The Food Lens Podcast

S4 Ep.15: Ultimate Self-Care Strategies from Chef Matt Jennings

Matt Jennings knows a thing or two about self-care. Back in 2016 the chef and owner of critically acclaimed Townsman drastically changed his lifestyle; he lost 160 pounds, stopped drinking, and started using his platform to bring health and wellness to the restaurant world. We caught up with Matt from his current home in Vermont where he is launching new food projects, seeking solace in the natural world, and surviving 2020 by staying committed to strategies like journaling and prioritizing sleep... and we’re taking notes. Looking to stock up on wine for the holiday season? Check out our sponsor, 90+ Cellars! This Boston-based wine company travels the world to bring you great wines, at affordable prices. Head to NINETYPLUSCELLARS.COM [http://ninetypluscellars.com/] to shop their Reserve Collection [https://www.ninetypluscellars.com/collections/reserve-15-20] for bottles in that $15-$20 sweet spot, or step up your wine-gifting game with something from their new Collector Series [https://www.ninetypluscellars.com/collections/collector-20]. While you’re browsing, check out their quarterly wine club (you’ve earned wine shopping from your couch this year!), and get 10% off your order with promo code THEFOODLENS at checkout. A monthly subscription of artisan cheese? Yes please! Locals Jenn and Matt Mason of Curds & Co. started this incredible subscription, which comes with 3 cheeses, 3 specialty food pairings, a themed Spotify playlist, a Curdcast podcast, and a wine pairing card. Gift someone a subscription, and share the experience. Head to CURDBOX.COM [https://curdbox.com/]and use code FOODLENS at checkout to receive $10 off your first order. Our theme music is "Tropical Pop," by OSIANRECORDS.

S4 Ep. 14: Jenny Johnson’s Pandemic Playbook

Producer and co-host of Dining Playbook [https://diningplaybook.com/]Jenny Johnson manages to gracefully juggle TV and radio jobs with family life, all while pursuing studies in Ayurveda - a practice she started exploring after managing a health crisis with her young daughter. We dive into how the pandemic has reset priorities, why she’s so inspired by the hospitality community, and how we can all help local non-profits in this time of tremendous need. Stay tuned at the end of the episode to hear from Jared Sadoian, General Manager at Craigie on Main. This is the third in a series of short conversations with folks in the hospitality industry about how their jobs and lives have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Looking to stock up on wine for the holiday season? Check out our sponsor, 90+ Cellars! This Boston-based wine company travels the world to bring you great wines, at affordable prices. Head to NINETYPLUSCELLARS.COM [http://ninetypluscellars.com/] to shop their Reserve Collection [https://www.ninetypluscellars.com/collections/reserve-15-20] for bottles in that $15-$20 sweet spot, or step up your wine-gifting game with something from their new Collector Series [https://www.ninetypluscellars.com/collections/collector-20]. While you’re browsing, check out their quarterly wine club (you’ve earned wine shopping from your couch this year!), and get 10% off your order with promo code THEFOODLENS at checkout. A monthly subscription of artisan cheese? Yes please! Locals Jenn and Matt Mason of Curds & Co. started this incredible subscription, which comes with 3 cheeses, 3 specialty food pairings, a themed Spotify playlist, a Curdcast podcast, and a wine pairing card. Gift someone a subscription, and share the experience. Head to CURDBOX.COM [https://curdbox.com/]and use code FOODLENS at checkout to receive $10 off your first order. Music in this episode includes "Teamwork," by Scott Holmes. Our theme is "Tropical Pop," by OSIANRECORDS.

