Right at the Fork

Kelly Lewis, founder of Portland's Wine Spa, explains how she turned a wine-spa experience discovered in the country of Georgia into a brick-and-mortar business, and reflects on the pivots and pressures of serial entrepreneurship. She and host Chris discuss scaling a distinctive local concept, building a team, and the hard decisions behind selling businesses and growing a new one.

Kelly talks about the differences in challenges and opportunities being a standalone spa in Portland, and part of a hotel experience in wine country.

www.thewinespa.com

Right at the Fork is made possible...

This classic episode of Right at the Fork comes from January of 2026.

ORIGINAL POST

Edouardo Jordan's ascent to the top of the Seattle culinary world was a long journey that started in his childhood St. Petersburg kitchen helping his mother, when given the choice of that or cleaning his room.  Edouardo takes us through his high school, college and post college pursuits, one of which was working with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to becoming a food blogger,  He then decided he could do better than many of the restaurants he reviewed, and he...

It's Part 2 of our conversation with Kurt Huffman... though by way of transparency, this is a second conversation that took place days after Part 1, because of an software glitch and missing audio.  Kurt was kind enough to reconnect with Chris and talk again

Part 2: Kurt Huffman on PDX, Portland's future, and the places worth seeking out

Kurt and Chris turn to Portland International Airport and the role local restaurants can play in welcoming visitors. Kurt explains why the airport's high costs, operating demands, and changed travel habits make it difficult for independent businesses to match t...

Part 1

Kurt Hoffman joins Chris to trace the origins of ChefStable and its mission to support chefs with the business side of restaurants. They look back at Portland's independent dining boom, discuss why the city can be wary of restaurant groups and self-promotion, and consider how location, parking, labor costs, and private-event business affect a restaurant's chances of success. Kurt also reflects on what it takes for a restaurant to become a legacy, and how experience-driven dining and nightlife are reshaping the scene.

As they compare the Pearl District with Portland's eastside neighborhoods, Kurt describes...

In this episode of Right at the Fork, we welcome guest host Brooke Jackson-Glidden who sits down with Althea Grey Potter of Bar Nouveau.  

Althea shares insights on her culinary evolution, food critique, challenges in the industry, and her personal journey through the food world.

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com 
RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

Ben Jacobsen is the founder of Jacobsen Salt Co., renowned for producing premium sea salts harvested from Netarts Bay on the Oregon Coast. Established in 2011, Jacobsen Salt Co. has become an iconic food brand in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. 

Jacobsen's journey into the world of salt began during his time living in Denmark and Norway, where he developed an appreciation for the quality and versatility of artisan sea salts. Upon returning to the Pacific Northwest, he embarked on an extensive search, testing over two dozen coastal sites, before selecting Netarts Bay for its clean, clear waters a...

Lyf Gildersleeve of Flying Fish joins us to talk about the need to update his restaurant/store based on guidelines the City of Portland has imposed on him, resulting in an Indigogo campaign to update Flying Fish, The Flying Fish Patio Project.  Lyf talks about how Portland changes the game, not only on regulations, but what they say during business conversations with city officials.   Flying Fish must convert its temporary outdoor dining area into a permanent structure.  We talk about what that means not only for his business, but also how the city's policies negatively affect small businesses and neighborhoods in Por...

Once again, Brooke Jackson-Glidden warms up our podcast with her viewpoints on the state of food journalism, especially on the heels of Saga City letting her and many other staffers go from her position with Portland Monthly.  And she talks a bit about what she's up to now, including time in her garden, her frequent appearances on Citycast, and what her visions are going forward.   We begin, though, with an interesting discussion on what AI is doing not only to journalism but also to humans and water supplies.   And as always, Brooke shares some of her new recent food loves in...

We catch up with Chef Ryley Eckersley again, and this time he shares his journey from professional athlete to chef and restaurateur, where he now practices his trade at  WØLF in Portland, discussing the importance of experience, community, and living life fully. We explore his innovative approach to dining, his travel adventures, and how he balances work and family.

Ryley's history and vision is definitely not your run-of-the-mill chef story.  He's been all over the world and plans to continue exploring, aiming to live and open restaurants in different global locations.  We discuss the importance of a broad pe...

We are honored to have one of the icons of Portland media join us for a fun discussion about his decision to leave the city he loves so much, Portland, for the wonders of Paris, where he and his husband had been visiting for years.  We talk about the mechanics of the move, and what he's learned to appreciate -- and miss - since relocating just over a month ago.   Byron and Chris reminisce about the food scene when it was really thriving in Portland, and how they both perceived and enjoyed it.  Byron mentions his favorite spots, some still thr...

