Culinary Confidential with Christina Cates

On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes in Melissa Sumner of Sumner Farms in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Alongside her husband Ian and their four children, Melissa ditched a conventional career path to pursue a life rooted in regenerative agriculture - a method of farming that restores soil health, increases biodiversity, and works in harmony alongside nature.

Sumner Farms isn't just raising animals and growing food; they are also cultivating a philosophy of slow and intentional living touching everything from parenting and homeschooling to land stewardship and food choices. In a country where more conventional farming...

On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates takes a deep dive into the growing epidemic of food allergies. Food allergies affect over 33 million Americans, including one of every 13 children. From the lunchbox to the fine dining realm, allergies are reshaping our relationship with food.

Best-selling author and longtime allergy advocate Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino joins the show to share her own personal experiences with food allergies and how she's turned that into a mission of education and empowerment, especially for kids navigating a world where one single bite can be really dangerous.

Later in the...

On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes in Chef Andrew Molen. Renowned for his impeccable standards and intuitive approach to cooking, Chef Andrew isn't just cooking meals - he's orchestrating experiences. With an extensive client list, he blends sophistication with innovation in every dish. His work has earned him profiles in Page Six and other top lifestyle publications, as well as a role on the hit Bravo TV show "Summer House."

While Andrew's name is consistently found behind the scenes of most elegant dinners for the Hamptons' elite crowd, his culinary mastery also spans...

On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes in popular social media personality The People's Somm. Known for his no-nonsense takes, deep-cellar knowledge, and uncanny ability to make wine feel fun again, The People's Somm has built a loyal following by breaking down barriers and busting snobbery one bottle at a time.

From natural wine debates to pairing hacks and industry secrets, this discussion with the wine world's most unfiltered voice promises to be as bold as a Barolo and as smooth as a Sonoma Pinot. Cheers!

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On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates showcases Indian cuisine's impact on the global scale by welcoming in Chef Vikas Khanna and Sameer Bhatt of the East Village's own, Bungalow. From Amritsar to Michelin Stars, Vikas is more than just a celebrity chef. He's also a filmmaker, author, humanitarian, and ambassador of Indian cuisine, who blends tradition with global impact - one dish, one story, one soul at a time.

Bhatt is currently General Manager and Partner of Bungalow. From his New Delhi roots to the high standards of New York City, Sameer brings a r...

Culinary Confidential hits the West Coast this week for an exclusive journey uncovering the artistry behind gourmet cheeses and specialty foods! Christina Cates welcomes Dominick DiBartolomeo and Jay Seals, both of Domenico's Foods and The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills.

As the mastermind behind the two, DiBartolomeo's stores offer a wide variety of premium food items, from 600+ imported cheeses to fresh crafted pastas and more. Seals oversees wholesale operations, where he blends his East Coast roots with decades of expertise in the gourmet cuisine scene.

Beyond these two popular establishments, Dominick and Jay take their...

Culinary Confidential hits the road again this week, this time to the Windy City! Christina Cates welcomes Susie Griffin and David Baez for a delicious journey into Chicago's unique hospitality scene.

Griffin is a hospitality expert with a reputation that extends past Chicago, building a career built on delivering excellent service and creating memorable dining experiences. She shares her insights on what truly makes hospitality great, handling tough situations with guests, and why genuine customer service is more important than ever.

Baez is a lawyer by day and foodie by night. Known as the creator...

This week, Culinary Confidential is shipping up to Boston for an exclusive look at the city's vibrant food and hospitality scene! Christina Cates is joined by Alyssa K. Stevens and Lisa Flores for this unforgettable culinary journey.

The founder and editor of The A-Lyst lifestyle blog, Stevens has curated a special list of must-visit restaurants, date night spots, and hidden gems showcasing the best of Boston. Alyssa also serves as Global Director of PR, Social Media, and Influencer Marketing at Connelly Partners, where she shapes brand stories and connects audiences globally.

A powerhouse in the...

On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes in food influencer Eric Hammer. Known for his engaging content on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Eric shares food reviews, explores different cuisines, and spotlights the best stadium eats - and is especially famous for his love of Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps, recently releasing his Top 10 Chicken Caesar Wraps of 2024.

Also joining in on tonight's conversation is Chef Jamie Knott, New Jersey-based restauranteur and owner of four restaurants under the PB&J Hospitality Group umbrella. Having welcomed countless food influencers into his restaurants, Knott shares his perspective on...

