On The Pass

In this episode of On The Pass, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Swedish-born chef Marcus Jernmark — one of the most accomplished chefs of his generation, known for leading some of the world's most celebrated kitchens, including Restaurant Frantzén and Zén, both awarded three Michelin stars.

After a global career spanning Aquavit and Per Se, Marcus has quietly spent the last four years in Los Angeles — observing, learning, and rethinking what fine dining can be.

Now, with the opening of Lielle, Marcus is stepping into a new chapter.

This is not another fine d...

In this episode of On The Pass, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Andrew and Michelle Muñoz, the husband-and-wife team behind Moo's Craft Barbecue — one of the most celebrated barbecue restaurants in Los Angeles.

What started as a humble backyard project between friends has grown into a nationally recognized destination for Texas-style barbecue in LA, earning critical acclaim, a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a James Beard Award nomination.

But this conversation goes far beyond brisket and smoke.

Andrew and Michelle share the story of building Moo's from the gr...

Nancy Silverton on Purpose, Loss, Leadership & Building Restaurants That Last

This weeks On The Pass episode, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with culinary icon Nancy Silverton — chef, restaurateur, mentor, and co-founder of the Mozza Restaurant Group. 

From helping define California cuisine to building an international restaurant empire that includes Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, and Chi Spacca, Nancy has shaped the way America eats. But this conversation goes far beyond food.

Nancy opens up about:

- Imposter syndrome — and why it may be her secret fuel

- The...

This conversation is about much more than wine.

On this episode of On The Pass, we sit down with Matt Crafton, winemaker at the legendary Chateau Montelena, as the winery approaches a historic milestone—50 years since the Judgment of Paris reshaped the global perception of American wine.

Rather than rehashing history, this conversation looks forward.

Matt shares his unconventional path into winemaking, from leaving finance behind, starting at the bottom of the cellar, and embracing craft over comfort, to now stewarding one of the most iconic names in Napa Valley alongside CEO Bo Ba...

In this episode of On The Pass, with José Luis Hinostroza, the chef behind ARCA, a jungle-rooted restaurant shaped by fire, place, and pre-colonial Mesoamerican tradition.

José Luis' journey spans some of the world's most influential kitchens — Alinea, El Celler de Can Roca, and Noma — where he later joined the R&D team for Noma Mexico. But rather than chasing prestige, he chose presence, calm, and connection, ultimately building a life and community in Tulum.

Recorded just after a powerful collaboration dinner celebrating 10 years of ARCA, with chefs flying in from across Mexico, this conversation goes far...

Chef Travis Swikard has become one of the most influential voices shaping the future of West Coast dining. After years cooking at the highest levels in New York, Travis returned home to San Diego to create Callie, a restaurant that has redefined Southern California cuisine and captured national attention. Now, he's preparing to open Fleurette, his most intimate and personal restaurant yet — a project rooted in craft, memory, and a deep sense of place.

In this conversation, Travis opens up about the moments that shaped him: the early lessons that forged his discipline, the risk of...

What does it take to build a bakery that becomes the soul of a neighborhood?
In this episode of On The Pass, host Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Or Amsalam, chef and co-founder of Lodge Bread Co., one of Los Angeles' most influential and beloved artisan bakeries.

For nearly a decade, Lodge Bread Co. has been more than a place for great bread — it has become a cultural pillar, a symbol of craft, care, and community. Or shares how his Israeli–Moroccan heritage shaped his palate, how failure became a teacher, and how the bakery's recent Culv...

In this special in-depth conversation, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Chef Eduard Xatruch, one of the three creative forces behind Disfrutar — the #1 restaurant in the world (World's 50 Best 2024) and a three-Michelin-stardestination redefining modern gastronomy.

From the legacy of El Bulli to the philosophy of "creative cooking," Eduard reflects on his lifelong pursuit of innovation, collaboration, and meaning. He opens up about the power of partnership with fellow chefs Oriol Castro and Mateu Casañas, the discipline required to harness creativity ("creativity is a beast, and you must control it"), and the relentless curiosity that drives Disf...

