Behind the Counter with the Food Czar

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!

Episode 73 - From Grandma Sheila’s Recipe to a National Brand: The Rise of Allie’s Banana Bread

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501944/fan_mail/new] This week we sit down with Allie Chernick, the founder of Allie’s Banana Bread, whose signature banana bread — made from her Grandma Sheila’s cherished recipe — turned into one of NYC’s most buzzed-about baked goods. From growing up in Rhode Island to studying photography at Syracuse and building a career at Ralph Lauren, Allie followed a creative path — all while quietly becoming the person everyone knew for her banana bread. What started as baking for friends soon took on a life of its own, leading her to make a bold leap from her full-time job into entrepreneurship. Now with her loaves landing on JetBlue, FreshDirect, and doorsteps across the country — plus standout collaborations along the way — Allie shares the story behind the pivot, the pressure, and the early signs that her side hustle was becoming something much bigger. This episode is about trusting your gut, honoring your roots, and turning what you’re known for into a brand. Follow Allie's Banana Bread @allie'sbananabread Recording Location: Greenpoint, NY 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 72 - Building Perla Oyster Bar: Matt Chappina on Reinvention and Resilience

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501944/fan_mail/new] This week’s episode explores reinvention, resilience, and listening to the pull you can’t ignore. We sit down with Matthew Chappina, the creative force behind Perla Oyster Bar in Maplewood, NJ. After starting out in theater, Matt found his true calling in the kitchen—working through restaurants in Brooklyn and NYC before launching a sandwich concept that gained momentum, then stalled during COVID. Burnt out and ready to walk away, he followed a new instinct instead. That instinct led to a pandemic pop-up oyster bar, a surprising hit that reignited his passion. In 2023, Matt took the leap and opened Perla, a space that reflects his winding path and creative vision. This conversation dives into burnout, pivots, betting on yourself, and how the right idea often finds you when you’re finally ready to listen. Follow Perla @eatperla Recorded at Perla Oyster Bar Maplewood 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 71 - From Jersey to the Islands: The Sisters Behind Shaka Kitchen

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501944/fan_mail/new] This episode dives into the inspiring, sun-soaked story of Kiersten and Krista Gormeley, the sisters behind Shaka Kitchen in Hoboken and Morristown. Raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the Gormeley sisters didn’t follow a traditional path. School wasn’t where they thrived — but curiosity, grit, and a shared desire for something more always were. Kiersten, the older sister, felt an early pull toward the culinary world and an even stronger itch to get out of New Jersey. That restlessness led the sisters to Hawaii, where they lived for six transformative months. What they found there wasn’t just beautiful food — it was a simpler, cleaner way of life rooted in community, intention, and joy. The people, the vibe, and the flavors deeply shaped their palates and their perspective, sparking the idea to build something together. In 2016, with passion but zero restaurant experience, they opened the first Shaka Kitchen in Hoboken. They didn’t know the front end from the back end — and day one was such a wild success that they literally had to close for a few days just to regroup. Instead of backing down, they leaned in, learned fast, and powered through, creating something truly special. Shaka Kitchen became more than a restaurant — it became a movement, channeling the Hawaiian way of life that brought the sisters peace, clarity, and purpose. Along the way, Kiersten validated her culinary chops by becoming a Food Network Chopped Champion, while both sisters continued growing the brand with heart and authenticity. Now, as they enter a new chapter — building families while building their future — Kiersten and Krista know one thing for sure: they want to keep sharing the Shaka spirit and bringing that sense of joy, nourishment, and connection to more people, in whatever form comes next. This is a story about trusting your gut, betting on each other, and building a life — and a business — that actually feels good. Follow Shaka Kitchen @shakakitchen Recorded at Shaka Kitchen Morristown 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!