Eat It, Virginia!

Chef Ryan Diaz joins Scott Wise and Robey Martin on “Eat It, Virginia!” to talk about his journey from Miami to Charleston, Los Angeles and ultimately Richmond, Virginia, where he now leads the seasonal kitchen concept Mañana inside Cahoots in the Fan District. Diaz shares stories from working in elite kitchens including McCrady’s, Animal, Vern’s and The Brooklyn, discusses balancing military life in the Air...

How does someone leave a successful insurance career at 50 to open one of Richmond’s most beloved wine bars?

On this episode of Eat It, Virginia, Scott Wise and Robey Martin sit down with Melissa Stallard, proprietor of Chez Nous in Richmond’s Monroe Ward neighborhood, to talk about food, reinvention, French culture, hospitality and building community through wine and conversation.

Melissa shares how growing up in her f...

Richmond pizza legend Billy Fallen is back with a new Billy Pie restaurant in Henrico’s West End.

In this episode of Eat It, Virginia, Scott Wise and Robey Martin sit down with the longtime baker, restaurateur and entrepreneur behind Billy Bread, Aziza’s on Main, Billy Pasta and Billy Pie to talk about his decades in Richmond’s food scene, his family’s restaurant roots, and why he’s opening another pi...

Five years after his pandemic-era appearance, Chef Evan Campbell returns to Eat It, Virginia with an update on his culinary journey. Robey Martin and Scott Wise catch up on Evan’s move from running The Stables and Franklin Inn in Richmond to a serene apple orchard resort in Sedona, Arizona.

Back home in Virginia, Evan now leads food and beverage at Westminster Canterbury, manages seven dining programs, and curates cre...

In this episode, we explore the unique partnership behind Richmond's Get Tight Lounge with co-owner Drew Schlegel and Chef Dalisa Campbell.

Schlegel, a Baltimore native who worked his way through the restaurant scene starting at the Lily Pad, brings authentic Baltimore-style pit beef to Richmond alongside business partner Randy O'Dell.

Campbell, whose culinary journey spans from her grandmother's country bar Boot Scooters to intern...

Join Scott Wise and Robey Martin as they sit down with Fred Enriquez, co-owner of Auntie Ning's Filipino restaurant in Richmond, Virginia. Fred shares how his childhood and family's Filipino restaurant in Virginia Beach inspired him to bring authentic Filipino cuisine to Richmond.

Once in Richmond, Fred and his business partner Kristin Hobday combined their shared faith with their passion for hospitality to create a restaurant &nbs...

On this month's episode of Eat It, Virginia, hosts Scott Wise and Robey Martin sit down with Herbie Abernethy and Josh Novicki, the Richmond duo behind three of the city's most celebrated restaurants: Cobra Cabana, Hot For Pizza, and Brave Captain.

Herbie and Josh share the story of how two art school kids from East Carolina University, connected through a thriving North Carolina music scene, found their way to Richmond and built a...

Baltik’s Bagel founder Yero Rudzinskas shares his journey from Michelin-starred kitchens and high finance to building one of Richmond’s most buzzed-about bagel shops. In this Eat It, Virginia! podcast episode, he reveals his bagel-making secrets, business philosophy, and why community connection drives his success.

You'll Learn:

• How Yero went from chef to banker to bagel maker.
• The process behind Baltik’s Bag...

Eat It, Virginia, co-hosts Scott Wise and Robey Martin sit down with Tim Gearhart, founder of Gearharts Fine Chocolates, to explore his 25-year journey in confectionery. Tim shares how his love for food began in Charlottesville, took him through a stint as a Marine Corps cook, and eventually led to opening one of Virginia’s most beloved chocolate shops in 2001.

He discusses the artistry behind Gearharts’ signature 16-pi...

Eat It, Virginia hit the road to Scott’s Addition in Richmond for a trip to Pinky’s, a Mediterranean‑inspired tapas spot with big personality, unforgettable flavors, and a whole lotta heart. 💖   

Owner & chef Steve DeRaffele dishes on everything that makes Pinky’s special, from his mom’s influence (and the nickname that became the restaurant’s name) to the open‑concept vibe, neighborhood...

When music lover and chef Matt Kirwan opened Daisy's at Tredegar this summer, it was like a dream come true. Located adjacent to Richmond's new Allianz Amphitheater, the restaurant has become a pregame destination for concertgoers.

"I still have to pinch myself sometimes," Kirwan told hosts Scott Wise and Robey Martin on the latest episode of Eat It, Virginia! "I got to go into every show and some of my favorite bands came through....

The Smoky Mug recently opened its expanded location along North Avenue off Brookland Park Boulevard in Richmond, growing from a 1,400-square-foot space with 8 indoor seats to a 3,000-square-foot restaurant featuring 35 dining room seats, a 10-seat bar, and a 25-seat lounge area. Co-owners Dan Lee and Ryan Maynes discussed their journey on the Eat It, Virginia podcast, sharing how their restaurant concept began during a COVID-19 pan...

Eat It, Virginia! takes you behind the scenes with two influential social media creators showcasing Richmond, Virginia restaurants and events to both longtime locals looking for new things to try and audiences who may have never heard of Richmond.

Paige Poprocky, co-owner of the Richmond Experience, and Lauren Z. Ray have built substantial followings by highlighting what makes Richmond special — from vegan-friendly resta...

Chef Kyle Perkins has found his culinary home at Salt & Meadow inside The Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia, where the breathtaking waterfront views and local seafood inspire his cooking. 

"I came and I walked through the front door at the Tides Inn. I saw the view, and I said, 'Yep, sign me up,'" Perkins said.

Before joining The Tides Inn as executive chef, Perkins worked at Twin Farms, a boutique resort in Vermont that he...

Join us as we dive into the unconventional journey of Grayum Vickers, the innovative wine director and sommelier at Richmond’s Lost Letter and Lillian restaurants. Discover how this former high school meteorology teacher and punk rock musician found his passion for wine. Grayum shares his insights on coastal wines, the thrill of serving celebrities, and his excitement about the rare opportunity to offer Dom Pérignon by the gl...

Amy Cabaniss, owner of Revel Market and Bar in Lakeside and Julep's in downtown Richmond, discusses her Richmond restaurant journey which began in 1998.

She highlights the unique features of Revel, including a secret patio and how a trip to New Orleans inspired the venture.

She also addresses some of the challenges of running restaurants during inflation, owning a restaurant in downtown Richmond, plans for future events, and some o...

Tom Ellington and Jon Schott join Robey and Scott to discuss the evolution and growth of Cirrus Vodka and the recent opening of its new tasting room in the Scott's Addition neighborhood of Richmond. The space, known as Ballast, also houses Yellow Umbrella and Slack Tide Fish Co. The tasting room's drink menu, created by Jon, includes a variety of vodka-based cocktails, with a focus on local products.

See omnystudio.com/listener...

Join hosts Robey Martin and Scott Wise as they embark on a delicious journey through Charlottesville, Virginia. In this episode of Eat It, Virginia, they’re joined by food writer Simon Davidson, who unveils the coveted Charlottesville 29 — his list of the ideal 29 Charlottesville restaurants.

Whether you’re a local foodie or planning a visit, this episode is a feast for the ears that will leave you eager...