On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes Austin Allan, founder and CEO of Sugar Wood, and Rachel Chitwood, VP of Marketing at Tipsy Scoop Ice Cream, to discuss their perspectives on their adults-only dessert brands and how they are redefining indulgence and creativity in the culinary space.

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On this week's special Cinco De Mayo edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates concludes her 'Spotlight On A Chef' series with Chef Scott Linquist, co-founder and owner of Coyo Taco, a global taqueria chain known for its authentic Mexican street food. Linquist holds a degree from The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and has worked alongside legendary chefs across the U.S., including New York's Gotham Bar & Grill and Los Angeles' Border Grill.

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On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates continues her 'Spotlight On A Chef' series with Chef Michael Lomonaco. Lomonaco is a Brooklyn-born American chef, restauranteur, author, and TV personality who is currently the Chef and Partner at Porter House Bar & Grill in The Shops at Columbus Circle. He has also worked at many favorable New York institutions including Le Cirque, 21 Club, and Windows on the World, the restaurant located atop the World Trade Center's North Tower.

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On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates continues her 'Spotlight On A Chef' series with two culinary powerhouses making waves in the hospitality industry, Chef Coton Stine and Chef Kiersten Gormeley.

Chef Coton is a classically trained Le Cordon Bleu chef and owner of Table 165 in Delray Beach, Florida.

Chef Gormeley, known for winning the popular Food Network program Chopped in 2021, is also the co-proprietor of Shaka Kitchen, a chain of Hawaiian-influenced fast-casual restaurants with three locations in New Jersey.

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On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates kicks off her 'Spotlight On A Chef' series by welcoming in Chef Jamie Knott. Knott is an acclaimed chef and New Jersey-based restauranteur, who owns four restaurants under his PB&J Hospitality Group umbrella.

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On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes Football Hall of Famer Alan Page to discuss his new children's book "Baking Up Love," written in collaboration with his daughter Kamie. Also joining the show is Chef Richard Ingraham, renowned for his role as personal chef of Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade and his family, to discuss his recently published cookbook, "Love: My Love Expressed Through Food".

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On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes “The Doctors”  TV personality Dr. Ian K. Smith for his perspective on healthy eating! You may have also seen him on “Celebrity Fit Club,” “The Rachael Ray Show,” and “The View.”! He is also a bestseller and Christina talks with Dr. Smith about his new book, 'Eat Your Age', Dr. Smith's new book can be found on his website https://doctoriansmith.com/! 

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On  this edition, Christina welcomes Guinness brand ambassador Colm O'Connor to recap how the Guinness storehouse celebrated St. Patrick's Day and filled us in on what's planned for the 25th anniversary of the Guinness Storehouse!

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Guests: Megan Klein, the founder of Little Saints, a company that creates non-alcoholic cocktails and spirits infused with functional mushrooms, like reishi and lion’s mane. ; Vanesa Miraglia, founder of VIEWTIES, a renowned lifestyle e-magazine! 

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Christina Cates' special guest is JORJ MORGAN — a celebrated Southern home cook, food blogger, and cookbook author known for her engaging storytelling and delicious recipes. Her cookbooks, such as the “ You Can Cook Any THING” series, are tailored for novice chefs and those looking to improve their cooking skills.

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Jimmy Kunz is the founder and CEO of The Truffleist, a company based in Long Island City, Queens, that produces handcrafted, small-batch truffle products. Jason Hairston is the owner and visionary behind The Nugget Spot, a popular Chatham, New Jersey chicken nugget restaurant which opened its doors in mid-October 2024.

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Johnny Damon is a former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1995 to 2012 and has been associated with such teams as the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Cleveland Indians. In addition to being a two-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion  Johnny and Christina talks about his new hydration drink -- A-GAME -- designed to refuel, rehydrate, and aid in the body's recovery by offering a blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and natural electrolytes from sea salt.

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ARIEL STRIZOWER and MIKE SALZANO are Christina Cates’s special guests on CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL— a highly popular, new talk show for foodies and those in the hospitality industry.Strizower and Salzano are the creative duo behind the trendy New York City restaurant, Gnocchi on 9th. They started as friends and real-estate partners before venturing into the culinary world. Their restaurant offers freshly crafted gnocchi—an Italian pasta dumpling—served in iconic Chinese takeout boxes, providing a unique twist on fast-casual Italian dining. Their innovative concept quickly gained popularity, leading to the opening of multiple locations and pop-up events around NYC. And on...

