The Whet Palette Productions: Miami Food Blog & Podcast
I’m a Cuban-American writer and podcaster who’s been telling Spanglish food, life, and travel stories since 2013.
What started as a passion project has become a trusted, recognizable brand in South Florida’s culinary scene. By keeping it authentic and always showing up with curiosity (and probably a wine or cafecito on hand), I’ve built real relationships with chefs, restaurateurs, and a dedicated following of fellow flavor-hunters.
My coverage ranges from white-tablecloth fine dining to the no- frills neighborhood spots. I was raised on pan con mantequilla, but my appetite spans the globe.
Beyond the plate, I bring a background in interior design and dance, giving me a flair for aesthetics, rhythm, and storytelling that resonates with our vibrant audience. Think of me as your go-to guide for all things delicious, beautiful, and culture-soaked.
Listen in as I tap into a hyperlocal community that’s vibrant, loyal, and always ready for the next bite (or adventure). Just don’t ask me to choose between a Michelin tasting menu and medianoche. I’ll take both, thanks.
Brenda
Episodes
74 episodes
S5 E73 MICHELIN Guide Florida 2026: Perspective & Predictions
The MICHELIN Guide Florida 2026 announcement is set for May 28, and this year, everything feels different.With the guide going fully statewide and the ceremony officially gone, the rules, the rhythm, and the expectations ar...
S5 E72 The Fire Behind Apocalypse Miami: Smoke, Setbacks, and Success
From Cancer Survivor to Pitmaster: The Story Behind Apocalypse BarbecueMiami may be known for cafecito and croquetas, but in this episode we’re talking about another side of the city’s food story: barbecue.In this ep...
S5 E71 Chef Jonathan Kaiser on Calusso, Pier Sixty-Six, and Raising the Bar in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is having a moment, and Chef Jonathan Kaiser is part of the reason why.In this episode, I sit down with the South Florida native and the chef leading Calusso at Pier Sixty-Six Resort to talk about his...
S4 E70 Cajitas, Community & Cuban Coffee: The Vicky Bakery Story with Amy Cao
Miami y Hialeah, this one is for you.I’m joined by someone who feels like an extension of every 305 childhood: Amy Cao of Vicky Bakery. She embodies everything that makes this brand so beloved: warmth, family, community, an...
S4 E69 Miami’s Culinary Glow-Up: Featuring GMCVB's President & CEO David Whitaker
On this episode of The Whet Palette Podcast, host Brenda Popritkin sits down with David Whitaker, President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, to discuss Miami’s ever-evolving culinary i...
S4 E68 Mitch’s Bagels: A Father-and-Son Story of Family, Food, and Entrepreneurship
How does a CPA from New York end up co-running one of South Florida’s fastest-growing bagel brands? Meet Adam Shidlofsky, co-owner of Mitch’s Bagels, the family-built business redefining what a “New York-style” bagel means in Flor...
S4 E67 Featuring Mimi Puche of Happy Wine in the Grove
From Colombia to the GroveIn this episode of The Whet Palette Podcast, host Brenda Popritkin sits down with Mimi Puche, owner of Happy Wine Miami in the Grove — a must-visit Miami destination for wine lovers, ...
S4 E66 CHEF SPOTLIGHT: Effe Café's Patty Lopez
Patty Lopez’s journey begins in Hialeah. Her love for food and curiosity led her to New York, where she launched her culinary career. Eventually, she made her way to Italy, where fate intervened at a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, intr...
The Secret Star Life: A Former MICHELIN Guide Inspector Reflects
For 20 years, she lived a life shrouded in mystery: dining anonymously at some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, and deciding which ones would earn (or lose) the coveted MICHELIN stars. In this rare and candid ...
S4 E64 The Fine Wine Icon of Saint-Émilion: EVP Yves de Launay on Château Angélus, Terroir, and Timeless Elegance
In this exceptional episode, I welcome Yves de Launay, Executive Vice President of the Americas for Château Angélus, one of the most prestigious wine estates in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux. With a resume that includes Cheval...
S4 E63 Big Flavors, Bigger Heart: Daniel Serfer’s Very Miami Chef Story
Miami OG alert! Chef Daniel Serfer of Blue Collar and Mignonette joins me for a convo that’s been way overdue. Trust me, it was worth the wait.He didn’t exactly dream of becoming a chef, much less running a be...