A New Course is a special three-part video series presented by On The Pass, in partnership with S.Pellegrino and the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy — a celebration of mentorship, creativity, and the future of gastronomy. Featuring culinary icons like Nancy Silverton, Aisha Ibrahim, and Brad Kilgore, alongside emerging voices such as Charlie Mitchell and Garrett Brower, each episode explores the deeper meaning of competition, leadership, and community in shaping the next generation of chefs. It offers a rare glimpse into the minds and hearts of chefs across generations who are redefining excellence in the kitchen — and reminds us that...

In this episode of On The Pass, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with world-renowned chef, restaurateur, and creative force Curtis Stone — a figure who has spent nearly two decades evolving from fine dining in Beverly Hills, to live fire at Gwen, to his latest chapter with Woodend at Maroma, A Belmond Hotel in Mexico.

Curtis has worn many hats: Michelin-starred chef, butcher, farmer, TV personality, cookbook author, Emmy-nominated producer, and entrepreneur. But beneath the accolades lies a deeper story — one about vision, leadership, reinvention, and the pursuit of meaning in both work and life.

...

What does it mean to "dare to imagine new possibilities for Chinese cuisine"? For Bolun and Linette Yao, the husband-and-wife duo behind Yingtao in Hell's Kitchen, it means rewriting the story of what Chinese fine dining can be and doing it on their own terms.

In this episode, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with the Yaos to talk about the vision, the challenges, and the triumphs of building New York City's only contemporary Chinese Michelin-starred restaurant. Named after Bolun's grandmother, Yingtao is as much about family and memory as it is about innovation and modernity.

There's a certain kind of magic that happens at the intersection of memory and ambition, and Chef Tara Monsod is living proof of that.

In this episode, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Tara, the Executive Chef of Animae and Le Coq in San Diego and a two-time James Beard Award finalist, to explore the story behind her meteoric rise — and the deeper mission fueling her work.

Born and raised in LA, Tara has become one of San Diego's fiercest culinary champions. We discuss how she's reshaping perceptions of the city's food scene, why Filipino cuisine is...

This week, we're joined by a chef who's made reinvention his signature — building, breaking, and reshaping what fine dining can be.

Chef Dave Beran joins us from Seline, his most personal project yet. A restaurant named after his daughter, rooted in emotion, intention, and the culmination of a lifetime in kitchens. We talk about what it means to truly start over, the evolving landscape of fine dining in Los Angeles, and how becoming a father has transformed the way he cooks, leads, and creates.

From cookbook walls to mood boards, from training actors for The Bea...

In this episode of On The Pass, host Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Scott Linder — chef, creative collaborator, and co-founder of Matū and Matū Kai, two standout restaurants in Los Angeles that are quietly, and powerfully, reshaping the steakhouse as we know it.

Scott takes us behind the curtain of Matū's vertically integrated model — built in partnership with First Light Farms in New Zealand — and shares why owning the full story of the beef, from soil to service, was the only way forward. This isn't about indulgence — it's about responsibility, intention, and the pursuit of better: better farm...

This week, Gabriel sits down with the deeply imaginative and visionary chef Aitor Zabala, the creative mind behind the newly reimagined Somni in Los Angeles.

In this expansive and intimate conversation, Aitor opens up about the last five years — from losing precious creative time when the original Somni closed, to rebuilding not just a restaurant, but a philosophy. He shares how failure became a tool for growth, how time has reshaped his approach to leadership and storytelling, and why fine dining must be about more than just impressing — it must be about meaning, memory, and human...

Pablo Rivero is CEO of Resy + Tock and SVP of American Express Global Dining, leading the charge in reshaping how diners connect with restaurants worldwide. With a deep background in both strategy and hospitality, Pablo brings a rare blend of tech-forward thinking and boots-on-the-ground understanding of the industry.

