef Rob Miskell and his new concept, SauceBoy! Chef Miskell marries a family favorite--scratch-made pastas with sauces (eh-hem...or shall we say, gravy). You can find him online to order your next meal, or feel free to reach out to him if you're looking to have your next get together catered!Lastly, we spoke with Nick Beam, one of the co-owners behind Phat Jawns. The name says it all...they combine Philly foodie favorites that are large and in charge, with some rather interesting and turn them into hunger-inducing creations--until you satisfy your hunger by taking a big bite!

We began with a round-table discussion with Executive Director of Community Design Collaborative (CDC) Tya Winn, Kiersten Hanna from KLYR Rum, and Kris Parsons of Kris Parsons PR regarding CDC's Leverage Event happening June 18th, 2024 at The Center for Design Philadelphia from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.  The Leverage Award Reception themed “Our Home, Our Neighborhoods”, will highlight several schematic design projects led by the Community Design Collaborative from neighborhoods across Philadelphia.  And Kris Parsons proudly discussed the details on what guests can look forward to dining on during the event! local Chefs, Attendees can also sample the signature cocktail for the event: The Developer's Daiquiri from KLYR. KLYR's representative, Kiersten Hanna joined us to highlight their new rum which is redefining the industry with its new distilling process.  You can also look forward to meeting Cherri Gregg, WHYY Anchor and Afternoon Co-host for Studio 2 Podcast will Emcee the event. Also look for Philly Current (PC)

To start, I spoke with the immensely impressive Rhys Powell, who transitioned from Wall Street to Founding Red Rabbit.  Red Rabbit is leading the way to provide meals which represents more culturally diverse cuisines so all students can enjoy a lunch that reflects what they would partake of at home. These meals and menus are curated by professional chefs who live and grew up within the same culture and heritage of the surrounding communities, and those meals are provided through Red Rabbit's lunch programs which are currently being offered within the Tri-State region, with plans to continue to expand. So, what does that mean to you?  Tune in to find out, and share with anyone you know who is a teacher, parent, or advocate for nutritional meals for children in schools.Speaking of schools and food...my next guest, Zach Poznan, was formerly the math teacher at Conwell Middle School in Kensington.  The math teacher-turned-baker began his path to owning Brass Monkey Bread Co. during the pandemic, and after several

We began with Robert Dumont, owner and Chef behind Farmstead Foods - a mobile catering concept which focuses on locally-sourced ingredients that caters to your preferences. What does that mean? He has a wealth of experience, having previously worked inside the kitchens of restaurants and prepared food markets along the eastern coast. His vast knowledge of various cuisines lends itself to his ability to create any number of menu options that you would want, however he does have some select fan-favorites, especially when he sets up at local breweries or events. If you want to know where he will be at--tune in to Food Farms and Chefs to find out!Next, we spoke to an owner whose business is located in the heart of East Passyunk Ave in Philadelphia! Nano Wheedan owns Taco Heart off of the food-trendy portion of Passyunk Ave, bringing his love of breakfast tacos from Texas to Philadelphia. Wheedan was enlightened to the delicious breakfast treat several years ago while living in Texas, also learning that tort

Kevin Baxter has always enjoyed the taste of pickles, and noticed how popular pickles have been trending in more recent years.  So, he founded a festival that fans of the brined cucumbers could relish in: The Big Dill Pickle Festival!  Since its inception in 2019, The Big Dill has blossomed into the worlds largest pickle party, with visitors traveling from across the globe to attend.  Kevin joined us to give us the 4-1-1 about this year's festivities happening on June 15th at Xfinity Live in Philadelphia.  To hear all about the festival, along with where to buy tickets, tune in to Food Farms and Chefs!Our next guest, Shayna Minuto, gained a strong knowledge of running an Italian-based cuisine while working in her father's restaurant.  After graduating college, Shayna found herself drawn further into the industry, and eventually opened her own concept, Hold My Knots, inside the Gansevoort Market in the Meatpacking District of NYC. After finding increasing success, they crossed the bridge into New Jersey, takin

We began the episode with Morgan and Deb Manchester who own CraveWell Cafe in Pennsylvania. The husband and wife partners began their path to a fast-casual healthy concept after Deb had a medical scare. The duo decided that they didn't want Deb going back to work for someone else, and they wanted to focus on healthy food options--something they found was lacking when they were out and looking for a quick bite to eat. Now, they've just celebrated their 5-year anniversary of owning CraveWell Cafe and are excited to share their healthy smoothies, sandwiches, cold-pressed juices, and more with all of you!Liam Kelly is no stranger to hard work, and even began helping out a family member's business at the age of 8. Later on in life, he found himself drawn into the culinary world when Ireland competed in the 2010 world cup and was hooked. So, in the late 90's he made the decision to move to the states and was offered a job inside a Manhattan bar. Soon after, he became a managing partner of the place and helped t

