The Ultimate Dish
A show about good food, inspiring stories, and deep dive talks featuring the world’s most innovative culinary educators and thought leaders. Join us as we delve into the lives of the amazing people shaping the world of food and drink. Hosted by Chef Kirk T. Bachmann.
Episodes
133 episodes
Curtis Duffy: How Family Tragedy Forged a ‘Fireproof’ Chef
In today's episode, we chat with Curtis Duffy, James Beard Award winner, Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, and author of the powerful new memoir Fireproof.Curtis shares how his traumatic childhood in rural Ohio led him to fin...
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Episode 135
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48:53
Against the Grain: Rethinking Sports Nutrition with Lentine Alexis
In today's episode, we chat with Lentine Alexis, certified holistic nutritionist, Ayurvedic health counselor, pastry chef, yoga and breathwork instructor, and sports performance coach.Lentine shares how struggling to fuel her training wi...
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Episode 134
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1:18:06
Hosea Rosenberg: The Boulder Chef Who Turned New Mexican Roots Into Restaurant Gold
In today's episode, we chat with Hosea Rosenberg, acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and founder of Blackbelly and Santo.Hosea shares how a college job to pay for school led him from studying astrophysics to training with culinary legends lik...
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Episode 133
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1:06:21
How André Hueston Mack Is Making Wine Less Intimidating—and More Fun
In today’s episode, we chat with André Hueston Mack, acclaimed sommelier, designer, and founder of Maison Noir Wines, whose journey into the wine world started far from the vineyard in a corporate office at Citicorp.André shares how a bo...
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Episode 132
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1:00:59
How Claudette Zepeda Rewrote the Rules—From Single Mom to Entrepreneur
In today’s episode, we chat with Claudette Zepeda, award-winning chef, culinary entrepreneur, and Creative Director of Chispa Hospitality, known for her fearless approach to regional Mexican cuisine and globally inspired storytelling.Cla...
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Episode 131
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57:43
How Chef Stefani De Palma Led Team USA to Gold at Bocuse d’Or Americas
In today’s episode, we chat with Chef Stefani De Palma, former Chef de Cuisine at San Diego’s three-Michelin-starred Addison and Head Chef of Team USA at the 2024 Bocuse d’Or Americas.Stefani shares her journey from starting as a pastry ...
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Episode 130
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40:04
Marc Vetri on Why the Best Chefs Don’t Just Cook — They Care
In today’s episode, we chat with Marc Vetri, an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author who helped put Philadelphia on the national culinary map.Marc is the founder of Vetri Cucina and the force behind acclaimed restaurants...
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Episode 129
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48:30
Accidentally on Purpose: Chef-in-Residence Kristen Kish on Life, Mentorship & Meaning
In today’s episode, we chat with Kristen Kish, Escoffier Chef-in-Residence, award-winning chef, and host of Bravo’s Top Chef.A Korean adoptee raised in Michigan, Kristen discovered her passion for cooking at a young age. After w...
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Episode 128
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28:34
Carnegie Hall to Culinary School: How One Opera Singer is Nourishing Her Art and Her Life
In today’s episode, we chat with Maria Zouves, a Greek-American soprano, educator, director, producer, and current Escoffier student pursuing a degree in Holistic Nutrition & Wellness.As President of the Sherrill Milnes VOICE Program...
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Episode 127
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1:14:05
From Resume to Interview: Hospitality Hiring Experts Share Career-Boosting Tips
In today’s episode, we chat with Brian Blum and Evan Kaplan, two expert recruiters from Gecko Hospitality—an esteemed partner of Escoffier.With over 20 years of experience in restaurant operations and staffing, Brian has held leadership ...
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Episode 126
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1:01:30
Lessons in Hospitality: How Kevin Boehm Builds Award-Winning Restaurants
In today’s episode, we chat with Kevin Boehm, a James Beard Award-winning restaurateur.With a career spanning three decades and over 40 restaurants opened, Kevin has redefined the dining experience. From launching his first six-table res...
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Episode 125
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58:10
From Army to Artistry: Trenin Nubiru’s Culinary Reinvention
In today’s episode, we chat with Trenin Nubiru, a graduate of Escoffier's culinary and baking & pastry programs.Trenin’s journey to the kitchen is far from conventional. With an engineering degree from West Point and 20 years of mili...
