The Sauce - A St. Louis Restaurant Show
For over 25 years, Sauce Magazine has been the go-to guide for St. Louis’ best culinary experiences. Now, The Sauce podcast is back with a new host and a renewed mission: to take listeners behind the scenes with the incredible people shaping the local hospitality industry – from chefs and restaurateurs to brewers, bartenders, bakers and beyond.
Hosted by Sauce Magazine’s executive editor Lauren Healey, who has spent her career honing her writing, editing and photography skills at various media outlets in the Midwest, the show blends insider stories with inspiration on where to eat and drink right now. Since joining Sauce in 2018, Lauren’s passion for St. Louis’ culinary scene has only deepened, fueling her pride in calling the city home and her drive to help you discover your next great meal.
The Sauce - A St. Louis Restaurant Show
Brandon Oker – Pastaria
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On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Brandon Oker, the Executive Chef at Pastaria and one of Sauce Magazine’s Ones to Watch in the February issue.
Brandon shares his path from growing up in a town of 300 people near Lake of the Ozarks to working his way from dishwasher to leading one of St. Louis’s most beloved pasta institutions. He talks about work ethic, mentorship, and why hospitality is something he feels is simply “in his bones.”
In this episode:
- Brandon’s early kitchen days at Porta Chima and learning hospitality from the ground up
- How his upbringing shaped his leadership style and approach to food
- Stepping into Pastaria as executive chef, what stays sacred, and where seasonality comes into play
- Why Pastaria continues to thrive as an accessible, family-friendly, truly democratic restaurant
- Dream future concepts, testing recipes at home, and cooking alongside his 5-year-old son, Winston
📍 Pastaria is open 7 days a week, 4–9 PM
🔗 pastariastl.com
Follow Brandon: @brandonoker
🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.
📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.
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