S4 Ep. 13: How to Build a Food Blog into a Successful Business

Boston-based baker and blogger Sarah Crawford explains how she built her casual blog Broma Bakery [https://bromabakery.com/] into a successful business. We dig into the evolution of food sites, the “3 waves of blogging,” and why vulnerability is more important than ever. Plus, she’s got tips for holiday baking, and making your food photos pop on Instagram. Click HERE [https://bromabakery.com/bourbon-pecan-pie/] for her bourbon pecan pie recipe to take your Thanksgiving to the next level! Stay tuned at the end of the episode to hear from Bartender and Event Manager Garvey Salomon from Parlor Sports and Trina’s Starlite Lounge [https://www.thefoodlens.com/boston/spots/trinas-starlite-lounge-2/] in Somerville. This is the second in a series of short conversations with folks in the hospitality industry about how their jobs and lives have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Looking to stock up on wine for the holiday season? Check out our sponsor, 90+ Cellars! This Boston-based wine company travels the world to bring you great wines, at affordable prices. Head to NINETYPLUSCELLARS.COM [http://ninetypluscellars.com/] to shop their Reserve Collection [https://www.ninetypluscellars.com/collections/reserve-15-20] for bottles in that $15-$20 sweet spot, or step up your wine-gifting game with something from their new Collector Series [https://www.ninetypluscellars.com/collections/collector-20]. While you’re browsing, check out their quarterly wine club (you’ve earned wine shopping from your couch this year!), and get 10% off your order with promo code THEFOODLENS at checkout. A monthly subscription of artisan cheese? Yes please! Locals Jenn and Matt Mason of Curds & Co. started this incredible subscription, which comes with 3 cheeses, 3 specialty food pairings, a themed Spotify playlist, a Curdcast podcast, and a wine pairing card. Gift someone a subscription, and share the experience. Head to CURDBOX.COM [https://curdbox.com/]and use code FOODLENS at checkout to receive $10 off your first order. Music in this episode includes "Teamwork," by Scott Holmes. Our theme is "Tropical Pop," by OSIANRECORDS.

S4 Ep. 12: How Does a Restaurant with 1 Table Survive 2020

Before coronavirus, meals at Tanám [https://tanam.co/] were shared among strangers at one 10-seat table; a setup that clearly wasn’t going to work when they reopened this fall. We chatted with chef-owner Ellie Tiglao about how she and her colleagues are reimagining the small restaurant in Somerville, what exactly she means by the term “narrative cuisine,” and what’s at the heart of Filipino food. Looking to stock up on wine for the holiday season? Check out our sponsor, 90+ Cellars! This Boston-based wine company travels the world to bring you great wines, at affordable prices. Head to NINETYPLUSCELLARS.COM [http://ninetypluscellars.com/] to shop their Reserve Collection [https://www.ninetypluscellars.com/collections/reserve-15-20] for bottles in that $15-$20 sweet spot, or step up your wine-gifting game with something from their new Collector Series [https://www.ninetypluscellars.com/collections/collector-20]. While you’re browsing, check out their quarterly wine club (you’ve earned wine shopping from your couch this year!), and get 10% off your order with promo code THEFOODLENS at checkout. A monthly subscription of artisan cheese? Yes please! Locals Jenn and Matt Mason of Curds & Co. started this incredible subscription, which comes with 3 cheeses, 3 specialty food pairings, a themed Spotify playlist, a Curdcast podcast, and a wine pairing card. Gift someone a subscription, and share the experience. Head to CURDBOX.COM [https://curdbox.com/]and use code FOODLENS at checkout to receive $10 off your first order. Music in this episode includes "Teamwork," by Scott Holmes. Our theme is "Tropical Pop," by OSIANRECORDS.

S4 Ep. 11: How Staying in Start-Up Mode Helped Sarah Murphy Bring Back Vinal Bakery

At a time when so many restaurants are struggling, it’s great to hear from a business that has bounced back - despite facing so many challenges. Find out how staying in start-up mode helped Sarah Murphy figure out how to re-open Vinal Bakery [https://www.thefoodlens.com/boston/spots/vinal-bakery/], why a sense of humor gets her team through, and of course, what breakfast treats we should be ordering to keep us all going this fall. One of our favorite spots, Celeste in Union Square, is offering TFL listeners 10% off all takeout orders! Whether you want to get cozy with their famous Peruvian creamy chicken stew, or pretend you are on a warm and sunny vacation with a fresh ceviche, Celeste has you covered, just use code TFL10 at checkout! www.celesteunionsquare.com [http://www.celesteunionsquare.com]