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com 
RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com 

We look back at our conversation from earlier this year with Maylin Chavez.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingsideSteakHouse.com 
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

It's a pleasure to have Maylin Chavez join us again.  This time, we talk about her latest venture, Nacar, and how she enjoys doing pop ups now versus owning her own brick and mortar restaurant.

Maylin goes into her background starting in the Baja region in Mexico, what life was like as a child...

Host Chris Angeles revisits his favorite fish and chips spots along the Oregon coast, sharing updates and new favorites after a decade. Discover the best places to enjoy fresh seafood, explore coastal towns, and plan your next coastal trip.   Listen to the whole episode for a rundown of a over a decade of Chris' faves.   ORIGINAL POST   Host Chris Angelus loves his fish and chips, and has a few faves ranging 330 miles up and down the Pacific Northwest coast from Port Orford, OR to South Bend, WA.  He shares a half dozen,  but recommends three places he deems worthy of a day...

We look back at our conversation with Chef Josa Lalo Camarena - now at the Malarkey, when he was at República.

Original post from February 2025.

This is a must-listen.  Chef Jose Camarena, Executive Chef at Portland's highly regarded República, may just be the youngest guest of over 400 on our podcast.  But you wouldn't know it if we hadn't drawn attention to that fact.  At just 24, he's in a position few others are at his age, and it's easy to see how he got as far as he's gotten at such a young...

A fun interview, James Malarkey joins Chris to discuss his family history from his great grandfather's lumber company beginnings, which led to Portland's Malarkey Roofing, to now, the opening of The Malarkey in the former Oba! space in the heart of Portland's Pearl District. 

Gabbiano's and Gabby's David Sigel takes some time to share his journey from studying Chinese history at Lewis and Clark, and then his experience working at a club in Beijing. After his eyes opened to the food scene with visits to places like Clyde Common and Olympic Provisions, he was drawn bac to working at and opening restaurants in Portland.  We talk about what's changing in restaurant economics, including a shift from cocktails. Since David is on the Board of the James Beard Public market, he shares his enthusiasm and some details about what's exciting about that project, and how i...

A blast from the past! Carrie Welch—former owner and operator of the PR firm Little Green Pickle and co-founder of Portland's world-class food festival, Feast Portland—joins us from Camillus, New York, to talk about her new career in academia.
After leaving Portland when COVID-19 hit and closing her businesses, Carrie is now an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. In this episode, she discusses her early thoughts about becoming a teacher, and now living out that dream with her wife Jannie and two children outside of Syracuse, and what she misses most about the Portland food scene.    We also d...

We welcome Richard Matusow to the podcast to talk about his eye-opening journey to Rio de Janiero at the turn of the century, where he discovered the wonders of the superfood açai.  That led to a new career.   On his way to opening Carioca Bowls in Portland, he learned what he could about a açai, working for a premier company in the industry.  Now, Carioca Bowls on Alberta, has a loyal following of healthy customers.   Richard also fills us in on the celebration of his 11th year in business with a big party at the restaurant on June 28th.  ...

We welcome Richard Matusow to the podcast to talk about his eye-opening journey to Rio de Janiero at the turn of the century, where he discovered the wonders of the superfood açai.  That led to a new career.   On his way to opening Carioca Bowls in Portland, he learned what he could about a açai, working for a premier company in the industry.  Now, Carioca Bowls on Alberta, has a loyal following of healthy customers.   Richard also fills us in on the celebration of his 11th year in business with a big party at the restaurant on June 28th.  ...

Right at the Fork is made possible by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com 
RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com 

Friend of the podcast Gary Okazaki joins us once again to lend his thoughts about the current Portland (and elsewhere) James Beard Award winners.  No one is better qualified to discuss this than Gary, especially since two of his favorites in Portland won, Ryan Roadhouse of Nodoguro for Best Chef Northwest / Pacific and Scotch Lodge got the nod for Best Bar in the USA.  We talk about those two places...

We are joined by Piyanut of Hua Hin to discuss his journey toward opening and operating his fresh new Thai restaurant on Hawthorne Blvd.   PJ talks about his mother's influence on his career, as well as some instances in Vancouver, BC that led to his professional growth.  We enjoy a glimpse into the kitchen and Piyanut's philosophy for creating an atmosphere positive for both team members and guests.     Instagram: Huahinpdx  

Right at the Fork is made possible by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com 
RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com 

It's an instant classic with Jaco Smith!  Listen for details on how you can travel with Chef Jaco and Chris Angelus to South Africa. 