Guests: Ellen Hunter, the blogger behind “The Star Crawl,” is on a mission to dine at every MICHELIN-starred restaurant in New York City. She started this quest in June 2017 and has been documenting her culinary journey, meeting talented chefs, and enjoying their culinary creations ever since. Ellen will share her experiences and offer her take on what's trending industry-wide; Nadav Greenberg is the Executive Chef at Shmoné, a Michelin-starred restaurant located on West 8th Street in Manhattan. His culinary journey, which began in Jerusalem, was deeply influenced by his Moroccan grandmother’s cooking and the vibrant food culture of both North A...

Guests: RYAN LINDQUIST, General Manager of Luxbar in Chicago, Ryan shares his journey from his early days in hospitality to transforming Luxbar into a beacon of dining and mixology. He also provides behind-the-scenes insights into what makes Luxbar a premier destination, including themed nights, exclusive tasting events, and an impressive cocktail program. ALDO FEDRIGHINI, on-premises spirits consultant for Empire Merchants, on-premises spirits consultant for Empire Merchants, renowned for his expertise and hands-on approach in the bar and restaurant scene, has made unparalleled efforts to enhance customer experiences. Christina will explore his role in the spirits industry, highlighting his innovative stra...

Guest: Doug Frost—co-owner of Echolands Winery and one of the few people in the world to hold both the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles. In addition to regularly contributing articles to prominent beverage industry publications, Frost is the author of two critically acclaimed books, “On Wine: A Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Tells All,” and “Uncorking Wine.” Frequently invited to judge wine competitions and conduct educational seminars, Wine Enthusiast Magazine has described Frost as “one of the most knowledgeable and articulate wine experts in the world,” while The Wine Spectator hailed him as a “standout in the industry.”

Guest: Dale DeGroff, a renowned American bartender and author affectionately known as “King Cocktail.” Widely credited with pioneering the craft cocktail movement and revitalizing classic cocktail recipes, DeGroff gained notoriety in the late 1980s and 1990s as the chief bartender at New York City’s Rainbow Room. His emphasis on high-quality ingredients and classic techniques set new bartending standards. The founding president of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans, DeGroff has authored two books, The Craft of the Cocktail and The Essential Cocktail, which are considered indispensable references for bartenders.

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On this episode of CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL — a popular talk show airing Sunday nights on AM970 radio — her special guests will be Michael Cecchi-Azzolina and Bismark Irving. Michael — who is the owner of Cecchi’s, a modern bar and grill located in the West Village — is widely known for his work as a maître d’ at some of New York City’s most prestigious restaurants, including Le Coucou and The River Café. He’s out with a new book, “Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maitre D’,” where he shares his insights and experiences. Bismark — a prominent figure in the hospital...

Guests: Chris Vasami — a fitness coach, mentor, nutritionist, and owner of Vasami Training — is a former professional baseball player whose career took a transformative turn after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2017. That pivotal life event led him to pursue a healthy lifestyle, which he now passionately shares with others via a holistic approach to fitness and nutrition.; Matthew Schiffman is the Head of Sales for Gainful, one of the fastest-growing supplement companies in the country. Its mission is to empower people to be their “healthiest self.” To that end, Matt will discuss how consumers are achieving their wellness goals by way o...

Guests: Antonio Dinis & Luciana Barbieri, co-owners of PORTO BY ANTONIO — a critically acclaimed eatery located in North Bergen, New Jersey, widely praised for its authentic Italian cuisine, particularly its Neapolitan-style pizzas and pastas. Offering a cozy and romantic ambiance, it’s the perfect spot for a special occasion or date night.; Chef Antonio De Ieso, and his wife Brenda — who are the co-owners of FIORENTINI, an authentic Italian restaurant located in Rutherford, New Jersey. Born and raised in Florence, Antonio attended the International Culinary School and has worked at world renowned eateries such as Le Cirque and Sea Grill at Rockefelle...

Guests:  Jeremy Lebewohl, co-owner of the famed 2nd Ave Deli, will share insights into the company’s rich history. Originally established by his uncle back in 1954, Jeremy, and his bother Josh, reopened the deli in 2007 at its East 33rd Street location, where it continues to serve its towering pastrami sandwiches and other traditional delicacies; Chef David Teyf, a renowned restaurateur and caterer, who is a principal of Madison & Park Hospitality Group and the owner of such critically acclaimed food establishments as Greenwich & Delancey Delicatessen and LOX Café. Chef Teyf is widely celebrated for his innovative dishes that give traditional kosher cu...

