Behind the Counter with the Food Czar
Episodes
77 episodes
Episode 76 - All Gas, No Brakes: Gustavo Gutierrez and the Rise of Cubita
In this episode, we sit down with Gustavo (Gus) Gutierrez — the high-energy entrepreneur behind Cubita Cafe and the growing fleet of Cubita Food Trucks.Gus grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey knowing he needed to...
Episode 75 - The Viral Chicken Caesar That Changed Everything at Staci’s Sandwich Joint
This week we sit down with Staci Puleo — the heart and hands behind Staci’s Sandwich Joint — whose journey into the food world is proof that it’s never too late to start something completely new.Just over a year ago, Staci was...
Episode 74 - Mother’s Day Edition: Deborah & Sam Stymest of Sam’s Table
In this special Mother’s Day episode, I sit down with Deborah and Sam Stymest, the mother-and-son duo behind Sam’s Table in Montclair, New Jersey.What started during COVID as a backyard, socially distanced dining experience fo...
Episode 73 - From Grandma Sheila’s Recipe to a National Brand: The Rise of Allie’s Banana Bread
This week we sit down with Allie Chernick, the founder of Allie’s Banana Bread, whose signature banana bread — made from her Grandma Sheila’s cherished recipe — turned into one of NYC’s most buzzed-about baked goods.From growi...
Episode 72 - Building Perla Oyster Bar: Matt Chappina on Reinvention and Resilience
This week’s episode explores reinvention, resilience, and listening to the pull you can’t ignore. We sit down with Matthew Chappina, the creative force behind Perla Oyster Bar in Maplewood, NJ.After starting out in theater, Matt found hi...
Episode 71 - From Jersey to the Islands: The Sisters Behind Shaka Kitchen
This episode dives into the inspiring, sun-soaked story of Kiersten and Krista Gormeley, the sisters behind Shaka Kitchen in Hoboken and Morristown. Raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the Gormeley sisters didn’t follow a traditional p...
Episode 70 - More Than a Deli: Eric Taliercio on Culture, Family, and Legacy
In this episode, we sit down with Eric Taliercio—the heart behind Taliercio’s, the iconic Middletown, NJ deli turned tri-state and beyond food destination.Eric’s path wasn’t straightforward. Despite his father owning the deli since 1988,...
Episode 69 - Honoring Legacy and Chasing Dreams with Peter Falzo of Vinnie’s Pan Pizza
In this episode, we sit down with Peter Falzo, the passionate owner of Vinnie’s Pan Pizza — a beloved pizza spot with locations in Millburn and Brielle, New Jersey.Peter’s story begins in the kitche...
Episode 68 - The Unstoppable Spirit of Chef Josh Capon
In this episode, we sit down with Chef Josh Capon—an acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and the undeniable King of Hospitality. Known for his unstoppable energy, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering loyalty to his friends, ...
Episode 67 - From Baking Dreams to Viral Babkas: The Rise of Jaxx Snax (Jacqueline Spiegel)
This week, we sit down with Jacqueline Spiegel, better known as Jaxx Snax, whose story is as rich and layered as her famous babkas. Growing up on Long Island, Jacqueline wasn’t quite sure where life would take her. Her path meande...
Episode 66 - From Punk Rock to Plate: The Art and Energy of Mike Barreto of Judy & Harry's
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Barreto, Assistant General Manager of Judy & Harry’s in Asbury Park, NJ — a true creative force whose journey proves that passion and artistry can take many forms.Growing up in the...
Episode 65 - The Deli Guy – Building Community, Family, and a Legacy at Park Wood Deli
In this episode, I sit down with Roger Schnorrbusch, the owner of Park Wood Deli and the social media sensation known as “The Deli Guy.”Roger shares his inspiring journey — from growing up in New Jersey an...
Episode 64 - One Year of Bucky’s: Growth, Gratitude, and Legacy with Dom Calise
In this special episode, I sit down once again with Dom Calise, owner of Bucky’s in Chatham, NJ, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his pizza shop.Dom shares what it felt like to open the doors to Bu...
