The Restaurant Guys
Mark Pascal and Francis Schott are The Restaurant Guys! The two have been best friends and restaurateurs for over 30 years. They started The Restaurant Guys Radio Show and Podcast in 2005 and have hosted some of the most interesting and important people in the food and beverage world. After a 10 year hiatus they have returned! Each week they post a brand new episode and a Vintage Selection from the archives. Join them for great conversations about food, wine and the finer things in life.
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Episodes
168 episodes
Rowan Jacobsen: Unveiling Umami and Unwrapping Chocolate *V*
The BanterThe Guys talk about making vinegar and why you have to take care of your mother. The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys welcome writer Rowan Jacobsen to discuss the fifth taste: umami. What is umam...
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Episode 154
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37:26
Neal Bodenheimer: Crafting Culture and Cocktails in New Orleans
The BanterThe Guys talk about actors being waiters and whether that is a good thing.The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys catch up with bar owner and author Neal Bodenheimer. They wax sentimental about their glo...
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Episode 153
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57:35
Todd Wickstrom on Dining with a Purpose: Sustaining the Family Farm *V*
This is a Vintage Selection from 2005The BanterThe Guys give you the behind the scenes of the first few days of the opening of their second restaurant Catherine Lombardi and why they have to keep a fork hand...
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Episode 152
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38:56
Drew Nieporent is Not Trying to be Difficult
The BanterThe Guys talk about early days of restaurant-ing and how taking reservations over the phone led to scammers as well as long-time patrons. (Francis may even cry.)The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys we...
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Episode 151
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1:03:11
Peter Schleimer: Navigating Flocks, Flavors, and Fine Wines in Austria *V*
This is a Vintage Selection from 2005The BanterThe Guys tell of an unnecessary battle: it’s curtains!The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys welcome wine and restaurant critic Peter Schleime...
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Episode 150
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36:34
Procera Gin: Bottling the Spirit of Africa
The BanterThe Guys discuss cultural differences in the best way to leave a party. Expeditious or rude?The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys speak to Procera Gin founders Alan Murungi and Guy Brennan from Kenya. ...
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Episode 149
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46:14
Johnny Schuler and His Pisco Passion *V*
This is a Vintage Selection from 2012.The BanterThe Guys talk about The Balkans International Wine Competition and the implementation of Wine Diplomacy. Hear the Balkan wine suggestions you didn’t know you n...
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Episode 148
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38:56
Jeff Bell: Raising the Bar in NYC
The BanterThe Guys discuss a restaurant experience that let the rabbit out the hat.The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys catch up with buddy Jeff Bell to discuss the bar scene in New York. From humble beginnings...
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Episode 147
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1:01:05
Sebastian Beckwith Spills the Tea *V*
This is a Vintage Selection from 2012The BanterThe Guys talk about a taste of the military that they would have rather not had and what they will be doing to make it up to our U.S. service members. ...
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Episode 146
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42:43
Southern Smoke Festival III 2025
The BanterThe Guys look a gift horse in the mouth….and it was delicious!The ConversationsThe Restaurant Guys catch up with more fun people at the Southern Smoke Festival 2025 in Houston, TX in their third epis...
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Episode 145
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53:34
Chris Cree and John Fischer On Wine, Hospitality and Other Stuff *V*
This is a Vintage Selection from 2005The Conversation with ChrisThe Restaurant Guys talk with Chris Cree, Master of Wine, about the challenges of being among the first to earn that degree and the only person...
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Episode 144
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37:24
Aldo Sohm Makes Wine Simple (Perfect Pairings)
The Banter The Guys discuss the benefits of tip pooling and the mystery of cheek pinching. The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys welcome back sommelier Aldo Sohm who’s mission is to pair wine with food...
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Episode 143
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59:01
Southern Smoke Festival II 2025
This show was recorded on location at the Southern Smoke Festival in Houston, October 2025Angie Rito & Scott Tacinelli met working in NYC at Park Avenue Seasons. In 2018, they opened their spe...
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57:46
Southern Smoke Festival I 2025
This show was recorded on location at the Southern Smoke Festival in Houston, October 2025Aaron Bludorn began his journey at Culinary Institute of America (CIA) which led to a prosperous career working under ...
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Episode 141
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54:14
Jim Lahey and His No-Knead Bread Rocked the World (now pizza, too) *V*
This is a Vintage Selection from 2012The BanterThe Guys taste something new and unusual.The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys hear a revolutionary idea from Jim Lahey of how to make not on...
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Episode 140
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32:50
Ryan DePersio on Vision and Tenacity Behind Culinary Success
The BanterThe Guys talk about restaurant upselling and how NOT to do it like a sleazy car salesman.The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys talk with friend Ryan DePersio about wins, losses, and marine borers. Ryan...
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Episode 139
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58:52
Nicholas Harary’s Controversial View of Culinary Education *V*
This is a Vintage Selection from 2007The BanterThe Guys kick off the show discussing date night plans that don’t involve food. Spoiler, there aren’t many.The ConversationTh...
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Episode 138
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38:13
Rajesh Bhardwaj, Visionary Behind Indian Fine Dining
The BanterThe Guys share some of the cool cocktail experiences they had on their safari the night before.The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys welcome Rajesh Bhardwaj, operator of the first Michelin-starred Indi...
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Episode 137
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54:06
TEASER!! Martini Expo III 2025
This is a TEASER in our Martini Expo seriesInside Track The Restaurant Guys were invited to be the official podcasters of The Martini Expo. They spent the day sipping and chatting with the greatest makers, stirrers and sh...
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Episode 1107
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14:52
Martini Expo II 2025
Inside TrackThe Restaurant Guys were invited to be the official podcasters of The Martini Expo. They spent the day sipping and chatting with the greatest makers, stirrers and shakers on the planet!GuestsWil...
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Episode 136
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49:35
Martini Expo I 2025
This was recorded at the Martini Expo 2025Inside TrackThe Restaurant Guys were invited to be the official podcasters of The Martini Expo. They spent the day sipping and chatting with the greatest makers, sti...
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Episode 135
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55:18
Brown & Miller Talk Cocktail History and Bartending Legends *V*
This is a Vintage Selection from 2013The BanterThe Guys tell a tale of someone being bamboozled. The question is, who?The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys are joined by cocktail historian...
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Episode 134
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51:33
Dylan Trotter and the Legacy of Charlie Trotter's in Chicago
The BanterThe Guys discuss whether a cheeseburger is a composed dish. What do you think?The ConversationThe Restaurant Guys are joined by Dylan Trotter. Dylan shares anecdotes from his unique childhood, his jo...
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Episode 133
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47:23