Dirk McCall de Palomá, Executive Director of the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, is the featured guest on Sunday night’s episode of “CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL with CHRISTINA CATES.” Dirk and Christina will give listeners a “behind-the-scenes” look at Queens’ diverse culinary scene and will discuss some of the popular menu items found at the Empire Shop (a sandwich bar), Maison de Gateaux (a French bakery), and two restaurants: Seoul Bystro (Korean) and Shah’s Halal (Middle Eastern).

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Guests: .

Mallory Mortier has extensive experience as a Certified Flight Attendant (CFA) and has been a Gulfstream CFA fleet manager for some 17 years. He is the founder of CREWISE, a ground-breaking app designed to support aviation industry professionals by simplifying catering needs, enhancing onboard services, and empowering users to deliver exceptional flight experiences. (https://get-crewise.com/)

JoseMary Piacente, Corporate Flight Attendant for a US based private aviation company with global experience and standards—will talk about the challenges of presenting perfectly crafted dining experiences while flying miles above ground. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josy-piacente-fa-chef/)

Guests: Chef Renee Faris- Chef Renee — the owner of Erie Coffeeshop and Bakery, a popular small batch bakery located in Rutherford, North Jersey — has a rich culinary arts background, having worked at such renowned establishments as Carlo’s Bakery, Gramercy Tavern, and Fig & Olive. Her local bakery features a European-style coffee-shop experience which offers an array of artisanal pastries and locally roasted coffees; Chef Andrew Shotts - 
Chef Andrew, the Executive Chef at the New York Yacht Club, has considerable culinary expertise, having previously served as the executive pastry chef at The Russian Tea Room and Tavern on the Green. He...

Guests: 

Chef Drew Keane is a talented chef with over 15 years in the restaurant industry. He has honed his skills in a variety of global cuisines and is known for his creativity and precision in the kitchen. Chef Drew always puts a fresh spin on cherished favorites, ensuring you’ll enjoy his tips on how to host a stellar Thanksgiving dinner.
https://keaneoncooking.com/

Brian Proctor, the son of renowned motivational speaker Bob Proctor, emphasizes the profound impact of gratitude in his teachings. He believes that a daily gratitude practice can significantly enhance one’...

Culinary Confidential With Christina Cates 11-17-24

Guests: Marta Pateiro, Head of Talent Development, Diversity, Inclusion & The Culture at Pernod Ricard North America (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpateiro85/)

Amy Falbaum, Hospitality Recruiter, Owner of Amy Falbaum & Associates (https://www.amyfalbaum.com/)

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Culinary Confidential With Christina Cates 11-10-24

Guests : Brad Gardiner, Brad has worked as a managing partner with NYC dining influencer Steve Hanson, founder of the renowned hospitality group, BR Guest Hospitality (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-gardiner-35605358?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app) ; Bismark Irving, Almond Restaurant and Bar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-gardiner-35605358?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app)

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Culinary Confidential With Christina Cates 11-3-24

Guests: Allison Reid, Aimbridge Hospitality (https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-reid-6693a9110/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app); Chip Ohlsson, Wyndham Hotel Group (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chip-ohlsson-0063734?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app)

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Culinary Confidential With Christina Cates 10-27-24

Guests:Pietro Caldarelli (Director of Operations ), Raffaele De Vivo (General Manager), and Giuseppe Nebbia (Executive Chef); the team behind the highly successful and hugely popular NYC Neapolitan pizzeria and trattoria: Song’E Napule. While Tony Mangia—creator and host of At The Table with Tony podcast—talks about some of his favorite restaurants in Little Italy.

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Culinary Confidential With Christina Cates 10-20-24

Guests: Mona James, Corporate Catering General Manager  (https://www.instagram.com/chefmomo_63?igsh=NjI0NGtjeWExMjdw); Michael Jong, Hospitality Industry Leader (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-jong-golden-hour-consulting?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app)

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Culinary Confidential With Christina Cates 10-13-24

Guests: Steve Cuccinelli, Owner of WonderBagels (https://www.instagram.com/wbcentralave?igsh=MWVlcGxuaXFlZWtxdw==) ;Joey Fortunato, fmr. owner of Extra Virgin Restaurant https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-fortunato-9bb0846a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app; 

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