Episode 63 - The Heart of Hospitality: Jojo Sammut and the Rise of Butterfish Sushi
In this episode, we’re joined by Jojo Sammut, the dynamic General Manager of Butterfish Sushi in East Rutherford — a high-end omakase restaurant that’s redefined New Jersey dining. Open just over a year, Butterfish quickly created...
Episode 62 - Corner Slice - Where Pizza, Music and Community Collide
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Bergemann, owner of Corner Slice in Maplewood, NJ, recently voted #1 on NJ.com’s “101 Greatest Pizzas” for their iconic upside-down pie.Mike’s journey is anything but ordinary. ...
Episode 61 - Inside Porta Rossa: Chef Matt Ruzga on Family, Food, and Fresh Pasta
In this episode, we’re joined by Chef Matt Ruzga, chef and owner of Porta Rossa Pasta & Provisions in Maplewood, NJ.Matt’s culinary journey began in high school in Freehold, NJ, before continuing through Johnson & W...
Episode 60 - Billy the Kid to Beverage Founder: Bill Butrymowicz and the Loom Journey
This week, I sit down with Bill Butrymowicz, the Jersey-born founder of Loom Drink, whose journey is as unique as the beverage he’s created. Growing up, Bill watched his father build a successful beverage distribution company from...
Episode 59 - Lessons in Leadership: How Giuseppe Ottaiano Jr. is Carrying the Family Legacy at Locale
In this episode, I sit down with Giuseppe “Joey Jr.” Ottaiano, one of the owners of Locale in Little Silver, NJ. Joey grew up in Livingston watching his father, a first-generation Italian immigrant, open Calabria’s Restaurant with his brother. ...
Episode 58 - Friendship, Food, and a Vision: The Wing Bar’s Rise
In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Lewis and Morgan Kulessa, the partners behind The Wing Bar in Jersey City. Bryan, originally from Baltimore, and Morgan, from the Jersey Shore, became friends at Seton Hall University — Bryan stu...
Episode 57 - Babka, Banter & Big Positivity: Chris CARESNONE
In this special live recording at Temple B’nai Abraham in Livingston, NJ, we sit down with Chris CARESNONE—social media sensation, culture ambassador, and the self-proclaimed Babka King. Chris has been warmly embraced by the Jewish com...
Episode 56 - Building a Culinary Empire—One Block at a Time with Jonathan Kavourakis
This week, we’re joined by Chef and Restaurateur Jonathan Kavourakis, a Jersey native whose unconventional path to success is as inspiring as it is impressive. Raised in Livingston, NJ in a vibrant Greek and Jewish household, Jonathan fo...
Episode 55 - Babka Bailout: Baking a Better World from Jersey City
When the world shut down in 2020, Michal Prevor didn’t just bake bread—she baked a mission. In this episode, we dive into the heartwarming origin story of Babka Bailout, the beloved Jersey City bakery that started as a way to support M...
Episode 54 - Sweet Beginnings: How Nikki Ashkar’s Love, Resilience, and Cinnamon Buns Built Mav’s Top Buns
On this episode, we talk with Nikki Ashkar, founder of Mav's Top Buns, about how a simple act of love turned into a fast-growing business. What started with baking her grandmother’s cinnamon bun recipe for her son’s first birthday has si...
Episode 53 - Antonio Reonegro: The Artist Behind the Grateful Dead’s Visual Legacy
This week, we’re honored to sit down with legendary artist Antonio Reonegro—the creative force behind some of the most iconic Grateful Dead posters, backstage passes, and artwork that have become beloved collector’s items for fans around the wo...
Episode 52 - From Passaic to Prime Time: Chef Leia Gaccione’s Culinary Climb
In this episode, we sit down with the dynamic and fearless Chef Leia Gaccione, a well-known name in the New Jersey food scene. Born and raised in Passaic, Leia’s love for cooking was sparked early—her earliest memory of food inspiration comes f...
