Kitchen Smarts

Mica’s Food for Thought: Challenges and Triumphs in the Culinary World

In this episode, Hava Volterra and Mica Talmor discuss Mica's journey in the culinary world. From growing up surrounded by familyfood traditions to becoming a restaurant owner navigating an ever-changing industry. Mica opens up about the realities of restaurant ownership, the emotional differences between catering and running a restaurant, and why business knowledge is just as essential as culinary skill. The conversation also explores the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolution of Mica's restaurant Pomella, and the impact of economic shifts on the food industry. Mica shares her aspirations for the future, emphasizing the importance in resilience, community, and building food businesses rooted in care, connection, and innovation. Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2507426/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2507426/support] Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/kitchensmartspodcast] X @Kitchen_Smarts [https://twitter.com/Kitchen_Smarts] Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts [https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenSmarts] Hosted by: Hava Volterra [https://www.instagram.com/havavolterra/], CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software [https://www.parsleysoftware.com/] Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife [https://www.instagram.com/stereoknifemgmt/]. Artwork by Dennis Mukai [https://www.instagram.com/mukaistudio/]Music by Brandon McCulloch [https://www.instagram.com/brandonmccullochofficial/]

Inside Corporate Dining: A Culinary Director’s Perspective with Melody Miranda

In this episode, Melody Miranda, National Director of Culinary for Sodexo’s Good Eating Company, takes us inside the world of corporate dining. She shares her path into large-scale food operations, her role in managing corporate cafeterias, and how chefs balance creativity with consistency at scale. Melody also discusses adapting to food trends, honoring regional tastes, the impact of COVID-19 on corporate dining operations, and the company’s commitment to sustainability and regenerative agriculture. Known for her chef-led approach, Melody has helped redefine how creativity shows up in corporate dining. At the core of it all is one guiding principle: listening to guests and building menus that are thoughtful, diverse, and deeply satisfying. Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2507426/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2507426/support] Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/kitchensmartspodcast] X @Kitchen_Smarts [https://twitter.com/Kitchen_Smarts] Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts [https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenSmarts] Hosted by: Hava Volterra [https://www.instagram.com/havavolterra/], CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software [https://www.parsleysoftware.com/] Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife [https://www.instagram.com/stereoknifemgmt/]. Artwork by Dennis Mukai [https://www.instagram.com/mukaistudio/]Music by Brandon McCulloch [https://www.instagram.com/brandonmccullochofficial/]

The Rise of a Bagel Empire: Boichik’s Love Letter to New York Bagels

In this episode, Hava Volterra sits down with Emily, founder of Boichik Bagels, to talk about how a mechanical engineer with zero culinary background built one of California’s fastest-growing bagel brands. From learning the science behind New York–style bagels to running 24-hour production and scaling across multiple cities, Emily breaks down the challenges, systems, and mindset behind building a food business that doesn’t compromise on quality. They also dive into social media, logistics, franchising, and what it really takes to grow while staying true to the craft. Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2507426/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2507426/support] Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/kitchensmartspodcast] X @Kitchen_Smarts [https://twitter.com/Kitchen_Smarts] Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts [https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenSmarts] Hosted by: Hava Volterra [https://www.instagram.com/havavolterra/], CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software [https://www.parsleysoftware.com/] Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife [https://www.instagram.com/stereoknifemgmt/]. Artwork by Dennis Mukai [https://www.instagram.com/mukaistudio/]Music by Brandon McCulloch [https://www.instagram.com/brandonmccullochofficial/]

The Art & Science of Dough: Insights from a Pizza Expert

What do wood-fired pizza, gluten-free flour, and commercial kitchen equipment have in common? Brad Kent. In this episode of Kitchen Smarts, Hava Volterra chats with culinary engineer and pizza visionary Brad Kent—founder of Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria, co-founder of Blaze Pizza, and gluten-free innovator at Original Sunshine.  They explore how Brad went from experimenting in the kitchen as a kid to pioneering one of the most successful fast-casual pizza chains in the U.S. He shares the secret to great dough, why fermentation matters, and what it takes to scale food quality without losing soul. From bean burritos to flour made from wheat (that’s somehow gluten-free?!), this one’s got layers. Guest: Brad Kent [https://www.instagram.com/chefbradkent?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] of Original Sunshine Gluten-Free Bagels [https://bio.site/eatglutenfree?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacE3rWQURDU0OPQ-9yduY5shGLISoV7X_iD8YZZgxYeNo9Pyo_FWAVDsh2g8A_aem_38kZARz88wKWgrPGWZBt2A], founder of Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria [https://www.instagram.com/oliogcm/], and co-founder of Blaze Pizza [https://www.blazepizza.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadzFAy3X0g1-8GRWW_l_HUX_18WMY9RVh856ipXKlgS1XXBXkStFlk2-90PKw_aem_xfjqA4zD0YSz9pFtzBBrOw]. Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2507426/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2507426/support] Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/kitchensmartspodcast] X @Kitchen_Smarts [https://twitter.com/Kitchen_Smarts] Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts [https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenSmarts] Hosted by: Hava Volterra [https://www.instagram.com/havavolterra/], CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software [https://www.parsleysoftware.com/] Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife [https://www.instagram.com/stereoknifemgmt/]. Artwork by Dennis Mukai [https://www.instagram.com/mukaistudio/]Music by Brandon McCulloch [https://www.instagram.com/brandonmccullochofficial/]

Behind the Label: Nutrition, Transparency, and the Business of Food

In this conversation, Hava speaks with Lisa Eberhart and Randy Lait, founders of Menu Analytics, about their journey in the food service industry, the importance of nutrition analysis, and the evolution of menu transparency. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior and food services, the role of technology and AI in the industry, and the future trends shaping food service operations. Guest: Lisa Eberhart and Randy Lait of Menu Analytics [https://www.menuanalytics.com/] Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2507426/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2507426/support] Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/kitchensmartspodcast] X @Kitchen_Smarts [https://twitter.com/Kitchen_Smarts] Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts [https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenSmarts] Hosted by: Hava Volterra [https://www.instagram.com/havavolterra/], CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software [https://www.parsleysoftware.com/] Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife [https://www.instagram.com/stereoknifemgmt/]. Artwork by Dennis Mukai [https://www.instagram.com/mukaistudio/]Music by Brandon McCulloch [https://www.instagram.com/brandonmccullochofficial/]