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S4 E62 From Bibs to Bubbles: A No-Filter Recap of the 2025 Michelin Guide Florida Ceremony
The 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony went full throttle. In this juicy, no-holds-barred breakdown, I share what really happened behind the scenes at the glamorous Four Seasons Resort in Orlando.Hear about...
S4 E61: Inside RECOVECO Miami with Chefs Maria Teresa Gallina and Nico Martinez
Recoveco Miami isn’t just a new restaurant—it’s a story of focus, flavor, and corazón. Chefs Maria Teresa Gallina and Nico Martinez join us to dish on their exciting new opening, the serendipitous journey that led them ther...
S4 E60 MICHELIN Guide Florida 2025: Perspective & Predictions
Delving into the world of the MICHELIN Guide ahead of the April 17th ceremony in Orlando, Florida, this episode offers expert predictions based on my perspective after accumulating 317 Michelin stars from dining at restaurants worldwide.
S4 E59 CHEF SPOTLIGHT featuring EntreNos' Osmel Gonzalez and Evan Burgess
This Miami pop-up, EntreNos, quickly captured the hearts of Miami food enthusiasts with its unwavering commitment to sourcing all things Florida. Chefs Osmel Gonzalez, and Evan Burgess stopped in to share their journey. How did ...
S4 E58 Florida Chef Spotlight: Ryan Ratino of MAASS, Bresca, Jônt and Ômo by Jônt
Chef Ryan Ratino attended Orlando’s Le Cordon Bleu in 2009. He launched his culinary career as a Junior Sous Chef at Shula’s Steak House (Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort) and spent three years working under Todd Englis...
S3 E57 Miami Restaurant Reviews 112-123 PART 2
Picking up where we left off, the hubs and I review our personal experiences from the last 16 (new to us) Miami restaurants we visited. This is OUR opinion on OUR experience dining at each. We chose and paid for every restaurant featu...
S3 E56 Miami Restaurant Reviews 104-111 PART 1
It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. The hubs and I review our personal experiences from the last 16 (new to us) Miami restaurants we visited. This is OUR opinion on OUR experience dining at each. We chose and paid for every re...
S3 E55 Miami CHEF SPOTLIGHT: Elastika's Joe Anthony
South Florida Chef Joe Anthony left his home in Delray Beach to pursue his culinary dreams in New York City. Over a decade later, he finally returned home to open Elastika, a modern American restaurant at the stunning Moore Buildi...
S3 E54 CHEF SPOTLIGHT: Featuring La Mar Miami's Diego Oka
Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Chef Diego Oka decided to attend culinary school on a whim. A chance encounter in a supermarket with chef extraordinaire Gaston Acurio sparked the start of an incredible career. As South ...
S3 E53 Culinary Insights from Jhonatan Cano: A Global Perspective
Allow me to introduce Jhonatan Cano, a seasoned professional in the culinary world. AKA: @memoriesofagourmandAs the Director of Operations for Hive Hospitality (one Michelin-starred Bresca D.C., two M...
S3 E52 Exploring Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli's Culinary Journey and Passion for Miami
Miami-born, Argentine-Italian, two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, Forbes’ “30 Under 30 List," and first-ever Miami contestant to win Chopped...twice. No big deal. Giorgio Rapicavoli reflects on his culinary journey....
S3 E51 Daniel Figueredo's Winning Formula for Sanguich de Miami: From Fashion to Flavor
Daniel Figueredo and his wife, Rosa Romero, founded Sanguich de Miami in 2015. But life wasn’t always mojo pork and croquetas. The road to launch and reach success took many colorful detours. A background in marketing, architectur...
S3 E50 MIAMI CHEF SPOTLIGHT: Featuring Zitz Sum's Pablo Zitzmann
Brenda Popritkin engages in a deep conversation with acclaimed Miami chef Pablo Zitzmann, known for his Coral Gables restaurants No Name Chinese and Zitz Sum. Explore Chef Zitzmann's fascinating journey from his Ger...
S3 E49 Featuring Miami Food Blogger & Content Creator Cari Garcia of Fat Girl Hedonist
The 2010 South Florida culinary scene has significantly evolved since Cari Garcia began her food blog. Through the years, she successfully transitioned her brand's model from restaurant reviews to recipes and giveaways, and turned challe...
