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
126 episodes
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
Transforming Lives Through Culinary Training: Dr. Rollie Wesen and The Jacques Pépin Foundation
In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Dr. Rollie Wesen, Executive Director of The Jacques Pépin Foundation and an assistant professor at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. In 2016, Rollie founded The Jacques Pé...
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Episode 110
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55:04
Finding Purpose After a Tragic Accident: Chef Eli Kulp’s Inspirational Story
In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Eli Kulp, the decorated chef and partner of High Street Hospitality Group, host of The Chef Radio Podcast, and co-host of Delicious City Philly Podcast. Before 2015, Eli's culinary journe...
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Episode 109
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1:25:43
Chef Brian Arruda Reveals the Future of Private Chefs
In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Brian Arruda, founder & CEO of Executive Chefs at Home, a premier placement agency for hospitality professionals in private residences across the globe. Brian shares the journey of bu...
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Episode 108
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44:45
Matty Edgell: The Schoolteacher Who Won “The Great British Bake Off”
In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Matty Edgell, the 28-year-old winner of the latest season of The Great British Bake Off on Netflix. Matty’s journey to triumph was nothing short of extraordinary. Hailed as the “underdog”...
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Episode 107
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46:31
The Master Chef Blueprint: Ferdinand Metz Unveils His Secret to Culinary Success
In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Ferdinand Metz, instrumental in establishing the Chefs’ Apprenticeship, Certification, and Master Chefs’ Certification programs in the United States. He’s also the first Certified Master Chef in histo...
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Episode 106
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1:01:00
A Heartfelt Talk with Daphne Oz: Exploring Family, Food, Social Media and Authenticity
In today’s episode, we speak with Daphne Oz, Emmy Award-winning television host, New York Times-bestselling author, natural foods chef, and daughter of Dr. Oz. As a previous co-host at The Good Dish and ABC’s The Chew, Daphne dives into...
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Episode 105
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1:00:46
Top Chef Host Kristen Kish: Her Incredible Story from Culinary School to Culinary Stardom
In today’s episode, we speak with our guest Kristen Kish, the new host of Bravo’s Emmy Award-Winning Top Chef.* Kristen is the chef and partner of Arlo Grey in Austin, TX, as well as the founder of Kish Apéritif.Kristen shares how remai...
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Episode 104
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46:16