Cake Life Bake Shop has always been a popular spot in Philadelphia, as a result of Owner and Pastry Chef Nima Etemadi using the highest-quality ingredients with a zeal for the arts. His journey to becoming a Pastry Chef and owner of Cake Life Bake Shop had its ups and downs, as he transitioned from working in the culinary industry to working in the arts. It wasn't too long before Nima realized his true passion was founded in the culinary world. Since then, he has gained world-wide attention after designing and baking cakes for well-known celebrities, and we are happily sharing his journey with all of you, along with baked goods that are Queen Bey approved.Speaking of celebrities, our next guest has been seen on television, in mass media, and numerous publications. Chef Jen Carroll has achieved a lot in her career, and continues to do so with her self-named brand Carroll Couture Cuisine. Carroll's love of cooking began at an early age, and continued throughout her entire life. Even while pursuing a pre-la

Farmers markets are a fun way to not only pick up your next ready-made meal or produce and spices from local farms and businesses, they're also a great way to learn something new. One of our friends, who is the founder of Forest Farmers Market AND Moneta Farmers Market in Virginia, happens to know a thing or two about that. Dorothy, who you can learn more about her when she joined us in October 2023 on episode 250, let us know about the new season for Moneta Farmers Market, what's been going on throughout the winter season for Forest Farmers Market, and (more importantly) what we can look forward to for this coming Spring through the Fall! So, if you're planning to travel or if you live in the area--be sure to tune in to find out all the exciting news for Virginia's perfect place to shop, eat, and have fun while you learn!Speaking of fresh--Dori Fleekop sat down with us to chat about his new fast-casual concept, Bites & Blends. Although 'fast-casual' restaurants are associated with unhealthy foods, Dor

Our first guest has accomplished a lot since he began working as a glass collector in his hometown of Belfast, Ireland. Jack McGarry began his career in Ireland and worked his way to a pub in London, eventually crossing the ocean to open the Dead Rabbit in New York. Since then, McGarry's desire to create Pubs that elevate the 'Irish pub experience' has found its place, along with numerous well-earned awards celebrating 'The Best Bar in the World.' How does he do it? By crafting an intriguing selection of menu items along with an experience that showcases Irish culture, history, and customs. However, the Dead Rabbit is not this entrepreneur's only accomplishment-but you'll have to tune in to find out more about Jack, what he's accomplished, and what to look forward to during the Dead Rabbit's "It's Paddy's Day NOT Patty's Day" events!This week is looking up, especially for anyone celebrating St. Patrick's at Dooney's Pub in Delran and Voorhees New Jersey! Dooney's Director of Operations, Ariane Bonnes, join

We had a burning desire to share our first guest's full story with you, especially after Kaylyn Kahana's business, Kay Kay's, became a viral sensation! As Kaylyn described her love of baking to us, she also explained how her knowledge in the culinary world blossomed, and how baking became a passion for her. In fact, Kaylyn's passion was so strong that she switched careers in order to start her own business. As luck would have it, the 'stars aligned' for her while she was transitioning from her startup kitchen into a professional kitchen, and she landed on a location in South Philly. Today, Kay Kay's is now the hottest spot to grab your next birthday cake--and feel free to check out Kay Kay's breakfast, lunch, coffee, and catering options too!( https://www.facebook.com/KayKaysCakes/ )Our next guest, Chef Andy Kahl, is a well-traveled individual who went from working in the culinary industry to becoming a photographer, and is now the Chef inside the newly opened Soko Bag in Phoenixville, PA. I know, you're pr

Our first guest is FORK's Executive Chef, George Madosky. Chef Madosky, who has worked inside numerous well-known restaurants in the North East, joined us to discuss his background in the culinary industry as well as other restaurants from the High Street Hospitality Group. To say the menu offerings at FORK and High Street Market are excellent is an understatement. From the moment you walk through the doors to when you see and taste each plated dish, Chef Madosky and High Street Hospitality Group's passion to offer the most outstanding experience emanates through every detail. For their current menu offerings and to make a reservation, visit https://forkrestaurant.com.During our next segment, we spoke with the Chef and Owner of Culinary & Restaurant Solutions LLC, Chef Steph Musick. Chef Musick began a career in an entirely different field. As fate intervened, Chef Musick was drawn to the culinary industry, eventually earning her Culinary Degree at the Art Institute of California and her Culinary Manag

Chef Andrew Farley of Enswell in Philadelphia has honed his culinary skills under the tutelage of some very prestigious restaurateurs over the years, making a name for himself in doing so. So when the Rival Brothers Coffee owners, Jonathan Adams and Damien Pileggi, wanted to create a coffee and cocktail bar--Chef Adams reached out to someone he worked alongside with in the past - Chef Farley - to run the kitchen. Now, armed with a selection of creative menu items, the coffee & pastries in the morning-cocktails & plated lunch/dinner menus later in the day venue will meet all your beverage and meal desires throughout the day! And if you're curious to find out more about this unique venue, coffee & cocktails bottle shop--stay tuned till the end to hear all the juicy details!We next spoke with the owner of Entree BYOB, Chef Kevin Addis. Chef Addis is a seasoned restaurateur, whose venture into the culinary world began as a youth inside the Hummingbird Room. After graduating from Johnson and Wales,

