Behind the Counter with the Food Czar

Episode 78 - Still Cooking, Still Climbing: The Evolution of Ryan DePersio

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501944/fan_mail/new] This episode features Ryan DePersio, a true force in New Jersey’s culinary scene. Born and raised in Nutley, New Jersey, Ryan’s passion for food started early, shaped by family, tradition, and the influence of his mother, a recipe developer for women’s magazines. From a young age, he was drawn to the kitchen and committed to learning the craft from the ground up. After attending culinary school in New York and working in top kitchens alongside acclaimed chefs, two formative trips helped define his path: Paris, France, and Florence, Italy. In Paris, he worked in a one-Michelin-star restaurant, and in Florence, in a three-Michelin-star restaurant—experiences that deepened his appreciation for fine dining and helped shape his culinary voice. Ryan went on to open Fascino in Montclair, a family-driven venture that became the foundation for his career as a restaurateur—where his mother also worked alongside him as the pastry chef. Since then, he has expanded his footprint with his partners, Cory Checket and Joe Calafiore, with Battello in Jersey City, Ember & Eagle and The TillingHouse in Eatontown, and the soon to open Barchino in Jersey City. In this conversation, Ryan reflects on the evolution of his career, the importance of team and partnership, and the passion that continues to drive him forward. This episode explores the realities of building a restaurant group, staying creative over time, and remaining deeply connected to the craft. Follow Ryan @chef_rd Recording Location: Battello Restaurant Jersey City, NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

Episode 77 - From Crazy Idea to Bagel Empire: How Alex Berkowitz of Bagel Nook Changed the Game

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501944/fan_mail/new] This week on Behind the Counter with the Food Czar, I sit down with Alex Berkowitz, the founder and owner of Bagel Nook — the viral bagel concept that completely changed the breakfast game. When Alex opened his doors in 2015, no one thought bagels needed reinventing… except him. What started as a bold idea — turning flavors like Doritos, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Oreos, and Fruity Pebbles into over-the-top bagels with equally creative cream cheeses — quickly turned into something much bigger. But this story isn’t just about wild flavors and social media buzz. It’s about vision, grit, and believing in something before anyone else sees it. From day one to now 11 locations (and nationwide shipping through Goldbelly), Alex has built Bagel Nook into a true empire — one rooted in passion, creativity, and nonstop hustle. His flagship in Freehold, NJ is where it all began, and where his heart still is, even as the brand continues to grow through franchising. This episode dives into the mindset behind the madness, the lessons learned along the way, and what it really takes to turn an idea into something lasting. If you’ve ever had a dream that felt a little crazy… this one’s for you. Follow Alex @the_bagel_nook Recording Location: The Bagel Nook Freehold NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

Episode 76 - All Gas, No Brakes: Gustavo Gutierrez and the Rise of Cubita

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501944/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we sit down with Gustavo (Gus) Gutierrez — the high-energy entrepreneur behind Cubita Cafe and the growing fleet of Cubita Food Trucks. Gus grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey knowing he needed to find a path that would keep him focused and out of trouble. After discovering a culinary program built around hands-on experience, he dove into the restaurant world — starting as a dishwasher at a Cuban restaurant in Hoboken where he learned the business from the ground up. That drive eventually led him to Le Cirque in New York City and later to becoming a corporate chef overseeing more than 15 restaurants at Newark Airport. But when COVID shut everything down — and he learned his wife was pregnant — Gus bet on himself. He started perfecting empanadas and selling them to anyone willing to try them. When demand exploded, his wife pushed him to open Cubita Cafe in Nutley. Today that leap has grown into Cubita Cafe, four Cubita food trucks, and a massive warehouse operation — all fueled by Gus’s “all gas, no brakes” mentality. In this episode, Gus talks about leadership, relentless learning, and why in cooking — there is no such thing as perfect, only practice. Follow Gus @hudsonchef Recorded at Cubita Wholesale Bloomfield NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

Episode 75 - The Viral Chicken Caesar That Changed Everything at Staci’s Sandwich Joint

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501944/fan_mail/new] This week we sit down with Staci Puleo — the heart and hands behind Staci’s Sandwich Joint — whose journey into the food world is proof that it’s never too late to start something completely new. Just over a year ago, Staci was a stay-at-home mom thinking about what her next chapter might look like when her kids got older. With zero restaurant experience, she took a leap of faith and opened a small sandwich shop in her own community in January 2025 — built on nothing more than a vision of creating a happy place where friends, families, and neighbors could walk through the door and feel at home. What happened next is something she never could have predicted. Less than a year in, her now-famous chicken Caesar sandwich went viral on social media — and suddenly there were lines out the door, a growing fan base, and a business that hasn’t slowed down since. But this episode isn’t just about a viral sandwich. It’s about confidence found later in life, learning in real time, pushing past fear, and discovering that you are capable of far more than you ever imagined. Staci’s story is sweet, empowering, and deeply relatable — a reminder to anyone listening that you can try new things, do hard things, and build something beautiful in your own backyard. Follow Staci's Sandwich Joint @stacis_joint Recorded at Staci's Sandwich Joint Verona, NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

Episode 74 - Mother’s Day Edition: Deborah & Sam Stymest of Sam’s Table

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501944/fan_mail/new] In this special Mother’s Day episode, I sit down with Deborah and Sam Stymest, the mother-and-son duo behind Sam’s Table in Montclair, New Jersey. What started during COVID as a backyard, socially distanced dining experience for neighbors—seven courses, shared from a distance but deeply connected—quickly became something people truly needed. A way to gather, to feel a sense of normalcy again, and to connect through food. From there, Sam’s Table evolved into pop-ups across New Jersey and New York City, before finding its home on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Today, Sam’s Table is an intimate 26-seat restaurant offering a four-course, monthly seasonal menu, where every detail feels thoughtful and every guest experience feels personal. Sam, a trained chef, is the creative force behind the menu, while Deborah runs the front of house and business side. What makes this story so special is their relationship—the pride, the trust, and the role reversal, as Deborah shares that in the restaurant, Sam is the boss. At its core, this episode is about more than a restaurant. It’s about food, family, and the connections that bring people together. Follow Sam's Table @samstablenj Recording Location: Sam's Table Montclair NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!