In this episode of On The Pass, Gabriel and Pablo dive into how he stays close to the heartbeat of restaurants even as his role becomes increasingly strategic. They discuss the evolution of Resy's mission, the current structural challenges facing independent restaurants, and what it truly means t...

You may know Chef Kwame Onwuachi from his remarkable origin story — immortalized in his bestselling memoir, Notes from a Young Black Chef, celebrated on Top Chef, and most recently, reimagined on the latest season of Netflix Chef's Table. His Harlem-born, Bronx-raised perspective, blended with global influences and deep cultural roots, has positioned him as one of the most compelling voices in food today.

His New York City restaurant, Tatiana, has quickly become one of the most exciting and culturally significant dining experiences in the country — earning praise from The New York Times, Esquire, and just about every majo...

Our next guest is Chef Andrew Wong — chef, anthropologist, and cultural historian. Born in Britain and of Chinese heritage, Andrew's culinary journey is a compelling blend of personal legacy and academic curiosity. It all began in 1985 when his parents opened a traditional Cantonese restaurant in London's Pimlico neighborhood — the same location where his celebrated, two Michelin-starred restaurant, A. Wong, now stands.

Since taking the reins in 2012, Andrew has reimagined what it means to serve Chinese cuisine in the West. Drawing on years of academic research, travel, and immersion into regional cooking styles, Andrew has created a dining expe...

Our next guest truly embodies joy—a sentiment beautifully reflected in the meaning of her name within her culture. Chef Fariyal Abdullahi is a multifaceted talent: an accomplished chef, entrepreneur, television personality, and the Executive Chef at Marcus Samuelsson's Hav & Mar restaurant, in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.​

Born and raised in Ethiopia as the youngest of six siblings, Fariyal's culinary passion was deeply influenced by her mother's exceptional cooking and the vibrant markets of her childhood. She fondly recalls assisting her mother in the kitchen and cherishing the communal family meals that brought everyone together—Fariyal felt a...

In this special episode of On The Pass, we're joined by Chef Ryan Cole, the visionary chef and co-owner of Salsify at The Roundhouse in Cape Town, South Africa. Recently recognized by 50 Best Discovery and acclaimed for its innovative approach to modern South African cuisine, Salsify was everything we could have hoped for—and more—for our first proper sit-down meal in Cape Town.

Set within a historic landmark overlooking the breathtaking views of Camps Bay, Salsify blends heritage with culinary artistry, offering a dining experience that feels both rooted in tradition and refreshingly contemporary. Ryan and his...

Many of my most unforgettable hospitality and culinary experiences have been meaningful not just because of their quality, creativity, or service, but because they fostered a deeper connection to the local culture, people, and traditions. These experiences go beyond excellence—they tell a story, evoke emotion, and create lasting impressions. This is exactly what our next guest has dedicated his career to curating, preserving, and championing.

Joining us on this episode of On The Pass is Laurent Gardinier, President of Relais & Châteaux, a prestigious global association of independently owned luxury hotels and restaurants. With nearly 580 properties acros...

In Episode 6 of Effects of Change, Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Fawn Weaver, entrepreneur, author, and spirits mogul, CEO of Grant Sidney Inc. and owner of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. They discuss leading as your authentic self. Jamila and Gabriel close out the series by reflecting on everything they've learned through these conversations, the progress that has been made, and the work that still lies ahead.

Learn More about Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey:

https://bit.ly/464ow8N

Follow Fawn Weaver on Instagram:

https://bit...

 In Episode 5 of Effects of Change, Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, and Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, Bars, and Hotels platform. They discuss awards, recognition, and the importance of these platforms as vehicles for discovery and community building.

Learn More about The World's 50 Best Ecosystem:

https://bit.ly/416kRGt

Learn more about The James Beard Foundation:

https://bit.ly/3X6Lk5J

Follow Tim Brooke-Webb and Clare...

In Episode 4 of Effects of Change, Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Melina Shannon-DiPietro, Managing Director of MAD, the nonprofit founded by chef René Redzepi of restaurant Noma, and Juliane Caillouette Noble, Managing Director of the Sustainable Restaurant Association. Together, they discuss sustainability, the supply chain, and the broader impact of how and what we eat.