ORIGINAL EPISODE POST:

In our first episode where we discuss the influence of Apartheid on a guest, Jaco Smith  talks about his remarkable journey from South Africa, where his mother cooked for diplomats when he was a child, to cruise ships and high end hospitality in the USA deep south, to Portland and Lechon. If anyone is interested in going deeper into this podcast, why not travel with Jaco and have HIM...

At a time when budget dining is becoming less possible, Gary Okazaki (@garythefoodie) joins us once again to review his latest Happy Hour finds in Portland.  As always, the conversation wafts into the unexpected and surely provides us with a list of places to try.  We also talk about some Summer openings in Portland.

Right at the Fork is made possible by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com 
RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com 

In our first episode where we discuss the influence of Apartheid on a guest, Jaco Smith  talks about his remarkable journey from South Africa, where his mother cooked for diplomats when he was a child, to cruise ships and high end hospitality in the USA deep south, to Portland and Lechon. If anyone is interested in going deeper into this podcast, why not travel with Jaco and have HIM take you to the places that mean so much to him?    Yes, there's a trip with host Chris Angelus' Portland Food Adventures to Cape Town, the Winelands and even a safari in Se...

In this classic episode of Right at the Fork, we head back to November of 2025 and our conversation with Amanda Cannon Windquist and Judson Windquist of Sunday Sauce. 

ORIGINAL POST:

In a fun interview, we welcome Amanda Cannon Windquist and husband Judson to the podcast, just after they opened their newest venture in Portland, Sunday Sauce.  We talk about their journey and inspiration for Sunday Sauce, as well as their other restaurant, Normandie.

Amanda and her husband, Judson, met while working in bars in Hoboken, NJ before moving to Portland in the early 2000s...

Christopher Czarnecki, is the chef-owner of Joel Palmer House in Dayton. a fourth-generation family restaurant specializing in wild mushrooms, now based in a historic 1857 house in the heart of Oregon wine country. The restaurant is well-known as a must visit destination while visiting the wine country.  We talk with Christopher about his family's roots in Pennsylvania, why they moved to Oregon, and Christopher's experiences on the way to, and after taking over the restaurant, including his military service.   Chef Czarnecki cites huge credit to his GM, Levi, and we talk about what he brings to the table.   Right at the For...

As warmer weather approaches, many of us are heading to coast. Make sure Daphne in Astoria is on your list of to-dos.  Here's our conversation with Jake Martin from last November.

Original Post:

Jake Martin began his culinary journey at 15, washing dishes in Northern California before moving sight unseen to Seattle in 1999. There, he taught himself the craft, working his way up through kitchens like Union and Maria Hines' Tilth. He moved to Portland in 2007, eventually running acclaimed restaurants Carlyle and Fenouil. This success was followed by a period of intense personal and professional difficulty, i...

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingsideSteakHouse.com 
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

With the recent sale of Portland Monthly, local media's coverage of the Portland food scene is surely less voluminous.  But there is one person and her small team, Meg Cotner, publishing her Bridgetown Bites, online and via email push multiple times each week.  We took the opportunity once again to talk to Meg about what's new and upcoming in Portland.  Also, we have a discssion of the business of Bridgetown Bites as well.
Key topics in this episode:

Portland's culinary landscape
Bridgetown Bites and local food coverage
James Beard Awards and local recognition
Challenges of fo...

Chef Patrick McKee joins us for the third time on the podcast, sharing his journey of opening Estes through its popup iterations to now, his brick and mortar restaurant in the heart of a great restaurant block.  We talk about his influences from Italy and family and of course, his mentor Vitaly Paley, and his vision for creating a space that honors heritage and community. We touch on how overcoming adversity shaped his character, and is a lesson to anyone that they can recover from extreme devastations.   Also, Patrick talks about marriage and the challenges associated with the current political atmosphe...

We flast back to January 2024 and our conversation with Don Bourassa.

Original post:

Don Bourassa was Right at the Fork's first guest ever in 2014. Back then, he was the Community Director for Yelp.  Now, he's moved to Porto, Portugal with his wife and among his many endeavors, he writes on substack:  International Adulting.  We talk to Don about what's transpired in the ten years since his first visit with us, including the process of deciding to move and the ins and outs of moving to another country.  Also, having traveled the world, his thoughts on Portlan...

