Chefs In The City

In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Donnie Austin, co-owner of Aardvark Wine & Beer, to talk about how he turned a love of wine—and a background in engineering—into one of Central Ohio’s most welcoming neighborhood wine destinations.

Donnie shares the story behind Aardvark's unique setup (including the "Dive Bar" built over an old swimming pool), his philosophy on affordable, family-owned wines, and how his shop is adapting to changing consumer tastes and looming import tariffs.We also dig into the rise of THC drinks, the evolving wine bar culture in Columb...

In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Chef Andrew Smith, a longtime fixture in the Columbus culinary scene and the creative force behind the upcoming Marion Village restaurant, Isla. From his time at spots like Rockmill Tavern and The Rossi to the wildly popular private supper clubs he launched at home, Andrew shares why he stepped away from the traditional restaurant grind—and what drew him back.

We dive into the philosophy behind Isla, how it grew out of his home dining experiences, and the ways he’s redesigning the restaurant model to cent...

In this episode of Chefs in the City, we’re joined by Bethia Woolf, co-founder of Columbus Food Adventures, a company that has helped shape how locals and visitors experience the Columbus food scene. Bethia shares how her passion for food, culture, and discovery led from blogging and taco truck maps to launching immersive, multi-neighborhood food tours.

We talk about the origins of the Alt Eats and Taco Truck tours, the evolution of Columbus’ diverse cuisine scene (now with over 70 represented cuisines!), and how Columbus Food Adventures continues to grow, with everything from foodie scavenger hunts and progressive dinn...

In this episode of Chefs in the City, Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Tarapacki sit down with Patrick Allen, an independent wine importer specializing in small-production wineries from the South of France. Patrick shares how proposed tariffs could impact his business and the broader wine industry, and he dives into his exciting new partnerships with Columbus State’s Culinary Program. The group also talks about upcoming tastings, and Patrick gives us a preview of the exclusive wine tour he’ll be leading through Southern France. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just curious about how global issues affect local...

In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Joshua Wickham, Senior Director and Chairperson of the School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts at Columbus State Community College. We dive into the impact of Mitchell Hall, the latest updates in the program, and how Columbus State is shaping the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals. From hands-on training to industry partnerships, find out how this program is fueling Columbus’ vibrant food scene. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about education, opportunity, and the future of food in Central Ohio!

In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with James Beard semifinalist Dan Riesenberger, better known as Dan the Baker. From his early days selling loaves out of a basket at farmers' markets to running one of Columbus' most beloved bakeries, Dan shares his journey of mastering the art of breadmaking. We dive into the science behind sourdough, the magic of fermentation, and how each loaf carries the unique terroir of its environment. Plus, we discuss the evolution of Columbus’ dining scene, must-visit restaurants, and why baking is really just chemistry. Don’t miss this deep dive into...

In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Annie Pierce, co-owner of Lawbird, one of the top 20 semifinalists for the James Beard Award for Best Bar in the Nation. Annie shares the story behind Lawbird’s welcoming atmosphere, their top-tier non-alcoholic program, and the creativity behind their latest art-inspired cocktail menu. We also dive into the evolving Columbus bar scene, the importance of hospitality, and what it means to be recognized on a national stage. Plus, Annie gives us a sneak peek at their upcoming Japanese pop-up and their vision for the future of mixology. Cheers to...

In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Avishar Barua, 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist and the culinary visionary behind Agni and Joya’s in Columbus. Avishar shares his journey of creating unique dining experiences that blend his Bengali-American heritage with modern techniques while offering insight into his philosophy of empowering staff and embracing mistakes as part of the creative process. As part of our three-part series featuring Central Ohio’s James Beard semifinalists, this episode dives into how Avishar’s approach to food and restaurant culture is raising the bar for the local dining scene. Tune in for...

Steve Stover isn’t done with 2024 just yet—but this time, he’s using it as a springboard to drag us headfirst into 2025! In this episode, we discuss what’s on the horizon for the Columbus food scene, from fewer new restaurant openings to what’s next for Chefs in the City. With temperatures hovering around 4 degrees, we also take a moment to appreciate some of the coziest dining spots in town. And of course, we talk chefs.

 #ColumbusEats #FoodScene2025 #CentralOhioFood #ColumbusRestaurants #CozyDining #ChefStories #FoodTrends #ColumbusFoodies #OhioEats #LocalDining #ColumbusChefs #FoodCulture #ColumbusPodcast

In this episode, Steve Stover breaks down what went down in Central Ohio's food scene in 2024—but not without first setting the stage with a look back at 2023, a year that saw nearly 200 new restaurant openings and just 56 closures. From standout spots to key trends and, of course, the chefs behind it all, this episode dishes out the stories, flavors, and moments that shaped Columbus' culinary landscape.

#ColumbusEats #FoodScene2024 #CentralOhioFood #ColumbusRestaurants #ChefStories #FoodTrends #OhioEats #LocalDining #ColumbusFoodies #RestaurantRoundup #ColumbusChefs #FoodCulture #ColumbusPodcast #DiningOut