Follow Melina Shannon-DiPietro and Juliane Caillouette Noble on Instagram:

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https://bit.ly/4i4Xbcp

Follow On The Pass on Instagram:

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In Episode 3 of Effects of Change, Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Daniel Humm, chef and owner of the iconic New York fine-dining establishment Eleven Madison Park, and Elena Reygadas, The World's Best Female Chef 2023 and chef-owner of Rosetta in Mexico City. They discuss philosophical change and the courage to cook the food they truly want to create.

Learn more about Bon Appétit: 

https://bit.ly/49CWK51

Follow Daniel Humm and Elena Reygadas on Instagram:

https://bit.ly/3EVVdg3

https://bit.ly/3EUm4sR...

In Episode 2 of Effects of Change, Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Sean Sherman—award-winning chef, educator, author, and activist—and Rupa Bhattacharya, Executive Director of the Strategic Initiatives Group at The Culinary Institute of America. Together, they discuss heritage, culture, and education through the lens of food.

Learn more about Bon Appétit: 

https://bit.ly/49CWK51

Follow Sean Sherman and Rupa Bhattacharya on Instagram:

https://bit.ly/412ibK1

https://bit.ly/439ckVI

Watch On The Pass Origin...

Jamila and Gabriel kick off this series opener by introducing Effects of Change, a Bon Appétit and On The Pass original six-part series. The series explores progress and features intimate conversations with some of the most influential change-makers in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Learn more about Bon Appétit: 

https://bit.ly/49CWK51

Follow Bon Appétit and Jamila Robinson on Instagram:

https://bit.ly/48mwHOi

Watch On The Pass Original: RARE, A Chef's Story:

https://b...

How do you build a great partnership? And how does that partnership foster a strong company culture—one that extends beyond your guests to include your entire team? Our next guests have mastered this balance, creating a thriving hospitality group while continuing to expand their portfolio of offerings.

In this episode of On The Pass, we're joined by two culinary visionaries who have helped shape San Francisco's dining scene—Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow, partners and co-executive chefs of Flour + Water Hospitality Group. Renowned for their dedication to craft, sustainability, and culture-driven leadership, Thomas and Ryan o...

No matter where you are in the world, January is a time for reflection—a moment to consider how we've moved through the past and envision how we want to step into the future. January offers us a cultural and astrological milestone, the New Year, as an opportunity to start fresh. 

For many, Dry January becomes a product of this cultural shift, reflecting a growing interest in a more health-conscious start to the year. Some dive in wholeheartedly, others embrace a "Damp January," balancing moderation with indulgence, and some choose not to participate at all. Rega...

At On The Pass we have a deep love for Mexican food—from the humble street taco to the artistry of fine dining. Mexican cuisine is vibrant, flavorful, and as colorful as the people, culture, and diverse landscapes it represents. It's hard to imagine a time when the beauty and richness of this storied food culture weren't widely celebrated, both in Mexico and across the globe. In many ways, we can thank our next guest and his partner for helping spark more appreciation for Mexican cuisine and culture.

Santiago Perez, CEO of CasaMata, business partner to...

Are you familiar with the three key tiers in Cognac production? These include the distillers, the grape growers, and those who age the eau-de-vie. In Cognac, it's quite uncommon for a single brand to oversee every aspect of the process—growing grapes, distilling, and aging. However, our next guests are doing just that. Some might even say this challenger Cognac brand has been a century in the making.

Our next guests, Guillaume Thomas and Andrew Weir, co-founders of Martingale Cognac, are no strangers to the spirits industry. Guillaume spent nearly a decade at Pernod Ricard as...

Our next guest is on a mission to support restaurants and reclaim market share in a sector her company helped revolutionize 26 years ago. Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, the pioneering platform for restaurant reservations, founded in 1998 in San Francisco. Today, OpenTable remains the leader in online reservations as part of Booking Holdings Inc., but being the first and largest doesn't automatically mean it's the best.