In the second part of our interview with a couple with deep roots in the Portland food world, Jackie and Adam Sappington share their insights on the state of Portland's food scene and the socio economic factors that affect it.  Adam shares that he remains focused on their own businesses and personal goals rather than the city as a whole, while still being aware and doing their best to serve their communities.  They talk about their much healthier practices now, with some moderation.   They share their unique and fascinating family journey which includes two very athletic sons and the chronology of...

We are thrilled to have two of the legends of the current Portland dining scene on the podcast with us, Jackie and Adam Sappington.  Back in 2007, they left Wildwood to create The Country Cat, which was one of the staples of Portland's restaurant heyday.  They eventually opened The Country Cat at the airport, pioneering the idea that a great local restaurant could succeed serving people coming and going from PDX in a very special way.   8 years ago, the Sappingtons bought Harlow restaurant, a plant-based restaurant.  So interested that Adam, who was such a down home Ozark born country boy, would move...

This week, we look back to our conversation with Dominic Finzo of The Screen Door.

ORIGINAL POST:

Dominic Finzo from The Screen Door restaurant in Portland joins us to talk about the iconic restaurant's 20th anniversary, which they will commemorate in 2026.

Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Dominic's earliest memories are steeped in the comforting rhythm of Southern life—where supper was always on the table, and love was served warm by the hands of his grandparents who raised him. It was in their kitchen that Dominic first felt the magic of food—the...

Althea Gray Potter shares her journey of opening Bar Nouveau, a restaurant in St. John's, Portland. She discusses her initial reluctance to open a restaurant, how it all came about, how she financed it along with the support she received from loved ones and the community\, and the significance of having a great General Manager, Heather Wallberg and how they met and agreed about the match.  Althea emphasizes the significance of community and connection in the culinary world, and we touch on "authenticity" when it comes to menus, and what that means in 2026.   Fun to hear some of Althea's faves in...

We are pleased to have been able to spend time with Judiaann Woo on our  podcast.  Judiaann has her pulse on the food world, which comes from a multi-faceted background and perspective, She shares her journey from a childhood passion for food to her move to New York, where she went from the French Culinary Institute to various high level pastry chef positions, eventually realizing that the kitchen wasn't going to be the place where she would thrive.  She made some adjustments, while also accommodating her relationship in New York, to become a prominent figure in the culinary world before returning...

Here we are again with the awesome and fun Bill Oakley.  Chris and Bill discuss the evolution of The Simpsons and the rise of adult animation, reflecting on how perceptions of cartoons have changed over the years. They delve into Bill's culinary events, emphasizing the importance of audience engagement and the unique opportunity to explore regional dishes without traveling. The discussion shifts to the future of airline food events, highlighting Bill's upcoming event at Loyal Legion at PDX, an innovative approach to recreating iconic airline meals. Sponsorships and collaborations are also explored, particularly with Alaska Airlines, as they discuss the...

In this conversation, Jason French shares his journey of navigating the culinary landscape post-pandemic, reflecting on his experiences in Lake Oswego and the evolution of his career. He discusses the challenges of sustaining a business in the food industry, particularly the shift towards digital platforms and the need for chefs to adapt to changing consumer expectations. Jason emphasizes the importance of purpose in his life and work, revealing how he has been weaving together various income streams while pursuing his passion for cooking and writing. We touch on the changing dynamics of the Portland food scene, the impact of...

Edouardo Jordan's ascent to the top of the Seattle culinary world was a long journey that started in his childhood St. Petersburg kitchen helping his mother, when given the choice of that or cleaning his room.  Edouardo takes us through his high school, college and post college pursuits, one of which was working with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to becoming a food blogger,  He then decided he could do better than many of the restaurants he reviewed, and he pursued his interest in cooking at the Le Cordon Bleu (Orlando Culinary Academy) and got his first kitchen job in Ta...

We're looking back to November 2024 and our conversation with Sandra Tavares...

ORIGINAL POST:

Sandra Tavares knows the people, places and things that make up a wonderful culinary and wine journey throughout Portugal.  Sandra started her career as a journalist and found herself covering a burgeoning food scene, to the point where she realized she would enjoy developing tours and experiences for people, and taking them to the best Portugal has to offer, rather than just writing about them.  Eventually she met her husband Vitor, and as things happened, eventually they landed in a bea...