Culinary Confidential with Christina Cates

Americana 250: A Culinary Time Capsule (1776 - 2026)

Culinary Confidential's Americana 250 series kicks off on the right foot, as culinary historian Jay Reifel returns to the show with a sweeping, historically grounded exploration of the food traditions that shaped the United States as we know it today. In “A Culinary Time Capsule: 1776–2026,” Reifel traces the evolution of American cuisine from the Revolutionary War to the present day, examining the dishes that defined early American life, the communities that forged regional flavors, and the modern forces reshaping how America eats. It’s a candid, deeply informed conversation about heritage, change, and the stories our food continues to tell. Because when a conversation carries this much history, it becomes part of the story. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Brad Prose Brings The Fire

This week, Culinary Confidential lights up the grill and dives straight into the art and heat of summer barbecue! Brad Prose, founder of Chiles and Smoke [https://www.chilesandsmoke.com] and author of Epic BBQ Sandwiches [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0760398933], joins the show to break down the methods behind unforgettable barbecue: building flavor through smoke and spice, mastering heat control, using fresh ingredients to balance richness, and crafting sandwiches that turn a cookout into an event. We’ll also explore the inspiration behind his latest cookbook, a collection of inventive, crave‑worthy recipes designed to make your summer grilling unforgettable. Prose is a live‑fire specialist known for blending bold chile peppers, global influences, and inventive techniques that push backyard barbecue far beyond the usual suspects. His work has been featured across major food platforms, and his signature style — smoky, spicy, layered, and fearless — has earned him a devoted following of home cooks and pitmasters looking to elevate their game. Through Chiles and Smoke, Brad has built a brand rooted in creativity, precision, and the belief that great barbecue is equal parts craft and curiosity. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

When Passion Becomes A Pizzeria

Chicago, we are so back. This week, Culinary Confidential heads back to the Windy City for a conversation with Robert Garvey and Dana Hokin, the founders of Robert's Pizza & Dough Company [https://robertspizzacompany.com/], the acclaimed riverfront pizzeria that’s redefined what artisan thin‑crust can be. The husband‑and‑wife team behind one of Chicago's most celebrated pizzerias, has overseen what began as a home‑kitchen experiment into a chef‑driven restaurant that's now recognized among the Top 50 Pizzas in the USA and Top 100 in the World. Their signature “Za Dough,” a meticulously engineered sourdough‑based crust, is the product of relentless testing, fermentation discipline, and a belief that a proper slice should crack, not break. Garvey, a New York native and certified pizzaiolo, spent decades deconstructing pizzas, turning their home into a test lab before opening their first small shop in 2016. By 2019, they expanded into their now‑iconic Streeterville location along the Ogden Slip — a neighborhood spot built for locals, regulars, and anyone who believes pizza can be both craft and culture. Today, Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co [https://robertspizzacompany.com/]. is known for its riverfront patio, brick‑oven artistry, bold flavor profiles, and a community‑driven mission that includes partnerships with Slice Out Hunger and local nonprofits. It’s Chicago hospitality at its most intentional — and most delicious. Yes, Chicago keeps pulling us back, and for good reason! It’s a city where tradition meets reinvention, where chefs push boundaries without losing their roots, and where a single slice can tell a whole story. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Beyond Sushi: The Real Story of Japanese Cuisine with Massud Ghaussy aka TokyoManhattan

This week on Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates travels from the ramen alleys of Tokyo to the hidden izakayas of Manhattan with Massud Ghaussy, the creator of the fast-growing TokyoManhattan platform. Ghaussy has become a trusted bridge between Tokyo's culinary traditions and a global audience hungry to understand them. Not as trends but as living cultural practices rooted in discipline, precision, and history. His work blends travel, anthropology, and culinary storytelling, offering a rare insight into ramen culture, omakase philosophy, and the quiet rituals that define Japanese dining. From omotenashi hospitality to the worldwide rise of Japanese food culture, this conversation goes way beyond sushi. It's one of craftsmanship, restraint, storytelling, and the deep respect that shapes every plate. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Sam Bakhshandehpour

On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates sits down with Sam Bakhshandehpour, President of Merchants at Bilt, and one of the rare executives who has shaped hospitality from every angle: luxury, lifestyle, loyalty, and the evolving business of belonging. Sam's path cuts across the modern hospitality map, helping steer the Jose Andrés Group's global rise as CEO, and leading SBE Entertainment as President & CEO in a defining era of lifestyle, dining, and nightlife. But well before that, Sam got his start in the engine room of JPMorgan's real estate and lodging investment banking division, working at the intersection of strategy, scale, culture, and community. This conversation looks forward. How loyalty shifts from transactions to identity, how technology rewrites the guest journey, how brands build communities that feel lived-in as opposed to manufactured, and why the next era of hospitality will reward connection, trust, and emotional intelligence as much as design and service. Sam brings clarity, candor, and a sharp read on where the industry goes from here! See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.