Debby took the helm in 2020 during an extraordinarily challenging time for the restaurant industry, facing stiff competition and an evolving dining landscape. Over the years, platforms like Resy and Tock h...

Chef Mauro Colagreco has famously said, "We aren't a restaurant with a garden, we are a garden with a restaurant." He and his team are deeply committed to safeguarding the world's culinary heritage, particularly through the preservation of biodiversity in both flora and fauna. This dedication has extended his role far beyond the kitchen and his numerous restaurants, positioning him as a global leader in sustainable gastronomy.

An Argentine-born chef, Mauro has embraced a philosophy of circular gastronomy that honors the natural cycles of the environment. He constantly challenges himself and his team to explore w...

On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Chef Jon Yao and Sommelier Ryan Bailey, co-owners of Kato, an Asian American restaurant that artfully explores the intersection of Los Angeles culture and the Asian diaspora.

Kato originally opened in a small Westside strip mall, operating in a space just one-quarter the size of its current location in Downtown LA. At that time, Jon was just 25 years old. Despite its modest beginnings, the team's innovative approach earned them widespread recognition, including a Michelin star in 2019.

Two years ag...

In January 2023, Gabriel traveled to the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico, in the state of Guerrero, to experience Playa Viva, an eco-luxury and regenerative boutique hotel founded by our next guest, David Leventhal, and his then-wife shortly after purchasing the land in 2006.

Playa Viva is situated at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains, just forty minutes from Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH). This unique hotel embodies the concept "where your vacation meets your values™," dedicated to a triple-bottom-line approach that benefits the planet, people, and prosperity. With 19 treehouse rooms spread across nearly a mile of pri...

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Clay Williams, Brooklyn-based James Beard Award-winning photographer.

Clay has been capturing and helping tell stories about food, hospitality, and the people and places that define our culture for more than 15 years. His work has appeared in the pages of Food & Wine, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and Travel + Leisure, as well as in cookbooks by Chef Kwame Onwuachi and Atlanta chef Todd Richards. 

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️New stage in where hospitality is going

☑️Sto...

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Adam Teeter, New York-based Co-founder and CEO of VinePair.

Adam and Josh Malin Co-founded VinePair ten years ago and together they've grown the platform into the largest multi-media publication about wine, beer and spirits in America, reaching almost 40 million people a month.

In this episode, we discuss:

☑️Remake the industry in a new image

☑️Journalism through the lens of the glass

☑️Educating the next generation 

☑️How drinks culture has shifted over the past 10 ye...

Our next guests are Ian Burrell and Aaisha Dadral, Co-founders of The Equiano Rum Company, creators of the world's first African and Caribbean rums. This pioneering venture not only celebrates the rich heritage of rum but also champions the values of freedom and equality, inspired by the legendary figure Olaudah Equiano.

Ian, known globally as the Rum Ambassador, has spent decades entertaining and educating audiences about the diverse and exhilarating world of rum. He is the visionary behind The UK RumFest, which has inspired a wave of similar festivals worldwide. Ian is one of the m...

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Matthew Kaner, Los Angeles-based sommelier, wine educator, correspondent and consultant.

Matthew is the wine correspondent for Men's Journal which garners 12,000,000 unique monthly views. He's also the Owner of "Will Travel For Wine Consulting" and literally will travel anywhere and everywhere on the globe for wine and food experiences. Matthew was named one of the Sommeliers of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine and in 2019 Wine Enthusiast named him on the 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list among numerous other accolades.

In th...

On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Rita Jammet, New York-based restaurateur, hospitality advisor and Founder of La Caravelle Champagne.

Rita and her husband André owned and operated the iconic New York French restaurant, La Caravelle. The New York Times described La Caravelle as a "French Legend and a Paris in Manhattan experience to food enthusiasts and the A-list of American society." 

After closing La Caravelle restaurant in 2004, Rita started to market and distribute La Caravelle Champagne available in a number of distinguished New York hosp...