Beyond the Plate

We’re joined by Tyler Malek, the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at Salt & Straw, where he is best known for developing over 2,000 inventive, delicious ice cream flavors. Tyler brings his knack for creativity and innovation to the Culinary Advisory Board, highlighting his playful approach to rethinking and transforming familiar flavors. Enjoy this episode as we go Beyond the Plate… with Tyler Malek.

This series is brought ...

We’re joined by Ali Bouzari,  a culinary scientist and the co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Pilot R&D, where he combines his culinary creativity and scientific expertise to develop new products and techniques. Ali’s approach highlights the potential of PepsiCo Foods’ brands as everyday ingredients, including how ingredient substitutions can unlock a playful and delicious way to think about food. From his innovative ...

We’re joined by Ellen Bennett, the founder & Chief Brand Officer of the beloved culinary apparel brand, Hedley & Bennett, as well as the TV host of Kitchen Glow Up and author of Dream First, Details Later, inspiring people to make their dreams happen. Ellen shares her unique perspective on blending her fine dining background with her Mexican heritage. She also shares how she showcases the versatility of everyday ingredients...

We’re joined by Eric Adjepong, a professional chef, Food Network host, bestselling author and activist, best known for his fusion of West African flavors into creative dishes. Eric dives into the creative intersections of his career and how they will all play a role as a member of the Culinary Advisory Board. He shares innovative uses for PepsiCo Foods brands as pantry staples, highlighting the power of bold flavors in everyday coo...

For our season finale, we’re thrilled to welcome Aaron Franklin, owner of Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas, often hailed as the best barbecue spot on the planet. The self-taught barbecue expert shares his journey from humble beginnings—cooking just two briskets a day—to becoming the first pitmaster to win a James Beard Award and serving over 120 briskets daily to customers who line up for hours. Aaron opens up about why he still ...

Dominique Ansel is the pastry mastermind who was named the World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2017 by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, and is widely celebrated for his creation of the Cronut®. Dominique shares his journey from a small-town in France to revolutionizing the pastry world in New York City and beyond. We learn the story behind the Cronut's viral success, his commitment to quality over mass production, and the life lesso...

Eric Adjepong is a father, chef, author, and Food Network host celebrated for bringing West African cuisine to the mainstream culinary conversation. From his memorable appearances on Top Chef to his collaboration with Crate & Barrel and his work with the PepsiCo Foods Culinary Advisory Board, Eric shares insights into his creative journey. He discusses the pivotal moment in culinary school when he realized he needed to focus on...

For our Beyond the Drink season finale, we sit down with Sebastian Tollius, a globally renowned beverage director known for crafting exceptional hospitality and cocktail experiences. From his work at Eleven Madison Park and Clemente Bar in New York City, Sebastian shares his innovative approach to his beverage programs. He discusses the artistry of pairing flavors with gin, his dedication to reducing waste, and his commitment to so...

Gregory Gourdet is an award-winning chef, writer, restaurateur, best-selling author, and television personality. He shares his journey- from pre-med at NYU to studying wildlife biology at University of Montana- and how it led him to Portland, a place where he found sobriety and community. Gregory shares the philosophy behind his acclaimed Portland restaurant, kann, where he infuses Haitian and West African flavors into seasonal dis...

Kappy sits down for an inspiring conversation with Simon Ford, co-founder of Fords Gin and a celebrated figure in the world of spirits and cocktails. As a returning guest, Simon reflects on his journey in gin-making, emphasizing the deeper values Fords Gin brings to the hospitality community. He shares how Fords is more than just a bottle on the shelf; it's a commitment to bringing people together, supporting industry creativity, a...

In this special episode, host Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan moderates an inspiring panel from the Social Innovation Summit, bringing together three influential voices dedicated to creating positive change through food and sustainability. 

• Eric Ripert, acclaimed chef, author, and co-owner of New York’s Le Bernardin, shares his journey of blending culinary excellence with meaningful philanthropy. 

• Claire Babineaux-F...

Marc Rose and Med Abrous are NYC natives who have made a significant impact on Los Angeles' nightlife and dining scenes. They have breathed new life into iconic spots like The Spare Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Genghis Cohen, and the classic La Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills. We explore their creative process, attention to detail, and what drives them to honor the legacy of these storied locations while pushing the boundarie...

Drew Nieporent is one of the most accomplished and influential restaurateurs of our time. He is the founder of Myriad Restaurant Group and co-founder of Nobu Restaurants with actor and producer Robert De Niro. In this episode, we dive deep into Drew's philosophy on hospitality, his reflections on business principles, and his personal challenges, including surviving a stroke and cancer. He opens up about his forthcoming memoir, his ...

Steve Schneider has more than 20 years of bar experience in New York, Singapore, Shanghai and Panama City, earning a reputation as one of the most respected and inspiring bartenders in the industry. He is known for his time at Employees Only when it earned “The World’s Best Cocktail Bar” Award at Tales of the Cocktail. In this episode, Steve shares his journey of opening bars across continents, and how it feels to be back in NYC! W...

Vikas Khanna's journey is nothing short of extraordinary - rising from homelessness as an immigrant to becoming an internationally acclaimed chef. He’s also a filmmaker, author of over 37 books, and one of the first Indian chefs to earn a Michelin star in the U.S. Currently, Vikas is the Chef and Partner at Bungalow in NYC. In this episode, he shares his remarkable story, from his roots in Amritsar, India, to the pivotal role his m...

We’re excited to bring you a special bonus episode featuring our partner, Kikkoman. Joining us is Shota Nakajima, a friend of the podcast and member of the Kikkoman Kitchen Cabinet- a group of chefs and culinary operators dedicated to sharing innovative uses for soy sauce in global cuisines. We dive into a fascinating discussion about various Japan-adjacent cuisines that incorporate soy sauce, the techniques he uses, and why he’s p...

Moe Aljaff has been a creative force behind some of the world’s most celebrated bars, including Two Schmucks in Barcelona, which earned a top 10 spot on the World's 50 Best Bars list. Moe shares his extraordinary journey, from his refugee upbringing in Sweden to bartending around the globe, including stints in Amsterdam, Thailand, Norway and Barcelona. Now, as he gears up to launch a new bar in New York, Moe shares his philosophy o...

Andrew “Babish” Rea is the creative force behind the wildly popular YouTube channel, Babish Culinary Universe. Best known for his series Binging with Babish, Andrew shares how his passion for food and film led him to create an online culinary empire. We dive deep into his journey—from overcoming personal struggles and creative burnout to developing his own cookware line and embarking on new ventures like Bed & Babish. Andrew ha...

Cassidee Dabney is the Executive Chef of The Barn at Blackberry Farm, one of the most renowned culinary destinations in the U.S. We learn her path to leading a world-class kitchen team and she shares the one must-have item every cook should own. We dive into The Barn’s menu and its hyper-local “Foothills Cuisine®” of Appalachia- a cuisine inspired by the freshest seasonal ingredients and produce grown just steps away from the kitch...