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Episode 124
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55:55
The Unstoppable Chef Jesse Ito: Omakase, Legacy, and Sobriety
In today’s episode, we chat with Chef Jesse Ito, co-founder of Philadelphia’s Royal Sushi & Izakaya. A first-generation Japanese Korean American, Jesse refined his skills at his family’s restaurant, Fuji, under the guidance of h...
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Episode 123
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50:51
The Healing Power of Pasta: Graduate Natalia Lepore Hagan’s Inspiring Story
In today’s episode, we chat with Natalia Lepore Hagan, a 2022 Escoffier graduate with honors and the founder of Midnight Pasta Co.After experiencing profound personal loss, Natalia shares how she channeled her grief into building Midnigh...
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Episode 122
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48:05
Charlie Trotter’s Legacy Lives On: A Son’s Journey of Innovation and Tribute
In today’s episode, we chat with Dylan Trotter, a 33-year-old Chicago native and the son of famed chef Charlie Trotter. Dylan reflects on growing up in his father’s iconic Lincoln Park restaurant, where he first discovered the magic...
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Episode 121
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48:57
Reinventing Life at 53: An Escoffier Student’s Journey to MasterChef
In today’s episode, we chat with Daniela Peregrina, a 53-year-old plant-based culinary student at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.Daniela proves that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. A lifelong teacher, she shares how ...
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Episode 120
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52:59
Curtis Stone Unplugged: TV Stardom, Michelin Stars, and Cooking with Heart
In today’s episode, we chat with Curtis Stone, Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, podcast host, and TV personality. Curtis shares captivating stories from his early days as an apprentice for Marco Pierre White to his rise as a cul...
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Episode 119
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39:30
Ask Me Anything: Chef Kirk Bachmann Answers Your Most Burning Questions
In today’s episode of The Ultimate Dish, host Chef Kirk Bachmann addresses your most burning questions in this inaugural Q&A episode.Join Kirk as he delves into his daily motivations, reflects on the mentors who have influen...
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Episode 118
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35:15
Joy the Baker: Baking, Blogging, and the Life-Changing Magic of it All
In today's episode, we chat with Joy Wilson, the founder and chief sweet tooth behind the beloved blog, JoytheBaker.com.Since launching in 2008, Joy has grown her platform into a baking empire, amassing over half a million Instagram foll...
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Episode 117
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40:43
From Michelin Stars to Escoffier: Chef Instructor Florian Tetart on Building Culinary Excellence
In today's episode, we chat with Chef Florian Tetart, an Escoffier Chef Instructor in Baking & Pastry Arts based in Boulder, CO. Originally from Lille, France, Chef Florian has worked in top-rated restaurants across Hong Kong, T...
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Episode 116
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42:52
How Chef Dave Beran Prepped Hollywood Stars for FX’s The Bear
In today's episode, we chat with Dave Beran, chef and owner of Pasjoli, a James Beard Award Finalist for Best New Restaurant, celebrated for its classic French cuisine and fresh California produce. Chef Dave’s culinary rise began in...
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Episode 115
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48:34
James Beard Award-Winner Kelly Whitaker on Why You Should Keep a Line Cook Mentality
In today's episode, we sit down with Chef Kelly Whitaker, the owner of Id Est and a James Beard Award-Winner for Outstanding Restaurateur.Chef Kelly shares how his travels abroad inspired him to launch Id Est and its acclaimed restauran...
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Episode 114
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1:11:07
Reverie Reborn: How Chef Johnny Spero Rebuilt His Dream Restaurant After a Tragic Fire
In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Chef Johnny Spero, owner of Reverie and Bar Spero in Washington, D.C.Chef Johnny takes us through his remarkable culinary journey, starting at the age of 16 when he worked alongside James Beard...
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Episode 113
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1:06:38
From Air Force to Cowboy Chef: Escoffier Grad Mason Snyder’s Unique Life Journey
In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Mason Snyder, an Escoffier graduate currently serving as the Executive Chef at Feast Your Eyes Catering. Some might even know him as the Cowboy Chef, featured on Hulu’s
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Episode 112
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53:20
Chef Nancy Silverton: The Key to Finding Your Culinary Obsession
In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Nancy Silverton, co-owner of Pizzeria Mozza, as well as Osteria Mozza, Mozza2Go, and chi SPACCA in Los Angeles. She’s also the creative mind behind Nancy’s Fancy gelato.In today’s interactive ...
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Episode 111
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50:22