Partners since birth, our first guest Stephen Servis owns Servis Events with his twin brother Nicolas. Stephen joined us on the show to discuss how both he and his brother became chefs through some pivotal decisions made earlier in their lives. Years later, Stephen and his brother built a reputation based on being heavily tattooed twin Chefs. Post pandemic, they decided to try something new and found WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) while staying with at a farm to work. This led them to another farm, located in Maine, where the seeds for Servis Events were planted and began to bloom. Now, they're back in Bucks County, sourcing the most nutrient-rich ingredients from local farms, providing a multi-course Chef's Tasting Menu to individuals looking for their services as private Chefs through Servis Events.Our next guest helps Center City celebrate Vietnamese cuisine and culture, along with so much more at Miss Saigon. Chuong Nguyen is the Operating Manager and one of the co-owners of Miss

Continuing traditions is big for most families, and our first guest did so in a huge way by opening Iron Oven in Southampton, PA. Alex Nalbandian grew up learning the restaurant industry from his parent's well-known business, Rising Sun Pizzeria. Years later, Alex took over the management of his parents restaurant, furthering his familiarity with the industry, managing staff, and running a business. Nine years later, Alex was Inspired to open his own restaurant, and opened Iron Oven. Now, you can look forward to biting into their most popular item--Philly's beloved Cheesesteak, or chow down on one of their burgers, pizzas, or strombolis.If you're a fan of fusion-based restaurants, then be sure to check out Blue Sunday Bensalem. The American and Asian Fusion based restaurant offers a modern twist for any foodie to delight in! If you're craving a steak, seafood, or note-worthy cocktail then visit Blue Sunday Bensalem. The venue offers a delicious variety of foods, ranging from Singapore Noodles to Gumbo o

Born in and raised in Ecuador, Veronica Fitzgerald moved to the US with her family in North Carolina as a teen. Growing up she was treated to her grandmother's empanadas on a regular basis, eventually learning how to make them as well. Years later, she treated her family and friends to her empanadas, and subsequently the pandemic inspired Veronica to create her business, V Empanadas. Soon thereafter, V-Empanada's was a hit, and she opened a shop inside Lancaster County Farmers Market. So, the next time you visit, be sure to check out Veronica's freshly made Empanadas and scratch-made guacamole, sauces, and desserts when you're there! The best way to end a meal is with something a little sweet--something that Pastry Chefs Sally Gadea and her husband Jemil know a lot about. Both Allison and Jemil have years of experience working as Executive and/or Corporate Chefs for high-end restaurants over the years; a key aspect that has helped refine what they offer inside their Yardley, PA-based business, Panna Gelater

Our first guest grew up on his grandfather's farm, then valiantly served our country in the Airforce before returning to the states, taking a position in the corporate world. Nate Layton, whose desire to find healthy, organic food for his family found the stores lacking in non-chemically-treated, pesticide-free foods, so he made a decision to return to his roots. After re-establishing himself by raising chickens and selling eggs, Nate purchased land in Pennsylvania and began his venture in livestock farming. Now, you can hear more about his path to owning and operating Hershberger Heritage Farms, his CSA: Berger Box, and how you can purchase and have a Berger Box filled with farm-fresh, grass-fed, products shipped directly to you by tuning in! (Link: https://www.hhf.farm)Worthy of numerous accolades, John Hearn is the new owner of the popular Swarthmore, PA restaurant: Village Vine Wine Bar & Bistro. John recently purchased Village Vine Wine Bar & Bistro from Lori Knauer and Jill Bennett Gaieski t

Born and brewed in Ireland, Forged Irish Stout was created by MMA Champion Conor McGregor as a specialty beer for his Irish pub, The Black Forge Inn.  After its initial launch Forged Irish Stout was met with a positive reception, and McGregor decided to expand the brand, buying the collaborating brewery to focus on larger-scale production with the intention to launch internationally.  So in October of 2023 McGregor launched his brand inside Bartley Dunne's in New York City with a huge tasting event.  Now, you can purchase Forged Irish Stout at specific locations in NY, NJ, PA, and beyond--so grab one and taste Conor McGregor's Forged Irish Stout for yourself!Bringing everyone together is what our next guest is all about--Buck's Beer Bash's Event Producer, Geff Rapp joined us for the 4-1-1 on this inaugural event.  Brewers and other vendors will be on-site for you to taste your way through a huge representation of what Buck's county and the surrounding areas have to offer.  What's even sweeter than a way to tr